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The Placeless Abode

Talks and Writings on the Nature of Existence

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The Placeless Abode

By: David Radin
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Pre-order for $19.46

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About this listen

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 listeners 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 listeners 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.

©2026 David Radin (P)2026 Monkfish Book Publishing
Buddhism

Critic Reviews

“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 a wise, old 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

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