Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master's Lessons in Living a Life That Matters

by Bernard Glassman, Rick Fields

Instructions To The Cook is a distillation of Zen wisdom that can be used equally well as a manual on business or spiritual practice, cooking or life. The hardcover edition was featured in every major Buddhist magazine. "Be nourished and inspired! Magnificent work!"--Jon Kabat-Zinn.

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

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 1996

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice follow-up to the movie "How to Cook Your Life". I like the practicality of Zen. The stories about creating social sustainability from the ingredients at hand were truly inspiring. I'll look to the wisdom in this book to bring me right back where I need to be when I get wound up and overwhelmed. Some passages that were particularly meaningful to me were:

"If you feel overwhelmed, it just means that there's a lot going on, so time seems speeded up. If a business is growing, or if you're trying to end homelessness or free all the numberless sentient beings, then you're right. It is overwhelming. There are a lot of things to do.
But just because things are overwhelming doesn't mean they have to overwhelm you. If you realize things are not under your control, you can go step by step."

"Many people won't take a step until they think that they know what the right thing is. there is an expression, "Do the right thing." But how do we know what the right thing is? We can't know for sure. Maybe we should say, "Do the next thing." And if we don't do that-whatever it is-to the best of our ability, chances are it will turn out to be the right thing as well."

"You need to look at your situation and find out how much of each ingredient is needed at any given moment."

[KJ Grow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made its way into my hands at just the right moment in my life, as I've been thinking more and more about social action and creating community. It's an inspiring example of compassionate entrepreneurship, using existing resources in creative ways, and finding joy through service. I want to return to this book frequently and buy multiple copies to give as gifts, but sadly, this book is out of print. Trying to do something in my modest power to change that, as I think this book deserves to be a classic.

[Áine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't expecting so much business advice from Bernie in this one. But the beauty of this book was the simple and straightforward way he explained things in the course of the extended metaphor of cooking and serving our life.

Quotations:

I like this clarification of a common misconception:

"The emptiness of meditation does not denote a lack or absence of anything but is actually the state of openness that makes all things possible. It is like the space inside a cup or the space at the hub of a wheel. A full cup can't receive anything, but an empty cup can receive all kinds of offerings." (33)

"What prevents us from seeing things and ourselves clearly is the clutter of our conditioning. Conditioning, of course, is very natural...Conditioning is due to previous events. When things happen a certain way a number of times, we form the habit of expecting things to continue happening that way. And so we act as we have in the past. But in actuality everything is always changing. No two moments are the same. Meditation--or whatever technique of cleaning the mind we practice--can help free us from our conditioning..." (35)

"We never get to the point of no longer needing to clean the glass. We wash the dishes, and then a new stack appears in a little while. The process is endless. It's never over." (39)

"When we think there is a place where everthing will be perfect and there will be no problems, we are living in the future. But the future is an illusion. We're always right here now." (50)

"...in order to truly support and enrich our life, our livelihood has to be more than merely a way to make money. The livelihood course also has to include portions of all the other courses. When our livelihood lacks--or contradict--our spirituality or study or social action, then we won't savor our work. When that's the case, we end up feeling malnourished or burnt out." (57)

"In terms of money, the Middle Way is free of the extremes of poverty and luxury. It is the way of sustainability. If we follow the principle of sustainability in our daily lives we don't neglect our needs, and we are not greedy. We try to buy or create as much as we can use--no more and no less."(80)

"When you're trying to help other people...you usually fall right into another kind of trap. You want everything to be nice. You're always worrying about doing good. The social action meal has a tendency to become too sweet. When that happens, the Zen cook adds the missing ingredient, which is wisdom." (84)

"Many people won't take a step until they think that they know what the right thing is. There is an expression, 'Do the right thing.' But how do we know what the right thing is? We can't know for sure. Maybe we should just say, 'Do the next thing.' And if we do that--whatever it is--to the best of our ability, chances are it will turn out to be the right thing as well." (135)

"Eating also expresses the paradoxical nature of life itself. When we eat a meal we have cooked, we find that everything we have created--all our work--has been for consumption, for annihilation. Life is a constant process of creation and destruction. We can't hold on to the meal we've made. We have to use it. In fact, when we eat our meal thoroughly, with appreciation, we find there's nothing to hold on to." (153)

"So you've got to clean the table and start all over. But now you start from a new state. Because after you eat, everything has been transformed. Life has been transformed into life. It doesn't do any good for the ingredients to stay in the cupboard or for the books to stay on the shelf...It's just like the new car that has to be driven in order to suffer that first scratch. Then you can drive without worrying about what might happen. Things have to be used. We have to live our lives. The meal should be eaten and digested completely. In fact, we should live and use ourselves so thoroughly that it's impossible to know that the activity happened. When we really do something completely, nothing is left." (163)

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I didn't know anything about Zen, this book would be the wrong place to start. It's more a business book, about how the amazing author, a zen priest and social entrepreneur, took his vision of helping people to self-sufficiency and totally hit it out of the ball park (the ball is still flying). It's an inspiring business story. He tries to hold it all together with a very extended metaphor about "the supreme meal." The metaphor gets out of hand, as they tend to do, so I won't try to explain it. There are few genuine nuggets of Zen teaching in the book. As for the business aspect, it is business "lite"---no hard numbers or details that could get you started on your own Glassman-esque adventure. The guy is a genius, though, and he says he has no secrets, so if you want to start a homeless-housing/training/daycare/bakery/construction company that actually makes money, you can start with this book for inspiration, but then you'll have to do some more research. Good luck.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read part of the book and scanned the entire book, looking for another reference to Field's first wife (or a second wife) after the first one at the beginning of the book. I can't find one. I realize that once Fields met his first wife on the way to live in a kibbutz, he never mentions a partner again; it's as though that part of his life doesn't exist (although he does mention moving his family to New York) and certainly doesn't make me want to read more. I don't see how, if this book is about the "whole meal" - which I assume includes personal relationships - he can write as though that part doesn't exist.

By the way, the reason for the third star is that there really is good information in the book, especially about working in the world and operating a business in a mindful manner.

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, there is a Zen text "Tenzo Kyokun" which translates to "Intructions to the Cook." I thought this book would be an English translation and discussion of that text. It sort of is that at the beginning of the book, but then the cooking/meal symbolism just becomes a metaphor for the author, Bernard Glassman, to give an autobiographical account of his experience creating a Zen-based nonprofit business. That story could have been really interesting if he had dug into the details of the struggle to create the business and the challenges facing the organization as they worked toward giving homeless persons access to jobs and homes. But he didn't really do that either. He talks about some challenges and how they used Zen teachings to try to resolve them at a very high level, but he doesn't go into any detail. So, instead of this being a thorough discussion of Zen or a thoughtful reflection on charity work, it instead comes off as one guy humble bragging about the cool stuff he's done and who the company was able to get contracts with. (Spoiler alert: Ben and Jerry's. Dude is very proud that they got that cookie contract with Ben and Jerry's.) It's a short, easy-to-read book if you are at all curious about checking it out, so go for it. It just wasn't what I was looking for.

[SueChor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time, even though I’m basically a reader of fiction. A longtime Buddhist practitioner myself (Bön rather than Zen), I found Glassman’s story of the Greyston Bakery and the Greyston Inn compelling. This group of practitioners found a way to support previously homeless families’ learning to support themselves, and their exploration and findings made great emotional and practical sense. The whole process was likened to the preparation and cooking of a meal, an apt metaphor. There were lots of practical details, like how to manage such a group, how to decide who might be successful, as well as beautiful musings on eating the meal and the destruction of one’s creation, a circular process akin to life itself. I recommend this slim volume most highly - enjoy the meal!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blueprint for social enterprise and how to put Zen practice into social action. Excellent, plain and an easy read. His approach was to see the needs of homeless people and create a system that meets those needs in a way that shifts people out of a system that perpetuates homelessness. That is a true revolution and true transformation.

[Nadine de Jong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad I read it. Thought there were too few references to applicable principles of Zen and too many specifics about Glassman's organization. I had been considering it for our "Happiness Study Group," which focuses on books about Buddhism and meditation, but found it was too narrow in scope. I certainly would recommend it for anyone involved in mindful social activism.

[Hollie Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book as part of a book study group - enhanced the experience greatly. One of the feelings/lessons remaining with me is that you can be gentle with yourself when you fall short of what you set out to do - all part of the learning process

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reread this book every few years as I take stock of what I have accomplished and what I plan to do in the next few years. It helps me place perspective on my own goals. This is a lucid little handbook to life.

[Dmytro Safonov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Superbly written, spiritually driven book that doesn’t go deep into Zen Buddhism, but instead tells a story of a social enterprise and lays down some groundwork for a mindful living that results in more happiness, joy and service to others.

[Tava Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to pick ten books that influenced my life, this would be on the list. There is something in this book that will alter the way you see the world for the better. I ended up joining a Sangha after this book. it is truly beautiful.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by my son, I found much of this fascinating. Not difficult to read. Interesting as to the ways that Glassman changed careers, moving from aerospace engineer to Zen master, to helping others in a very poor community.

[Tammy Prater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful Buddhist ideas but too business oriented to hold my interest.

[N.E. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books I've read on Zen this memoir is the one that was actual hands-on philosophy instead of armchair or academic takes on what zen means.

[Jack Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instructions To The Cook

Have returned to this basic Zen guide many times over the years; it always has a way of refreshing my spirit.

[Roger Suters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zen Mensch - says it all . . .

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and humble.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernard Glassman and Rick Fields have concocted a very readable redaction of Dogen's Instructions to the Cook, for the modern, Western reader. Part business primer, part Zen practice recommendations for making one's life the "supreme meal" or Bodhissatva offering, and part practical advice on what a complete and fully lived life can look like, this book is as passionate and ambitious about its subject matter as its authors.

"Bernie Glassman (born January 18, 1939), aka Tetsugen Bernard Glassman, is an American Zen Buddhist roshi and co-founder of the Zen Peacemakers (previously the Zen Peacemaker Order), an organization established in 1996 with his late wife Sandra Jishu Holmes. Glassman is a Dharma successor of the late Taizan Maezumi-roshi, and has to date given inka and Dharma transmission to several people.

Glassman has become known for his "street retreats"—excursions by Glassman and others into the streets for weeks at a time to live amongst the homeless.
In 1982[5] Glassman opened Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, New York, an effort to help alleviate the widespread homelessness in the area.[6] The bakery provided jobs for inner city residents who lacked education and skills.[6] The proceeds helped to fund what he called the Zen Community of New York, who in turn would transform condemned or old buildings into new housing areas for the homeless.[7] He employed low-skilled workers from the neighborhood, many of whom were homeless themselves, and sold his baked goods to shops and restaurants in Manhattan. In 1989 he entered an agreement with Ben & Jerry's, and Greyston Bakery has become the supplier of brownies for several lines of ice cream.[8] Through the success of his bakery—which today brings in revenues of $3.5 million annually, Glassman then founded the Greyston Foundation (sometimes called Greyston Mandala) with his wife Sandra Jishu Holmes. He retired from the Greyston Foundation in 1996 to pursue his desire for international peace efforts (i.e. Zen Peacemaker Circle).[9] As of 2004 the Foundation had developed $35 million worth in real estate development projects in Westchester County, New York. The Foundation offers HIV/AIDS programs, provides job training and housing, child care services, educational opportunities, and other endeavors.[6] In 2003 the bakery moved to a new building, which allows for higher output and more employment opportunities.[8][10]

In 1996 Glassman, with his wife Sandra Jishu Holmes, founded the Zen Peacemaker Order (today the Zen Peacemaker Circle). According to professor Christopher S. (Queen, "The order is based on three principles: plunging into the unknown, bearing witness to the pain and joy of the world, and a commitment to heal oneself and the world."[1] Richard Hughes Seager writes, "The Zen Peacemaker Order...has the potential to rival Thich Nhat Hanh's groups and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship as a force in American activism." (Wikipedia citation)

This book shows how they developed their outreach to help combat homelessness through providing people the tools to emerge from poverty. It is a very powerful yet simple lesson in the manifestation of oneness and unity in all aspects of a dynamic spiritual practice.

[Francisco · Rating 2 out of 5]

More about how to build a marvelous social-important business rather than true zen philosophy.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie Glassman's Zen is definitely on the Committed Buddhism side, to the point where his book comes off as being a light mixture of pop Zen with a heavy dollop of social commitment. But that gives it sort of a unique feel among Zen books, and it definitely goes down easy.

Analogies from cooking come naturally to this book, since his Zen imagery is mostly based on cooking. But the most interesting parts of the book are about his experiences and thoughts dealing with setting up and running his socially conscious business enterprises - a bakery and apartment enterprise that manage to be commercially successful while providing employment and housing for formerly homeless people.

An enjoyable read, particularly if this take on Zen is right up your alley.

[Dorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and wise. Wisdom in Yonkers (with a cameo by Ben and Jerry's!) This is a compelling book by socially active Buddhist peacemaker, Bernnie Glassman who leads retreats in Auswitz and retreats on the streets of New York (live like a homeless person for a week in Manhattan, beg for your coffee, find a shelter - sure aint no yoga spa!). He describes some of his experience establishing community run businesses, such as Greystone Bakery run by the previously unemployed, and the housing, work training and rehab programs the Bakery funds. A fantastic book in practical kinness, narrated with all the joy and humour he exudes in life.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about Zen master Dogen's treatise, also named "Instructions to the Cook," and how Roshi Bernie Glassman applies it to modern day life inside and outside of a kitchen. I don't want to say too much because I want people to experience the book for themselves, but this book has been very influential in the way I live my life on a daily basis. I am a Soto Zen Buddhist, but I believe this book has lessons for people in any spiritual tradition (even if that tradition is atheism.)

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book when I was in a graduate-level management class. I just found it tucked away in a box in my basement and am looking forward to reading it again.

It's actually karma that I found it. In 2012 I left a career of 24 years to start my own business. My tea shop, A New Leaf tea emporium, is open 19 months and it's been quite a harrowing experience. I need to read this book again right about now.

[Elizabeth Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone interested in creating a life that matters, or social justice, or activist Buddhism might enjoy Bernie's story of the bakery and housing project created in New York. Very encouraging. As I was reading this book I became more and more interested in the real life success of the Greystone bakery project and checked out Bernie's website to see what he does currently.

As a tenzo now, this book was very important to my training!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most inspirational books I have read. It promotes activism through spiritual connection. It really provides a down to earth, realistic approach of what spiritually should do to us as individuals and as communities. Really brings forth the message of action via compassion. A must read and have in anyone's library!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

(card catalog description:) In the tradition of Jon Kabat-Zinn's Wherever You Go, There You Are, one of America's most provocative and celebrated Buddhist teachers presents a distillation of Zen wisdom that can be used equally well as a manual on business, spiritual practice, or cooking.

[Abbie Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a re-read for me. I liked it but not as much as the first time I read it (years ago). It was still a good book to read in chunks before bed, and there were some points that struck me (especially the idea of doing the "next thing" rather than trying to do the "right thing")

[Geri Degruy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't really a cooking book. Well it is. But it's more. It contains ideas about how to lovingly, mindfully cook a meal, do work, learn, be in relationship, serve. It is a book about living fully, whatever we're doing.