Instant Zen

Waking Up in the Present

De: Thomas Cleary

Narrado por: Mitchell Ryan

Find yourself and tune in: such is the message of Zen. Instant Zen presents the teachings of Foyan, a twelfth-century Chinese Zen master recognized as one of the greatest masters of the Song dynasty Zen renaissance in China. These simple exercises by Foyan lead you to the awakening of insight into the real nature of self and emphasize independence and autonomy, two qualities vital to seeing and acting clearly. Newcomers will find this a useful and sophisticated introduction to authentic inner Zen practices without cultural exoticism or religious cultism. Experienced practitioners will benefit from this guide from an impeccable source and experience a return to the uncomplicated genuineness of the original Zen masters.

©1994 Thomas Cleary (P)2022 Phoenix Books

An excellent book on the natural mind and the essence of non duality.

Among books regarding the quintessence of mind, these chapters are without peer. Direct, no dogma. An excellent reminder for those lost in cognition and personal narrative.

Excellent

The definitive text on Zen. Nothing else compares. Written by the most accomplished Zen master of ancient China.

If you are a beginner or advanced

This book is a great tool to help maintain the focus on your path in Zen

Growth, everytime you replay. Master Foyan, a tru

Growth, Every Time You Replay

Master Foyan, a true living teacher, walks with you now! Thomas Cleary does a great job of reading with understanding. The benefit of this may be realized.

☸ The Instant Path ☸

⏳ 12/20/2024: Realization ⏳

Only now can I realize how fortunate I have been to have experienced enlightenment in the 80s. Knowing everything I did from that infinitesimal and infinite moment, little did I know how little I knew after such an unparalleled experience—nor did I know how long it would be before I attained realization. Each day, now at 70, I experience realization for more extended periods. Truly, some things cannot be realized without first attaining enlightenment. As the master says, there are two paths: the long and the instant. Mine was the instant and first experience, and I am now on the longer path. Take the one you're on.

🌱 The Long Path 🌱

⏳ History ⏳

[2020:] I listened to this book, this actual audiobook, first in 2009. Since then, I have returned to it, and this review, over and over. I am fortunate to have achieved enlightenment in the 80s, for which I credit Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for placing me on the right path. However, I had questions, and even though I grew spiritually, I wanted to hear from a traditional master. Since I had already received the gift, I didn't know exactly what to expect. To that end, I want to express the joy I have received at hearing the stories repeatedly and how, through the book, I discovered some truly deep meditation practices. Not that he teaches them, but the book is almost, if not truly, alive.

🌟 12/20/2024: Boy, was I mistaken in this—he does teach meditation. I was too new to actualization and realization; in other words, I did not live in the "now" to understand that, as he repeatedly said to me: "I have said to you, you do not understand!" To which I can now say, "So true! So true!" But that was then. ;-)

Sometimes, it felt as if I had transcended time and walked with the Masters. At times, I found Master Foyan chiding me, asking what I was doing there (as if he didn't already know), and at times just being a friend and talking about his life, the life of other old masters, and the Way thus. What a joy. I've looked for other related books but have not found another like it!

🌿 Today: I have learned that he was chiding me for having experienced enlightenment and asking why I was stuck and wasn't moving on to achieve realization and live "thus." I'm big on the "🌐ness" now! 😊

📖 Reflections 11 Years Later 📖

[2020:] Other than the first line of this review, I'm here today adding additional commentary 11 years later. I love this book so much. I haven’t listened to it for over a year, and when I got a new phone, it didn’t have the download. I had lost and just regained access to my Audible account, and it’s still here for me. Great folks—may they outlive my need. I'm downloading it to listen to tonight.

✨ [Timeless] Final Thoughts ✨

If you have questions, this book has answers. If you have already achieved what you've sought, this book offers comfort and companionship. Master Foyan is a great storyteller. If you're trying to find what you think you have lost, well... it's time to get off the donkey! Master Foyan can and will guide you back to what you never lost or to what you never had in the first place.

Can I say more? Perhaps. This IS the book on the subject of Zen you’re looking for. Or perhaps you only need chapter's three and four! 😊

An essential on real Zen

Over the centuries Zen has apparently been changed into something else, a fixed practice and a way of life that contains none of the real Zen essence, diluted and flavored to match our western palate.

This book, by Ch’an master Foyan and wonderfully translated (and read, as far as I know) by Thomas Cleary, points directly to the ineffable Zen way, as taught by the original Ch’an masters.

If you want a taste of real, non-westernized Zen, this is one of the essential books to get.

I wish more of these books on Zen by Thomas Cleary find their way to audiobooks.

yeah

yep. I had 14 words remaining when I started this sentence so I typed it.

Settle the matter for yourself

The challenge of zen is to settle this matter of life and death for yourself in this moment. Any book that gives you mere philosophy, or dogma, should be immediately tossed away. Foyan points out the way directly; an indispensable guide.

Buddhist "pick me up"

This is the kind of dhamma talk that cuts through all the concepts we flap around to distract ourselves from seeing what's real, even if it hurts at first.
Great talk, great teacher. No apologies for slightly stilted language, it doesn't take anything away from this communication.

Content excellent, reading poor

This is not read by Thomas Cleary, the narrator did not bother to find out how to pronounce the names of the Chan masters quoted properly, making the listening quite awkward. The content, however, as all of Cleary's work, is excellent. Audible should present more from his Zen corpus (not just the 'Art of War' stuff).

Seriouse folks.. A MUST READ*

Amazing teacher! This is one of the BEST teachers I have heard.

Sadly, I feel there's a lot of false zen teachers in the west right now misguiding students.. Many of which hold tittles in various lineages, guiding students, running temples & zendo's.

This book has helped me in so may ways... for one, to see that I was not alone in what I have seen. Master Foyan cuts trough all the BS that was present in his time & is clearly the same situation in our modern era.. His "no apologies" style teachings call it as he sees it, hitting the mark right on the nose.. This book will help anyone who is interest in gaining the eyes to see which Teachers are full of BS & which are not, & help you gain the eyes to see true Dharma for yourself.

If this teacher was alive today, I wouldn't be writing this review because I'd be on my way to his monastery.

If you would rather stop being fooled by false teachers & wake up today, instead of sleeping on your cushion for another 10 years... then this is the book for you!

He even brings up some valid criticism of the "present moment" style teachers that interestingly enough seem to be on the rise again today.

Endless Bows,

May we each find our way*

-Fugon Mugen