You've stated a lot of my feelings on the subject a little more eloquently than I can (or maybe have the time for). I think I'm pretty much at a point where I've fully internalized the experiential aspect of some of these Eastern philosophies. Or in other words, I 'get' them.
Being entirely honest, both Zen and Advaita (and The Happiness Trap, which I believe you suggested to me) have had an overwhelmingly positive influence on my life. Much more than I ever would have expected a couple years ago. In my opinion 'I Am That' specifically, is a phenomenal book. The Essential Suzuki compilation I've got is pretty good too.
I'll have to read those books then. Thanks for mentioning them.
And about positive influence... me too. Though I only use these old philosophies as a reference anyway. But because I feel less caught up in rumination, I also feel I opened a door to something pretty awesome and will go on exploring in my informal and eclectic way.
If you already understand both you might not glean much out of them, but they are great books. I find Suzuki's title very readable, and a good repeat read. I Am That gets a bit repetitive, but it does drive the point home and there are a few good insights here and there.
This is the Suzuki title I own, you'd be looking for Bernard Phillips as editor. It's a bit hard to track down, but it's out there. I originally pulled it out of a Western University library, then decided to get my own copy which is now quite marked up with pencil.