A user review by Nigel Sutton

I got up this morning, an hour before the time I habitually meditate, and  switched on my tablet, thinking I would “tune myself up” by dipping into the TLAYT website. 

An article on Zen caught my attention, one of a series of articles and this led me to another and yet another until the next thing I knew it was time to “sit”.

Now as I prepare to embark on this review I think my early morning “visit” illustrates why, for me, browsing this website is such a delicious experience.

I bought my first Trevor Leggett book “Zen and the Ways” in the late 1970’s when I was practicing Japanese martial arts and this planted firmly in my mind the notion that the author was an expert in Judo and Zen Buddhism. It was only during two years of intermittent lockdown that I came across the website and opened up a whole new world to explore.

There are many areas of interest included in this website all woven together in the fascinating life experience of Trevor Leggett. These areas include:

Trevor Leggett – his life, experiences, research and interests

Japanese Budo – through the eyes of one who had truly been there and done it

Zen Buddhism – from the viewpoint of one who had access to the highest levels

Adhyatma Yoga – from a teacher and practitioner with more than five decades of practice and experience

Advaita Vedanta – from a practitioner who was firmly rooted in a traditional “stream’ and who read and translated original Sanskrit texts

Meditation – explained clearly and vividly by one with decades of practical experience and familiarity with both the oriental and the occidental mind and culture

Spiritual Practice – spanning Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam Christianity and Daoism

Shogi – Japanese chess from an expert in both this and the Western version

By now you should have realised the message I am trying to convey, namely that the information to be found on this website is both informed and informative. Through Mr. Leggett’s life experience and deep immersion in all of the areas above, access is granted to not only his own insights but also those of his teachers in the various disciplines and those of others further back in what, in some cases, are long-established “chains of transmission”.

When I first encountered the website, I was interested in learning more about the life of Trevor Leggett, and, in particular his involvement with the Japanese martial arts and Zen Buddhism.

Using the menu I was able to find out more about the man particularly in relation to my own areas of interest while, at the same time, whole new fascinating areas of study and insight were opened up to me.  I learnt of his long-term practice of and study in, the field of Adhyatma Yoga and Advaita Vedanta. This led me to some of the articles outlining the practices and training methods he considered important. Scholarly insights on the Bhagavad Gita from his perspective as a practitioner of the Yoga of this scripture were also available to pore over.

Contained within the website is an extensive collection of stories drawn from Christian, Hindu, Sufi and Buddhist sources, as well as incidents from Mr. Leggett’s own life; all of which provide not only entertainment but also education and many points to ponder and contemplate.

Indeed, no matter which area of interest first attracts you, within the articles and stories you will find detailed plans and blueprints for further study. You might find yourself also exploring other fields and find that the same themes run through them. This natural process of drawing you deeper into the study, providing tips, hints and tantalizing questions is found throughout the website and has the effect of gently and naturally introducing you to the tools and methods you can use to further your own practice.

All of the above is greatly assisted by the search function which allows you to further roam the pastures that might catch your attention.

To summarize, my personal interest in the life and martial teachings of Mr. Leggett first led me to this website. From whence I found myself exploring other areas that had not previously interested me. As I delved deeper I came across practices, physical, mental and spiritual as well as “action plans” and suggested courses of study which proved both fascinating and useful. The design of the website for me, feels like a “virtual” version of my favourite secondhand bookstore, the rooms and corridors of which I can spend many a happy hour wandering through and getting lost in concentration, contemplation and meditation.  I hope that many others find the same pleasure in enjoying the wonders on offer in this splendid website.