Buddha in Blue Jeans: An Extremely Short Simple Zen Guide to Sitting Quietly Paperback – November 10, 2011

This happy little book reminds me of The Joy of Painting w/ Bob Ross somehow. That alone is reason enough to keep this amazing read on file at all times. It is simple and short... but fair and full of proverb-esk wisdom. In short... This book is short and sweet like Danny Devote... I'm so sure (lol).

These apparently innocent sayings, unlike involved ones, will grip you as you meditate on them. It's a short book but not a quick read if you meditate on them. I hope by "sitting still" the author allows us walkers to quietly walk too! Sitting may not be the best for some of us "bodies."A Zen practice recognizes that we're in a "classroom for living a wise and kind life." Right now, as I'm reading this book, my cat is on my lap, purring. And Tai writes: "Be like a cat purring. Follow your breath like ocean waves coming in and out." All I need is a lap like my cat has!Wise is he to tell us to care for our bodies, for "Your body is your life." We feel with our bodies; "Your feelings will tell you what you really need." Well--? Feelings can be deceptive and mislead us. But through it all, "sit quietly." The niceness of the sayings can lull us into non-thinking, and I guess that's what Zen is supposed to be about. Pain? No problem--"breathe and relax into the pain as best as you can." And it can be a pain trying to be someone else, so don't! Says one saying: "Don't waste your life imitating others." Yet, Tai tells us to "be Buddha." Kind of confusing.Enough of such stuff! "Enjoy being yourself. You will learn this sitting quietly." And I believe reading these sayings and meditating at least a little on them will help you enjoy life. By the way, the title is intriguing, but there's a similar one: "JESUS IN BLUE JEANS." A very good perspective on life too.

Sometimes when we say a little, we say a lot. Reading this book is just what I needed at this time.

I downloaded a bunch of books onto my kindle that were free. This was one of them. I really didn't ready any of them. But I always have the hope that my kindle will force me to read more, when in the end I just end up using it for movies. I am sorry this review is not really based on the book. I feel the need to be upfront about that. I did browse thru the chapters but It took a lot for me to really get into this book. I am not a huge reader and it does take a lot for me to really get into something. I did finish it but it didn't leave me wanting to read more by this author. Thanks to Amazon Prime on my Kindel for letting me try out books that I don't have to buy. I probably would have been let down had I actually purchased this book. That is probably the best part about the Kindle lending library. You get the opportunity to try out books you wouldn't normally buy or be able to get from your local library and they are right at the tip of your hands. Definitely makes you not feel so bad about it if you don't actually read the book or the whole book. Which often happens to me.

This book is brief enough and valuable enough to reread daily. People, new to meditation would benefit. Those who seek self awareness and improvement would as well. Reading in the morning could set the tone for the day as decisions are made constantly based on thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. Reviewing the book at night and picking out a few decisions for self reflection might lead to forming better ones in days to come. I can imagine sitting n a garden on a bench with painting supplies, ear phones for music, or a musical instrument and contemplating the pleasure of being present in the here and now. Be at peace with the knowledge that informed behavior rather than visceral, dinosaur brain decision making is a preferred skill that can improve with practice and mindfulness. Maybe, due to stress, worries, and milieu, it's a far cry from the norm. But stress can lead to an early grave or illnesses. Another little book, to take along is: The Art of Peace by Morihei Uesiba. There's more good advice in a little package, referring to the hard copy.

Dr. Tai Sheridan is passing a kind of wisdom to us through Buddha in Blue Jeans. He wants you to use your heart and intuition to determine whether all, some or none of what’s written becomes part of you.

I think that the majority of the people trying out meditation tend to think too much! In my opinion there's not really something TO DO while practicing meditation. Just like the first paragraph of this book emphasises - Sit quietly. It doesn’t really matter WHAT you do while practicing, it’s more about THE WAY you go about it!Just like the title says: it’s an extremely short and simple guide! Don’t expect reading a novel! But if you are someone searching for an easy and quick way on learning how to slow down, be present and enjoy life… yes, I think it’s a pretty good e-book!If you are interested in more of all this; if you are searching for the WHY and the HOW’s of meditation, make sure to check out my book - Back to Earth!