Top products from r/Soto
We found 6 product mentions on r/Soto. We ranked the 5 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
1. Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 2
Wisdom Publications MA
Show Reddit reviews2. The Book of Equanimity: Illuminating Classic Zen Koans
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Used Book in Good Condition
Show Reddit reviews3. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Zen Mind Beginner s Mind
Show Reddit reviews
Hi Steve!
I would recommend reading Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki who was a Sōtō Zen monk and teacher who helped popularize Zen Buddhism in the West. I would also recommend The Mind of Clover by Robert Aitken which is an excellent guide on Zen Buddhist ethics (and important part of the practice).
If you haven't already started, I would recommend you pick up a regular zazen habit, sitting daily even for just five minutes if that's all you can manage. Sitting zazen is the most important thing in the Sōtō school and Master Dogen could not recommend it enough!
Books are good but practice is much better!
Beyond that, I'm a big fan of all of Brad Warner's books. He has a great approach to Zen, I think, and makes understanding some of its more obscure and hard-to-penetrate ideas easier to digest.
And of course you can always come here and ask as my questions as you like!
I started with Suzuki Roshi, like most of the suggestions here, but have found the writings of Uchiyama Roshi resonate strongly with myself. Opening The Hand of Thought, is my new standard suggestion. Everyone's tastes are different though! I hope you find a flavor you like.
Always a pleasure reading from Steve.
Not too long ago I spotted my teacher carrying around this book. I should pick up a copy sometime after I've read through the dozen on my list.
Advice? Read the book "Opening the Hand of Thought" a few times. Also, find a Soto Zen group in your area to sit with.
maybe this: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Chants-Thirty-Five-Essential-Commentary/dp/1611801435