The Path Of The Human Being: Zen Teachings On The Bodhisattva Way

Book Summary

In this book Dennis Merzel, one of the most highly regarded American Zen teachers, brings a friendly and inviting flavor to Zen Buddhist wisdom. Merzel (also known as Genpo Roshi), explains how meditation can gradually lead us to becoming more and more familiar with our own minds, allowing us to better understand ourselves and the nature of human life. In THE PATH OF THE HUMAN BEING he explores the practice of meditation in depth, as well as a range of related topics including: connecting meditation practice to everyday life, understanding central Zen concepts, working with a teacher, and practicing meditation in the midst of difficult times. According to Genpo Roshi, Zen practice is like a spiral. Meditation is the tool we use to connect with our inherent nature and with all other beings. But because of habitual tendencies, sooner or later we find ourselves right back where we started: caught up in our own limited, ego-centered mind. Nevertheless, simply by having glimpsed another possibility, having seen through the illusion of "small self," we have changed forever. We may gain and lose this clear vision many times over many years, but each time we return to our ordinary mindset we become less attached to our self and our narrow perspective. Over time, our mind returns more and more easily to its original, natural clarity.

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