Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice Paperback – June 15, 2004

I’ve seen this described as a beginner book but, while the writing is clear and straightforward, the depth of insight is incredible and I think very precious even for those that have been practicing for years. This may be the best book on Zen I have read.

This is a very good and encouraging book about meditation. I have been practicing daily for 18 years and found that I could relate to this book in a very direct and personal way. I had a number of "aha" experiences during the reading. Theory doesn't matter. What matters is direct experiencing: the "aha" moments.I think it would work well for beginners too, as the author of this book, a Japanese Zen Master, explains what the meditative experience is like for an ordinary person like me. Many people try meditation for a while and then give up, because they don't like what they encounter during meditation. Because they encounter what they personally label as "failure", they give up, imagining that meditation is not for them.The message in this book is "stay present and allow", rather than escape into the imagined future and memories of past. This is a sane approach and really works, if you stick with it throughout the months and years of daily sitting meditation. It is utterly transformative, over time.So what's not to like? Very little: Prescriptions, such as keeping the eyes open or closed, having a meditation object, such as counting from one to ten on each in-out-breath. The author discourages closed eyes, breath counting and breath watching. This isn't so good, because these things don't actually matter. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to practice meditation: find out what you like, e.g. visualisation, and stick with it throughout the days and years. If it doesn't work for you personally, it is best to change it. If visualisation, or breath counting, helps you to be present, then that is "right" for you. So is keeping the eyes closed, or open. In other words, it is not the method that matters, but staying present without escaping, during the periods of formal sitting practice.

This book stands out as one of the most important books about what zen is and how to practice it. It is a clearly stated treatise defining how to practice zen, simply stating the way to sit and the method of how "not to think," but in a different manner than other great and important works such as Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.Kosho Uchiyama was the head Zen priest at one of the great zen temples in Kyoto and led meditation there. He was a student of the great zen master Kodo Sawaki. What he does in this book is to explain that it is important to practice zazen in order to understand it. It is returning to self when you sit, basically meaning, that as you let go of thought, all thoughts while sitting, what you are left with is true self, free from emotions, feelings and thoughts which normally rule our lives. By opening the hand of thought we release the grasp that thoughts hold us by, which is what defines most people's lives.Kosho Uchiyama writes with a simplified manner, talking about deep concepts in an amazingly simple way, removing a lot of the poetic manner some books are written in, to create an easier to understand guide. This is a book to read and reread. It is a manual to understand how to sit and let go of thoughts and desires that control our lives because they seem like reality. But make no mistake, this book is worded with beauty and passion and is very easy to read.

Maybe the clearest, most refined introduction to zazen out there.Additionally, this book is beautifully designed, annotated, and printed on quality paper.

Having read a few other books on the same topic, I didn't expect to find anything new when I bought the book. Although the fundamentals in the book were not new to me, I found the book refreshing. He made me understand better what I had read in other books. I still have questions, not because of the poor job of the author but because of the nature of the topic. This is like a cookbook. Until I cook what's in the book, I will have questions. What more can the author do now? He already explained how to prepare the meal. I can't blame his recipe until I go into the kitchen and try it myself.The author was frank, which appealed to me a great deal. Some readers, however, might find some of his views a little offensive. He didn't beat around the bush. At the same time, he was not patronizing. I felt he simply wanted to share his views and experiences. Reading the book was like I came to his place voluntarily and he kindly told me his stories. He didn't buttonhole me about saving my soul. Nor did he barge into my place to lecture me on how to go to heaven.Another appeal of the book was the absence of superficiality. He didn't resort to some lame stories and quotations to fill the pages. By now, I have read many popular Zen and other similar stories. I don't need another person quoting the same stories along with his superficial interpretation. The author also didn't garnish his views with lots of so-called positive and uplifting stories. He didn't hide the fact that I will die. Nor did he say that I have every reason to be happy right now.If you want to feel good, then this book is not for you. If you are after Satori, this book is not for you either. Zazen, nothing but Zazen.