Expect Nothing: A Zen Guide

by Clarice Bryan

Through meaningful anecdotes and a candid, down-to-earth narrative, Clarice Bryan brings the significance of the Buddhist belief expect nothing into full focus. She offers help on applying this notion to many aspects of life, including romance, work, family, and oneself. By learning to make the best of what one has now and letting go of expectations which only breed disappointment you can find extraordinary fulfilment.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my story about acquiring this book. One of the most important books I've ever read in my life came to me during a second visit to a book store on the same day because I had more time to kill before a meditation at a salt cave nearby. It was a used book and was marked up and annotated. The notes and highlights inside made the read an even richer experience for me. I opened this book exactly when my heart and soul needed to read these words. Thank you to the author, the previous owner, the book store (The Next Chapter LI in Huntington NY), and the universe for delivering this book into my hands when I needed it most. This book was the reason I stepped back into that store that day. I was meant to find it.

[marj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well as the book states, it is simply a book about the author's journey towards Buddhism. The author offers advice and practices that help with reaching enlightenment. However, this book is from the point of view of someone who grew up very fortunate. Variables that would exist to those of us who are not so fortunate, were inherently nonexistent in this book. I did like that the author made the reader aware of her privilege's but none the less there was a lot that I simply couldn't relate to in this book.

The author noting her privilege's was a huge plus for me because I felt like it was something that had to be said when talking about one's journey, which made this reading experience more pleasurable because it didn't feel like I was being lied to.