# PlainZen — Zen Tutorial in Plain Language > Plain language tutorial on Zen practice and its life-enhancing benefits. (iPhone/iPad app by Vicente Malixi.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plainzen/id366968925 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Vicente Malixi](https://appshunter.io/developer/355896066) - Category: Books, Health & Fitness - Price: $1.99 - Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 6 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2010-04-17 - Data updated: 2026-08-29 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plainzen/id366968925/reviews.md ## What is PlainZen? A simple, easy to understand, tutorial of Zen and how to use it in your life. Written in plain language, this hopefully dispels the reputation of Zen as being 'mysterious', 'mystical', 'deep', 'hard to get' because of the difficulty in explaining its practice. Zen is actually very practical and simple if what is explained is what it's for and how to practice it. Other teaching books tend to get bogged down in Zen history, Zen terms and rituals. This tutorial tries to put those things aside first and concentrate on the essence of Zen: how it works, why it works, and how it makes our life better. Not a religion nor a cult nor a philosophy, Zen is a healthy mental attitude that can help anyone of any religious background or philosophy. Remembers your place in the book. Tap on 'Bookmarks' icon to jump to your personal bookmarks. Tap on 'Contents' icon to jump to the different topics: CONTENTS Learning Zen is no big deal How our mind works Realization#1: Thoughts and the thinker are no big deal Meditation/Practice#1:Do an activity... Realization#2: You and perfection The Self Reality: only one self The outside world: The world is out there Reality: no separation Freedom from fear: Two kinds: regular and premium Source of fear What's there to lose? Meaning: Life is a river Outside looking in Getting back in the flow Zen practice: Meditation: calm you down Koans: shake you up Enlightenment vs guilt: aha! Conclusion: Zen is yoga for the mind Meditation/Practice #2: Severing duality Meditation/Practice#3: When waking or before sleeping Q&A Is thinking or thought bad? So how is Zen different from thinking? How do I get that 'insight' or 'enlightenment' and how do I retain it? How are people related, connected? Is it okay to follow a person, a movement, a philosophy, a religion without doubt, without question? How does Zen view money, jobs, unemployment, wars, sex, hate, love? ## Key features - Plain language Zen explanation - Focus on practical application - Avoids jargon and rituals - Bookmark functionality - Table of contents navigation - Covers core Zen concepts ## Chart rankings - #20 in Top Paid · Book (US App Store) ## Recent user reviews (1 of 1) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plainzen/id366968925/reviews.md ### 2/5 — An OK app, probably not worth the money *2010-04-18* Plain Zen's content is not particularly well written, the claim of being able to relate the intricacies and details of Buddhism to everyday life is rarely achieved and the navigation system is buggy and unresponsive. On a lighter note, it's 59p and worth a read if you're into eastern, specifically, Buddhist philosophies. Probably better just sticking to the library. ## Frequently asked questions about PlainZen ### What is PlainZen? PlainZen is a tutorial designed to explain Zen in plain language, focusing on its practical use in everyday life. It aims to make Zen accessible by avoiding complex terminology and historical details, concentrating instead on how it functions and enhances well-being. ### What does PlainZen cover? PlainZen covers topics such as how the mind works, the nature of thoughts, self-realization, and practical Zen exercises like meditation and koans. It also addresses common questions about Zen, its relation to thinking, and its views on various aspects of life. ### How does PlainZen help users? PlainZen helps users understand Zen as a practical mental attitude that can improve their lives. It provides clear explanations and guidance on how to practice Zen, aiming to foster a healthier mental state for individuals of any background. ### Does PlainZen have ads? No, PlainZen does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application, offering an uninterrupted learning experience for users interested in exploring Zen. ### What devices is PlainZen available on? PlainZen is available on iPhone and iPad devices. It is designed to be accessible on Apple's mobile and tablet platforms. ### How much does PlainZen cost? PlainZen is available for a one-time purchase of $1.99. This price grants users full access to the tutorial content without any recurring fees or in-app purchases. ### How often is PlainZen updated? PlainZen was last updated on October 3, 2024, with version 7.0. This indicates a commitment to maintaining and potentially improving the application over time. ### What is the age rating for PlainZen? PlainZen has an age rating of 4+. This suggests the content is suitable for a wide audience, including younger users, due to its straightforward and non-complex nature. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 7.0 — 2024-10-03 Updated for iOS 16 ### 6.3 — 2021-01-13 Updated 9.7" iPad screenshots to reflect new UI. ### 6.2 — 2021-01-12 Rebuilt for iOS 13 and above. More intuitive controls. Clearer and more complete explanation. ### 5 — 2017-04-21 Updated to support iOS 10 ### 4.0 — 2012-01-30 Improved user interface: faster, cooler. ## More apps by Vicente Malixi - [iDetectiveLt Logic Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idetectivelt-logic-puzzles/id355896063) - [iDetective Logic Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idetective-logic-puzzles/id364024345) - [CopyListLT](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/copylistlt/id491856284) - [TaoOfWisdom](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/taoofwisdom/id493759939) - [CopyListK shortcuts utility](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/copylistk-shortcuts-utility/id1023196235) All apps by Vicente Malixi: https://appshunter.io/developer/355896066 ## Related topics [go zen yourself](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/go-zen-yourself) · [vicente malixi](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/vicente-malixi) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*