Gateless Barrier: Zen Comments on the Mumonkan

No, please don't burn this book after reading it (as proposed in review #1, above) that would show a great misunderstanding of Zen and a total lack of respect for this book -- a splendidly helpful manifestation (form) of the unmanifest(formless). Zen is seeing, knowing and living Reality in all everyday dealings -- including growing intellectually and spiritually from the reading and intensive study of a superb book like this one. A practical suggestion: read this book slowly and truly spend time on each "case" presented. As you find the sentences and paragraphs which truly lift the veil and shine truth directly into your eyes -- use a red pen to mark off the individual servings of this brilliantly prepared spiritual dinner. Only this way will you be able to return again and again and easily enjoy the entire feast. For those who will never have the opportunity to work personally with a Zen master, this is a very satisfying alternative.

i mostly concur with previous reviewers. this is sadly my n'th zen book, but still i find it as tasty as some of the best, even after only 2 pages. when will the madness stop?

I have not found a Zen book to compare to it. Even though you cannot put it in words, Shibayama can guide your practice. Its interesting to me that at least two others are carrying this around too...

I bought this book about eight years ago and it has accompanied me ever since. If you want to deepen your understading of Zen, give this book a try. You will definitely not regret it.

It is perhaps appropriate that this incredible book by a lineal patriarch is out of print and hard to find, because its elusiveness reflects most clearly that only a combination of luck and effort can bring you closer to truth. Accomplishment requires practice. The author expresses over and over that a mere intellectual reading will do nothing. The concepts contain an energy which can light you. It is the very highest sort of book, in that those who need nothing of it have outgrown books altogether