Nothing Special (Charlotte Joko Beck)

Full Title: Nothing Special: Living Zen
Major Topic: Direct awareness, experience without conception or projection.
Level: all levels
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Straightforward account of how to approach one’s life from the perspective of Zen practice. The simplicity of much Zen instruction belies its depth. Look carefully at how these instructions work internally and externally. [...]

Unfettered Mind (Takuan Soho)

Full Title: Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master
Major Topic: presence
Level: experienced and advanced
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Using the context of martial arts, Takuan describes how to live awake and present. A subtle book, to be read with care. It may take time to appreciate exactly what Takuin [...]

Cultivating the Empty Field (Taigen Dan Leighton)

Full Title: Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi
Major Topic: Presence, stability, clarity
Level: All levels
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A 12th century ancestor of Dogen gives sparkling descriptions of presence, where stability and clarity are integrated and phenomena are unrestricted. Translated by Taigen Daniel Leighton and Yi Wu.

On Having No Head (Douglas E. Harding)

Full Title: On Having No Head: Zen and the Rediscovery of the Obvious
Major Topic: Direct awareness, experience without conception or projection.
Level: all levels
Douglas Harding’s offbeat approach works wonderfully. Do the exercises. You may find one or more become methods of practice for you.

Nothing Left Over (Toinette Lippe)

Full Title: Nothing Left Over: A Plain and Simple Life
Major Topic: mindful and simple living
Level: all levels
One woman’s account of how she applies mindfulness and the principles of simplicity and balance in all aspects of life. Read, take what is useful for you.

Diamond Sutra (Red Pine)

Full Title: Diamond Sutra: The Perfection of Wisdom
Major Topic: Direct awareness, experience without conception or projection.
Level: experienced and advanced
Sutra in the Perfection of Wisdom genre. Provides the basis for the practice of the Great Middle Way. To get the most out of this book, read each exchange between Buddha and Subhuti, and feel the [...]

How to Cook Your Life (Dogen & Uchiyama Roshi)

Full Title: How to Cook Your Life: From the Zen Kitchen to Enlightenment
Major Topic: how to live in awareness
Level: middle, experienced and advanced
Probably the best book describing what living in awareness is actually like. Previously published as From the Zen Kitchen to Enlightenment: Refining Your Life. On the first read, go straight to the [...]

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind (Shunryu Suzuki)

Full Title: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
Major Topic: meditation and how to live
Level: all levels
Provides insight and understanding at every stage of your practice; keep a copy on your bedside table. A classic book, keep it by your bed, read it whenever you need inspiration, guidance, encouragement, or a reminder..