Waking Up to What You Do: A Zen Practice for Meeting Every Situation with Intelligence and Compassion

this book helped me dive deeply into myself in reviews how the subtle aspects of the precepts effects my life and actions. glad to have it as a permanent addition to my library.

I have never been a Zen practitioner, per se. But years ago I was inspired by Joko Beck's straightforward approach to life as practice. I started rereading her recently, and somehow came upon Diane Eshin Rizetto. Actually, I came upon a reference to this book before I knew exactly who she was. In any case, I somehow felt compelled to check the book out, and the leap was such a profoundly good one.Every word felt like rain on parched earth. I was in a space where I so needed to be touched by unadorned, but kindly, Truth. That's just what I got. If I lived in the Bay area, I would go and put my head in this woman's lap (at her feet might be more traditional, but the urge is to be held by the warmth and clarity of her understanding).These teachings are pure and tender and no-nonsense. If you can't see yourself in this book on the precepts as foundation for living, I have to believe you're not looking that carefully.

Before buying I read the Anger chapter published in the Shambala published anger ebook sample. The Rizzetto chapter was good so I bought the book. I've read chapters 1-3 and I'm disappointed. Perhaps I've read too many Buddhist introduction books, perhaps I thought the book would focus on anger, in any case I've lost interest. I'll probably jump to the anger chapter and not finish reading the entire book. By the way, this is happening all the time with ebooks. The sample chapter is good hooking me to buy the book but I lose interest after buying. Perhaps I'm old fashion, but I expect a sample to be the same quality as the rest of the book.

This book is a treasure of wisdom on precepts practice. I have worked with many books on the precepts (Mind of Clover, Being Upright, For a Future to be Possible and some others) and I am really enjoying this one. Diane makes an emphasis on the aspirational aspect of each precept and simplifies the ten down to eight. I was hesitant with how different it was at first, but practicing it in my precepts discussion group and outside I can see why she did this. A very good book to be read and lived.

Compassionate and thoughtful guidance from a longtime practitioner, this book is a good introduction to the Ten Grave Precepts of Zen Buddhism. The author helpfully provides examples from her students' and her own real-world experiences with the precepts. Though the writing is a bit awkward in spots, this earnest book's messages are straightforward and deeply-considered.

We are using this book in a Precepts class. Rizzetto offer some excellent ways to discover your personal entry into the particular precept. I feel it would be of value even to someone who is not studying buddhism. The material is the everyday sticky places of life….how to identify them and how to become mindful of what you are doing.

I first read this book from the library, and absolutely wanted one for myself! It's one of the best I've read on achieving awareness...paying attention to what you do, why you do it, and where you feel it in your body. Its' message helps one to create a sense of mindfulness, in very easy steps, with understandable language. I would urge everyone who is hoping to live an authentic, centered life to buy this book.

We are using this book in a Zen group I belong to. I really like the way it is set up. She writes about the precept. Then gives us an activity centered on the precept. After this, there is a transcription of a discussion with one or more of her students. VEry approachable guide to Buddhist precepts.