Instant Zen

Waking Up in the Present

De: Thomas Cleary

Narrado por: Mitchell Ryan

Find yourself and tune in: such is the message of Zen. Instant Zen presents the teachings of Foyan, a twelfth-century Chinese Zen master recognized as one of the greatest masters of the Song dynasty Zen renaissance in China. These simple exercises by Foyan lead you to the awakening of insight into the real nature of self and emphasize independence and autonomy, two qualities vital to seeing and acting clearly. Newcomers will find this a useful and sophisticated introduction to authentic inner Zen practices without cultural exoticism or religious cultism. Experienced practitioners will benefit from this guide from an impeccable source and experience a return to the uncomplicated genuineness of the original Zen masters.

©1996 Thomas Cleary (P)1996 Phoenix Books, Inc.

Zen is designed to force one to question their own thoughts and observations.

This book does an excellent job of putting all the paradoxes forth. I myself am still incapable of grasping much of it but perhaps it isn't meant to be grasped but rather gaining enlightment through confusion or understanding confusion and thus grasping enlightenment. This is my best approximation of a zen statement: speaking out of both sides of your mouth and thus saying nothing and leaving confusion behind or awakening for those that can understand. The more I look in to Zen Buddhism the more I find myself drawn to Tibetan Buddhism. Perhaps the more structured approach suits my taste. So much of Zen is meditation and riddles that aid in breaking the mind. Out of all the zen books I have read this one has the most down to earth language and is most easily comprehensible if you are capable of grasping the incomprehensible. Thus I state another zen like statement. Grasping the material through immaterial and through the immaterial one can truly grasp the material. It's a decent book and was quite good at making you think about things while leaving one confused at the same time. Zen itself is what I don't comprehend and I suspect the author has nothing to do with it. If you like logic, ritual and tradition than Tibetan Buddhism may be more useful.

An excellent book on the natural mind and the essence of non duality.

Among books regarding the quintessence of mind, these chapters are without peer. Direct, no dogma. An excellent reminder for those lost in cognition and personal narrative.

Excellent

The definitive text on Zen. Nothing else compares. Written by the most accomplished Zen master of ancient China.

If you are a beginner or advanced

This book is a great tool to help maintain the focus on your path in Zen

Growth, everytime you replay. Master Foyan, a tru

Growth, Every Time You Replay

Master Foyan, a true living teacher, walks with you now! Thomas Cleary does a great job of reading with understanding. The benefit of this may be realized.

☸ The Instant Path ☸

⏳ 12/20/2024: Realization ⏳

Only now can I realize how fortunate I have been to have experienced enlightenment in the 80s. Knowing everything I did from that infinitesimal and infinite moment, little did I know how little I knew after such an unparalleled experience—nor did I know how long it would be before I attained realization. Each day, now at 70, I experience realization for more extended periods. Truly, some things cannot be realized without first attaining enlightenment. As the master says, there are two paths: the long and the instant. Mine was the instant and first experience, and I am now on the longer path. Take the one you're on.

🌱 The Long Path 🌱

⏳ History ⏳

[2020:] I listened to this book, this actual audiobook, first in 2009. Since then, I have returned to it, and this review, over and over. I am fortunate to have achieved enlightenment in the 80s, for which I credit Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for placing me on the right path. However, I had questions, and even though I grew spiritually, I wanted to hear from a traditional master. Since I had already received the gift, I didn't know exactly what to expect. To that end, I want to express the joy I have received at hearing the stories repeatedly and how, through the book, I discovered some truly deep meditation practices. Not that he teaches them, but the book is almost, if not truly, alive.

🌟 12/20/2024: Boy, was I mistaken in this—he does teach meditation. I was too new to actualization and realization; in other words, I did not live in the "now" to understand that, as he repeatedly said to me: "I have said to you, you do not understand!" To which I can now say, "So true! So true!" But that was then. ;-)

Sometimes, it felt as if I had transcended time and walked with the Masters. At times, I found Master Foyan chiding me, asking what I was doing there (as if he didn't already know), and at times just being a friend and talking about his life, the life of other old masters, and the Way thus. What a joy. I've looked for other related books but have not found another like it!

🌿 Today: I have learned that he was chiding me for having experienced enlightenment and asking why I was stuck and wasn't moving on to achieve realization and live "thus." I'm big on the "🌐ness" now! 😊

📖 Reflections 11 Years Later 📖

[2020:] Other than the first line of this review, I'm here today adding additional commentary 11 years later. I love this book so much. I haven’t listened to it for over a year, and when I got a new phone, it didn’t have the download. I had lost and just regained access to my Audible account, and it’s still here for me. Great folks—may they outlive my need. I'm downloading it to listen to tonight.

✨ [Timeless] Final Thoughts ✨

If you have questions, this book has answers. If you have already achieved what you've sought, this book offers comfort and companionship. Master Foyan is a great storyteller. If you're trying to find what you think you have lost, well... it's time to get off the donkey! Master Foyan can and will guide you back to what you never lost or to what you never had in the first place.

Can I say more? Perhaps. This IS the book on the subject of Zen you’re looking for. Or perhaps you only need chapter's three and four! 😊