Beyond Thinking: A Guide to Zen Meditation

Eiehi Dogen (1200-1253) is a towering intellectual and spiritual figure in Zen whose writings and recorded talks have been read and studied for the last 750 years. Dogen’s principal works have appeared in English translation before, but never in a collection like this, which pulls together his best, most practical and accessible teachings especially useful to those who meditate. BEYOND THINKING features Dogen’s classic meditation instructions; his advice on the practice of zazen, or sitting meditation; guide- lines for community life; and some of his most inspirational talks. BEYOND THINKING enables modern- day people to learn meditation practice directly from one of the great figures of Zen historyu
demonstrating that the “classics” can be just as accessible as books by contemporary teachers. The translations have been done by some of the most prominent American Zen teachers, including the renowned poet Philip Whalen; Reb Anderson, author of WARM SMILES FROM COLD MOUNTAINS ; Edward Espe Brown, editor of NOT ALWAYS SO: PRACTICING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF ZEN; Norman Fischer, author of OPENING TO YOU: ZEN- INSPIRED TRANSLATIONS OF THE PSALMS, and Kazuaki Tanahashi. BEYOND THINKING also includes a bibliography and an extensive glossary.