The Heart of Zen: Enlightenment, Emotional Maturity, and What It Really Takes for Spiritual Liberation

Wow, I finished this book in two days. These lively Q&As between Junpo and Martin-Smith are priceless. Together, the two of them tackle difficult questions that any long term practitioner will have encountered. The first chapter, "Diving In" is an introduction to Zen Master Junpo Denis Kelly Roshi, his school of Mondo Zen, and his journey to awakenment. Anyone intrigued by Junpo's life stories would enjoy, A Heart Blown Open: The Life and Practice of Zen Master Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi. The following chapters deal with questions of what is the ego? What is enlightenment? What is the relationship between enlightenment and ego? Junpo clarifies the rampant fallacy of trying to transcend and get away from the ego. They also speak about the usefulness of maps and guides to enlightenment as well as the danger of confusing the map with the territory. The next chapters go into the Mondo Zen koan process of teacher-student interviews. Mondo Zen has 13 Koans beginning with insight question and then proceeding to emotional koans. I have to say this is pretty radical. In many Zen schools, students can go years on a single koan in utter confusion. Here, Junpo is giving away the question, answer, and even how he verifies the answer is correct, or more accurately, that the answer is coming from the correct place. But, intellectually knowing the right answer and being able to embody and speak from Clear Deep Mind are completely different. The most valuable contribution of this book, of Mondo Zen, is addressing the question how to integrate those sublime, meditation insights into everyday life? As Junpo notes, meditation can help a person remain non-reactive in the midst of intense emotional states such as anger or depression. However, true awakening requires more than that. He calls for seeing into the information within emotions as another sense perception. This means to not just be able to withstand difficult emotions but to make friends with them. This is the key to radical transformation of character, of being able to respond even in the most challenging situations from a place of calm clarity. How to transform the experience of negative emotions into insight? Junpo combines the best of Zen with modern psychotherapy understanding to help students truly experience and transform powerful emotions such as depression, anger, and fear. He points out awakened people experience feelings even more intensely, but there is also a choice whether we listen to them or turn away to continue suffering. In many ways, this reminded me of Sartre's words, "Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." Likewise, much of the emotional work reminds me of similar teachings in Non-Violent Communication and humanistic psychology. Warning, this is not a feel good, self-improvement type book. Junpo's intensity is conveyed even through the written word when he says, awakening is a matter of life and death. The chapter on meditation instruction begins with a quote, "Sit down, shut up, and listen!" As Keith mentions, Junpo is calling on the reader to take radical, full responsibility for their lives. Meditation helps us to see clearly that we are always choosing how we respond to the world and ultimately have a freedom and responsibility to choose compassionately. Not just in our sitting practice but in all aspects of our life such as our choice of transportation and food. One caution or possible negative of the book is it might be an advanced Buddhist book. I'm worried beginners would be lost. I dove in without any doubts because I already have a taste for Buddhist language, meditative practice, and personal life experience to know Junpo's words are true. To Keith Martin-Smith's credit, he jokingly mentions several times the idea of readers closing the book in disgust. He also repeatedly asks for clarification or personal examples from Junpo. There's even a glossary defining terms such as emptiness. For my new, practice friends, I would suggest reading their previous book, A Heart Blown Open first. On the plus side, I can easily see this book being picked up several times throughout my life and getting a different inspiration and insight each time. Another possible con is that Junpo, himself, says that these koan interviews are best done with a qualified teacher. Although the book provides great insights and ideas, readers won't become a Buddha by only reading it. Mondo Zen is at the cutting edge forefront of a movement within Buddhist circles to tackle the next step beyond just meditation practice and philosophical study. How to truly become fully awaken, how to modernize Buddhism to be relevant and resonant to a modern culture, and ultimately what's the point of it all this study and practice if it doesn't transform our character and help heal the real suffering in the world? I hope this book helps you as much as it did me.

I enjoyed Denis' take on Zen. Fun and approachable, the way it ought to be, but with some grit to it. Now that the over-marketing of Zen has all but destroyed any real value the word has left, it was a treat to hear a discussion of it in a more raw, real manner. Still, I can't escape the feeling that it may have been written too soon. By no means a lousy book, but I finished it and let it go. No real reason to keep it on my shelf.

I read this book as soon as it came into my hands. For some time I have admired JunPo Denis Kelly and the Mondo Zen approach, and I very much enjoyed Keith Martin-Smith's biography of him. This book expands into the ideas and framework of Mondo Zen, and describes Mondo's unique merging of traditional Zen with modern emotional literacy and ethics. Readers who have enjoyed works ranging from Eckart Tolle to Gurdjieff will find this book to be sheer catnip with its clear and sensible description of the phenomenon of ego, and presentation of ways to interact with it. For example, a key teaching of JunPo is to collaborate with the ego, to enlist it in the goal of awakening, a major difference from Tolle. The use of a dialogue format is very helpful, for it allows JunPo to speak in his own unique voice and humor, while allowing Martin-Smith to serve as an informed but inquisitive interviewer: just as a question forms in the reader's mind, Martin-Smith is there to ask it, and JunPo to answer. By the end of the book, the entire Mondo Zen koan process has been presented and elucidated, with detailed commentary, as well as encouragement and inspiration. For students of Zen, as well as students of psychology and self-improvement, this book is an invaluable and enjoyable read!

Raw, Gritty, Disciplined, Practical - The conversation in Heart of Zen approaches spirituality with both a No-BS attitude and an open hearted tone. I enjoyed Jun Po's combination of unconventional approach and rigorous practice. I was confronted to take responsibility for my spiritual practice over and over throughout the text. It was mentally and morally challenging, inspiring me to both take my practice more seriously and my ego less seriously. I found the reading itself entertaining. At the end, I came out of the reading experience quieter, more settled, with a wider scope of visions and more space to notice the stuff of my mind rather than just act on it. Thank you for that.

Traditional koan practice was designed to bring students to realization by confounding the conventional mind with questions whose answers could only be given directly from enlightened awareness. Jun Po has taken this same practice and given a lot more to the student by starting them off with instructions designed to get them in that awareness to begin and then deepen that awareness with subsequent questions and pointing out instructions. The fact that this book spends a lot of time on emotional reactivity and how to have those moments of upset or struggle help remind us of our awareness as opposed to something that pulls us out of enlightened awareness is a big step forward. Keith Martin-Smith has put together a great book and his dialogs with Jun Po are spot on, covering questions that directly relevant from the reader's perspective. And his introductions to the chapters are a good grounding point. Looking forward to a Mondo retreat someday. Only thing that gets me a little is online on the website all the trademark symbol after Mondo Zen™ makes it feel a little productized. I know you need to protect the brand but it'd be nice to have that stated in a footer and not used every time it's written.

One could say that it pretty much lays out the ... Heart of Zen

I immensely enjoyed reading this book and found it inspiring. Jun Po is easy to understand and relates personal examples to bring his ideas to life. Loved the idea of creating spaciousness in our thoughts so we can learn to respond instead of react.

This is a post post modern Buddhism. I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they may want to further pursue Mondo Zen. Having had the good fortune to briefly experience Mondo Zen with Genpo Roshi at an Integral Spiritual Experience and being a practicing Vajrayana/Mahayana Buddhist, I can say that this book is great way to experience or get the flavor of Mondo Zen without a teacher. It is said that Mondo Zen is essential Buddhism and Vajrayana/Mahayana Buddhism is complete Buddhism. I believe this to be true based on my experience with both.

Fascinating book. A definite game changer in regards to a deeper, more modern practice of Zen. I really enjoyed the conversation. I feel a deepening in my own practice from having read this book. This is my favorite book on Zen, hands down. I will, and have, return to it repeatedly. There is much wisdom here. In gratitude.

First, I'll be transparent and say I have been training with Junpo since 2002, before Mondo Zen existed as presented here. Second, I have a degree in literature, so automatically an objective mind kicks in when reading and reviewing written works. Some cultural context: In our consumer society, which thrives on wanting-getting-having, there is no lack of books, retreats and methods promising the secrets to a happy life, including ones claiming to be "zen." Moreover, "meditation" is for sale in so many flavors and colors it looks like the cereal aisle in a supermarket. But "happiness" cannot really be "had," because the other side of that coin is never far away. Which is why people keep seeking it; it doesn't stay. And which is why it is said the difference between a seeker and a finder is meditation practice. It would be helpful to note that what many people call "meditation" is actually "concentration" (repetition of a word/mantra, breath counting, etc.), or distraction or even hallucination (sensory-focused or fantastic visualizations). This is simply to clarify that concentration is what we do; meditative mind is the consciousness in which the experience of "me" arises. "I" do not meditate. Meditation simply is. "Right Understanding" is the first step to discovering meditative mind, and this distinction is part of the shift. Mondo Zen is the most effective means I have encountered that facilitates an authentic experience of meditative mind, then provides real-time means to understand and root this awareness, and tools to integrate it in to daily living. Simplicity is often the most powerful, and this technology is very effective at aiding one to unravel the spaghetti of conditioning and identity that blocks insight in to our pure, selfless awareness. But, true to Rinzai Zen tradition, Junpo compassionately and vigorously insists, that a good meditation buzz is not enough. We must bring our insight through our newly informed sense of "self," and manifest it in our relationships, actions and choices. Having trained with Junpo all these years, I have heard everything in this book dozens of times. Yet, somehow, he and author Martin-Smith, in their relaxed yet on-point dialog, gave setting for me to understand more clearly, to have deeper insight, to integrate my understanding. Perhaps this is to be expected, since, as Junpo says, "Meditation never ends." Anyone can gain real and practical insight and tools from "The Heart of Zen." It matters not what beliefs you do or don't hold, or what tradition your spiritual practice is. Nor need one be or become "Buddhist." Pure selfless awareness, unmoving Silence, has no practice or tradition. Do you want graceful and expedient support in accessing this awareness that is already in you? Read this book. And maybe come to a Mondo Zen retreat. Books are great, but nothing but the real experience can free you.

Wow, I finished this book in two days. These lively Q&As between Junpo and Martin-Smith are priceless. Together, the two of them tackle difficult questions that any long term practitioner will have encountered. The first chapter, "Diving In" is an introduction to Zen Master Junpo Denis Kelly Roshi, his school of Mondo Zen, and his journey to awakenment. Anyone intrigued by Junpo's life stories would enjoy, A Heart Blown Open: The Life and Practice of Zen Master Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi. The following chapters deal with questions of what is the ego? What is enlightenment? What is the relationship between enlightenment and ego? Junpo clarifies the rampant fallacy of trying to transcend and get away from the ego. They also speak about the usefulness of maps and guides to enlightenment as well as the danger of confusing the map with the territory. The next chapters go into the Mondo Zen koan process of teacher-student interviews. Mondo Zen has 13 Koans beginning with insight question and then proceeding to emotional koans. I have to say this is pretty radical. In many Zen schools, students can go years on a single koan in utter confusion. Here, Junpo is giving away the question, answer, and even how he verifies the answer is correct, or more accurately, that the answer is coming from the correct place. But, intellectually knowing the right answer and being able to embody and speak from Clear Deep Mind are completely different. The most valuable contribution of this book, of Mondo Zen, is addressing the question how to integrate those sublime, meditation insights into everyday life? As Junpo notes, meditation can help a person remain non-reactive in the midst of intense emotional states such as anger or depression. However, true awakening requires more than that. He calls for seeing into the information within emotions as another sense perception. This means to not just be able to withstand difficult emotions but to make friends with them. This is the key to radical transformation of character, of being able to respond even in the most challenging situations from a place of calm clarity. How to transform the experience of negative emotions into insight? Junpo combines the best of Zen with modern psychotherapy understanding to help students truly experience and transform powerful emotions such as depression, anger, and fear. He points out awakened people experience feelings even more intensely, but there is also a choice whether we listen to them or turn away to continue suffering. In many ways, this reminded me of Sartre's words, "Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." Likewise, much of the emotional work reminds me of similar teachings in Non-Violent Communication and humanistic psychology. Warning, this is not a feel good, self-improvement type book. Junpo's intensity is conveyed even through the written word when he says, awakening is a matter of life and death. The chapter on meditation instruction begins with a quote, "Sit down, shut up, and listen!" As Keith mentions, Junpo is calling on the reader to take radical, full responsibility for their lives. Meditation helps us to see clearly that we are always choosing how we respond to the world and ultimately have a freedom and responsibility to choose compassionately. Not just in our sitting practice but in all aspects of our life such as our choice of transportation and food. One caution or possible negative of the book is it might be an advanced Buddhist book. I'm worried beginners would be lost. I dove in without any doubts because I already have a taste for Buddhist language, meditative practice, and personal life experience to know Junpo's words are true. To Keith Martin-Smith's credit, he jokingly mentions several times the idea of readers closing the book in disgust. He also repeatedly asks for clarification or personal examples from Junpo. There's even a glossary defining terms such as emptiness. For my new, practice friends, I would suggest reading their previous book, A Heart Blown Open first. On the plus side, I can easily see this book being picked up several times throughout my life and getting a different inspiration and insight each time. Another possible con is that Junpo, himself, says that these koan interviews are best done with a qualified teacher. Although the book provides great insights and ideas, readers won't become a Buddha by only reading it. Mondo Zen is at the cutting edge forefront of a movement within Buddhist circles to tackle the next step beyond just meditation practice and philosophical study. How to truly become fully awaken, how to modernize Buddhism to be relevant and resonant to a modern culture, and ultimately what's the point of it all this study and practice if it doesn't transform our character and help heal the real suffering in the world? I hope this book helps you as much as it did me.

I enjoyed Denis' take on Zen. Fun and approachable, the way it ought to be, but with some grit to it. Now that the over-marketing of Zen has all but destroyed any real value the word has left, it was a treat to hear a discussion of it in a more raw, real manner. Still, I can't escape the feeling that it may have been written too soon. By no means a lousy book, but I finished it and let it go. No real reason to keep it on my shelf.

I read this book as soon as it came into my hands. For some time I have admired JunPo Denis Kelly and the Mondo Zen approach, and I very much enjoyed Keith Martin-Smith's biography of him. This book expands into the ideas and framework of Mondo Zen, and describes Mondo's unique merging of traditional Zen with modern emotional literacy and ethics. Readers who have enjoyed works ranging from Eckart Tolle to Gurdjieff will find this book to be sheer catnip with its clear and sensible description of the phenomenon of ego, and presentation of ways to interact with it. For example, a key teaching of JunPo is to collaborate with the ego, to enlist it in the goal of awakening, a major difference from Tolle. The use of a dialogue format is very helpful, for it allows JunPo to speak in his own unique voice and humor, while allowing Martin-Smith to serve as an informed but inquisitive interviewer: just as a question forms in the reader's mind, Martin-Smith is there to ask it, and JunPo to answer. By the end of the book, the entire Mondo Zen koan process has been presented and elucidated, with detailed commentary, as well as encouragement and inspiration. For students of Zen, as well as students of psychology and self-improvement, this book is an invaluable and enjoyable read!

Raw, Gritty, Disciplined, Practical - The conversation in Heart of Zen approaches spirituality with both a No-BS attitude and an open hearted tone. I enjoyed Jun Po's combination of unconventional approach and rigorous practice. I was confronted to take responsibility for my spiritual practice over and over throughout the text. It was mentally and morally challenging, inspiring me to both take my practice more seriously and my ego less seriously. I found the reading itself entertaining. At the end, I came out of the reading experience quieter, more settled, with a wider scope of visions and more space to notice the stuff of my mind rather than just act on it. Thank you for that.

Traditional koan practice was designed to bring students to realization by confounding the conventional mind with questions whose answers could only be given directly from enlightened awareness. Jun Po has taken this same practice and given a lot more to the student by starting them off with instructions designed to get them in that awareness to begin and then deepen that awareness with subsequent questions and pointing out instructions. The fact that this book spends a lot of time on emotional reactivity and how to have those moments of upset or struggle help remind us of our awareness as opposed to something that pulls us out of enlightened awareness is a big step forward. Keith Martin-Smith has put together a great book and his dialogs with Jun Po are spot on, covering questions that directly relevant from the reader's perspective. And his introductions to the chapters are a good grounding point. Looking forward to a Mondo retreat someday. Only thing that gets me a little is online on the website all the trademark symbol after Mondo Zen™ makes it feel a little productized. I know you need to protect the brand but it'd be nice to have that stated in a footer and not used every time it's written.

One could say that it pretty much lays out the ... Heart of Zen

I immensely enjoyed reading this book and found it inspiring. Jun Po is easy to understand and relates personal examples to bring his ideas to life. Loved the idea of creating spaciousness in our thoughts so we can learn to respond instead of react.

This is a post post modern Buddhism. I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they may want to further pursue Mondo Zen. Having had the good fortune to briefly experience Mondo Zen with Genpo Roshi at an Integral Spiritual Experience and being a practicing Vajrayana/Mahayana Buddhist, I can say that this book is great way to experience or get the flavor of Mondo Zen without a teacher. It is said that Mondo Zen is essential Buddhism and Vajrayana/Mahayana Buddhism is complete Buddhism. I believe this to be true based on my experience with both.

Fascinating book. A definite game changer in regards to a deeper, more modern practice of Zen. I really enjoyed the conversation. I feel a deepening in my own practice from having read this book. This is my favorite book on Zen, hands down. I will, and have, return to it repeatedly. There is much wisdom here. In gratitude.

First, I'll be transparent and say I have been training with Junpo since 2002, before Mondo Zen existed as presented here. Second, I have a degree in literature, so automatically an objective mind kicks in when reading and reviewing written works. Some cultural context: In our consumer society, which thrives on wanting-getting-having, there is no lack of books, retreats and methods promising the secrets to a happy life, including ones claiming to be "zen." Moreover, "meditation" is for sale in so many flavors and colors it looks like the cereal aisle in a supermarket. But "happiness" cannot really be "had," because the other side of that coin is never far away. Which is why people keep seeking it; it doesn't stay. And which is why it is said the difference between a seeker and a finder is meditation practice. It would be helpful to note that what many people call "meditation" is actually "concentration" (repetition of a word/mantra, breath counting, etc.), or distraction or even hallucination (sensory-focused or fantastic visualizations). This is simply to clarify that concentration is what we do; meditative mind is the consciousness in which the experience of "me" arises. "I" do not meditate. Meditation simply is. "Right Understanding" is the first step to discovering meditative mind, and this distinction is part of the shift. Mondo Zen is the most effective means I have encountered that facilitates an authentic experience of meditative mind, then provides real-time means to understand and root this awareness, and tools to integrate it in to daily living. Simplicity is often the most powerful, and this technology is very effective at aiding one to unravel the spaghetti of conditioning and identity that blocks insight in to our pure, selfless awareness. But, true to Rinzai Zen tradition, Junpo compassionately and vigorously insists, that a good meditation buzz is not enough. We must bring our insight through our newly informed sense of "self," and manifest it in our relationships, actions and choices. Having trained with Junpo all these years, I have heard everything in this book dozens of times. Yet, somehow, he and author Martin-Smith, in their relaxed yet on-point dialog, gave setting for me to understand more clearly, to have deeper insight, to integrate my understanding. Perhaps this is to be expected, since, as Junpo says, "Meditation never ends." Anyone can gain real and practical insight and tools from "The Heart of Zen." It matters not what beliefs you do or don't hold, or what tradition your spiritual practice is. Nor need one be or become "Buddhist." Pure selfless awareness, unmoving Silence, has no practice or tradition. Do you want graceful and expedient support in accessing this awareness that is already in you? Read this book. And maybe come to a Mondo Zen retreat. Books are great, but nothing but the real experience can free you.

Detailed description of the steps of Mondo Zen. An inspiring path on becoming who we can be, and becoming free, all at the same time. Sincere Namaste

One day a few years back I got up in the morning and meditated, then went to a yoga class that was an hour and a half, and then walked to the grocery store to get lunch. At the grocery store there was a jerk who was not acting properly in front of me and I flipped out with grocery store rage. I left the grocery store and I just had to laugh at myself because I had done all sorts of relaxing and centering practices that morning yet it had failed to protect me and the world from my unconscious reactivity and behavior. My outburst did nothing to help the jerk see that he was being a jerk and it did nothing positive for me either. It was a waste of time and energy. If you can relate to what I just said, then purchase this book ASAP. This book explains how meditation isn’t enough but that we also have to develop into mature emotional beings and it goes further and helps you learn how to do that. If you are looking for a Buddhist methodology for becoming less reactive and less controlled by subconscious behavior patterns then this is the book for you. But, that isn’t all this book is either. This book is so much more in addition to what I already listed, which is pretty incredible alone. This book also covers really complex and esoteric Buddhist topics like ego in a really accessible and modern way and language. The way it is written and the speaker who is being interviewed in the Q &A, Jun Po has a way of explaining things that is funny but also enlightening at the same time. You’ll laugh while becoming enlightened. I could not put this book down and I plan to use it as a reference in the future. This book answers the question “Why bother” in terms of why bother having a spiritual practice like Buddhism and what does it bring to your life and what does it give the world. And it also brings up some pretty important modern concepts like emotional reactivity and merges them with Buddhism. Pretty cool stuff. As far as I’m concerned, it is the missing link I was longing for and I’m relieved to find it.

Very much enjoyed learning about Jun Po and Mondo Zen from this read. A must for any one getting involved with this spiritual practice.

I know this man. He lived a very different life than I did. I hold him in high regard.

This book is a gem. Mondo Zen abides. There is precision, clarity, compassion and wise humor in this very contemporary refinement of Zen. There is benefit for both seasoned practioners as well as seekers of the fruit of the ancient lineages: unreasonable enjoyment.

Really great read.

great book

This is a highly readable and eminently useful book on practice and how to integrate practice into your life for transformative change. A strong recommend read probably once or twice a year minimum.

YES!

EXcellent - must read

I read Keith Martin-Smith's first book "A Heart Blown Open" and that intrigued me to learn more about Jun Po roshis take on zen. Keith has taken his conversations with Jun Po and crafted a very grounded, very approachable introduction to Mondo Zen. Unflinching in honesty, insight, and passion. This was a delight to read.

One of the most brilliant and helpful Buddhist / Spiritual / How To Live Your Life Books I've Read. Junpo has figured out a lot, the hard way, through his own live. Incredibly well written. Wonderful!

Changed my life. Got me through a negative time in my journey

A wonderful read. Thank you, Jun Po, for your clarity and honesty.

extremely valuable and thought-provoking

This book is able to transmit the power and insight of its authors. Far from being just a theoretical work on Enlightenment it is full of passion and warmth. I laughed and I cried when I was reading it. Thanks a lot!

Lucid. Beautifully clear within the grasp of the uninitiated. A bench mark book for those who are desperately searching for light in the mystery of life.

It blew me away! A very fresh perspective on meditation and spirituality.

I LOVED this book. It updates Zen for our times, integrating it with psychological/shadow work, and making it truly healthy and accessible. HIGHLY recommended!

If you haven't come across the teachings of Zen Master Jun Po Denis Kelly yet then you're in for a treat! This book is highly recommended

definitely thought provoking perhaps life changing

Very insightful. Makes me want to consider going on a retreat.

The book was bound incorrectly with duplicate pages and unreadable. Unfortunately, it was a gift and the person didn't start reading it until after the return period.

This is a book about Zen and Buddhism from a very Western perspective by a man clearly from the 1960s who was influenced by all of the cultural trends of the 60s. I can't find a solid discrepancy between Mondo Zen and other Buddhist practices, nothing I can clearly identify, but the book made me uncomfortable and uneasy.

Not exactly dense with information.

The book contains statements that can not be validated using ancient Zen concepts. Ideas thrown out to look impressive and pass as wisdom.

Right off the bat, it is easy to see that "The Heart of Zen" is not your typical book on spiritual philosophy. Instead of attempting to summarize or restate the ideas behind Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi's Mondo Zen practice, Keith Martin-Smith presents readers with a series of interviews presented in the question-and-answer format. In using this particular layout, readers are drawn into the conversation. Martin-Smith asks the questions we, as readers, might ask if given the opportunity. This pair of collaborators worked together on Jun Po's autobiography, "A Heart Blown Open", and the rapport they have is obvious. Jun Po obviously trusts his interviewer enough to let his personality shine through (he even uses profanity a few times, which is kind of funny!). Readers will be both challenged and* entertained. "The Heart of Zen" also addresses spiritual awakening and living a spiritual life from an angle that is not necessarily the norm. While traditional approaches to Zen practice take years to master (if they are ever truly mastered), Jun Po's Mondo Zen koan process puts those seeking enlightenment on an accelerated path. He focuses on getting to know your emotions intimately and emphasizes the necessity of integration if you want lasting change in your life through Mondo Zen. While Keith Martin-Smith shares in his introduction that he hopes the subjects covered in this book will be easy to understand for those not trained in Zen (and includes a historical overview and glossary of terms for this purpose), it would definitely help to have some prior knowledge. If you have a base to work from, you will find this a very quick read. For a strong background, I highly recommend

Excellent book which very accurately describes the Mondo Zen process. Not surprising as Junpo Roshi is the originator of this Americanized form of Rinzai Zen and Kogen Martin-Smith is a skilled practitioner as well as exceptional writer. Having experienced the power of Mondo through personal experience, and via seeing the amazingly positive effects on friends and family, I am delighted that this book shares the wisdom behind the process so thoroughly. My hope is that others will read this very well written book and decide to give Mondo Zen a try.

Pure Zen, and pure universal as-it-isness. Deep gratitude for this 'gateless gate', informed with so many ancient, (post)modern and Integral wisdom streams. A challenging delight (1st p), a transmission (2nd p) and a precious gem. Greatly recommended. Thank you both, in deep gassho, Adeline (author of 'The less dust, the more trust... meditation and science)

This has to be, without a doubt, the best approach to living a Zen practice and bringing the wisdom of this path into modern times, and right into the everyday fabric of your life. The clarity of insight that Jun Po has, and the ability of Martin-Smith to guide and translate Jun Po's teachings, are really powerful in this book. The Heart of Zen seems to take all of the confusion out of practicing Zen and integrating it into modern life. Totally loved it for that. Well worth taking the time to read this one if you're truly interested in waking up.

Really clear writing, really clear insight into the nature of what blocks us from becoming who we could become. I really like the dialogue nature of the book's layout with Keith's introduction to each chapter as counterpoint. Junpo is insightful, funny, and determined to help as many people wake up mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and take that insight into this world. Excellent book, buy it!!!!!!

An amazing book that the whole world should read!

Very workable book. Lovely interaction between the two. Wise and elaborated comment on Mondo Zen Enhances real freedom , in God and Guru, Nayaswami Jikaidevi