Sample
  • Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

  • Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
  • By: Shunryu Suzuki
  • Narrated by: Peter Coyote
  • Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,263 ratings)

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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

By: Shunryu Suzuki
Narrated by: Peter Coyote
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Publisher's summary

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few. So begins this most beloved of all American Zen works. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as this famous opening line of Shunryu Suzuki's classic. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it's all about. An instant teaching in the first minutes. And that's just the beginning.

In the 30 years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics in a way that is remarkably clear and resonates with the joy of insight. Listeners will refer to this audio time and time again as an inspiration to practice.

©1970 Shunryu Suzuki (P)1988, 2015 Audio Literature, Phoenix Books

Featured Article: Beginners Meditation Audiobooks


The benefits of meditation range from the mental to the physical and everything in between. If you want to start meditating but don't know where to begin, we have you covered. This selection of audiobooks will answer your questions, assuage your fears, and get you ready to dive into the ancient practice. Our picks have one shared message: meditation is whatever you need it to be. There are no hard-and-fast rules, no fancy equipment needed. All you need is the desire to begin your journey to inner peace. Each of these listens focuses on a different element to the practice—find the one that speaks to you.

What listeners say about Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

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Good enter level reading book

Listen to the book itself would bring you some inner peace. The basic knowledge is good to know.

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My favorite book.

This is my favorite book. I listen to it whenever I’m looking for answers, and it just chills me out. The combination of the content by Shunryu Suzuki and the narrator, Peter Coyote, make this book next level.

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Simple but powerful

This is a Easy read base on very simple idea but profound n enriching. A great book for anyone in self discovery

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Good introduction to the art of zen

The content is very relevant if your looking for an intro zen Buddhism. I have enjoyed it immensely. The audio track is well read - but the audio quality is lacking.
It would be great if the chapters also had a title as well as the track number.

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Elegant

Direct, simple, yet wonderfully profound. This statement was not enough to meet the bare minimum for Audible, so I write another....

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Perfect

The understanding of Zen expressed in this book is as clear and concise as I have encountered. Every pitfal I have fallen into during my practice is predicted and explained. Although I am in no way qualified to judge the teaching in terms of accuracy I do believe that this book is all one needs to practice Zen. In fact I would encourage you to not go and find more and more literature to read on the subject.
The narration brings it all together into a perfect audiobook. I do not know who the narrator is, but his performance is so good I suspect he has a good understanding of the subject as well.

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beautiful narration

a heart touching listening for the beginners mind. let the light be passed on through this.

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Pretty good introduction to zen

I learned a few things. May need to listen to it a few times to dwell on some of the concepts.

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Subtle and moving

A gentle introduction to some of the most profound ideas in and about Buddhism. Understated and yet will stay with you. Great narrator, Peter coyote’s voice is warm and steady. Highly recommended.

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amazing book

great book loved the narrator overall good buy I can listen to this book over and over and learn a little more every time

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8 people found this helpful