"Using a refreshingly different metaphor for Zen, this book shows us how listening is the fundamental practice of any spiritual path. Listening as a Zen practice is effective whether done while sitting in a temple or riding on a bus, while at the most sacred ceremony or in the midst of a frenzied office. It is a practice that returns us to our true way - the way of human beings, the way of compassion."--BOOK JACKET.

Foreword / Seung Sahn -- Ch. 1. Listen. Introduction. Listening and the Buddha's Teaching. Listening as Bowing. Listening as Mantra Practice. Listening as Chanting. Listening as Sitting Meditation. Practicing Mu as Listening -- Ch. 2. Kong-Ans. Introduction to Kong-An Practice. Dongshan's "Going Beyond Buddha" Man Gong's "In the Sound of the Bell" Ko Sahn's "Knowing How to Hit the Drum" Tosu's "All Sounds Are Buddha's Sounds" Why Do We Put on the Seven-Fold Robe? Ching Ching's "Sound of Raindrops" -- Ch. 3. Listening and Precepts. Introduction. First Precept: I Vow to Abstain from Taking Life. Second Precept: I Vow to Abstain from Taking Things Not Given. Third Precept: I Vow to Abstain from Misconduct Done in Lust. Fourth Precept: I Vow to Abstain from Lying. Fifth Precept: I Vow to Abstain from Intoxicants, Taken to Induce Heedlessness. Conclusion: I Vow Not to Give What Is Not Asked for or Not Wanted -- Ch. 4. Listening to a Friend. Introduction. The Four Kinds of "Like This" Listening and the Four Kinds of "Like This" Karma and Listening. Phase of Listening -- Ch. 5. Repaying an Old Debt -- App. 1. The Great Dharani -- App. 2. Morning Bell Chant -- App. 3. Heart Sutra.