Becoming Yourself

Teachings on the Zen Way of Life

By: Shunryu Suzuki, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler - editor, Sojun Mel Weitsman - editor

Narrated by: Peter Coyote, Shunryu Suzuki

From the beloved author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind comes a new book of teachings on the essence of Zen practice

"I felt a burden being lifted from my shoulders just by reading this remarkable book." —Oliver Burkeman

“Our way of sitting is for you to become yourself.”

In this long-awaited book from one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the last century, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi shares simple, warmhearted teachings on a practice that is fundamentally about becoming yourself. In his inimitable style, filled with humor and insight, Becoming Yourself speaks directly to the newest beginners while also serving as a touchstone and a continual source of inspiration for even the most experienced practitioners and Zen teachers.

Becoming Yourself unearths new jewels from the late Suzuki’s lectures and brings to light many of his unpublished teachings.

Becoming yourself is not meant to be understood as an idea; it is meant to be tried out as a way of being. It is “Just to sit,” a practice of wholeheartedly being as you are, moment after moment, no matter what is happening. It is a practice of deeply connecting with how it feels to be alive in your surroundings, whether on a meditation cushion or not, and stepping forward from that connection. It is opening to your life, wherever you are, and finding right there a deep well of innate wisdom, compassion and care.

Exclusive to the audiobook, following Peter Coyote’s narration is special bonus content of Suzuki Roshi in his own voice. Presented in crystal clear, remastered audio, hear over thirty minutes of selected clips from the original lectures by Suzuki Roshi that were the basis of Becoming Yourself.


* This audiobook edition contains a downloadable PDF with supplemental material.

Thank you

favorites and I will continue to refer back to it as I practice.. Thank You

Quiet delight

Deep gratitude for Peter Coyote and Suzuki Roshi in cosmic conversation with infinity and me. Quiet delight.

Amusing, wise, and profound

I’m amazed. I will be returning to it again and again. Especially the audiobook with actual recordings of Suzuki Roshi. We are so lucky.

Moments of real insight

Moments of real insight but also definitely feels like a time capsule of thought, not always in the most today applicable way.

Lucky Us!

Zen Mind Beginners Mind is one of my favorite books on meditation. In fact, it was my first Buddhist book. Now, to have a precious second book by Shunryu Suzuki makes me feel very lucky and grateful to the authors. It’s just as good as the first and I will read and listen to the book for many years to come!