Why Lazarus Laughed: The Essential Doctrine, Zen--Advaita--Tantra

Wei Wu Wei has a few books out and they revolve around the enigmatic search for enlightenment. He plays the game well: if you say your're enightened, then we know you're not. Therfore, Wei Wu Wei never says that he is enlightend. Nevertheless, he writes about the possibility of falling into enlightenment the way one writes about falling in love. Everyone knows it's possible, but no one is prcise on how to get there. It appears that there's no instant formula. Wei Wu Wei is a Westerner who has embraced Zen, Tao, and other Asian traditions and has shapped it for a Western audiance. He uses shock dialog, and the koan type of no-speech, to help the sincere seeker loosen-up the ego's hold on the seat of identity. As to why Lazarus laughed? Imagine that you have broken free from the hypnotic hold of the ordinary consciousness. Now you're all ready for a new kind of existance, but the world is just the way it was before you had your moment. All woken up and no where to go. The jokes on you. The saving grace is that it really dosen't matter. Check out Wei Wu Wei's, Open Secret - it's better than Lazarus's last laugh.

Love all of Wei Wu Wei series, especially 1st 5 or 6. Writes in small snippets, uses ALL major Spiritual Masters from all traditions. But it's all Non-Duality & he "knows" his stuff -- East as well as West! Portrays himself (classically) as the "stumbling student" (aren't "we" All), but does an outstanding summerization from all Non-Dual teachings!

Amazing book Wei wu wei has a way of making the truth so plain. This one is a favorite of mine.

This book is by no means for the beginner. It's a tough, somewhat dry read which goes into detailed aspects of metaphysics; however and thankfully, it isn't a technical manual which would've overshot the purpose of this book. Personally, I found Unworldly Wise a more efficient book for a beginner as this one seems more useful for the occasional dive into more detailed perspectives.

Getting rid of the "me" isn't the point. WWW tells us that the seeing through the belief that the illusion of the "me" being real is what's important.

Inspirational

This book, "Why Lazarus Laughed," along with its sister, "Ask The Awakened," are both highly recommended to those who are seriously on the "Path" toward Self-Discovery, leading to "Enlightenment." "Enlightenment," in the sense used by WEI WU WEI, is our natural state, hidden behind an "Ego," and which is obscured by the objectification of the "I"-thought. When "you" quieten the activities of a "split-mind," that is, mind dichotomized into subject and its objects, "you" will discover "Whole Mind," (the universal sense of Presence sans the "I"-thought, which is the "Buddha-Mind," the "Original Face," the non-verbal "Beingness/non-Beingness," state, "True Nature," etc., etc.). These are synonomous terms for the "Awakened" state that W.W.W. describes so beautifully and vividly in these books. They are most commendable! Nirguna.

Cut to the quick! Read this and you won't need to read further. Doesn't matter whether or not you think of yourself as a student of Zen. Wei Wu Wei goes to the heart and throws it in your face so clearly that the only way you won't "get it" is if you resist. If that is the case then stop reading all together. Save your money and buy insurance. A brilliant classic!

Terence James Stannus Gray (aka) Wei Wu Wei is the best writer on Zen and non-duality bar non.A must for any students collection,to be read and re-read.Just can't remember why Lazarus laughed :-)

Essential reading