Zen has flourished in Japan for over seven centuries. It has had a profound impact on almost all aspects of Japanese sensibilities, culture, art, and aesthetics. Since the 1950s, with the rise of the beat generation and the subsequent flower-power counter-culture movement in California,  there was an increased interest in Zen and other Eastern Philosophies. Philosophers like Alan Watts and D. T. Suzuki were instrumental in sharing these ideas with the West.

 

Demystifying Zen: Satori for a Secular Mind is an illustrated exploration of Zen concepts from a secular perspective. Written in a style that is minimalist and nuanced, it is a beginner’s guide to some of the profound themes and concepts associated with Zen. The book explores experiences such as satori, nirvana, and trishna, and also analyses various Zen koans, quotes, poems, parables, and anecdotes. It will undoubtedly appeal to those with an existential mindset and a spiritual bent.

 

The author, Rohan Roberts, is a multi-award-winning educator and polymath based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.