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I enjoyed the book. It has helped me contemplate life and meaningful work. In a capitalist socoiety it is refreshing.
Enjoyed the taped version of INSTRUCTIONS TO THE COOK, written by Bernard Glassman and Rick Fields. when coming up witha name for the bakery, many advised against any mentionof the Zen tie-in. subtitled A ZEN MASTER'S LESSONS IN LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS, it is actuallyan autobiography that tells how Glassman took his beliefsand used them to set up a Zen Center (with a successfulbakery). I had previously thought that Buddhism and entrepreneurism were terms that didn't even belong in the same sentence; however, this book proved me wrong.In addition, it confirmed for me the fact that PR-type folks sometimesdon't know what they're talking about. Glassman disagreed, though, becausehe felt that to hide the fact would be not consistent with hisvalue system. he fortunately won out.My only criticism: I would have liked to have seen a fewmore actual lessons; i.e., suggestions that I could applyto my daily life along the lines of the following one thatI did recall:As with time, there's almost always enough money to start the process [of starting a business or virtuallyanything else].
It's more a bio on Glassman ans his successes, tooting of the horn , I feel. I'm a little disappointed with Glassman Roshi here. Its useful if you're considering a new endevour in business, but as far as personal practice it's not. The "instructions" were vague an dalmost always applied only to business or corporate functioning. If you're not in this world, don't expect too much.
A most worthwhile book. I think his merging of spiritual practice, hard work, and activism is probably a good reason why his projects were successful.
Almost as soon as he hit the streets of New York to set up his Zen Center, Glassman was intent on helping the homeless in a meaningful way. I liked this book because it combined Zen and activism, a rare combination in our culture (unfortunately).
In the bakery he set up to employ the unemployed and homeless, he erected a meditation center so that people could meditate, if so inclined. What I enjoyed the most is when he focused on Zen principles in doing his activism.
When a dilemma arose, he recommended that people meditate to find a possible solution. He realized that business without "more" is not fulfilling, and that spirituality needs to help the community we all live in, as its purpose is not simply to help our individual souls.
The only criticism: although he discussed himself, I would have liked to have learned even more about his background, how he came to the place of combining Zen and activism.
Filled with inspiration and common sense wisdom, Glassman shows that caring can become compassion, and in turn can significantly alter our communities for the better. This is a message of hope for those who see government subsidies and the welfare system as our only way to deal with the unemployed or underemployed.Business owners and community leaders could learn more from this book than from sitting through dozens of meetings filled with people who like to complain, rather than take action. I highly recommend this book both for the joy of seeing that there is light in the world, and as an example of how compassion can reap profits in so much more than dollars and cents.
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