Illumination: A Guide to the Buddhist Method of No-Method

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in meditation, whether you are a seasoned practitioner, a beginner, or interested in taking up practice. Li writes with insight and clarity, presenting a roadmap for the practice of Silent Illumination, and pointing out hindrances that people can bring to their sitting. Her encouraging instruction is based on her perceptive understanding of how the human mind works to either cause suffering or liberate us from suffering. This is a book you can return to over and over again to deepen your practice.

I thought my meditation was going really well because I have successfully learned how to enter a very dark cave and trance out! Although, to be fair it was relaxing and peaceful!! Rebecca wrote about her teacher, John Crook saying, “Chan isn’t supposed to be comfortable.”I had become an expert at running away and hiding from my life and then pretending everything is going well. I struggled for so long in life just having my basic needs met that I thought life is comfortable. Instead of facing my life and the people in it, I just cut them out and blocked out things I didn’t want to face. I wasn’t living my life but keeping myself protected.This book helps you become aware of how you operate in your life. Many of us have deep conditioning that we think helps us deal with life. Rebecca is gentle and compassionate in sharing deep wisdom to help you free yourself of the various modes of operation that we may use to face life. I felt so much shame about how much time I wasted hiding from life but now I am going to start allowing myself to stay with, "that just as that and stay with this just as this!"This book is everything and I will re-read many times! If you are looking for a breakthrough in your meditation practice and in life this is the book for you!!

A great beginning to Chan meditation, of benefit to a general audience and enjoyable to read. She isalso delightful to see in person.

Wonderful book. I will apply some of the pointers to my huatou practice. This is about checking one's practice (you are the only one who can "really" do this). Reminded me of Trungpa's "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" (as the sage Ice Cube says--"yo got to check yourself..."). PNL

Rebecca walks a fine line between theory and practice. The idea of Silent Illumination is relatively easy to understand. The challenge is how to put it into practice and she does a nice job of helping the reader to see how we can implement it. I also like how much she emphasizes that life is practice, rather than the cushion. It made the ideas feel accessible and achievable, rather than another thing to put on the list.

Bought this book after Rebecca's book talk in CA this March and it's been changing my life since then. Rebecca's language is humorous, accessible, yet deeply poignant. Highly recommend to anyone interested in meditation practice or Chan Buddhism. The wisdom in this book is so well-written and accessible that I personally don't see any prior knowledge to Buddhism required.

This is a very special book. It's profound yet simple, plain spoken yet subtle. I've attended several retreats lead by Rebecca Li and her deep and practical insight into the practice are well captured here. The deep commitment, understanding of the material and generosity that come through in her in-person teaching and talks shine through in her writing in this volume as well.