Seeing One Thing Through: The Zen Life and Teachings of Sojun Mel Weitsman

(Paperback)

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Description

A young painter, coming of age in San Francisco's bohemian 1950s, meets his teacher-Shunryu Suzuki, a pivotal figure in Buddhist America-and dedicates his life to continuing Suzuki Roshi's teachings Seeing One Thing Through begins with a series of autobiographical memories and reflections going back to Sojun Mel Weitsman's boyhood in Southern California, his coming of age as an artist and a seeker in the vibrant San Francisco of the 1950s, and his encounter with Zen in one remarkable teacher, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. From that moment, and for nearly sixty years after, Weitsman's life took the direct path of Zen-as a student, as a teacher, and as one of the first generations of American Zen masters. The larger portion of the book is a collection of Weitsman's edited talks, his articulation of "ordinary mind," and his strong belief that Zen as a way of life is available to all.

Reviews

"Mel Weitsman is the pure blood running through the entire artery of Buddhism, from the Buddha to himself. When his teacher, Shunryu Suzuki, founded SF Zen Center, there was little pomp and ceremony other than meditation because Suzuki Roshi wanted to leave room for Americans to reinvigorate the spirit of Zen practice he felt had weakened in modern Japan. Early on, Suzuki Roshi asked Mel Weitsman to open a zendo in Berkeley, California, which he did. For fifty-odd years Mel personified the 'nothing-special,' everyday-clarity and intention of his teacher in a secular Zen practice. I know of no more trustworthy, dependable, and inspiring collection of dharma talks, than Seeing One Thing Through, and recommend it without reservation." Hosho Peter Coyote, Zen priest and author of Sleeping Where I Fall

"I began my Zen practice in 1967 in Mels living room, and he has been my good friend, mentor and teacher ever since. He was an extraordinary man, but you had to look closely to see it; he didnt advertise it. What he did do was encourage people, whatever he did and wherever he went. One time in 2001 when I had become angry and discouraged about Zen, I came to his Berkeley Zen Center for meditation, and afterwards watched while Mel made his bows to Buddha. Suddenly something clicked, and tears came to my eyes. He was so completely himself, a no-nonsense just-this American, not trying to be holy or wise, bowing just to bow. His bows brought me back and made me whole again. That morning I saw his inner light. Read this book and I think you will see it too." Lewis Richmond, author of Aging as a Spiritual Practice

Author Bio

SOJUN MEL WEITSMAN grew up in Southern California. He became one of the first Americans to train with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. In 1967, he founded a zendo in Berkeley, which, under Suzuki Roshi's guidance, became Berkeley Zen Center. As abbott of Berkeley Zen Center, he practiced and taught there for fifty-five years. Weitsman died at home in January 2021, leaving more than thirty dharma heirs and hundreds of devoted students.