What Is Zen?: Plain Talk for a Beginner's Mind

by Norman Fischer, Susan Moon

An thorough introduction to Zen Buddhist practice—in a reader-friendly question-and-answer format—by two highly regarded teacher-writers

This unique introduction to Zen teaching and practice is structured as a Q&A, making it a most useful reference for new and seasoned practitioners to look things up. The questioner (Susan Moon) and the answerer (Norman Fischer) are Buddhist teachers and old friends, each with a unique gift for articulation. Their friendly conversation covers not only the basics of Zen Buddhism but a range of issues unique to Zen in America in the twenty-first century,

• What is zazen and how do you do it?
• Where did Zen start and where did it come from?
• Will I have an enlightenment experience?
• What is the law of karma in a nutshell?
• What do Zen Buddhists say about rebirth?
• How do you recognize a good, solid Zen teacher?
 
Moon and Fischer’s conversations are both humorous and informative, providing a good basic education in Zen—not only the history, theory, and practice but also contemporary issues such as gender inequality, sexual ethics, and the tension between Asian traditions and the modern American reality.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Zen, Buddhism, Philosophy, Meditation, Self Help

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2016

About the author

Zoketsu Norman Fischer (born 1946) is an American poet, writer, and Soto Zen priest, teaching and practicing in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. He is a Dharma heir of Sojun Mel Weitsman, from whom he received Dharma transmission in 1988.

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered What Is Zen?: Plain Talk for a Beginner's Mind upon reading Leo Babauta's suggestion in Timothy Ferriss's Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World. After having my eyes opened to Taoism in 2017 (also thanks to Tim Ferriss' guest suggestion of Tao Te Ching) and rereading my beloved Zen Speaks: Shouts of Nothingness, I decided to delve further into Zen. This book felt less intimidating than the other widely suggested title, Shunryu Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice.

The author of this book, Norman Fischer, is actually a disciple of Shunryu Suzuki, so this book could probably be considered an easier introduction to Zen than the almost 40 year old Zen Mind. Fischer uses a question/answer format with his coauthor, Susan Moon. Moon's questions provide the platform for discussions of all sorts, but I especially liked how she wouldn't back down from certain points that might not make sense or be as easily accepted. Considering the contradictory nature of Zen, it was nice to have the book itself press these points rather than blindly proclaiming them as truths.

Zen practice helps you to live your actual life, not your descriptions of it.

There are plenty of fascinating insights into Zen and Zen practice. Fischer covers a wide range of topics, some mundane and some esoteric. I was initially put off a little by all the talk about the formality of Zen rituals and hierarchies, but that quickly gives way to more philosophical questions and answers.

One of the most interesting teachings of Zen is how to appreciate everyday life. As the monks were taught, Zen practice is to "chop wood, carry water."


Fischer explains that one should be present in whatever one is doing. So if you're washing dishes, you are just washing dishes. Most of us have the tendency to fill the void with distractions. Most people would have something else going on while washing dishes, be it listening to music or watching TV. While we exercise we also watch TV or listen to music. While we're performing one activity we're planning or worrying about the next activity. As Thich Nhat Hanh explains in Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise, we are all constantly inundated with noise, external and internal. Zen helps teach to reduce the noise and utilize silence to appreciate the current moment of the current activity.

Of course, since Zen is full of contradictions, one of the best anecdotes appears to walk back on this concept. When Seung Sahn tells his students to "just do what they are doing" and then is caught reading while eating, he tells his students "Yes, but I am just reading and eating." This lesson and discussion are a microcosm of Zen.

By its very nature, Zen is not something you ever learn to fully understand. To expect a slim book such as this to teach you everything and provide enlightenment would be missing the entire point of Zen. This serves as a great introduction and reminder of Zen practice and precepts. As such, it fulfills Shunryu Suzuki's concept of maintaining a "Beginner's Mind" throughout your quest to attain "Zen Mind."

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim volume was a really great tool in getting my footing in the Zen tradition, its history, and its doctrines.

Before diving into the book, I felt iffy about the FAQ setup of the text, but I soon found this back and forth between Moon and Fischer to be endearing, and to make the concepts of Zen quite relatable and friendly to the reader.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who wants specifics on meditation, it's geared more towards those who want a survey of Zen and all it encompasses (including its history, traditions, relationship with the arts, and how it has been implemented throughout the West).

All in all, I found it an extremely enlightening and helpful read!

[John Funk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently I have been having a little bit of trouble with discipline and peace of mind. My diet is way off my anxiety is up , and , because I'm a book reader I decided to turn to books for some help. I chose ' What Is Zen , Plain Talk For A Beginner's Mind ' , by Norman Fischer and Susan Moon.

I chose this book because , I guess , intuitively I know that meditation and mindfulness are the keys to the relief that I need - however I've had real trouble with meditation and mindfulness. They can cause discomfort themselves , at least at the beginning stages and I know that practitioners of Zen are generally regarded as being good with meditation and mindfulness. I have also had a bit of an interest in Zen for quite some time , although I didn't know much about it before I picked up this book - I knew that Zen isn't a religion necessarily - so I thought that it might be fitting for me. So for those reasons , and a little bit of randomness in looking up a generally beginners book on Zen , I picked this one.

Background - Norman Fischer is a highly respected western practitioner and teacher of Zen Buddhism. From 1970 through 1976, he trained at the Berkeley Zen Center, a temple in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. Fischer served as co-abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center from 1995–2000 , he has taught many people over the years and he has a reputation for integrity. He also a published poet and literary lover which I found quite interesting. Susan Moon is also a writer, editor, and lay teacher in the Soto Zen tradition and she's the author of a number of books about Buddhism. Susan is a student of Norman's and the way that this book is structured is a dialogue between Norman and Susan. The student asking questions to the master and the master providing answers. Now , I didn't think I would like this format. I didn't realize that it was like that when I picked the book up but I quickly came to enjoy the structure of the book. Many of the great philosophical type books throughout history have been set up in the form of a dialogue between teacher and student. Many of Plato's dialogues about Socrates are set up in that fashion as are numerous others so I felt that it is a fitting literary style and that it serves the purpose well.

What is this book about ?

What Is Zen is a book for anyone who is curious about Zen. What Zen is , how one gets started in practice , what the history of Zen is all about. There are 14 chapters within the piece and within each chapter Susan asks Norman a variety of questions within that chapters theme. The 14 chapters are titled as so. 1. What's the point. 2. Zazen. 3. Form and Ritual. 4. Awakening. 5. History. 6 Beliefs and Ethics. 7. Teachings. 8 Teachers. 9. Stages of Practice. 10. Over the Long Haul. 11. Sangha. 12. Everyday Life and Everyday Relationships. 13. Zen and Art. 14. Saving All Sentient Beings.


What did I learn from the book ?

Although I knew that meditation was a key theme within Zen I didn't realize that it is THE theme. Zazen - the practice of meditating and being mindful in the moment. You know that seems to be the key teaching from most of the religious practices throughout the world and throughout history. If you want to be enlightened , keep your mind in the now. Focus on the present moment and keep your mind out of the past and out of the future. Take particular care to enjoy what you are experiencing every moment of every day. This message from within Zen fits perfectly with the key message in the book I'm currently reading , ' The Power Of Now ' by Eckhart Tolle. Keep your eye out for a review on that one from me , I'm really looking forward to talking about it here soon on the channel.

In ' What is Zen ' Norman talks a lot about what life is like inside a Zen temple. The way he describes it these places sound like they are really peaceful , inviting places. It actually has me quite excited to go to one of my local Zen temples. Unfortunately there isn't one in my city. There is a meditation center here in my city that I plan on visiting for the first time next week. They have solitary meditation , group meditation and walking meditation and if you show up on Monday's they will actually teach you to meditate so I am looking forward to that and the next big city over from me , in Akron Ohio , there are a couple of real Zen temples. I am planning on going to one of these soon and meeting with some real monks and if I enjoy my experience I might start going once a month.

On of the things that kept coming to my mind as I read this book was the fact that Norman seems to be really practical. He writes in such a way that it sounds like anyone can partake in Zen. He talks about how a person can have different goals - some people just want to meditate a little each day. Some other people want more - they want to become a part of the local temple community and spend larger bits of their time studying the history of Buddhism and meditating. Norman talks about the fact that you can start out with Zen just by reading books and meditating at home. Watching Zen lectures online and what not. And if you want to go a step further you can go to your local temple.

Although he does talk about the fact that you don't need a teacher to practice Zen he does talk about some of the benefits of having a teacher. And I think that is true in just about anything in life. I always like to compare things to learning to play guitar. You could learn to play the guitar on your own but you would largely benefit from having a teacher. Same with Brazilian jiujitsu. And so it is with Zen. I think , however , when I go to the local meditation center and the temple in Akron that it is going to really excite me for this whole thing and I'm looking forward to going.

Norman talks about the buddha in the book. The original enlightened one. Siddhartha Gautama. He talks about the history of Zen and his own lineage of teachers from who he has descended. He also talks about the different schools of Buddhism - Vajrayana Mahayana Theravada and the similarities and differences between them and the fact that Zen is a Mahayana Buddhism.

You know both the western world and the eastern world and traditions have a lot to offer the world and I think it can be unfortunate when a person is only familiar with one of those two ways of life. The scientific western way is astonishing and valuable and so is the eastern way of meditation and knowledge of ones own mind along with discipline and enlightenment. I am someone who enjoys history and of course this is a short book so it isn't gone deeply into here but I would like to read more about Siddhartha and the early days of Buddhism and this little book has inspired me to perhaps pick up a larger book on the history of Buddhism.

And so , my final thoughts. I am going into my local meditation center on Monday at 7 pm for a meditation session. I left them a voicemail asking what services they offered and they sent me a text - ( read text )

I think that I am also going to make my way to the Buddhist temple in Akron Ohio. I looked up some photo's online and it looks like a real Zen temple with all of the artwork and the priests in robes and the atmosphere seems legit for this place.

And most importantly I think , Zen is something that can be utilized by anyone of most belief systems , or lack there of. Christians practice it , atheists practice it - it's the art of mindfulness and calmness and bettering the quality of ones consciousness. Perhaps , if it goes well for me I'll update you all in the future.

[Sarah Laurence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good, basic introduction to Zen Buddhism, which focuses primarily on the American practice and its Japanese origins (via China and India). I loved how the book was set up as questions and answers, which was similar to the Jewish way of exploring faith. One of the authors was raised Jewish and since I'm a Jew too, this resonated with me.

The book describes Zen is a religion without a deity, which makes it compatible with other religions such as Judaism, Christianity and national religions. Although the authors don't mention Shintoism, I can now understand how Japanese temples combine native spiritual Shintoism with imported Buddhism. This explains how Buddhism spread so easily to other countries since it supplements indigenous religions without replacing them. Zen is even compatible with Atheism. The authors explain how American Zen Buddhism has evolved to welcome women and the LGBTQ community, although there are more white European Americans converts than PoC converts.

I read this book, along with more advanced Zen Buddhist texts, to research my young adult novel set in Japan. It was a quick and easy read, which I finished in one afternoon. This short book would crossover well to a teen audience.

[Barbara Rhine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book from Norman directly, and when I told him that I have a daily Buddhist practice he told me that "Plain Talk for a Beginner's Mind" did not mean this book was simple. And indeed it is not, though it is easy to read. In the form of questions and answers, it combines Fischer's extensive knowledge with his ability to teach simply. In the end, though, it rather discouraged me in an odd fashion. Fischer admits in these pages that intensive Zen practice will not necessarily transform the person, who may remain as crotchety and judgmental as ever. But the practice will make the practitioner happier. And I guess that is a large part of what Buddhism is all about. Surprising, huh, given the premise that the First Noble Truth is sufffering?

[Stuart Woolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

I purchased this book - for a very modest price - in a store I visited primarily to buy incense. It was a sympathy buy - but I should have known better, for this store was also the type to peddle in healing crystals, astrological calendars, and other such bullshit.

I have twice attempted to wrap my mind around Zen, the first from D.T. Suzuki, the second time from Alan Watts. Both times I felt the subject to be lacking in substance, but also felt a richness lay beyond the horizon - which could be understood, if only presented in a modern, less esoteric style. This book, published in 2016, presented itself as a remedy.

This book contains a very substantive discussion on the difficulty of translating East Asian languages, which, it is suggested, accounts for much of the confusion regarding Zen in the West. I concede this is an important point, but also one of limited usefulness: when Sun Tzu tells us the war is won before it is fought, I do not consider the gist of his statement to be opaque.

The book then retreats into "that-which-cannot-be-explained" mumbo jumbo. (Well, that, and some words about breathing and sitting facing the wall - a kind of spiritual stalemate, it would seem.)

Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy, which I am currently reading, does lend some perspective on Zen in the West. I think Russell would characterize the emergence of Zen - and of healing crystals - as a product of lingering cultural Romanticism, a pushback against science and positive philosophy in favor of the ethereal, the mystical, and the exotic (read: mistranslated) Orient.
It may be the case that Zen, as it exists here, is not designed to be understood, but is really more of a therapeutic exercise intended for those whose spiritual needs defy conventional means of resolution.

[Bruno · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is light and easy to read, but it also felt shallow and overly concerned with the rituals, hierarchy and internal culture of Zen (specifically American Japanese Zen) instead of diving into the actual principles. Too much talk about priests and ordaining and robes and little about the actual worldview (which for a western audience should require extra effort, given our dualistic ways of thinking seem to make it harder to parse). I picked this up after “The Tao is Silent” to see it if opened up new paths in exploring that entire cluster of Asian philosophy but it it felt like a dead end. Will have to regroup.

[Chase McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great introduction to the world of Zen. The topics covered just skim the surface and leave room to dive into more depth. The questions answered in this book were mostly ones beginners might have when wanting to emerge themselves into Zen. Though Zen is a religion by this books' standards it can also be looked at as more of a way of life. For me this book gave me the perspective that I personally have to interpret Zen the way I want to see it and not through the eyes of someone else. Overall be positive, love one another, and know there will be hard times in your life.

[Thomas Zegray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The questions from Sue and the answers from Norman made me think of a modern day political press conference. Were the questions predetermined and approved? Were the answers read from a monitor, written by a secretary? It made me laugh and made me think and realize that this is how the world works and people think.now.. skeptically. Probably the point and decision to do this format. I've found my way to the path of spiritual meaning and Buddhist ways and this book was a new "chapter" for me and I'm sure others..

[Hung · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book written about Japanese Zen from a Western Zen practitioner. It takes the form of Q&A between a master and a student. For me, the book illuminates several characteristics about Zen in the USA. Being a Zen practitioner myself, I welcome more points of views and interpretations of Zen precepts and ethics, and how Zen is currently practiced in this world. A good book to read and deepen your knowledge about Zen.

[Matthew Shinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Moon asks the questions, that we all have about Zen Buddhism, and Norman Fischer has informed, insightful answers. Sure there were plenty of times throughout this book when I wanted more details, more references for further reading, but overall this is a good book.

I'm really glad I read this book and I'll treasure it for years to come.

[Grace Applegate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid introduction to Zen and Buddhism. It was written in a question answer fashion so towards the end I flipped to the questions I had instead of reading it all the way through. I definitely have a better understanding of the religion, considering I knew nothing about Buddhism before. I also think I'll be able to apply some of it's teachings to my own life!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed introduction to the practice of Zen Buddhism as it is practiced in the United States currently. I always have things I like and dislike about books. Overall I will be looking forward to reading more by this author. The wording of the questions felt a bit overly casual and many things went into deeper detail than I expected.

[The Glaziers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally clear and non-dogmatic discussion of Zen -- a topic which doesn't lend itself to written explanations. Fischer's writing is free of needlessly exotic terminology, and his answers to basic question about Zen are thoughtful and open minded. If you are going to read only one book about Zen, it should be this one.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to Zen practice in the early chapters but I felt it lost direction in the second half and hid behind Zen-like generalities when discussing the nature of the teacher-pupil relationship.

[Samiam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caring for a practice- throwing your hat over the fence.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

[Stephen F · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good first Zen book

A very common sense overview of Zen and where to start. Insightful and easy to read. Would recommend to someone looking for an entry point to Zen.

[Willywa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know

[Yanal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An accessible and enjoyable introduction to Zen Buddhist practice—in a reader-friendly question-and-answer format—by two highly regarded teacher-writers.

[Tasha Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this very repetitive and kinda boring if I'm honest, which is disappointing as it came so highly recommended.

[Seph Chris King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some answer puzzled me, but for the most part this was a great intro book to Zen Buddhism.

[Karim · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a podcast than a book

[Lior Zippel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for NY Zen Center. Good intro with lots of gems, and also very helpful coming from a Vipassana background.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a future relisten.. what a great convo to eavesdrop on!

[Mathew Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good one

Nicely explained in the form of easy talks about Zen practise . Easy to read in relaxing way. Need to read.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in better understanding Zen, especially as a religion, then this is a solid book. I was interested in new kernels of wisdom from Norman Fischer for my mindfulness practice, and he does provide a few of those too.

One bit in particular struck a chord: "If you insist that time is a limited container that's nearly full and now you are trying to stuff three or four more things into it, then yes, you are too busy. You become anxious. But if you recognize that time is life, then you just do whatever you are doing when you are doing it, and when it is finished, you do something else."

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book to begin learning about zen and Buddhism. just finished it so it's too early to say but it may be life changing.

[Kelly McCubbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly the "beginner's manual" that the title indicates. More a conversation where the former Abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center is quizzed by a friend on those questions that students might be too intimidated to ask. ("Are you enlightened?")
A refreshingly candid conversation with one of the more critical Zen thinkers of our time.

[Chad Kipling]

Recommended by Leo Babauta as a good Zen starter book.