Description:
In "Bring Me the Rhinoceros," Zen teacher John Tarrant presents a compelling and accessible guide to the world of Zen koans—the famous paradoxical riddles that challenge conventional thinking. The book's title comes from a classic koan, which Tarrant uses as a central metaphor for facing life’s seemingly impossible problems. Tarrant’s core argument is that these ancient riddles are not just intellectual puzzles; they are tools for personal transformation that can help us break free from the patterns of thought that keep us stuck.
Through a series of modern stories and insightful commentary, Tarrant explains how a koan works to bypass our logical mind and open us to a deeper, more intuitive wisdom. He shows how the "impossible" nature of a koan can lead to a breakthrough in perception, revealing new possibilities in situations that once seemed hopeless. For those in recovery, "Bring Me the Rhinoceros" offers a powerful and unique approach to facing the internal "riddles" of addiction. It is a guide to shifting perspective, finding a way out of the habitual thought patterns that lead to cravings, and discovering a new, more spontaneous way of living.
Study Guide for Recovery
This study guide is designed to help you explore the concepts in "Bring Me the Rhinoceros" and apply them to your own journey of recovery.
Key Themes & Concepts
- The Koan as a Tool for Breakthrough: The book teaches that a koan is designed to get us past our limited, logical thinking and into a place of deeper insight.
- Breaking the Habitual Mind: Addiction is often fueled by habitual thoughts and behaviors. The koan's purpose is to disrupt these patterns and create a space for new possibilities.
- Finding Wisdom in Paradox: The book encourages us to see the value in contradictions and to find a new kind of "truth" that is beyond a simple yes or no answer.
- The Personal Riddle: Each person has their own unique koan or riddle to solve. In recovery, this can be the question of how to live a full and meaningful life without the crutch of a substance or behavior.
Discussion Questions
- The title "Bring Me the Rhinoceros" represents a seemingly impossible task. What is a "rhinoceros" in your recovery—a problem or feeling that seems impossible to solve? How might a new perspective help?
- Tarrant suggests that koans help us get beyond "either/or" thinking. In your recovery journey, what are some examples of black-and-white thinking that have held you back?
- Think of a moment when you had a breakthrough in your recovery—a sudden moment of clarity or a shift in perspective. How did this experience feel like solving a personal koan?
- The book's subtitle is "Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life." What does "saving your life" mean to you in the context of your recovery, and how can a new perspective help you do that?
- What is one small, seemingly irrational or paradoxical thing you can do today that might help you break a habitual thought pattern related to your addiction?
Additional Resources
- Video: "What is a Zen Koan?"
- This video provides a simple and clear overview of what koans are and how they are used in Zen practice. (Search "What is a Zen Koan?" on YouTube.)
- Article: "Mindfulness and Addiction: Can a New Mindset Really Help?"
- This article explores the science behind mindfulness and how a shift in mindset can be a powerful tool in addiction recovery. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-in-society/201907/mindfulness-and-addiction-can-new-mindset-really-help
- Website: The Pacific Zen Institute:
- Explore resources from the institute founded by John Tarrant for more on his teachings and the practice of Zen. https://www.pacificzen.org/
- Podcast: "Healing Through Koans"
- This podcast features discussions on how Zen teachings can be applied to finding peace and healing in daily life. (Search "Zen koan healing" on a podcast app.)
