I Had a Good Teacher: Practicing Suzuki Roshi’s Way of Zen

A Spirituality & Practice “Best Spiritual Book of 2025”

Longtime Zen abbot shares the wisdom of his teacher, who brought Zen to the West and wrote the classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

I Had a Good Teacher interweaves Les Kaye’s Dharma talks with personal stories to reveal the subtleties of integrating Zen practice into a life of work and family. It includes fascinating memories of Suzuki Roshi and short writings about events at the zendo, including the time Steve Jobs visited Les for guidance integrating work and spiritual practice. I Had a Good Teacher is an excellent introduction to Zen in daily life, a warm portrait of a great Zen teacher, and a reminder to meditators to return to basics, keep their meditation real, and practice awareness all day long.

“I Had a Good Teacher is a marvelous collection of Les Kaye’s talks and writings. I can feel his authenticity and deep understanding. Those who study with him—in person or through this book—have a good teacher.” —David Chadwick, author of Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teachings of Shunryu Suzuki and Tassajara Stories