Books for/about - suzuki

Publisher: Weatherhill
Authors: Shunryu Suzuki

ISBN: 0834800799
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Summary: Thank you for this book
Thank you for your kindness. It's been a part of the years themselves.

Summary: CULTIVATE YOUR OWN SPIRIT
Though I have always had some interest in Zen meditation, it was reading Susan Blackmore's CONSCIOUSNESS that finally prompted me to examine it more closely. So many people who meditate seem to equate spirituality with total gullibility that I have been leery of its supposed benefits; and my mind is constantly so occupied with the repetition of immature fantasies and irritations that I do not meditate very well. Blackmore's description of meditation as "a weeding of the mind" struck me as exactly what I wanted. Blackmore, as a materialist, believes that consciousness has contingent rather than intrinsic existence, and she maintains that this was what Buddha taught. None of the Buddhists I have spoken to since reading her book agree with her.

Since Zen masters apparently speak only in contradictions, it is hardly clear what Buddha's opinion was. Though S. Suzuki does not specifically describe the nature of consciousness, I am essentially certain that he would say something like: "Consciousness is not intrinsic and it is not contingent; consciousness is intrinsic and it is contingent." It is very easy for any schnook to sound like an enlightened Zen master by simply claiming that opposite things are the same. "Love and hate are one thing. A foolish person is a wise person; a wise person is a foolish person. Emotionally we have many problems, but these problems are not actually problems. Happiness is sorrow; sorrow is happiness." As Suzuki says, "This kind of experience is something beyond our thinking," and "Our true nature is beyond our conscious experience." I am inclined to try to make sense of this by relating it to quantum mechanics: an electron both is and is not a particle, and is and is not a wave. This is a fact that can be experimentally verified, yet is beyond conception. Presumably, if one is enlightened, these seeming contradictions will dissolve away.

One problem is that only an infinitesimal number of people are enlightened, and since Buddha denies reincarnation, the effort of achieving such ephemeral enlightenment might strike one as pointless. "The goal of our life's effort is to reach Nirvana," and then you die. Another problem is that "enlightenment" seems dependent upon the philosophy of the teacher. Disciples of Yogananda Paramahansa become one with God and escape the cycle of reincarnation when they achieve enlightenment. The Dali Lama, who is supposed to be the reincarnation of a previous Dali Lama, admits that he does not know if reincarnation actually happens. This is admirably honest of him, but we are left with the impression that "enlightened" masters are maybe just about as confused as we are.

I initially became interested in Eastern religions after once briefly experiencing that the core of my being was Christ. Since I did not equate this "Christ-self" with the historical man who was Christ, I was just as inclined to think of the core of my being as Buddha. I do not know whether there is reincarnation or not, and I am essentially sure that my present personality will not survive death (I rather hope not!), but I doubt that my sense of "I" will cease to exist. I also am not convinced that our only purpose on Earth is to escape back into pure immutable consciousness, or into the nothingness of mere matter.

Suzuki advises us to practice zazen with no preconceived ideas and with no anticipation of achieving enlightenment. This strikes me as sound advice.

Summary: Your search ends here
Get this book. Then, go to your library and dispose of all other books on Zen Buddhism. Sounds over the top? Well then, get this book and read it it from cover to cover and then you will understand why............afterwards.......on your own, you will dispose of all your other books on Zen Buddhism. After reading this book your search for the essence of this practice will end. Your search for meaning and understanding will be completed. You can then put this book on your shelf, read it once a year and get on with the rest of your life.

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Tpm in Process Industries (Step-By-Step Approach to TPM Implementation)

Publisher: Productivity Press
Authors: Tokutaro Suzuki

ISBN: 1563270366
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Summary: Poorly Developed Characters, Thin Plot
If you buy this book expecting a corporate thriller, filled with larger-than-life characters and exciting tales of industrial espionage, you will be disappointed. TPM Manager is a tiresome main character---imagine a dumbed-down, cliche-filled John Galt from "Atlas Shrugged." Many times I shouted: Shut the F--- up! as I read TPM Manager spew drivel on the wonders of TPM. Initially, I wondered if Suzuki's book was purely ironic. Alas, the author really believes this nonsense. Here's some free advice: save the money, skip the reorg, don't hire the consultant, refrain from making people "take ownership" over a language that no one really takes seriously and instead show re-runs of the "Love Boat" once a week. It is guaranteed to make your employees run back to their cubicles and do some work.

Summary: Simply the BIBLE of TPM
Three years ago I used to work for a corporation that used absorbed the TPM (Total Prodictive Maintenance) methodology and made it its own with certain in-house touches.

When we were at the beginning stages of implementing TPM, the officer (that's the name of the role) in charge of the rollout made sure all of management had a good grasp on the ideas captured by this book, and a few even had a chance to meet Mr. Suzuki, to ask him questions about it, only to receive a very concise "Read the book!" as the answer.

The truth is that almost all you need to know to kick off TPM in your industry is hereby contained, however there's one BIG issue I should make you aware of: the book lays down the principles, all of which need to be internalized at all levels within your culture. If that is not achieved (the "zero-loss mentality", for example) you will feel frustrated, and might even be tempted to drop the program altogether. DON'T! If you need to, get consultants, try again, try harder: it's a proven model, and it works, you just have to be (you and your people) very disciplined about it.

Summary: TPM in Process Industries
I have worked widely using TPM as a practitioner and a consultant. For me this work represents the "bible" that I use to base my work from. The tools apply equally well to high speed lines as well as to process equipment.

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	Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education Publisher: Suzuki Method International Authors: Shinichi Suzuki Waltraud Suzuki
ISBN: 0874875846 List Price: $12.95 Amazon Price: $10.36 Usually ships in 24 hours Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: 5 Reviews: Summary: Life Changing Book This book revolutionized my life. I visited a Suzuki flute instructor and fell in love with this method. I saw how excited the children were about learning and how much joy they had. When I read the book I understood why. Dr. Suzuki has a mastery over how children respond to love and encouragement. Reading the stories in here about patience, love and encouragement changed the way I taught flute and also the way I approach life in general. I now try to emulate Dr. Suzuki's teachings in all my interactions. I would recommend this book to every music instructor, whether Suzuki or traditional, every teacher, every parent, and any person who works with or has contact with children. I bought this copy to give to a former student, to help him remember his roots as he begins his music career. I hope he will choose to emulate Dr. Suzuki's love and wisdom in his teaching. Summary: How to Convert Your Child Into a Robot Suzuki's philosphy is a good one, and I happen to agree with his theory of Talent Education--which posits that children are the products of their environment and that, given suitable environs and nurturing parents, the ability to do just about anything is present in all of us from birth. Suzuki likens the process of learning to perform music to a child's easy,if prolonged, acquisition of his native language. Focus is made on practice--rote and repetitive--as the key to proper traning. Short and easy to read, but there's a lot of flower-fluff and almost scientific method involved. A lot of Suzuki writing "I think" and "I feel" and "I knew" without much research or external input to back some of his arguments. The chapters here (which is essentially the same tome as "Ability from Age 0") are disjointed, and often read like a loose string of Dr. Suzuki's anecdotes as both a student and teacher of violin. Some of this may owe to the translation from Japanese. Much of it is downright naive, very preachy, and self-congratulating. In Suzuki's perfect world, ALL children are special and wonderful, and anger is "unnecessary," war is nonexistent, and love is all you need. Idealistic, if not practical, words for most of we parents who aren't exactly as Christ-like as Suzuki portrays himself to be. What the doctor seems to forget, however, is that were his advice followed to the letter and all children given the opportunity to capitalize on their ability, everyone would excel, everyone would be noble--which would be great--but then no one would be special any longer, because we'd ALL be talented little geniuses in EVERY aspect of our lives. Sadly, ours is not a perfect world. A majority of the world population live in less-than-nurturing circumstances, which ensures that some children will always grow to be miserable, angry, or in perpetual need--which in turn breeds want and war. In short, a great inspirational book for parents and teachers, in music and in life. But if anyone can really espouse all the virtues Suzuki is selling here, they should change their name to Jesus and ascend into heaven forthwithly. Summary: Truely a Must Read Although he boarded with a great genius (Dr. Albert Einstein), Shinichi Suzuki was a great genius himself. A must read for everyone. A combination of Dale Carnegie (the greatness in everyone) and Miyamoto Musashi (repetition to master a skill). Not only does the author understand how we learn, he sees great potential in everyone and never finds fault with the individual. As a result, he is able accomplish the seemingly impossible. On the surface this is a "music" book but it is actually a learning guide for everyone. It teaches us how we learn and he uses simple examples (parakeet page 5) to illustrate his ideas. The methods can be applied to ourselves, pets, children, students, athletes, employees, etc. As another review states, the book tends to jump around and doesnt use an outline or chapters. It is more a scoll of "great thoughts by a genius" and progesses like his teaching style - from the basics to the advanced. Summary:

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Zen in the Art of Archery (Vintage Spiritual Classics)

Publisher: Vintage
Authors: Eugen Herrigel Daisetz T. Suzuki

ISBN: 0375705090
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Summary: A wonderful account of Herrigel's spiritual journey/5 stars
As a Zen Buddhist--unlike a few of the reviewers who
are also Zen Buddhists and slam this book--I find
it very refreshing. An excellent book. Similar
to THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA in its brevity, clarity
and depth. The writing is exact, authoritative,
and moving. Herrigel's spiritual journey to and through
Zen Buddhism is eloquently detailed. Well-done. Five Stars.

long life and blue skies,
Mike Tucker
Author: THE LONG PATROL,
HELL IS OVER, & AMONG WARRIORS IN IRAQ

Summary: rich catalyst for our life journey
masterpiece. even the way it is written brings the reader on a journey so that he himself can learn and experience what the author intends to convey. not by explicitly writing what he wants the reader to 'learn', but rather by guiding the reader through a path- that is the only way to truly gain.

Summary: hitting the bull's-eye blindfolded
There is the Zen of no mind in which you eat when hungry, rest when tired, and stop when finished. There is also the Zen known through the ritualized arts of discipline and beauty such as archery, swordsmanship, brush-and-ink, the tea ceremony, or flower arranging. This book is Herrigel's story of striking the target bull's-eye blindfolded.

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Suzuki Violin School (Suzuki Violin School Cd): Vol. 1 (Suzuki Violin School CD)

Publisher: Warner Bros Pubns
Authors: Shinichi Suzuki

ISBN: 0874874858
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Summary: The performance does sound too sharp ...
It's really unfortunate that the performance on this CD does seem to sound too sharp as pointed out by a previous reviewer, who's a Suzuki teacher. Our violins (both mine and my daugther's) always sound quite a bit flatter than this CD after being tuned by my daughter's Suzuki teacher, who has perfect pitch. One time earlier on, I also tried tuning our violins w/ this CD as aid (thinking our violins had gone too flat), and the teacher thought they were oddly out of tune more than usual (or in an odd way I guess since they were sharp, not flat) -- well, she didn't really say so, but her facial expression and gesture said it all. :-) I never really brought this up w/ her before, but I think I will in our next lesson. And perhaps, I'll buy a different CD for this series as well -- maybe the David Nadien version as suggested elsewhere.

Summary: Mistakes on CD
This CD is incomplete. Song No. 6 is supposed to repeat and it does not. It also does not include the piano accompaniment tracks as most other versions do. There are way better Suzuki CDs out there.

Summary: Suzuki
Extremely fast shipping. I could not believe how quickly the item was shipped and I received.

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	The Okinawa Program : How the World's Longest-Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health--And How You Can Too Publisher: Three Rivers Press Authors: Bradley J. Willcox D. Craig Willcox Makoto Suzuki
ISBN: 0609807501 List Price: $14.95 Amazon Price: $11.96 Usually ships in 24 hours Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: 5 Reviews: Summary: Your Lifstyle vs. Your Health and Longevity The book compares Western culture's lifestyle habits with that of the Okinawan's giving the reader a clear picture of the reasons why longevity is linked to lifestyle choices. The important factor is the concept of cooperation and community instead of competition and isolation. The author also presents an overview of nutritional choices of Okinawans which is believed to support their amazing degree of health. It is a very informative read worth your consideration. Another great book in this category I highly recommend is "Can We Live 150". Summary: as advertised as advertised Summary: Proof that lifestyle matters when it comes to longevity This has got to be one of the most well-researched books on health and longevity that I've read in a long time. Based on a landmark study on the people of Okinawa (Japan), the authors outline the preventative lifestyle techniques that keep the elders of Okinawa healthy well into old age and with lower rates of disease and disability than here in the West. Also highly recommended is the book The Okinawa Diet Plan, as this is more specifically geared towards those trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy body weight. Definitely two books that belong in the home library of anyone seriously interested in health and longevity. Summary:

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Suzuki Violin School: Violin Part, vol. 1 (Suzuki Violin School, Violin Part)

Publisher: Summy-Birchard
Authors: Shinichi Suzuki

ISBN: 0874871441
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Avg Cusomer Rating: 4
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Summary: Good but needs to be supplemented
Suzuki is a collection of some classic pieces of music which many of us violin players grew up on. It has exerpts from many famous composers (presented progressively in terms of skills level) which can be perfect for performances. However, it needs to be supplemented by other method books which allow more practice, especially in order to develop pitch, sight reading, and techniques.

For those starting out, volume 1 may not have a clear enough presentation of the basics of reading music. I usually start my students on "String Builder," which gives a more step-by-step instruction and offers a whole lot more pieces to practice on (and it also has short duets to play together).

Summary: Disappointed-what is all the fuss?
There are only 17 songs in this entire book! NO fiddle music. All the notes are much smaller than all the other books, hard to read. There are finger numbers above all the notes, so you don't learn to read the notes, you read the numbers and make mistakes because you don't know which string you should put the finger on. The accompanying CD is way too fast to play with! The other books give you more to play, to read and contain twice the melodies which are from all different styles.

Just don't get what all the fuss is about with this method if you don't learn to read right and don't play any worthy exercises.

Summary: Outstanding method that is actually fun!
So many other violin instruction books become dull and boring with their scales and two-line practices. Suzuki, however, is fun. It teaches you to play the violin through songs instead of through hundreds of exercises on boring items. Exercises are provided, of course, but they are icing on the cake.

I began violin with a different method that nearly turned me away. I didn't see the fun in playing a hundred and fifty repetitions of "hot cross buns." I did see the fun in playing Minuets, however, when a new teacher had me switch to Suzuki.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone. The method is fast, fun, and head-over-heels better than those...other books.

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Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Authors: Shunryu Suzuki Edward Espe Brown

ISBN: 0060957549
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Summary: unifying and inspiring
Direct, heartwarming, beautiful and points to what many of us have glimpsed and recognized as the nature of everything.

Summary: Just sitting!
"Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" has consistently been the best-selling book on Buddhism in the USA --- for good reasons. Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi (not to be confused with the great academic scholar of Zen Buddhism, Professor Daisetzu Teitaro Suzuki) spoke clearly, compellingly, and comprehensively of the heart of Zen. It is a source of great joy that a second collection of Shunryu Suzuki's teishos (i.e., Dharma talks) has been published. What I am about to say about the two collections may reflect the change in my needs over time, rather than a real difference between the two anthologies.

"Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" was primarily (as I experienced it) about what happens on the zafu, while I am sitting zazen. "Not Always So" is about carrying shikantaza into every moment. Every moment is the time to pay full attention. Every moment is the moment in which to find out. Every moment you are coming into being and passing away. --- Suzuki-Roshi never becomes as apodictic as I have been in the three preceding sentences. I am still trying to convince myself. The preacher always preaches to himself.

"Not Always So" opens me to find out for myself.

This review contains too much Zen jargon. A zafu is a cushion. Zazen is sitting meditation. Dharma is, variously, truth, or your vocation in life, or the teachings of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, or the enlightened one.

Shikantaza, "just sitting," is associated with the Soto school --- although Shunryu Suzuki would have rejected any denominational or sectarian identification. In a sense, both anthologies are expositions of shikantaza. In "Not Always So," Shunryu Suzuki gives many words, phrases, and sentences that express facets of shikantaza, including standing up from the ground, living each moment fully, and neither suppressing nor indulging thoughts.

The reader of this book need not be a Buddhist. It is a profitable book for all persons, of any religion or of none.

This anthology has my strongest recommendation.

I keep coming back to this book. Often I simply look at Suzuki-Roshi's face. I always feel that he is encouraging me in my practice, encouraging me to find my own way.

Some favorite passages, and some surprising connections.

"And if you want to enjoy the movie you should know that it is the combination of film and light and screen, and that the most important thing is the plain white screen." (page 51) In the Worcester Art Museum, in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, there are a series of black and white photographs by Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto. In the Metropolitan Los Angeles Theater, in 1993, set up a camera so the shutter would open at the instant the film began to play, and close at the exact moment when the film ended. Result? We see the pure white screen.
Each spot of the screen has been illuminated by enough different colors enough times to reveal the white screen. So carry water and chop wood are the same as the white screen.

"The way to extend your practice is to expose yourself as you are, without trying to be someone else." (page 8) "Rabbi Zusya said to his disciples: when I die, I am afraid to stand before the heavenly tribunal." "Why?" "G-D will not ask me, 'Why were you not Abraham, or why were you not Moses, or why were you not Samuel.
The Holy One of Israel will ask me, 'Why were you not Zusya?" What shall I say to Him?" (paraphrased from memory)

"I think that is what you do. Instead of working with the problems you have, you cause yourself more problems by seeking for something else. But there is no need to seek for anything. You have plenty of problems, just enough. This is a mysterious thing, the mystery of life. We have just enough problems, not too many and not too few. So there is no need to ask anyone's help." (page 145)

Summary: Good food for thought. An excellent Zen book in English
I must express my heartfelt appreciation to the editor Edward Brown who is also a zen book writer himself. Seldom I can read an English Zen book that had been so well edited. In that single aspect it is even better than Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. For English readers interested in Zen and in particular the lectures of Shunryu Suzuki, this is definitely a must read.

Below please find some passages I like most for your reference.

To study Buddhism is to study yourself. To study yourself is to forget yourself on each moment. - Dogen Zenji Pg 19

So even though the problems you have in your everyday life are small, unless you know how to solve them you will have big difficulties. This is the law of karma. Karma starts from small things, but with neglect your bad karma will accelerate. Pg 21

"To empty" means to have direct, pure experience without relying on the form or color of being. So our experience is "empty" of our preconceived ideas, our idea of being, our idea of big or small, round or square. Pg 36

"What is your practice? What is Buddha?" someone asked Zen Master Ummon. He answered, "Toilet Paper/Something to wipe yourself with in the rest room". Pg 42

We Zen Buddhists have a saying that with a blade of grass we create a golden Buddha which is sixteen feet high....but until we can see a big Buddha in a small leaf, we need to make much more effort. Pg 82

When you observe the precepts without trying to observe the precepts, that is true observation of the precepts. Pg 85

To stick to something rigidly is laziness. Before you do something difficult, you want to understand it, so you are caught by words. When you are brave enough to accept your surrounding without saying what is right and what is wrong, then the teaching that was told to you will help. Pg 98

We practice zazen like someone close to dying. There is nothing to rely on, nothing to depend on. Because you are dying you dont want anything, so you cannot be fooled by anything. Most people are not only fooled by something, they are also fooled by themselves, by their ability, their beauty, their confidence, or their outlook. We should know whether or not we are fooling ourselves. Pg 98

We are studying how to adjust the flame of our lamp back and forth. Dogen Zenji's teachings is to live each moment in complete combustion like a lamp or a candle...becoming one with everything. Pg 129

If you have been practicing true zazen, you may be happy to go back to your everday life...but if you feel hesitant to go back to your city life or everyday life, it means that you still stick to zazen. That is why the Sixth Ancestor Hui Neng said, "If you dwell on emptiness, and stick to your practice, then that is not true zazen." Pg 131

The Sun faced Buddha is good; the Moon faced Buddha is good. Whatever it is, that is good - all things are Buddha. And there is no Buddha, even. Pg 146

We can imagine what the frog is thinking: "If people can become a Buddha by the practice of sitting, then I too can be a Buddha." Pg 151

p.s. Thank you very much. - As in the end of each Shunryu Suzuzki's lecture.

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