PlainZen

A simple, easy to understand, tutorial of Zen and how to use it in your life. Written in plain language, this hopefully dispels the reputation of Zen as being 'mysterious', 'mystical', 'deep', 'hard to get' because of the difficulty in explaining its practice. Zen is actually very practical and simple if what is explained is what it's for and how to practice it. Other teaching books tend to get bogged down in Zen history, Zen terms and rituals. This tutorial tries to put those things aside first and concentrate on the essence of Zen: how it works, why it works, and how it makes our life better. Not a religion nor a cult nor a philosophy, Zen is a healthy mental attitude that can help anyone of any religious background or philosophy.

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Tap on 'Contents' icon to jump to the different topics:

CONTENTS

Learning Zen is no big deal

How our mind works

Realization#1: Thoughts and the thinker are no big deal

Meditation/Practice#1:Do an activity...

Realization#2: You and perfection

The Self

Reality: only one self

The outside world: The world is out there

Reality: no separation

Freedom from fear: Two kinds: regular and premium

Source of fear

What's there to lose?

Meaning: Life is a river

Outside looking in

Getting back in the flow

Zen practice: Meditation: calm you down

Koans: shake you up

Enlightenment vs guilt: aha!

Conclusion: Zen is yoga for the mind

Meditation/Practice #2: Severing duality

Meditation/Practice#3: When waking or before sleeping

Q&A

Is thinking or thought bad?

So how is Zen different from thinking?

How do I get that 'insight' or 'enlightenment' and how do I retain it?

How are people related, connected?

Is it okay to follow a person, a movement, a philosophy, a religion without doubt, without question?

How does Zen view money, jobs, unemployment, wars, sex, hate, love?