The Placeless Abode - by David Radin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Awaken to an awareness that's already inside you

The Placeless Abode weaves together five dharma talks delivered by Yoshin David Radin at the Rinzai-ji Zen Center of Los Angeles--his teacher Joshu Sasaki Roshi's home temple. Structured like the sesshin, or Zen retreat, from which the material arose, each day's talk is followed by other writings that reflect and deepen the themes addressed.

The book invites readers to question the fundamental delusion of selfhood, explore the nature of death, and examine the mind's tendency to misidentify itself as form. Radin writes and speaks with a rare combination of piercing insight and compassionate humor, reflecting his deep training and decades of teaching experience. The central message--awakening to the awareness that is already present--is rendered with striking simplicity, allowing readers from diverse backgrounds to resonate with its truth and meaning.

The tone is warm, poetic, and direct, offering a rare accessibility to the often paradoxical teachings of Zen.

Review Quotes

"For anybody looking for a printed manual of instructions in the art of living sanely in this world, this book offers clear and precise to-the-point directions. Wondrous old friend Yoshin ages well, and to sip his brandy of words is to drink ambrosia with Buddha." --Yogen Michael Faber, Jewish chaplain and director of Hillel at Ithaca College

"I first met David fifty-three years ago in Central Park. Shortly after, we lived together in an ashram in upstate New York, where he became my first significant teacher. I was drawn to his mind--his rare ability to transform confusion into clarity. His wisdom was always infused with humor, humility, and boldness. And he walked the talk. After three years, our paths diverged--I became a psychotherapist, while he was drawn to Zen. Yet, over the years, we remained close friends. Though our daily practices differed, our shared commitment to clarity, truth, and compassion kept us connected.Reading his newest book filled me with awe, reminding me once again of the profound impact of his insights. His reflections will surely guide and inspire anyone who longs for truth and clarity." --Mitch Bobrow, psychotherapist and author of Views from the Tightrope

"Yoshin Radin is an old wise guy who is a truly one of the best writers on Zen Buddhism existent. He clearly speaks to truth but also likes to crack a few jokes along the way. He was very close to death not long ago. I suspect that looking over toward the edge sharpened his focus more than a little." --Gordon MacLean, retired clinical psychologist

"The Placeless Abode is a powerful series of pointers to seeing things as they are. David writes with a rare blend of deep love and spiritual clarity. His unique voice and heartfelt gratitude for his teacher shine through every page. This book is a gift of love and wisdom--I plan to share it with my closest friends and students." --David Parrish, author of Enlightenment Made Easy

"David Radin is the real deal. A Temporary Affair and this book, The Placeless Abode, sit next to my reading chair for constant access. Whenever I am driving, I listen to the audiobook versions which he has created. I find each listen and reading is as new as the gust of wind striking my face as I walk down the street." --Dr. Harold Goodman, DO, Feldenkrais teacher and integrative medicine practitioner

"This wisdom offers insights that are as indispensable to monks as they are to senior business executives and government leaders across the world. Profoundly, yet in simple terms, Yoshin presents not simply a philosophy, but hidden in a plain sight, fundamentals which, once brought to our awareness, create a pathway to personal and professional fulfillment." --Steven V. Melnik, professor at Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business

About the Author

Yoshin David Radin is a Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, and writer, and the abbot and founder of the Ithaca Zen Center in upstate New York, where he has taught for four decades. In 1976, he began Zen practice with Joshu Sasaki Roshi, was ordained a monk in 1983, and received the title of Oshō in 1989. Radin's teachings have been shared in various forms--his writings have been published in Tricycle magazine, adapted into spoken word and music projects, and collected in titles such as Love Songs of a Zen Monk, May It Be So (produced by Leonard Cohen), Deathbed Lullaby, Ever Since I Met You, and I Am With You. His most recent book, A Temporary Affair, was also published by Monkfish (2023). He lives in Spencer, New York, with his wife, Zen nun and Sufi Sheikha Marcia Radin.