As a young, up and coming electrical engineer living in England, Ray Brooks had everything he could want—a high paying job, late nights, and fast cars. All he was missing in his life was the meaning.
A series of events brought him to Japan, where he met a man who played the shakuhachi, an ancient Japanese flute. That fortuitous interaction motivated Brooks to embark on a journey to learn this very difficult instrument.
Through playing the shakuhachi, he began to understand the Zen discipline that is a crucial aspect of Japanese culture. This understanding greatly changed his outlook on life, putting him in touch with his authentic self.
Blowing Zen’s humor and its irresistible story of cultures converging lets the underlying message come through without preachiness: life is about finding your true calling, not just what brings you superficial joy. Brooks’ spontaneous approach to the collaboration of art, mind, body, and spirit is inspiring and instructive.
This uplifting memoir has been entrancing readers since its release in 2000, and it is now being re-released with a new chapter and lots of photographs.
This is the expanded and revised edition with photos.
Foreword Monty H Levenson xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
1 Zen Tourist 1
2 Pipe Dreams 17
3 Roots and Branches 27
4 Worlds Apart 35
5 A Corporate Warriot 47
6 An Old Soloist 53
7 A tale of Two Teachers 73
8 Watet Seekers and Worshippers 91
9 Temple Sensei 101
10 Grand Master 109
11 Listening to Incense 127
12 Gaijin Komuso 145
13 Impermanence 159
14 Shakuhachi Marathon 171
15 Brearh of the Ancients 193
16 R.S.V.P. or else! 211
17 Paying my Respects 227
18 Live at the Mokuba-tei 243
19 The Accidental Flute Player 265
Epilogue to the Revised Edition 269
Afterword 275
Glossary 279
List of Musical Pieces 284
List of Recurring Characters 285
About the Author 286
edpeters
Posted July 6, 2011
I read the original Blowing Zen a few years back and have just finished the new edition. Much better quality of book and its still a great read. The afterword show where the author is up to. The additional chapter could have been longer. I wanted more. What I like about this book is its not preachy show an authentic life rather than tell about it. One of my all time fav's. ed
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 27, 2011
This is the new edition with pictures and its been extended. I have the firts edition and this new edition was well worth buying. Its much better turned out book than the 1st edition. Great size too! How do I describe "Blowing Zen"? Refreshing, evocative, profound and yet simple. It is about finding a truthful life amid the rush and alienation of modern life. In his search for authenticity, the author leaves the party circuit of London and travels to the Orient. While living in Japan,Brooks discovers temples, Buddhist monks, the Japanese mafia, and, perhaps most importantly, the shakahachi - a bamboo flute.. What makes "Blowing Zen" so thouroughly enjoyable is, not only is the book entertaining (I couldn't put it down) but it is also inherently satisfying and hopeful. Part travel account, part autobiography and part spiritual journey,"Blowing Zen"'s biggest strength lives in its timely message: one does not have to travel the world and play the shakuhachi to find an authentic life, it is simply necessary to look within. This book points directly to that very looking without being to Zen or preachy. rob
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 26, 2002
What a delightful story. Read it in two days. It has inspired me to follow my own journey as a painter. Its funny, sensitive and a lovely insight into change.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 3, 2002
I found this book by chance while surfing the Barnes and Nobles site. What a little treasure. Not a bit of zen preaching in it, yet zen comes through. The story flows from Brooks' lost days as a denizen of London taking us along with him to India and Japan. Brooks' meets a host of unusual wasters searchers, and all kinds of interesting folks along the way. Meets some very interesting masters too and gets abducted by the Japanese mafia. Highly recommend! checking this book out.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 13, 2000
Some books put you right there with the author. Blowing Zen is such a book. This book will catch on with those on a spiritual path by word of mouth. Muscians will discover it too! Real, no flim flam.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 21, 2000
I'd given up on reading stuffy zen books. Then a friend found 'blowing zen on B&N's web site. Brooks shares his quest with the reader. The book has enriched my life and inspired me to get back into my painting and Music. This time with a diffirent view.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 21, 2000
I found author Ray Brooks book 'Blowing Zen- Finding an Authentic Life' a fascinating read about a man going no where in London and having the courage to get out into the world and trying to find out 'what's it all about?' Ending up in Japan teaching English he discovers the bamboo flute and his life is forever changed. Each chapter tells engaging and sometimes humorous tales of his experiences while learning the shakuhachi. Also I found that Ray Brooks has a CD called' Hollow Bell' which is a great compliment to the book. I highly recommend this book as an interesting and enlightening read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
As a young, up and coming electrical engineer living in England, Ray Brooks had everything he could want—a high paying job, late nights, and fast cars. All he was missing in his life was the meaning.
A series of events brought him to Japan, where he met a man who played the shakuhachi, an ancient Japanese flute. That fortuitous interaction motivated Brooks to embark on a journey to learn this very difficult instrument.
Through playing the ...