Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life (Hardcover)

From the beloved author ofZen Mind, Beginner’sMindcomes a new book of teachings on the essence of Zen practice

“I felt a burden being lifted from my shoulders justby reading this remarkable book.” –Oliver Burkeman

“Our way of sitting is for you to becomeyourself.”

In this long-awaited book from one of the most influentialspiritual teachers of the last century, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi shares simple,warmhearted teachings on a practice that is fundamentally about becomingyourself. In his inimitable style, filled with humor and insight,BecomingYourselfspeaks directly to the newest beginners while also serving asa touchstone and a continual source of inspiration for even the mostexperienced practitioners and Zen teachers.

Becoming Yourselfunearths new jewels from thelate Suzuki’s lectures and brings to light many of his unpublished teachings.

Becoming yourself is not meant to be understood as an idea;it is meant to be tried out as a way of being. It is “Just to sit,” apractice of wholeheartedly being as you are, moment after moment, no matterwhat is happening. It is a practice of deeply connecting with how it feels tobe alive in your surroundings, whether on a meditation cushion or not, andstepping forward from that connection. It is opening to your life, wherever youare, and finding right there a deep well of innate wisdom, compassion and care.

About the Author

Shunryu Suzuki Roshi (1904-1971) was a lifelong Soto ZenBuddhist priest and one of the most prominent and beloved spiritual teachers ofthe twentieth century.

His life’s work was to transmit authentic Zen practice fromJapan to the United States, preserving the heart of the teaching andtraditional forms while allowing them space to adapt and take root in Westernsoil.

He founded the San Francisco Zen Center, among the oldestand largest Buddhist training places in the West. Suzuki Roshi’s teachings werefirst edited and collected in the influential classicZen Mind,Beginner’s Mind.