Illumination: A Guide to the Buddhist Method of No-Method

by Rebecca Li

A modern guide to the transformative practice of silent illumination from Chan Buddhist teacher Rebecca Li.

Silent illumination, a way of penetrating the mind through curious inquiry, is an especially potent, accessible, and portable meditation practice perfectly suited for a time when there is so much fear, upheaval, and sorrow in our world. It is a method of reconnecting with our true nature, which encompasses all that exists and where suffering cannot touch us.

The practice of silent illumination is simple, allowing each moment to be experienced as it is in order to manifest our innate wisdom and natural capacity for compassion. It can be integrated into all aspects of daily life and is meaningful for secular and Buddhist audiences, new and seasoned meditators alike.


After guiding readers through the history and practice of silent illumination, Rebecca Li shows us how we can recognize and unlearn our “modes of operation”—habits of mind that get in the way of being fully present and engaged with life. Cultivating clarity on the empty nature of these habits offers us a way to unlearn and free ourselves from unhelpful modes such as harshness to self, perfectionism, quietism, striving for spiritual attainment, and more.

Illumination offers stories and real-life examples, references to classic Buddhist texts, and insights from Chan Master Sheng Yen to guide readers as they practice silent illumination not just on their cushions, but throughout their lives.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Zen, Nonfiction, Meditation

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

Reviews

[Matt Dowdy]

Overall Dr Rebecca Li is a thoughtful and patient writer/teacher, I would recommend this to new students and committed meditators.

I struggled a little with the length, it takes a while to get into the core of the book, the “modes.” The first hundred pages are general background on Chan. I hope in the future there is a shortened, maybe pocket size guide, because it is helpful to reference each mode of operation. There is a lot of information to work with, written very digestibly, with little pretension. I’ve listened/watched several of Li’s lectures and I’m glad her tone translates well into this book. I’m sure I will revisit each mode of operation for insight as my practice changes, as I get tripped up by myself. Since finishing this a month or two ago I’ve found myself repeating “Let Be, Let Through, Let Go” regularly, when I feel distressed, when I need to create clarity around uncomfortable situations, when I’m confronted with being perceived or misinterpreted. Let be, let though, let go. The jewel of this book.

Another noteworthy passage is toward the very end, Rebecca recounts a metaphor for meditation, learning how to drive. It is put so clearly, cuts right to the core of why we do this, to live. We have to, to keep going. I read the passage to my students recently, before we sat together, and it led us into just the right space. I’m always looking for passages that explain why we do this, without using the language of Buddhism, but showing the principles we keep, and this is one that does exactly that. A prime example of how Li is able to reach into the beginner’s mind and show us what connects.

I am not well versed in the contemporary field but I am inspired and excited by Li, I think she is doing important work in integrated Chan practice into a wider Zen landscape, expanding thought in many directions … maybe even ten

[Michael Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for your practice

Wonderful book. I will apply some of the pointers to my huatou practice. This is about checking one's practice (you are the only one who can "really" do this). Reminded me of Trungpa's "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" (as the sage Ice Cube says--"yo got to check yourself..."). PNL

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought my meditation was going really well because I have successfully learned how to enter a very dark cave and trance out! Although, to be fair it was relaxing and peaceful!! Rebecca wrote about her teacher, John Crook saying, “Chan isn’t supposed to be comfortable.”I had become an expert at running away and hiding from my life and then pretending everything is going well. I struggled for so long in life just having my basic needs met that I thought life is comfortable. Instead of facing my life and the people in it, I just cut them out and blocked out things I didn’t want to face. I wasn’t living my life but keeping myself protected.

This book helps you become aware of how you operate in your life. Many of us have deep conditioning that we think helps us deal with life. Rebecca is gentle and compassionate in sharing deep wisdom to help you free yourself of the various modes of operation that we may use to face life. I felt so much shame about how much time I wasted hiding from life but now I am going to start allowing myself to stay with, "that just as that and stay with this just as this!"

This book is everything and I will re-read many times! If you are looking for a breakthrough in your meditation practice and in life this is the book for you!!

[ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most accessible books on Silent Illumination or the Method of No-Method with outlines of all the mind's gimmicks and trickery during meditation or practice that often happen on a "spiritual" path. A must-read for any present-day Chan practitioner that truly want mastery of what it means to practice and leave behind all forms of spiritual materialism and spiritual traps for complete understanding for which that is always silently illuminating.

I even found just the table of contents to be quite the gem and revealing:
1: The Method of No-Method: What Silent Illumination Is
2: A Different Way of Being: Allowed All to Be Illuminated
3: Chan is Living A Fully Engaged Life: What the Buddha Taught
4: A Way of Seeing: The Four Noble Truths
5: The Eightfold Path and Our Modes of Operation
6: Craving Mode: Greedy for Experience
7: Aversion Mode: Making thoughts Our Enemies
8: Trance Mode: Hiding from Ourselves, Hiding from Our lives
9: Problem-Solving Mode: Trying to Fix the Present Moment
10: Intellectualizing Mode: Thinking Our Way to Enlightenment
11: Quietism Mode: Dwelling in a Dark Cave
12: Forgetting-Emptiness Mode: Resisting the True Nature of Reality
13: Allowing What is and Being Fully Here

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

It Should Be 100 Pages Shorter

5 stars for the wisdom in the book, but 3 stars for the length, structure, and repetitiveness.

There is a tradition of Buddhist books around 150 pages that although slim, have a huge impact and have had successful sales for decades. I believe that this title could have been one of them but instead, it used a structure that is reminiscent of a college course syllabus that stretches out the topic for the entire semester.

Although there are many insightful examples beyond the first third of the book, if one hasn’t dedicated themselves to Chan practice, they can probably go from the fourth or fifth chapter and then read the last chapter, which is a solid recap.

Hopefully, Rebecca Li will have the opportunity to publish a succinct introduction to Chan someday which will give a layperson the groundwork for learning an exceptional form of meditation practice.

[Alvin Toy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is life-changing. It inspires me to be better. It confronts all the unhelpful habits we may be engaging in as we try to better ourselves with meditation practice. It dispels myths and misunderstandings about the practice of silent illumination. After reading and practicing with each chapter, I can definitely say I have learned a lot about myself and my not so helpful habits. I now have practical ways to address these habits as they come up in my daily life. Even my loved ones around me have noticed a change in me. Thank you to the author, Rebecca Li, for your dedication in helping all of us, not only through this book but through your retreats, dharma courses, and live talks. This is Ariel btw I am using my dad’s Goodreads account :)

[Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid guide to the method of silent illumination (or shikantaza, or open awareness). Although this method is inherently hard to explain, I found this to be one of the best references I’ve yet come across. The bulk of the book focuses on habitual modes of being, which is helpful in aiding the recognition and processing of these habits while practicing (and in daily life). Like so many buddhist texts, there’s a fair amount of repetition — some of which is helpful, some of which feels like it needs a tighter edit. I’ll be primarily returning to this book for the first chapter, which does a great job of explaining the method in clear terms.

[Rick Mave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

[Richard C. Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy

A great beginning to Chan
meditation, of benefit to a general audience and enjoyable to read. She is
also delightful to see in person.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

emptiness unpacked 📦

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illumination - A Guide to the Buddhist Method of No-Method by Rebecca Li, is a beautifully written book containing teaching about the experience of silent illumination.

It guides the reader in an understanding of a profound Buddhist technique used to quiet the mind and help us approach daily life from our more natural state of being. The book presents relevant and helpful references from practitioners and sages, as well as relatable examples from modern life, highlighting how this method can be used to transform our lives. The material covered in the book is informative, thought provoking and practical.

I found the deep and wise instruction within the pages to be of benefit to me in dealing with some difficult experiences. I am thankful to the author for her timely offering and will recommend her book to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shambhala Publications for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.