{"product_id":"taking-the-path-of-zen-9780865470804","title":"Taking the Path of Zen","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. In \u003ci\u003eTaking the Path of Zen\u003c\/i\u003e Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. He discusses correct breathing, posture, routine, teacher-student relations, and koan study, as well as common problems and milestones encountered in the process. Throughout the book the author returns to zazen, offering further advice and more advanced techniques. The orientation extends to various religious attitudes and includes detailed discussions of the Three Treasures and the Ten Precepts of Zen Buddhism. \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTaking the Path of Zen will \u003c\/i\u003eserve as orientation and guide for anyone who is drawn to the ways of Zen, from the simply curious to the serious Zen student.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRobert Aitken's\u003c\/b\u003e introduction to Zen came in a Japanese prison camp during World War II, after he was captured as a civilian in Guam. R. H. Blyth, author of \u003ci\u003eZen in English Literature\u003c\/i\u003e, was imprisoned in the same camp, and in this unlikely setting Aitken began the first of several important apprenticeships. After the war Aitken returned often to Japan to study. He became friends with D. T. Suzuki, and studied with Nagakawa Soen Roshi and Yasutani Hakuun Roshi. In 1959 Robert Aitken and his wife, Anne, established a Zen organization, the Diamond Sangha, which has two zos in Hawaii. Aitken was given the title \"Roshi\" and authorized to teach by Yamada Koun Roshi, his current teacher, in 1974. He continues to teach and study Zen in Hawaii, where he has lived since the age of five.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"North Point Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50566349160722,"sku":"9780865470804","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_22dc3371-1824-45c0-be85-7080118b058d.jpg?v=1731895564","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/taking-the-path-of-zen-9780865470804","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}