ABOUT ZEN
Zen is a way of living which uses the traditional
disciplines of meditation, mindfulness and the precepts to develop compassion
for all beings, including oneself. "Zen is something to be practised
in our daily life as air is breathed by anyone at any time. Zen is nothing
but the total living of this encounter at each moment by throwing away our
preconceived ideas and our plans...This is the deepest root and foundation
of human life: it has nothing to do with following a religious sect."
[Hogensan]
Books on Zen are many and diverse. I recommend
the ones listed below as providing an excellent introduction to what Zen
is about:
Thich Nhat Hanh:
Being Peace and Peace Is Every Step
Shunryu Suzuki:
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind and Branching Streams Flow in
the Darkness
Robert Aitken:
The Mind of Clover
Hogensan:
The Other Shore
Charlotte Joko Beck:
Nothing Special and Everyday Zen
Diana St Ruth:
Sitting - A Guide to Buddhist Meditation
Brad Warner:
Hardcore Zen
ZEN PRACTICE IN GREAT BRITAIN
Sitting on your cushion, you sit with the
whole universe. However, most people find it helpful to get together in
a group from time to time. I suggest these contacts:
Another group I would like to bring to your attention is:
If I can help with anything further please feel free to contact me at
xyzpardos@globalnet.co.uk (but remove the xyz from the address first - it's
inserted here merely to deter automated spammers). If you're looking for
the Chester Zen Group (which still appears in Buddhist directories - they
seem to copy from each other without checking the facts) I'm afraid it has
been defunct for some years now.
Darroll