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Only Don't Know: Selected Teaching Letters of Zen Master Seung Sahn Paperback – Illustrated, April 6, 1999
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- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherShambhala
- Publication dateApril 6, 1999
- Dimensions5.36 x 0.64 x 8.46 inches
- ISBN-109781570624322
- ISBN-13978-1570624322
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- ASIN : 1570624321
- Publisher : Shambhala; Illustrated edition (April 6, 1999)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781570624322
- ISBN-13 : 978-1570624322
- Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.36 x 0.64 x 8.46 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #840,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,677 in Philosophy Movements (Books)
- #188,948 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)
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The book was recommended by a colleague in the community of finance. The man appeared genuinely moved by the positive effect the book had on him, including his relationships with his wife and children. Still questioning the relevance of a Korean Zen master's writings to my life, I looked it up on Amazon to discover a number of positive reviews. So I decided to give it a try.
The book is a collection of letters to and from Seung Sahn—some from Zen practitioners, others not. A few are serious, others are funny. "I am a teacher and these kids are driving me crazy..."
What is particularly striking is how consistent Seung Sahn is in responding. This is a man clearly in touch with his purpose or calling. That alone makes the book worth a read. But there's more to offer. In each letter you discover a small piece of yourself asking a question. And more often than not, Seung Sahn's response provides practical advice, how to relate to the issue in a more positive way.
Admittedly, the advice is based on Zen practice, but it is not dogmatic—really, humanistic in nature. But if you can't separate the origin from the the advice, then consider adapting it to your brand of belief. The advice has value whatever your faith.
A few themes from the book for flavor:
1. Only Don't Know - Originally, there is not good and bad. But if you make good and bad in your mind, they you have good and bad... Before checking (filtering based on your biases and prejudices) is called go-straight mind - there is no problem. After checking, then feelings, I-my-me, and problems appear. A clear mind has no I-my-me.... If you keep clear mind, you will get happiness everywhere.
2. Love - If you cut off all thinking and keep this in mind: "How can I help?" the correct action will appear... That is great love.
3. Wisdom - Good and bad are our true teachers. If something has no opposite, then it has no meaning, no truth... Wisdom and practice are like two wheels of one cart.
***
Inspired by Only Don't Know, I read others by Seung Sahn, but cannot give them the same recommendation. The Compass of Zen is a dense guide to Buddhism and Dropping Ashes on the Buddha is a lesser work of teachings and letters. This is the one to read.
Hope this review helps you.
Please Note: all material is very understandable (well at least for the subject of ZEN anyway. Naturally I'm not getting into the debate of how ZEN can't be explained and so forth. Bottom line - the material and the way it's presented is very simplified and highly appreciated for its clarity and fluidity).
Anyone who reads my reviews knows I like to add a personal touch! So, with that said, one of my personal notes that I wrote after a chapter goes as follow: You must completely rid yourself of all ideas, thoughts, attachments, and situations. Clear out all things and JUST BE. If you keep correct mind - then you can do anything. Most importantly, you need to believe in you. Believe that you are all you need to be successful in whatever you do. When you are doing something - DO IT !!! If you truly ARE your activity 100%, naturally your chances of success are much higher. You can succeed at anything however; you must be clear like space and become one with what you're doing - moment to moment...
There are books that you read one time and then pass it down to a friend. Then, once in a while, there's a book that comes along like this. I would like to say thank you for everyone who was involved in bringing this wonderful collection of letters to light. It will indubitably be reread again in the future...