Best Zen philosophy books for beginners

Why philosophy books though?

I’ve come to realise that the only paper books I hold onto these days are philosophy books. I have never been a voracious reader but for some reason I have accumulated nearly a library on things related to Zen. This includes the topics of Buddhism generally, Zen practices, mindfulness and meditation. Trying to find space on the shared bedroom shelves is getting harder and harder!

As the Zen philosophy books have piled up into an unignorable state, I decided it warrants some attention. Each of them I made notes for and a few have featured in previous posts. I will therefore revisit a number of the ones that I found most useful for getting into Zen philosophy. What follows is (in my opinion) the five best Zen philosophy books for beginners based on my own notes and interpretation. If you disagree with any of my musings feel free to let me know in the comments.

‘The Miracle of Mindfulness’ by Thich Nhat Hanh

Main points

• Mindfulness can be practiced by anyone
• Mindful breathing (and subsequently mindful living) leads to benefits in a number of areas of life
• Includes practical tips for building compassion and appreciation

Summary

One of the earlier philosophy books I read on my own Zen journey is this book about the practice of mindfulness. The author defines mindfulness as being fully aware of the present moment without judgment. Although I read it many years ago the main messages still resonate with me. For example, doing actions and chores to do them rather than to get them done. Even this simple message is transformational. It comes back to perspective and persistence with practice.

The book itself explains how to practice mindfulness in everyday life, whether through breathing exercises, walking, washing dishes or even just eating. As Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes the importance of approaching these tasks with full attention we as readers are shown how this builds mindfulness. The book also explores the connection between mindfulness and compassion. Drawing from Buddhism in general, the suggestion is that through mindfulness we can develop a deeper understanding of our own suffering. Thich Nhat Hanh holds that this understanding can help us cultivate compassion. Which, by its nature leads to an increased desire to help others.

He also touches on the importance of mindfulness in relationships. This is especially helpful as we readers learn how through mindfulness we can improve our communication with others. Assisting us in our efforts to resolve conflicts and deepen our connections with those we love. On another topic the book explores the relationship between mindfulness and the natural world. The main point here is that through mindfulness we can deepen our appreciation of the world around us.

My take on this philosophy book

Throughout this short book the author provides practical exercises and meditations to help us integrate mindfulness into our daily lives. Overall, it gives a clear and accessible introduction to the practice of mindfulness and its benefits. I think it’s a great book on for starting out on the topic and particularly for anyone interested in a practical approach.

‘The Way of Zen’ by Alan Watts

Main points

• Enlightenment can be achieved by understanding reality from a Zen perspective
• Reality is not separate from the observer but is a product of the mind
• Meditation is important in stilling the mind

Summary

Alan Watts was a British philosopher and writer who was known for his popularization of Eastern philosophy. Out of all of the lectures of his and the several of his books I have read, this was the most insightful on the topic of Zen. This is because in general, he believed that Zen was a way of life. That it emphasized the importance of experiencing life in the moment. So his book dedicated to the topic was always going to be rich in wisdom.

For Watts, Zen is not to be considered a religion, but a way of understanding the nature of reality. This book led me to see the key to understanding Zen is to realize that everything is interconnected, and that everything is part of a larger whole. Watts explains clearly this holistic view of the world is known as non-duality and how it is the central idea of Zen practice.

The book goes further by explaining living a Zen life is not about acquiring knowledge or understanding. It is about having a direct experience of the world. It has become something of a cliché now, but for Watts experience is achieved by letting go of the ego. This being fully present is what he considers mindfulness. The book elaborates on how this can be achieved by paying close attention to one’s thoughts, feelings and sensations in the moment. Doing so without judgment.

Watts also talks about the importance of creativity and play in Zen in later chapters. Apparently, he was famous for claiming that life was not meant to be taken seriously but to be enjoyed. On finishing the book it’s clear to the reader Watts felt that we should approach life with a sense of wonder and joy. That we should never stop exploring and experimenting.

My take on this philosophy book

There was one thing I disagreed with Watts on. The tone of the book and some of the comments give the impression that Watts believed the Western mindset is not all that well-suited for understanding Zen. Despite this one slight shortcoming, the book is a perfect starting point to further reading in Zen philosophy and practice. This book clarifies how Zen can be a way of looking at the world that goes beyond words and concepts. That it is best experienced directly through meditation and other practices. If it sounds inspirational, it’s because it is.

‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind’ by Shunryu Suzuki

Main points

• It is important to maintain a Beginner’s mind in Zen practice
• Mindfulness is a key aspect of Zen
• All things are interdependent and empty of inherent existence

Summary

The author of this philosophy book is a Japanese Zen teacher who founded the San Francisco Zen Center. This particular book is often regarded as one of the most important introductory works on Zen. I had heard of it a while back and had been keen to read it.

Suzuki claims that Beginner’s mind is a key aspect of Zen practice. According to Suzuki, the beginner’s mind is characterized by openness, curiosity and a lack of preconception. He emphasizes the importance of approaching every experience with a Beginner’s mind.

The book covers various aspects of Zen. This includes meditation, mindfulness and the relationship between practice and everyday life. As readers we are shown that mindfulness is an essential aspect of the Zen way. It can help us to cultivate a more present-centered and compassionate life. He also explores the idea of no-mind. This refers to the state of being free from the constraints of the ego and the constant chatter of the mind.

In the book, Suzuki provides clear and accessible explanations of Zen concepts and practices, and offers practical advice for those seeking to cultivate a more mindful and present-centered life. He encourages readers to approach Zen practice with a spirit of curiosity and openness, and to let go of their preconceptions and biases in order to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.

My take on this philosophy book

This is an essential guide for anyone interested in Zen Buddhism. I particularly enjoyed the comparison between one’s own big mind connected to experience and one’s own small mind connected to thoughts. The book is a clear and accessible introduction to Zen philosophy and practice. Similarly to other books on this list, it offers practical advice for those seeking to cultivate a more mindful and present-centered life.

‘Zen Flesh, Zen Bones’

Main points

• It is a collection of Zen koans and poems
• Divided into four distinct sections which relate to different aspects of Zen
• Offers a diverse range of views on Zen Buddhism

Summary

This is a classic anthology of Zen and pre-Zen writings compiled by Paul Reps. The book is a collection of texts that offer insights into the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism, including koans, poems, and sayings from Zen masters.

The book is divided into four sections: “The Gateless Barrier,” “Ten Bulls,” “The Mumonkan,” and “Centering.” Each section presents different aspects of Zen, from the paradoxical nature of Zen to the stages of spiritual awakening.

‘The Gateless Barrier’ is a collection of koans. Koans are puzzles or paradoxes that are used to challenge a student’s understanding of Zen. In theory, these koans are meant to help the student see beyond their ordinary thinking and experience the world in a new way. They can seem obscure and opaque at first.

‘Ten Bulls’ is a series of poems that describe the stages of spiritual awakening. The poems depict the journey from ignorance to enlightenment. This shows how a seeker of enlightenment can move through different stages of understanding.

‘The Mumonkan’ is a collection of koans from the Gateless Barrier. These koans are meant to be read and studied, rather than just memorized. The intention is to provoke the reader into a deeper understanding of Zen.

Finally ‘Centering’ is a collection of sayings from Zen masters that offer guidance on the practice of Zen. These sayings are meant to be contemplative and to provide insight into the nature of reality and the self.

My take on this philosophy book

This is more of an anthology of Zen writings than a philosophy book per se. Having said that it offers up a diverse range of writings on the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism. As such this book is an excellent resource for anyone new to the topic. I have included it here as I personally found it useful in broadening my awareness of Zen content.

‘The Book of Mu’ by James Ishmael Ford

Main points

• Mu meaning ‘No’ is a one-word answer given by an ancient Zen master to a student’s question
• Examination of the meaning and significance of Mu and its place in Zen tradition
• Reality is not fixed or objective but is instead constantly changing and interdependent

Summary

This book explores the notion of Mu, a central Zen concept. The author argues that Mu is a powerful tool for spiritual awakening and growth, and that it can help us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world. It is a good read for anyone taking a second or third step on their path of learning Zen practices.

In explanation, Mu is a Zen koan that is typically translated as No It is a paradoxical phrase that is meant to challenge the student’s understanding of reality. According to Ford, Mu is not a negation or a denial, but a way of pointing beyond words and concepts to the underlying truth of our existence.

In the book, Ford explores the different ways in which Mu can be used in Zen practice. He argues that Mu can be used as a means of breaking free from our preconceptions and seeing things as they really are. He also discusses the role of Mu in meditation and mindfulness, and how it can help us as readers cultivate inner peace and wisdom. Ford also explores the historical context of Mu, and its relationship to other Zen ideas and practices. He argues that Mu is not just a koan, but a way of looking at the world that is rooted in the Buddhist tradition.

My take on this philosophy book

The Book of Mu is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Zen and spirituality. The author provides a clear and concise explanation of Mu and its significance in Zen. I found this book harder to stick with than the first three titles on this list but the more I persevered with it the closer I got to an ‘ah-hah’ moment. Although my appreciation and understanding of the nature of koans is by no means comprehensive, this book was a useful in-road into what at first seems an opaque tradition. In that sense it was well worth the read.

To conclude

I hope you have found this useful and I realise many books have not made it onto this list. If you know of any other brilliant or insightful Zen philosophy books aimed at beginners that I have missed then feel free to let me know in the comments.