Zen Meditation in Plain English

This book has been a blessing for me. My organization provides a prison outreach program for inmates,who want to learn meditation,and this is the guide we will be putting in their hands. Daishin has provided the tools that any person, beginner or experienced practioner can use. His list of Frequently Asked Questions addresses those points that some people may feel shy in asking and his illustrations of sitting positions and exercises are most useful When you read the book, you feel he is talking directly to you. His use of quotes from his teacher, the late Maezumi Roshi,brings a deeper understanding of what Zen and the practice of meditation is all about. If you could only choose one book on meditation, I would advise you to give this one serious consideration.

Meditation always seemed so esoteric to me, something far out of reach. This book makes the practice learnable. If meditation is something you are interested in trying at all, I highly recommend checking out this book.

Good starter!

Just like a hundred others

Book was recommended by a friend. Easy to follow in simple terminology. I learned a LOT from this book.

Very easy read. I have tried several books on Zen philosophy and practice, and most of them are impenetrable. This book is true to its title: it explains the core structure and purpose of Zen practice in very plain -- non-flowery -- language.

If you're looking to learn how to meditate, there are much better books out there. This wasn't specific enough and the introductory chapter to zen is a joke. If you know nothing about zen then you should start somewhere else. Personally I recommend books from Thich Nhat Hanh for overall philosophy and practicality of zen. For sitting meditation, check out Mindfulness in Plain English, as well as Pema Chodron's book on how to meditate.

It is practical guide for beginners who are interested inmeditation. It shows the precise way to sit. The supplementary exercises written in the appendices are indeed very useful. It limbers up and allows one to sit longer. Secondly, it is written in simple English. Anyone who does not have a glossary of Buddhist Terminology can understand. Thirdly, it teaches one to be aware and mindful - sitting is just sitting; be it a "good" or "hard" sitting.

It was OK but if you are NOT a beginner then this is quite quite basic. I will be putting it into my charity shop box having read it once

short .helpful beginners guide