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You cannot learn zen by reading nor by listening to others, nor by not doing either of those. But you can start anywhere.

Lol.

Anyway, I was recently reminded of this essay by Alan Watts http://www.thezensite.com/ZenEssays/Miscellaneous/Beat_Zen_Square_Zen.html

He says "
But the Westerner who is attracted by Zen and who would understand it deeply must have one indispensable qualification: he must understand his own culture so thoroughly that he is no longer swayed by its premises unconsciously."

And I would say that last bit is the place to start, just as he says. Learn about your given spirituality so that you understand the whys and hows and wherefores of it before (or alongside) learning from a different culture.

The rest of that essay and much of Alan Watts' writing is terrific.