A comprehensive handbook for seated meditation practice and an authoritative presentation of the Zen path.
Katsuki Sekida (18931987) was by profession a high school teacher of English until his retirement in 1945. Zen, nevertheless, was his lifelong preoccupation. He began his Zen practice in 1915 and trained at Empuku-ji in Kyoto and Ryutaki-ji in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. He taught at the Honolulu Zendo and Maui Zendo from 1963 to 1970 and at the London Zen Society from 1970 to 1972.
"Written by a lay teacher with 60 years of experience in zazan,
this book provides everyone from absolute beginner to experienced
student with detailed, progressive information and discussion on
breathing, posture, distraction, actions of mind, physiology, mood,
laughter, kensho, and samadhi." —Library Journal
"An extraordinarily important book. It should be on the shelves of
all libraries." —Choice
"[Sekida's] approach is radical in its attempt to define Zen
practice in terms of Western physiology and phenomenology." —New
Age Journal
"This book is a valuable work. Though physiologically technical, it
remains personal and practical, focusing on the actual experience
of zazen practice. Ultimately, however, it is the concentrated and
serious spirit of the book that most tellingly establishes its
value to those interested in Zen." —Philip Kapleau
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