Breath Sweeps Mind - Book Review

I finished Jakusho Kwong, Roshi's book "Breath Sweeps Mind," in audiobook format. I downloaded it from Audible.com (I have no affiliation beyond being a subscriber, I just like their service and prices).

Though packaged as a book (spoken by Jakusho Roshi himself), the sections or chapters where broken down into 45 - 60 minute sections. This made it kind of perfect to sit in zazen with and listen to them as interconnecting teisho (Japanese expression for "place where the truth is.") rather than "just" a so-called book. His presentation itself is quite an experience.

The teisho/Dharma talks carefully build upon each other. His voice and teaching is authentic and he laughs often. There where a few moments that may even move you to tears, because of how warmly he shares experiences and stories. Despite having practiced Zen for almost 20 years, I heard some "new" things that I found refreshing and gave me renewed energy. One example is where he says, "One thought is not thinking. Two thoughts it thinking, because it is thoughts connect to other thoughts. That is thinking." I never looked at it that way and found his talking about this as immediately useful.

I recommend "Breath Sweeps Mind," to new and old Zen hands. He easily speaks on many levels at exactly the same time which is a rare gift indeed. A good example is when he is talking on various methods of sitting zazen and practices while sitting. He generously adds his own experiences and insights which serves to create a three-dimensional mosaic that is both enlivening and stirring.

"Breath Sweeps Mind," is almost seven hours in length and broken down into nice themes and topics. By description Sonoma Mountain Zen Center he covers such things as:

• Step-by-step guidance in the art of zazen, including natural unshu breathing
  
• Engaging with emotions and physical pain
  
• Why delusion is inseparable from enlightenment
  
• The true meaning of emptiness
  
• Nemitsu nokafu: the spirit behind enlightened Zen action
  
• How to cultivate the “natural composure” of samadhi
  
• Instruction in the “cosmic mudra” for upright sitting
  
• Bowing practice as “the true fruit of Zen”
  
• Subject vs. Object: how to view the world in nondual terms
  
• The root of all struggle – and how to transcend it
  
• How fear leads to truth
  
• Lessons in kinhin: “slow walking” practice
  
• The physical body and the unseen body
  
• More than seven hours of Zen teachings, stories, and poetry – plus a detailed glossary of terms
  

If you've already listened to "Breath Sweeps Mind," please feel free to add your own thoughts and comments, so that others have an opportunity to benefit from your insight and experience. If not, listen and enjoy.

Happiness,

Jaye Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO