Need a recommendation of a good book for Newbie Meditation, Mindfulness, Zen...

[Rev Nicholas Rehfeldt]

First, hey there Dudeism forum. It's been a while. I've been a semi-busy beaver, working on my novel... Got two more episodes of my Podcast going on at the website (TheOatSodaFactory.com)

anyway I'd really like to get into some of that Zen Meditation, mindfullness type stuff. Can someone recommend me a good book that can break the stuff down to me, casually like?

[Jianblade]

Definitely check out "Introduction to Zen Buddhism" by DT Suzuki. Also check out "The Way of Zen" by Alan Watts, both men really break down the history of practice in such a way that it makes it easier new (especially Western) students to get the gist of Zen. To actually find Zen, well that's up to you :)

[Rev Nicholas Rehfeldt]

Definitely check out "Introduction to Zen Buddhism" by DT Suzuki. Also check out "The Way of Zen" by Alan Watts, both men really break down the history of practice in such a way that it makes it easier new (especially Western) students to get the gist of Zen. To actually find Zen, well that's up to you

Got them both in the mail, thus far really digging the Alan Watts book or at least I found it the most palatable to digest, thanks for the recommendation Dude.

[StAugustineDude]

First, hey there Dudeism forum. It's been a while. I've been a semi-busy beaver, working on my novel... Got two more episodes of my Podcast going on at the website (TheOatSodaFactory.com)

anyway I'd really like to get into some of that Zen Meditation, mindfullness type stuff. Can someone recommend me a good book that can break the stuff down to me, casually like?

While it's not exactly a book on Meditation and Mindfulness,   The Dude and The Zen Master is a pretty good read.

Van

[RandoRock]

Also if you haven't checked out the Dudeist books like the Abide Guide, The Dude De Ching, or the Take it Easy Manifesto then those are worth checking out. Not exactly Zen Meditation but they helped me a lot when I was first getting into Dudeism.

[Rev Nicholas Rehfeldt]

Also if you haven't checked out the Dudeist books like the Abide Guide, The Dude De Ching, or the Take it Easy Manifesto then those are worth checking out. Not exactly Zen Meditation but they helped me a lot when I was first getting into Dudeism.

Oh I read and consumed those ages ago

was just looking for something a bit more serious cause frankly... eh kinda needed more direction.

[Brother D]

Have you read "The power of now" by Eckhart Tolle?  Also, anything by Jon Kabat Zinn? They're both good for mindfulness.

[Dudov]

The Power of Now By Eckhart Tolle is definitely a good place to start, even though it's a bit wishy-washy. I'd definitely recommend buying the Abide Guide though and checking the chapter out on Dudeitation. Nothing illustrates the practice better than that!

[thatdudeistguy]

Hey man, if you wanna get in on meditation as a starter, and ignore all the mumbo jumbo that can go along with it then check out 10% Happier by Dan Harris.

It's a beginner's guide to meditation, and gives you a realistic look at what you can hope to get out of it. If you dig it, then you can start looking into meditation as presented by different belief systems, but if you've never sat down and gone for it with any real results, then this is a good starter.

[Big the Cat]

John Kabat-Zinn's work is good. However, I really dug Secular Meditation by Rick Heller (a wiser fella than myself). It evaluates different kinds of meditation scientifically so it's accessible regardless of your beliefs. Importantly, it start with metta (lovingkindness) meditation because the author (rightly, in this dude's mind) argues that meditation can be used unethically. Metta and mindfulness really ties your mind together. Far out dude!
 

[disciplet]

I have read several books on meditation from Zen to Hindu to Christian to Dudeist.  For myself however practice made perfect.   Meditation is something you just have to do and experience.  Once you get the basics of clearing your mind and counting your breath or mantra the rest just falls into place.  Meditation really ties your inner room together by telling the Donnie of your mind to shut the F*** up!.   

You just have to choose whether your moving (Dude Chi) or sitting (Dudesana) when you tell the Donnie of your mind to F*** off and embrace the Dude within.

Peace to you.

Tom

[ZenDudeist]

To Have or to Be by Erich Fromm always limbers my mind a bit.

[bodhidharma]

Buddhism Plain and Simple - Steve Hagen - Penguin 1999
Nuff said
Dharma blessings
Bodhidharma

[Cortez]

It's no new and a bit cliché and not directly related to zen but if I had to recommand you few books , I'd say : Dharma Bun by Kerouac(I really like the zen feel from it ) and on top of my mind now that's all

[ScholarlyDude]

I'll recommend a book that was recommended to me. "The Miracle of Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hanh. My stepfather teaches religion and philosophy at a University and he said it's one of the best. I personally got a lot out of it. He explains how to be mindful in your daily life, and even gives some meditation tips. He also told me that Thich Nhat Hanh's other books are worth taking a look at. I haven't gotten around to it, but hopefully you can.

The paperback version is under $8.25 US on Amazon right now. (before shipping)
Link to Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Mindfulness-Introduction-Practice-Meditation/dp/0807012394/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477279354&sr=8-1&keywords=the+miracle+of+mindfulness