Only Don't Know: Selected Teaching Letters of Zen Master Seung Sahn

I've become a fan of the late Seung Sahn after reading his "The Compass of Zen." "Only Don't Know" is a compilation of letters to and from his students and associates over the years. It is an enjoyable book, but it will make little sense if you haven't read "The Compass of Zen" first. Master Sahn's style of Zen teaching was straightforward and entertaining, often amusing, and easier to understand than many of the other Zen books out there. "Only Don't Know" is definitely worth a read, but I think you'll be disappointed and perhaps a little confused if you haven't first digested some of his other works.

When asked about books influencing my life, Only Don't Know places at the top of the list. The writing is simple and direct on matters of love, suffering, and happiness.The book was recommended by a colleague in the community of finance. The man appeared genuinely moved by the positive effect the book had on him, including his relationships with his wife and children. Still questioning the relevance of a Korean Zen master's writings to my life, I looked it up on Amazon to discover a number of positive reviews. So I decided to give it a try.The book is a collection of letters to and from Seung Sahn—some from Zen practitioners, others not. A few are serious, others are funny. "I am a teacher and these kids are driving me crazy..."What is particularly striking is how consistent Seung Sahn is in responding. This is a man clearly in touch with his purpose or calling. That alone makes the book worth a read. But there's more to offer. In each letter you discover a small piece of yourself asking a question. And more often than not, Seung Sahn's response provides practical advice, how to relate to the issue in a more positive way.Admittedly, the advice is based on Zen practice, but it is not dogmatic—really, humanistic in nature. But if you can't separate the origin from the the advice, then consider adapting it to your brand of belief. The advice has value whatever your faith.A few themes from the book for flavor:1. Only Don't Know - Originally, there is not good and bad. But if you make good and bad in your mind, they you have good and bad... Before checking (filtering based on your biases and prejudices) is called go-straight mind - there is no problem. After checking, then feelings, I-my-me, and problems appear. A clear mind has no I-my-me.... If you keep clear mind, you will get happiness everywhere.2. Love - If you cut off all thinking and keep this in mind: "How can I help?" the correct action will appear... That is great love.3. Wisdom - Good and bad are our true teachers. If something has no opposite, then it has no meaning, no truth... Wisdom and practice are like two wheels of one cart.***Inspired by Only Don't Know, I read others by Seung Sahn, but cannot give them the same recommendation. The Compass of Zen is a dense guide to Buddhism and Dropping Ashes on the Buddha is a lesser work of teachings and letters. This is the one to read.Hope this review helps you.

To be perfectly honest, I liked this book better than "Dropping Ashes on the Buddha". Seung Sahn really comes through in this book. You would think that a book of letters wouldn't be that interesting but quite the contrary. Seung Sahn talks to many different people from all parts of the globe concerning a variety of interesting topics. He touches on many important facts regarding ZEN, Buddhism and life's everyday challenges, questions etc. It's fascinating how these little stories tie into the big picture of what we call LIFE. Every chapter stands on its own and adds something very special to the entirety of this publication. I would still recommend reading `Dropping Ashes'. I have also purchased "Wanting Enlightenment Is a Big Mistake" which will be read shortly; review to follow...Please Note: all material is very understandable (well at least for the subject of ZEN anyway. Naturally I'm not getting into the debate of how ZEN can't be explained and so forth. Bottom line - the material and the way it's presented is very simplified and highly appreciated for its clarity and fluidity).Anyone who reads my reviews knows I like to add a personal touch! So, with that said, one of my personal notes that I wrote after a chapter goes as follow: You must completely rid yourself of all ideas, thoughts, attachments, and situations. Clear out all things and JUST BE. If you keep correct mind - then you can do anything. Most importantly, you need to believe in you. Believe that you are all you need to be successful in whatever you do. When you are doing something - DO IT !!! If you truly ARE your activity 100%, naturally your chances of success are much higher. You can succeed at anything however; you must be clear like space and become one with what you're doing - moment to moment...There are books that you read one time and then pass it down to a friend. Then, once in a while, there's a book that comes along like this. I would like to say thank you for everyone who was involved in bringing this wonderful collection of letters to light. It will indubitably be reread again in the future...

After reading Wanting Enlightenment is a big mistake I wanted to eat up all his teaching. So I bought this book. This book is a compilation of correspondences between him and his many students.In one letter a man lovingly jokes with Zen Master Seung Sahn about a problem he has with his one year old daughter who has eaten the cover of a book with a picture of the Buddha on it. Seung Sahn tells him not to stop her but to follow her and eat up the Buddha with the same voracity of his innocent child.

This book is almost like having a Zen teacher as my pen pal. I have been unable to attend my twelve-year teacher's Zendo and I don't like to bother him with emails. Seung Sahn Roshi's letters are timeless and as wonderfully random and accidental as only a master's words can always be. I also recommend "Zen Sand" for the same use. Words of a teacher are not for memorizing. They are for kicking students off their current comfortable perch. A good teacher is best to keep one from wearing a rut in the pathless way, but these books are also effective. Don't check. Just go straight ahead.

One of the best books on Zen Buddhism I have ever read. Brilliant. Sharp, to the point, and often very funny. And after reading it, you won't want to write about it. You'll want to sit, and... 'Only don't knowww[...] :) One thing to note, though - this is a selection of letters written to and from Sueng Sahn Sunim. It is not a Zen practice instruction manual, so if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere. But an absolutely wonderful book which I thoroughly recommend.

What set apart this extraordinary book from the usual collections of Dharma talks is the presentation of the questions, issues, problems and sometimes riddles, as asked by the students of Master Seung Sahn together with the always profound and insightful answers. A very precious collection of teachings from one of the greatest teacher of Seon in the West.

The book helps you and reminds you again and again and yet again to keep a clear mind , a mind which " does not know ", a mind that does not hold on to things. Worth reading!!!

as expected.Cannot disappoint

I find the teachings rather shallow (though they are not wrong of course). In my opinion there are books that are way deeper (e.g. "Opening the hand of thought" (Kosho Uchiyama), "Catching a feather on a fan" (Sheng Yen) or "Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi")