Book description
Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life - A Gentle Invitation to Live Fully
Shunryu Suzuki's Becoming Yourself feels like a warm, familiar hand reaching out from the quiet of a meditation cushion into everyday life. For those who have already tasted his earlier work, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, this new collection is both a comforting return and an exciting expansion. The book gathers fresh gems from Suzuki's lectures-many unpublished until now-and presents them in his unmistakable blend of humor, clarity, and heartfelt wisdom.
What makes this volume stand out is its emphasis on practice over theory. "Just to sit," the author reminds us, is not a ritualistic command but an invitation: sit as you are, moment by moment, with whatever arises. In doing so, we discover that the true essence of Zen lies in becoming ourselves-unfiltered, compassionate, fully present beings. Whether you're new to meditation or a seasoned teacher, Suzuki's gentle guidance feels accessible and profoundly transformative.
The prose is straightforward yet evocative; each teaching unfolds like a quiet conversation between mentor and student. Readers often report feeling an immediate lightness, as if a weight has been lifted simply by turning the pages-exactly what Oliver Burkeman noted. The book invites us to step into our own lives with curiosity, noticing how we feel alive in ordinary moments, whether on a cushion or amidst daily tasks.
In sum, Becoming Yourself is not just another spiritual text; it's a living practice. Suzuki reminds us that the path to authenticity isn't about distant enlightenment but about embracing who we are right now, here and now. For anyone seeking a gentle yet powerful way to deepen their awareness and connection with life, this book offers a timeless compass-simple, warmhearted, and profoundly effective.
Blood Taker
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Spunky Comet
Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
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Riff Raff
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
California Goddess
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Senior Smurf
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! Organization made simple – this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. 📖📱 ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
Sky Dahlia
ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life.
Mallow Man
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Lady Killer
🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it!
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General Finish
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Dahlia Bumble
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Shadow Gal
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. 🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧 With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Cuff Queen
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Waylay Dave
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
Gbbledgoodk
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Treasure Devil
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Fast Draw
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience