Zen, Buddhism, and mindfulness meditation have had a significant effect on my life. I'd been interested in Buddhism since I was young. My father, who taught Karate, Aikido, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, was drawn towards eastern philosophy as a consequence of his love for martial arts. He introduced me to fundamental Buddhist teachings at an early age. However, the real significance of Buddhism in my own life didn't come about until I found a book called Mindfulness in Plain English. It put me on the path towards a regular meditation practice and rekindled my interest in Buddhism.
There are many great books and internet resources available for individuals interested in Buddhism; there are also many teachers who make themselves available at zendos, meditation centers, monasteries, and temples all over the country.
Books worth checking out
- Mindfulness In Plain English - Bhante Gunaratana (Available online here.)
- Nothing Special - Charlotte Joko Beck
- The Way of Zen - Alan Watts
- Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - Shunryu Suzuki
- Being Peace - Thich Nhat Hanh
- The Supreme Doctrine - Hubert Benoit
- Wherever You Go, There You Are - Jon Kabat-Zinn
- Meditations - Marcus Aurelius (Stoicism has much in common with Zen)
- Road to Heaven - Bill Porter
Podcasts / Dharma Talks
- Audio Dharma - Gil Fronsdal, Andrea Fella, et al
- Zencast
- Alan Watts Podcast
Films
- Amongst White Clouds
- Into Great Silence (A film about Carthusian monks)