Book Description
For millennia, Buddhists have enjoyed the limitless benefits of meditation. But how does it work? And why? The principles behind this ancient practice have long eluded some of the best minds in modern science. Until now.
In this groundbreaking work, world-renowned Buddhist teacher
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche invites us to join him in unlocking the secrets behind the practice of meditation. Working with neuroscientists at the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, Yongey Mingyur provides clear insights into modern research indicating that systematic training in meditation can enhance activity in areas of the brain associated with happiness and compassion. He has also worked with physicists across the country to develop a fresh, scientifically based interpretation of the Buddhist understanding of the nature of reality.
With an infectious joy and insatiable curiosity, Yongey Mingyur weaves together the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, neuroscience, and quantum physics in a way that will forever change the way we understand the human experience. Using the basic meditation practices he provides, we can discover paths through everyday problems, transforming obstacles into opportunities to recognize the unlimited potential of our
own minds.
With a foreword by bestselling author Daniel Goleman, The Joy of Living is a stunning breakthrough, an illuminating vision of the science of Buddhism and a handbook for transforming our minds, bodies, and lives.
Customer Reviews:
Great for anyone.......2007-09-20
This book provides some of the most clearest and accessible descriptions of meditation, awareness, consciousness, the nature of the mind, and practical application I've ever read. Buddhism in general, and meditation in particular, are much misunderstood in the West, even by longtime spiritual practitioners. The author clarifies much of th common misconceptions. He writes in a clear, light-hearted and very engaging style. I recommend this book to absolutely anyone intersted in self-cultivation, whether they follow this particular path (Tibetan Buddhism) or not. Of particular interest to those who like to bridge the gap between science and spirituality. Destined to become a classic.
Finally, meditation made accessible..........2007-09-09
Simply the most accessible, least intimidating introduction to medidation ever written. Written with the spiritual layman clearly in mind without, however, dumbing down the recommended spiritual practices. Relentlessly upbeat and encouraging in tone. A must-read for anyone even remotely interested in practical, effective spiritual proactices regardless of readers' respective religious denominations or lack thereof. An amazing, long overdue book.
Learn how to meditate and live in the moment.......2007-09-03
I am the sort of person who has a HARD time just sitting still and being quiet-let alone meditate! This book was the first book that made the thought of meditating actually easy and possible for someone like me to calm my mind, be present, embrace quiet time with myself and learn to live more calmly and peacefully. I absolutely adore my life but I was filling it up with busy stuff and forgetting about how powerful being alone with me and my thoughts can be to create the life I want-this book reminded me and showed me how to do this.
Live in Joy.......2007-09-03
These pages sing with wisdom from the voice of the Happy Monk as Yongey is fondly called; his humorous compassionate vignettes will also have you smiling. He is a wonderful youthful story teller for modern day using his experience about Tibetan Buddhism, science and the human condition, woven like the humble master he his with the ability to help and heal others. This book is for the practitioner and non-practitioner alike but after reading it you must practice! He busts the myths surrounding meditation from a life of having done so with a host of stops and starts and having guided others in the process He reminds one that "The expectations you bring to meditation are often the greatest obstacles you encounter"
His description of emptiness as infinite possibilities, neuronal plasticity, a process to unlearn the habit of fear and affirmation of the biological basis for kindness are just some of the realizations herein to help us live in active hopefulness. His conviction of these and many life enhancing ways are spelled out for us in almost Hemmingway simplicity such that you too will find many jewels and joy herein.
Let me end this with an ancient prayer that Yongey shares with us:
May all sentient beings have happiness
And the cause of happiness.
May all sentient beings be free
From suffering and the causes of suffering.
May all sentient being have joy and the causes of joy.
May all sentient beings remain in great equanimity,
Free from attachment and aversion.
Beautifully clear.......2007-08-30
Mingyur Rinpoche is, among other qualities, the personification of clarity, and this book is just a further expression of that fact. If you know any cynics or rationalists who 'poo-poo' meditation then get them to read this, it might help.
Amazon.com
In 1927, Walter Evans-Wentz published his translation of an obscure Tibetan Nyingma text and called it the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Popular Tibetan teacher Sogyal Rinpoche has transformed that ancient text, conveying a perennial philosophy that is at once religious, scientific, and practical. Through extraordinary anecdotes and stories from religious traditions East and West, Rinpoche introduces the reader to the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism, moving gradually to the topics of death and dying. Death turns out to be less of a crisis and more of an opportunity. Concepts such as reincarnation, karma, and bardo and practices such as meditation, tonglen, and phowa teach us how to face death constructively. As a result, life becomes much richer. Like Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Sogyal Rinpoche opens the door to a full experience of death. It is up to the reader to walk through. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
This acclaimed spiritual masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the most complete and authoritative presentations of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings ever written. A manual for life and death and a magnificent source of sacred inspiration from the heart of the Tibetan tradition, The Tibetan Book Of Living and Dying provides a lucid and inspiring introduction to the practice of meditation, to the nature of mind, to karma and rebirth, to compassionate love and care for the dying, and to the trials and rewards of the spiritual path.
Customer Reviews:
An extraordinary book........2007-10-04
"Just as if you put your finger into water, it will get wet, and if you put it into fire, it will burn, so if you invest your mind in the wisdom mind of the Buddha, it will transform into their wisdom nature."
Considered by many to be the most astute interpretation for Western culture of the Tibetan Book of the Dead and the Tibetan Book of the Living, this contemporary classic by Sogyal Rinpoche blends ancient ideas of Tibetan Buddhism with a fresh perspective from a master who has spent a good deal of time teaching and lecturing in the West.
It is most moving to read his prologue especially, in which he deals with the death of his master, for which he was present. The great spiritual process of learning to die, before dying, as the secret to life, is explored in this section. Much of what is now being reflected upon in the new spirituality of Echart Tolle and others is covered here with clarity and a certain depth not found in other western spiritual classics.
On a personal note, I revisited this book after dealing with a lost love and found it to be the pure water of the dharma that I needed in order to overcome the horrors of such a loss. I would encourage anyone to read this amazing book, but especially those who are in a place of pain, hopelessness, or suffering in this very moment. Strike while the iron is hot! The terrible, clear light of grief is in fact a step into profound self-awareness. It was an honor to read Rinpoche and to be touched by his sincerity and clear mastery of the practice.
First most lifechanging book I've ever read.......2007-10-02
I reviewed the second most life changing book I've ever read, so I figured I should come back and review the first most life changing book I've ever read, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. After my husband died, I wanted to know what happened after you died. He was my one and only true love. When I read this book, I realized that Sogyal Rinpoche had some knowledge of what he was talking about, and this book had all the answers to the mystery of life and death for those with the wisdom to recognize it, and the determination to study and practice it. I read the book 3 times in a row right away right after I bought it.
A few years later after reading the book I joined Rigpa and took the classes they offered. After few years of practice, the cube farm way of life no longer made sense to me. So, much to the chagrin of all my relatives, I ditched my 6 figure Silicon Valley job to go work on a horse ranch by the beach!
Maybe the book should come with a warning label. Warning, this book could be hazardous to your income! Don't feel bad for me tho because I have a sweet IRA which I invest myself so I'm all set for retirement. You can feel jealous instead :-)
Actually, after some years of Buddhist practice, my clarity of mind has improved so I think if I ever had to go back to my old work, I would get all those enterprise-wide IT projects done better, faster, and everyone would have a lot more fun along the way.
Understandable at Last.......2007-08-23
This book makes a complex Buddhist belief understandable for most. The author illustrates principals with examples from his own life. Interspersed with poetry and songs, it is an insightful study on a most important subject.
Nice book.......2007-05-21
A well written book by an author who understands the Tibetan teachings of impermanence. This book is an easy read for the novice student of Budhism, but I wouldn't recommend picking it up as a complete beginner. The book is best suited for early students who are at the least familiar with Tibetan teachings and philosophies.
It is an excellent companion to the Tibetan Book of the dead as it will help clear up some of the things explained in that text in an easy to read and understand fashion. The author makes good use of personal stories, and conventional teachings, and helps to simplify a very demanding aspect of Buddhist study.
the tibetan book of living and dying.......2007-05-14
I find it hard to fully express how important this book is.
The subject may seem morbid but the contra is true, like the bardol thodol it stands alone in spiritual writings.
Average customer rating:
- Yoga
- Really good companion!
- expect miracles
- Pretty good!
- Five Tibetans
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The Five Tibetans: Five Dynamic Exercises for Health, Energy, and Personal Power
Christopher S. Kilham
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Book Description
The Five Tibetans is a yogic system of highly energizing postures and exercises that originated in the Himalayas. Liberating and enhancing the innate energetic power of the human body and mind, these five exercises take a minimum of daily time and effort but offer remarkable results in the way of increased physical strength and suppleness as well as mental acuity. In addition, these exercises can be a vehicle for enlivening the senses and generating and harnessing energy for the purpose of self-transformation.
Regular practice of these postures:
Relieves muscular tension and nervous stress
Improves respiration and digestion
Benefits the cardiovascular system
Leads to deep relaxation and well-being
Tunes and energizes the chakras
The Five Tibetans are explained within the context of traditional yoga, providing a foundation for understanding.
Black-and-white photographs and illustrations complement the text and clearly indicate the proper execution of each exercise.
Customer Reviews:
Yoga.......2007-05-26
Suggested by my Yoga teacher........great easy way to practice whether you're home or away.
Really good companion!.......2006-12-06
When I first bought this book a few years ago I tried it but after a few days lost interest. Later that year I found it again between other books I kept in a box and decided to try it again. And yes, it works!
It is not a long book, and it will take you maybe one or two days to read it. That being said, I think that it is a great source for those (like me) that like a quick dose of yoga, whether because of time or whatever reason.
The exercises within are great, and you can do them wherever you want without the need for a mat or blanket.
Ideal for traveling.
expect miracles.......2006-11-03
While recovering from a traumatic bicycling injury, I read Mr. Kilham's book and started out slowly.
I regularly increased my duration and am now incorporating The Five Tibetans into my daily life.
The exercises have opened up healing and strength channels I did not know existed. My recovery time was cut in half.
The book took all of one afternoon to read and understand, but the benefits will last a lifetime.
Pretty good!.......2006-05-12
I've been doing the exercises comprised in this book for the past few years -indeed they are good, indeed they work, but as with everything that regards the human body you can't expect them to work without you putting a bit of effort... I haven't been able to find such book yet, a book that can change your life or your health or the way in which you look at your own life by just reading it. Everything requires an effort.
If you are commited and decide to try these exercises go ahead, for they will work. They comprise a simple routine that can be done everywhere and at any time of the day.
But most important, look at the bright side of life!
Five Tibetans.......2006-03-24
Being a yoga practitioner for 6 years now - I found this book to be an excellent resource for those who want a quick effective yoga workout - those who don't have the time to do an hour a day as I do. It is also good for when you travel as it requires no mats, blocks, blankets or any of the other props needed for most yoga regimes. Only thing I found disconcerting was the First Tibetan which made me naseuous. I have to assume this would subside with time. Well written and easy to follow. A simple but effective book.
Book Description
Legend has it that hidden in the remote reaches of the Himalayan mountains lies a secret that would have saved Ponce de Leon from years of fruitless searching. There, generations of Tibetan monks have passed down a series of exercises with mystical, age-reversing properties. Known as the Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation or the Five Rites, these once-secret exercises are now available to Westerners in Ancient Secret of the Fountain Of Youth. Peter Kelder's book begins with an account of his own introduction to the rites by way of Colonel Bradford, a mysterious retired British army officer who learned of the rites while journeying high up in the Himalayas. Fountain of Youth then offers practical instructions for each of the five rites, which resemble yoga postures. Taking just minutes a day to perform, the benefits for practitioners have included increased energy, weight loss, better memory, new hair growth, pain relief, better digestion, and just feeling younger.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful read-practice.......2007-08-23
The practice of the rites was recommended to me by a very dear friend who offered to loan me their book... Glad I immediately ordered mine! The practice of the rites is something I am working up to, as I am VERY out of shape, but I am confident that I will be able to perform them, and I am already seeing benefit, after 1 month. I also recommend the second book, which I ordered at the same time.
The information contained in this book changed my life........2007-08-17
I am so grateful to have been told about this book. I tell everyone I know about it. The commitment is so minimal and the reward to so great.
Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 1.......2007-07-27
Anyone who has wondered about the secrets of youth should do well by reading this book and focusing on a new reality inside the human body: the power of our vital glands. In the East, these are called "chakras" and they are thought to be energy-producing and energy-absorbing centers. The story, the exercises, the advice, and the claims posted by many people on the strength of tangible results, should not be overlooked. Simplicity here, is the key to an awesome power which lies within ourselves.
For those on a spiritual path that seek integration of Mind-Body-Spirit........2007-06-27
I discovered this book "accidentally" while browsing the web and I am really happy I did. Easy read, very precise instruction and a great story -while nobody really kows the validity of it, it still "feels right"! The rites are great, I do them every day but depending on your level of fitness and condition of body you might find one or more of them "tricky". However, they build up your strength very rapidly, you will be surprised. Just keep doing them. I have only been doing them for a short while, so I cannot attest to the regenerative effect, but I can attest to a very quick build up of strength for the weakest parts of my body (wrists). I actually felt the improvement and saw it in my performance in only 4 days! These exercises called "rites" supposedly realign your chakras (energy vortexes of your body) and restore youthfulness. They also have a very relaxing effect. You will feel like you are "gliding through life", stress levels majorly reduced. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth.......2007-05-14
Excellent, SIMPLE, yoga exercises used by a person in incredible back pain
and he reserected himself. My wife and I asked how.
This was his answer.
Book Description
Like the two wings of a bird, love and insight work cooperatively to bring about enlightenment, says a fundamental Buddhist teaching. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we each possess the ability to achieve happiness and a meaningful life, but the key to realizing that goal is self-knowledge. In How to See Yourself As You Really Are, the world's foremost Buddhist leader and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize shows readers how to recognize and dispel misguided notions of self and embrace the world from a more realistic -- and loving -- perspective.
Step-by-step exercises help readers shatter their false assumptions and ideas and see the world as it actually exists. By directing our attention to the false veneer that so bedazzles our senses and our thoughts, His Holiness sets the stage for discovering the reality behind appearances. But getting past one's misconceptions is only a prelude to right action, and the book's final section describes how to harness the power of meditative concentration to the service of love, and vice versa, so that true altruistic enlightenment is attained.
Enlivened by personal anecdotes and intimate accounts of the Dalai Lama's own life experiences, How to See Yourself As You Really Are is an inspirational and empowering guide to achieving self-awareness that can be read and enjoyed by spiritual seekers of all faiths.
Customer Reviews:
The emperor wears no robe.......2007-06-23
I've got news for the "Buddhist" community: "His Holiness" the Dalai Lama is just another human being. I find it highly contradictory that adherents to a spiritual practice such as Buddhism, which claims to be non-theistic, regards a fellow human being as an exalted high holy incarnation of a deity to be referred to unquestionably as a fundamentalist Christian theocrat would refer to "God" or Jesus Christ in public discourse. The crass zen saying "if you meet the Buddha kill him" means that the divine does not exist outside of you...
That being said, our fellow human being "the Dalai Lama" has not really said anything original with regard to Buddhist practice. Quotes attributed to him are on the lines of "kindness is good, if you pursue kindness you'll be happy," etc. This is not to say he doesn't have anything good to say (though I highly suspect much of what he has "authored" is ghost-written), it's just that in terms of talking about meditation and mindfulness, etc. to Westerners he's no where near someone like Charlotte Joko Beck or Alan Watts.
The path to enlightenment.......2007-04-08
I believe the Dalai Lama is the closest thing we have to a Buddha on earth. His writing is full of grace and enlightenment. In this book he takes on the difficult task of explaining the true condition of a human being-impermanent conditional consciousness. This topic is very difficult to explain by putting it into words. The Dalai Lama does a great job and then follows up with many exercises. Here is how I would summarize this books teachings:
We are not our body, nor even our mind. if we were we could not say my mind or my body. Then what are we? We are "like" and illusion existing through our 5 aggregates, body, thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and consciousness. No "I" can be located. The closest we can come is understanding that we are consciousness observing the present moment, all else is thought and mental formation. Who we think we really are is just a mental formation we hold in our mind of our beliefs about ourselves our religion, height, weight, name, etc. Enlightenment is simply understanding this and the nature of reality.
I hope I did some justice to this books topic, but I highly recommend reading this book to move farther down the road to enlightenment.
Detachment as a way to authenticity.......2007-03-17
Emotions distort reality of self and others. Buddhism is a practice and a religion that offers a way out of illusion (Mara). The Dalai Lama brings forth his own wisdom as a world soul teacher immersed in Tibetan Buddhism. A wonderful guide on getting out of your own way.
Number One Pick.......2007-03-03
I have over 100 books on buddhism and meditation and if I had to pick my favorite this is it. To me it contains everything an aspiring buddha needs to know and practice.Especially good if you don't have access to a teacher or a spiritual center.
Stunning!.......2007-03-01
Only someone with such a profound insight and deep understanding over a subject as complex as emptiness is, can expound it as clear, easy going, way as His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama... This is a wonderful book guiding the reader step by step into a precise methodology to discriminate between the way things appear to our senses and the way they actually exist... Inspiring, clarifying, amazing!!!
A book that can be enojoyed at so many levels!!!
Average customer rating:
- Excellent resource for building self-esteem, fearlessness and working w emotions...
- Pema explains so well and the techniques really work
- a new way to deal with the world
- Lovely Listening
- Big fan of Pema Chodron
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The Pema Chodron Collection: Pure Meditation:Good Medicine:From Fear to Fearlessness
Pema Chodron
Manufacturer: Sounds True
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Book Description
Pema Chodron is one of the West's most beloved teachers of Buddhism, making the Tibetan vajrayana tradition accessible in today's world. Now, three of her most popular teachings are available in one boxed set. The Pema Chodron Collection includes: Pure Meditation - step-by-step instruction in Tibetan Buddhism's pinnacle practice for transformation and letting go; Good Medicine - teachings in tonglen, an elegant meditation that allows us to use our troubles to befriend ourselves and widen our circle of compassion; and From Fear to Fearlessness - offers an antidote to fear in the four noble aspirations - maitri (lovingkindness), compassion, joy, and equanimity.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent resource for building self-esteem, fearlessness and working w emotions..........2007-06-24
This is a great collection by the warm, practical and humorous Pema Chodron. I work in the psychology field and Pema Chodron shares excellent practical advice as well as practices to cultivate unconditional self-love, universal compassion, tolerance for difficult emotions and ways of transforming negative internal states to positive ones.
There is nothing esoteric about these CDs and they can be enjoyed and implimented by anyone of any faith. The Dalai Lama has been quoted as saying his religion is "loving-kindness." This book is certainly written in this spirit. If you like Pema Chodron, you may also like Cheri Huber's work. The following books are particularly good... Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline, There Is Nothing Wrong with You: Going Beyond Self-Hate, Be the Person You Want to Find: Relationship and Self-Discovery and How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything: A Workbook.
Lastly, I want to mention that this set is a tremendous bargain. You get a lot of CDs with this and there is just enough overlap to develop concepts without hearing a lot of repitition. Highly recommended!
Pema explains so well and the techniques really work.......2007-04-22
I've been practising Tibetan Buddhist meditation and tonglen for many years. Even though these lessons are basic enough for beginners, they are useful and encouraging for more experienced practitioners, as Pema describes approaches different from ones I've learned. Its good to have options so that you can apply the most appropriate or most comfortable approach at any given time. I have not listened to the 3rd disc yet on facing your fears, but I'm looking forward to it.
a new way to deal with the world.......2007-02-13
I tend to take in the pain of others. Pema gives me a way of taking in the pain of living by breathing out compassion, a healthy way of handling that pain. I listen to the six CDs in rotation during my commute. I have ordered more of her CDs. No matter if the lessons are basically the same, just listening to her centers me.
If you are a religious person, please don't think that she is trying to convert you to Buddhism. She is just giving you a tool to get through the day. Nothing in her lessons contradicts any religion that believes in the practice of compassion.
Lovely Listening.......2007-01-28
In this wonderful collection, with warmth, humor, & kindliness, Pema gives down-to-earth ways to improve life through Buddhism: meditation (mindfulness, tranquil abiding & a bit of insight), the 4 Immeasurables (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, & equanimity) Bodhichitta, & Tonglen (sending and receiving) meditation. She explores Atisha's Slogans of (cf. her "Start Where You Are"), Lojong mind training (transforming obstacles into your practice; poisons into loving kindness & compassion). Tonglen (exchanging your joy for others' suffering) including on-the-spot Tonglen (done just when suffering appears) to subdue egocentricity & develop Bodhichitta/loving kindness. She espouses having the courage to experience discomfort, to change one's worldview, & face one's emotions squarely. Ani (honorific for a Buddhist nun) Chodron's wonderful turns of phrase include: "We look for strength in what weakens us, "We've gotten really good at making matters worse, "seeking happiness without a hangover. "the places of meeting your edge are the places of tantrum, & "emptiness is openness." She also provides valuable stories such as: the man who went into a coma, was moved elsewhere, woke up thinking he was dead, & lived the rest of is life that way.
She points out where her master, Trungpa Rinpoche digressed from the literal meanings of some of these practices & some changes suggested by the great 14th century master, Longchenpa (Longchen Rabjam). For example, the latter suggested meditating upon equanimity to establish stability prior to radiating loving kindness etc. Embedded in the technique is to radiate each item consecutively, but building up to stronger feelings within each sending--first apply it to someone you care about, then a neutral person, then someone you mildly dislike & finally to everyone. For example, compassion is the wish that everyone be free of suffering & the cause of suffering. Trungpa Rinpoche's modifications include: joy being the appreciation of peoples' basic goodness (empathetic joy IMHO). Joyfully, this set solves my usual problem with Pema's sets: that they're too short! I'd also recommend the 6-tape "Awakening Compassion" & "Noble Heart" sets. If you haven't had the great uplifting joy of experiencing Pema's tapes, this collection is a fine start.
Big fan of Pema Chodron.......2007-01-16
I have several of Pema Chodron cd's and she is very helpful in making mediation a workable practice. She addresses everyday issues in a humorous and down to earth manner.
Book Description
Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Niels Bohr, Einstein. Their insights shook our perception of who we are and where we stand in the world, and in their wake have left an uneasy coexistence: science vs. religion, faith vs. empirical inquiry. Which is the keeper of truth? Which is the true path to understanding reality?
After forty years of study with some of the greatest scientific minds, as well as a lifetime of meditative, spiritual, and philosophic study, the Dalai Lama presents a brilliant analysis of why all avenues of inquiry—scientific as well as spiritual—must be pursued in order to arrive at a complete picture of the truth. Through an examination of Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics and philosophical insight into the nature of reality, neurobiology and the study of consciousness, the Dalai Lama draws significant parallels between contemplative and scientific examinations of reality.
This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai Lama’s teachers—both of science and spirituality. The legacy of this book is a vision of the world in which our different approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe, and one another can be brought together in the service of humanity.
Customer Reviews:
a wonderful prospect.......2007-09-16
This is an inexpressibly beautiful book, in which H. H. the Dalai Lama describes a kind of "middle way" between scientific materialism and spirituality without science. If only more people would embrace a combining of scientific endeavor with spiritual values as the Dalai Lama proposes here! We are extraordinarily fortunate that he has made his thoughts available to us at a time when both the wonders and dangers of science grow so rapidly and that he demonstrates the possibility of dialogue between a spiritual leader such as himself with members of the scientific community.
More to the Universe than Science.......2007-07-23
The Dalai Lama's genuine and insightful look at the parallels between the Buddhist faith and Science are quite refreshing. He does a good job demonstrating the limits of scientific observation, while also demonstrating a great appreciation for what Science has to offer Humankind. His comparison of the Buddhist concept of emptiness to the mysteries of quantum physics was fascinating. If you have not delved into the absurdly mysterious workings of quantum physics, I emphatically suggest you do so. I feel many scientists think that they can necessarily explain everything, while the Universe keeps suggesting otherwise.
This was my first exposure to Buddhism, and I found it much more reasonable and open-minded than mainstream Christianity. I am agnostic, but I have not felt that there was a God in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic sense (a tinkerer) since high school. While I am not planning on converting, I find Buddhism a much more palatable religious philosophy (but I digress). I sought this book as a different perspective from the all too often materialistic view point of Scientific Academia (I am a graduate student in biochemistry). In this sense the book was quite successful. I would have given 4 & 1/2 stars if that were an option.
Choppy but brilliant..........2007-07-06
This book lacks the fluidity one might be hoping for but, since it's translated from the words of the brilliant Dalai Lama, you will forgive the choppiness well before finishing the first chapter.
This book explains both the similarities and the differences between Buddhist thought and scientific exploration. The Dalai Lama speaks of the reasons why a religious or spiritual path should not ignore new discoveries in the scientific field but, instead, grow towards incorporating new findings in order to develop more soundly.
It's interesting to hear of the Dalai Lama's research on physics, quantum mechanics, evolution, the big bang hypothesis, the singularity, and more. He has met with some of the most prominent scientific researchers of our time and is truly working towards the unification of spirituality and science as well as the expansion of human understanding.
Though I have always had great respect for the Buddhist path, my admiration for Buddhist principles has increased since reading this wonderful book. Though it may not be an easy read for most, it is well worth the effort.
A Level-Headed Look at Science and Religion.......2007-04-19
As a Zen student with a Ph.D. in physics I often ponder the integration of scientific and religious world views. This is a bit easier for Buddhists because our religion places less emphasis on belief than other faiths do. I see science as a tool that uses measurement to understand nature, while religion deals with ethics and human experience. The Dalai Lama comes to similar conclusions, although more eloquently, in his book "The Universe in a Single Atom."
Both science and religion inspire a sense of wonder and help us understand our place in the cosmos, so comparing them, as the Dalai Lama does in this book, can be worthwhile. He writes well about science. I found his descriptions of physics accurate, although he missed some of the subtleties of the EPR experiment. As expected from a meditator, he points out that science has yet to explore subjective experience. The Dalai Lama draws parallels between the empirical exploration of mental states in the Tibetan tradition and the scientific method. This empiricism first drew me to Buddhism. In fact, my intimate thoughts and feelings have often seemed more immediate and real than some ghostly trace on an oscilloscope that represents "objective reality."
The Dalai Lama gently points out questionable assumptions made by scientific reductionists. For the most part I think his criticisms are valid. Although he's willing to abandon doctrines disproved by modern science, I wonder if the Dalai Lama would be willing to put the Buddhist bedrock teachings of karma and rebirth to the empirical test. If these are truly universal laws, they should be demonstrable by more than personal anecdote. I would have been interested if he'd discussed this more.
This is a fascinating, well-written book. I recommend it to fellow Buddhists and anyone interested in the interaction between science and religion.
Interesting, but somewhat abstruse........2007-01-22
Albert Einstein believed that Buddhism reflected modern science quite well. This book supports that contention. The Dalai Lama is clearly a great thinker with a deep interest in science. The early sections of the book deal with the relationship of Buddhism with relativity theory and quantum physics. The commonality of the Buddhist and modern physics ideas of reality and emptiness is striking, but I found the latter section on consciousness a bit harder to follow.
Reading this book gave me a feeling - but just a feeling - for Buddhism and the depth of Buddhist philosophy. In many ways, it appears to be as complicated and abstruse as modern physics. I would recommend this book to those interested in the more philosophical aspects of modern physics and to those who know about Buddhism and are interested in how it relates to modern scientific thought. However, if you are not interested in either of these subjects, this may not be the book for you.
Amazon.com
If you dropped the Buddha into a modern metropolis, would he come off sounding like a 16th-century morality play or more like a drive-time disc jockey? Lama Surya Das doesn't spin platters for a living, but he does have a hip delivery that belies his years of sheltered training in Buddhist monasteries. In Awakening the Buddha Within, he borrows a time-tested bestseller format for a 2,500-year-old tradition that comes off as anything but ancient. With the "Five T's of Concentration," the question of "need or greed," and the story of the monk who bares his backside to prove a point, Surya Das invokes a path of wisdom that is as accessible and down-to-earth as a worn pair of loafers. It's not an easy path--it demands thought, effort, and discipline. But Surya Das is there for you, lighting the way to wisdom training, coaxing you into ethics training, and laying out step by step the path of meditation training. And if that's not enough to get you to live in the now, consider these words of the enlightened lama: "You must be present to win." --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Lama Surya Das, the most highly trained American lama in the Tibetan tradition, presents the definitive book on Western Buddhism for the modern-day spiritual seeker.
The radical and compelling message of Buddhism tells us that each of us has the wisdom, awareness, love, and power of the Buddha within; yet most of us are too often like sleeping Buddhas. In
Awakening the Buddha Within, Surya Das shows how we can awaken to who we really are in order to lead a more compassionate, enlightened, and balanced life. It illuminates the guidelines and key principles embodied in the noble Eight-Fold Path and the traditional Three Enlightenment Trainings common to all schools of Buddhism:
Wisdom Training: Developing clear vision, insight, and inner understanding -- seeing reality and ourselves as we really are.
Ethics Training: Cultivating virtue, self-discipline, and compassion in what we say and do.
Meditation Training: Practicing mindfulness, concentration, and awareness of the present moment.
With lively stories, meditations, and spiritual practices,
Awakening the Buddha Within is an invaluable text for the novice and experienced student of Buddhism alike.
Customer Reviews:
A Master...........2007-09-30
Lama Surya Das has given us westerners a vital gift- he has interpreted the wisdom of the ancients and communicated Buddhism's core message in a way that has immediate relevance to our lives. Regardless of whether you practice a particular religion, or are more an independent seeker along the spiritual path, this sends forth Buddhisms philosophy and practice as clearly as a bell. A gift...
Good intro to Buddhism but too voluminous for what it offers.......2007-06-26
This is an easy to read book that touches on some basics on Tibetan Buddhism and meditation techniques. Although it briefly explains the basics, this book is not about the Buddha and Tibetan (Mahayana or Dzogchen) Buddhism. It is more about the views and experiences of a westerner (Lama Surya Das) who spent some time in Tibet and studied Buddhism. Overall, it is a positive book that is primarily focused on meditation for beginners. With that said, I found it a bit challenging to go through the entire 400 pages of it.
Fly like a guru.......2007-06-25
Buddhist practitioners can levitate. They can see the future. When they die, their bodies turn to light.
So claims Surya Das.
I genuinely enjoyed Awakening the Buddha Within. The book is a primer on Buddhism, with a chapter on the Four Noble Truths, and one each on the Eightfold Path, clearly explained and illustrated for the western reader making his or her first encounter with Buddhism. Surya Das' writing is breezy and conversational, an easy-to-read style that keeps you turning the pages. Das doesn't get bogged down in the minutiae of theology or philosophy and personalizes his teachings by relating relevant stories from his own life and his own search for meaning. As much "what is," the book also offers "how to" in the form of simple meditations and other exercises, such as keeping a dream journal or a journal of favorite spiritual quotations, simple steps to for helping build new awareness.
As much as I liked the book, I also found some fairly outlandish claims within, such as the section on Lucid Dreaming, in which Das writes that we can multiply our bodies, travel to heavenly realms to receive special spiritual teachings, and that he himself was able through such practices to see into the future.
He sets us up early on by letting us know that such super human powers, while manifest among the Buddhist elite, are ultimately mere distractions along the path.
================QUOTE================
Seekers, curious about the unknown, might want to know more about levitation, conscious dying, lucid dreaming, astral travel, rainbow bodies, and clairvoyance. However, that's not finally what it's all about. The Buddha did perform certain miracles, but he always instructed his disciples not to demonstrate miraculous powers except to inspire faith in the skeptical. Lamas say the same thing. The magical, mysterious and occult are special effects that can be produced, but it's not the whole story. The miracle of Buddhism is a miracle of love, not levitation. [pp 12-13]
==============END QUOTE==============
As we're only on page 12, it might be reasonable to expect some future explication of such feats, but the only thing I recall reading is a couple of paragraphs in the last quarter of the book, in the section on Lucid Dreaming.
================QUOTE================
By seizing a dream we can perform spiritual activities, multiply our bodies, as well as go to pure realms of existence to receive teachings and blessings from Buddhas, transcendent Bodhisattvas, and saintly sages. In this way we train to master altered states and different ways of being, including astral travel and other out-of-body experiences.... With guidance from my teachers, ... I was able to get some indication of future events and to understand certain signs, portents and omens. [pp 330-331]
==============END QUOTE==============
Amazing.
Perhaps not so amazing for a Tibetan who's grown up listening to stories about such super-human feats. But Tibetans are not likely to be reading this book, at least not in large numbers. This book is for Europeans and North Americans, the people most likely on planet Earth to be skeptical - and curious - about such claims.
And yet Das provides no evidence, no proof, not even an accounting of what he experienced or what he witnessed. For over 300 pages he covers the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path, a topic that is covered by most authors in a few pages. Das' account is padded with quotations, examples, stories, and illustrations, from the lives of saints, from every day life, from his own life. But here - nothing. He falls strangely silent.
I do not claim that such feats are impossible. They certainly may be. But Das' refusal to engage the subject makes it seem he has something to hide, which in turn casts a shadow of doubt across the rest of what is a well-written introduction to Buddhism. If he can't talk to us honestly about this, then what else can't he discuss openly? What else might he be hiding?
I know of no evidence demonstrating these powers or abilities. If Das does, then he owes it to his readers to explain.
#
Probably the Best.......2007-05-07
In a nutshell, the man was a varsity HS athlete and CUNY graduate who gave up these values to find his own unique niche of enlightenment. This is kinda rare. What I gather from his teachings is that since he did it, so can I if I wanted to. This book is written in laymen's terms.
If you have trouble identifying with writers, because they are from a different generation, ethinicity, agenda, etc... LSD (his intials?!) breaks down his belief system into a context which is entertaining, relevant and thoughtful. LSD takes a boring and complex subject matter and presents it to the reader with generously tremendous insight.
Lama Surya Das not only talks the talk, but he walks the walk.
How to live in peace with today's world.......2007-04-28
Awakening the Buddha Within : Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World This should be required reading if you are alive today! Not often do I take the time to review a book, but this is such a simple guide to finding peace and quiet within yourself in the midst of this fast paced, techno world we live in. Most surprising is how Buddhist teachings continue to be as relevent today as they were when they written, perhaps even more so today. Buddhism need not be a religion to you, it can become an alternate way to look at things that helps you to answer many of life's questions simply by looking within yourself. Lama Surya Das has mastered the fine art of relating this knowledge to us westerners in a truly interesting, entertaining way while retaining the sacred nature of what he teaches.
Book Description
The first complete translation of the classic Buddhist text
One of the greatest works created by any culture and overwhelmingly the most significant of all Tibetan Buddhist texts in the West, The Tibetan Book of the Dead has had a number of distinguished but partial translations. Now the entire text has not only been made available in English but also in a translation of remarkable clarity and beauty. Translated with the close support of leading contemporary masters, this complete edition faithfully presents the insights and intentions of the original work. It includes one of the most detailed and compelling descriptions of the after-death state in world literature, practices that can transform our experience of daily life, guidance on helping those who are dying, and an inspirational perspective on coping with bereavement.
Customer Reviews:
A Perfectionists' Translation of Not Really Accessible Death-Transition Rites.......2007-09-07
To begin with: Whatever you do, do not touch the upper and lower ends of the spine of the 2007 Deluxe Edition, or it will look like a shabby edition ugly quickly. The cogwheelish cutting of the page edges are nice and unusual to look at, but it is a nightmare to quickly leaf through the book that way in order to find a specific page. Which you are supposed to do, as the book is very footnote ridden (32 pages of small print). That in itself wouldn't be the problem. But from there, you may get directed further into the glossary of key terms (85 pages). One glossary entry may include, say, 16 more terms to be looked up in the same glossary... and so on so forth. From there, you might get directed to Appendix One or Two (together 22 pages). You get the drift: Major obstacle reading. My advice: Read the glossary before you read anything else, attempt to remember it all and check the footnotes only while reading the book. And remember: While you are paging forward and backward - don't touch the edges of the spine or the fancy color will come off!
So much for what is more easily rated. Originally published in 2005, the many centuries old "The Great Liberation by Hearing in the Intermediate States" - as the literal translation of the Tibetan title really reads - had been translated into English in part and faulty at that in 1927. The Dalai Lama and other dignitaries thought it would be about time to introduce a complete and better translation. That work is comprised of 14 chapters (379 pages), including even three chapters which aren't really part of the book but fit in neatly for further overstanding. The XIVth Dalai Lama provided part of the introduction (14 pages). Altogether, there are 51 introductory pages. Together with the bibliography, index and 16 full color picture pages (which are actually two related subjects only, but each enlarged in sections on the respective following pages), this book is 607 pages heavy.
The theme of the book is the myths and rites approaching, during and after the transition from one body to the next as in the context of reincarnation. The book is best for those who would like to really delve into Buddhism, as the translation is done for perfectionists, students of religion and of course Buddhists in the English speaking world. The more generally interested may be put off by the concentration on utterly unexplained rites. As in: How do they know all those things from the intermediate states? By remembering? By a prophesy? By divine telling? The rites (of reading texts) are extremely repetitive. Which has the function of conditioning in a positive sense: The neophyte is supposed to automatically recall certain passages as only then the right behavior has a chance in the dream-like states of "death". Even more difficult to read are the many Tibetan words still included. There is no chance of even guessing how to pronounce them correctly. Many are unavoidable names, but many are also regular words. Even if difficult to translate, neologisms overstandable in English would have been my choice, such as this one Iyaric term in this sentence. And let's put it this way: Tibetan words do not easily roll off the tongue such as "Mandala". There are others such as "Sarvadurgatiparisodhanatantra", not even including the many potential accents unproducable on my current keyboard. In other words, this book may be appreciated most by those who already have some prior knowledge.
The rites are a lot about veneration of and prostrating to a caleidoscope of deities. Who are one, but splintered at the same time. I was hoping to find a bit more mysticism in this book. Well, at least the chapter on the confession of sins in the beliefs of dualisms are rewarding. If you are a mystic (no matter of what branch of religion), that is. There were more traces of mysticism in the introduction than the book itself, though.
Many words of advice from Buddhism I can take, no matter wether everything corresponds to my door which leads to the same room or wether the same door shines in my light. I find the book Mind of Clear Light: Advice on Living Well and Dying Consciously by the XIVth Dalai Lama on the same subject much more accessible, if I am correct on the English title of a book I read in another language. If I would follow "The Tibetan Book of the Dead", I would think of myself to be occupied with "death" way too much. As a mystic I don't believe in death anyway, therefore I am less obsessed with checking myself for potential advance signs of death all the Imes as suggested here. The book works under the premise that life is a very bad thing anyway which should be avoided by all means. That is not my approach. Maybe there's suffering in the everlasting cycle of life, but that's fine with me, for there are some nice moments in between all the suffering. Besides: What if God/the universe/Jah/etc., which we are all part of in the mystic overstanding LIKES to experience life in the forms of various bodies, accepting the suffering along the way? Wouldn't it be egoistical to refuse life? What if "everybody" would refuse "rebirth"? I had a lot of questions like that popping up while reading this book. Other Imes, the book put a smile on my face. For example, when I imagined another religious leader, such as the Pope, giving the advice, in a certain context, to inhale one's semen through the nose, while the former is still warm. I am not that sure, wether I will ever follow THAT advice either. But it's refreshing that we can talk about any possible body function and unorthodox use. I forgot: In Tibet, that IS orthodox...
It would take you a lifetime to understand this book........2007-05-15
I just got this book, and it is so deep and exciting I want to just study it forever to find out all about what it has to say.
Expanded version with authoritative interpretations. Important!.......2006-02-07
The Tibetan Book of the Dead edited by Graham Coleman, Thupten Jinpa, translated by Gyurme Dorje (Viking) is by far the most popular example of indigenous Tibetan Buddhist treasure literature. An edition was issued in 1927 by Oxford University Press under the general editorship of W. Y. Evans-Wentz. The block-print copy, he used was an abridgment obtained in Nepal and translated by a Tibetan lama. Evans-Wentz was a scholarly Theosophist who imported certain Theosophical preconceptions into his commentary on the work. Carl Jung the prominent analytical psychologist even wrote a psychological commentary on the work prompted by Evans-Wentz. Since the 1970s, beginning with Francesca Fremantle and Chogyam Trungpa's edition of the text and more recently Robert Thurman's translation, corrected versions of the Tibetan Book of the Dead are well represented in English and other European languages. The mistakes and egregious errors of the pioneering edition have been corrected and Tibetan Buddhism now in America and Europe has been flourishing with many translations and commentaries on basic Buddhist practices as well as the indigenous literatures of Tibet.
This new edition by Graham Coleman and Thupten Jinpa uses a fuller edition of the work for translating, adding new chapters and reflecting the interpretation of contemporary masters and lineage holders of this tradition. In many ways this is the first complete The Tibetan Book of the Dead. In many ways this book is both a guide for living as well as a how to consciously move on after death. The book has been extremely popular in Central Asia among Buddhists. The Tibetan Book of the Dead contains especially written guidance and practices related to transforming our experience of daily life, on how to address the process of dying in the after-death states, and on how to help those who are dying. Some of these teachings include: methods for investigating and cultivating our experience of the ultimate nature of mind in our daily practice, guidance on the recognition of the science of impending death and a detailed description of the mental and physical processes of dying, rituals for the avoidance of premature death, the now famous great liberation by hearing that is read to the dying and the dead, special prayers are read at the time of death, and allegorical masque play that lightheartedly dramatizes the journey through the intermediate state, and a translation of the sacred mantras that are attached to the body after death and are said to bring liberation by wearing. The editors have also included two additional texts are not usually included in the first chapter there is a preliminary meditation and practices related to the cycle of teachings, and in chapter 10, instructions on methods of transforming consciousness at the point of death into a enlightened state and are an essential aspect of the practices related to dying.
The editors have gone out of their way to be sure to relate what the actual masters of these traditions mean by these practices. For that reason alone, makes this new edition of The Tibetan Book of the Dead authoritative in ways that previous editions have not been. Needless to say, this book should capture the imagination not only of students of Buddhism, but psychologists, philosophers, spiritual directors, and chaplains as well as anyone who wishes to entertain profound teachings about the survival of consciousness after death as well as ways to encourage the meaning of our own life in the everyday world.
Immense........2005-11-11
Having just recieved this book, I wonder if I will ever have time to read it. It is a stunning piece of work that has been hidden away for centuries. A must have for any buddhist library.
Amazon.com
In a modern society characterized by insensitivity to violence, ambivalence to the suffering of others, and a high-octane profit motive, is talk of ethics anything more than a temporary salve for our collective conscience? The Dalai Lama thinks so. In his Ethics for the New Millennium, the exiled leader of the Tibetan people shows how the basic concerns of all people--happiness based in contentment, appeasement of suffering, forging meaningful relationships--can act as the foundation for a universal ethics.
His medicine isn't always easy to swallow, however, for it demands of the reader more than memorizing precepts or positing hypothetical dilemmas. The Nobel Peace laureate invites us to recognize certain basic facts of existence, such as the interdependence of all things, and from these to recalibrate our hearts and minds, to approach all of our actions in their light. Nothing short of an inner revolution will do. Basic work is required in nurturing our innate tendencies to compassion, tolerance, and generosity. And at the same time, "we need to think, think, think ... like a scientist," reasoning out the best ways to act from a principle of universal responsibility. Like a merging of the care and compassion of Jesus, the cool rationality of the Stoics, the moral program of Ben Franklin, and the psychology of William James, Ethics for the New Millennium is a plea for basic goodness, a blueprint for world peace. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Here is a moral system based on universal rather than religious principles. Its ultimate goal is happiness for every individual regardless of religious belief. Though the Dalai Lama is himself a practicing Buddhist, his approach to life and the moral compass that guides him can lead each and every one of us-Muslim, Christian, Jew, or Atheist-to a happier, more fulfilling life.
Customer Reviews:
Simple, practical, nonreligious guide to ethics.......2007-04-10
Ethics for the New Millennium is explicitly a nonreligious work, though it does present several key ideas that come out of Buddhist philosophical tradition. The goal, as stated in the preface, is to present an approach to ethics based on "universal" rather than religious principles. Presumably, these are principles that persons of diverse religious and nonreligious backgrounds would agree upon. Despite the title, this is not a technical or heavily philosophical work. Much of the book has a common-sense, anecdotal quality to it. While I enjoyed the stories of the Dalai Lama's personal experiences and his unique sense of humor, I must say that some of the cases he makes would be greatly strengthened if he presented some statistical data or findings from modern sociology, psychology and science. The Dalai Lama confesses that his own knowledge of modern (Western) secular thought is still limited, so much of his teachings probably reflect the Buddhist philosophy in which he has trained. Throughout the book, he introduces us to a number of Tibetan terms which do not have simple English equivalents. Several of the key notions presented in the book will probably be unfamiliar to the average Western reader. Of course, this is part of the attraction of the book.
To explain his motivation, the Dalai Lama begins by making the personal observation that, while the poor living in less developed countries with traditional cultures may be suffering physically, they often seem to be happier than those with greater material wealth living in more developed countries. His Holiness is careful not to romanticize "old ways of life" and he does not advocate primitivism or rejection of science and technology as a solution to the world's problems, but rather a "spiritual revolution." By this he means the adoption of the emotional disciplines and alternative worldview laid out in this book as a means of addressing disharmony in modern life. He says "My call for a spiritual revolution is thus not a call for a religious revolution. Nor is it a reference to a way of life that is somehow otherworldly, still less to something magical or mysterious. Rather, it is a call for a radical reorientation away from our habitual preoccupation with self" (p23). The Dalai Lama does a remarkable job of presenting this ethical system in simple language.
Christian readers may interested in the brief allusion to the "Fruits of the Spirit" (pp 22-23) which are discussed in a non-religious context. His Holiness acknowledges an admiration for Christian teachings developed in part through his friendship with a Cistercian monk some time ago. Even more interesting might be the chapter entitled "Ethics and Suffering" for those who wonder how persons with a non-theistic viewpoint cope with suffering and loss. An important clarification of the notion of karma is given as well. It is one of the best chapters in my opinion, though too short.
This is a very tolerant and pluralistic work with regard to religion. Polemics against religiously motivated bigotry, violence, and dogma seem to be entirely absent. The final chapter "The Role of Religion" is very insightful, but adroitly steers clear of controversy. The Dalai Lama acknowledges that people can lead happy ethical lives without recourse to religion, but is concerned that, with the rise of science and secularism worldwide, there may also be a rise in moral relativism. This book is intended to provide an alternative. My favorite quote: "These may seem unusual statements, coming as they do from a religious figure. I am, however, Tibetan before I am Dalai Lama, and I am human before I am Tibetan."
The more philosophical part of the book, entitled "The Nature of Reality", introduces the idea of dependent origination. This sort of organismic, interconnected view of the universe may require several readings to grasp, but leads naturally to the doctrine of "no self." This is the clearest and simplest explanation of this doctrine I have found so far.
The recurring theme of the book is this: our happiness depends upon the happiness of others. Here is another interesting quote: "As we have seen, given the complex nature of reality, it is very difficult to say that a particular act or type of act is right or wrong in itself. Ethical conduct is thus not something we engage in because it is somehow right in itself. We do so because we recognize that just as I desire to be happy and to avoid suffering so do all others." Afflictive emotions (anger, greed, hatred, pride, etc.) destroy our ability to make rational decisions, so we should practice restraint. Emotional responses can be shaped by worldview, and practice. The same is true for cultivating virtues. Anxiety and stress are often a result of lack of perspective. This is a very practical book that offers guidelines for changing how we react and how we feel.
I am a little concerned, however, with some statements made about science throughout the book, though these are not by any means central issues. The Dalai Lama tends to refer to "radical materialism" when talking about science from time to time, and I find this an unfortunate choice of words given the common connotations of the words "radical" and "materialism." Philosophical naturalism would have been better. He also says "my concern is rather that we are apt to overlook the limitations of science. In replacing religion as the final source of knowledge in popular estimation, science begins to look a bit like another religion itself" (p 11). It is not clear, just what, if anything, His Holiness suggests should be the final source of knowledge. The book is not heavily philosophical and so does not discuss epistemology (theories of knowledge). A recurring theme is the important role of practice and discipline; so perhaps in this sense, knowledge alone is insufficient to create the kind of disposition advocated in the book.
Little is said about economics, but readers may well wonder if the compassion and altruism advocated here are compatible with the workings of free-market economy which is based on competition. His Holiness again admits that his knowledge of economics is limited (p195), but he suggests "the relationship between empathy and profit is necessarily fragile. Still, I do not see why it should not be possible to have constructive competition. The key factor is the motivation of those engaged in it. ... But when competition is conducted with a spirit of generosity and good intention, the outcome, although it must entail a degree of suffering for those who lose, will at least not be too harmful." It is not pure altruism, of course, that he is suggesting, but rather a form of enlightened self interest (p127).
On the whole, this is a positive, feel-good book that I enjoyed reading, with lots of practical suggestions for ethical living that are phased in clear, simple language. It forms an interesting contrast with other more confrontational bestsellers I've read recently that also seek to create change.
Said the Buddhist to the hot dog vendor, "Make me one with everything!" .......2006-08-15
Very few religious leaders speak deeply about ethics in a manner that allows people to think deeply as a result. Too many religious leaders are authoritarian in their edicts about morality or lax because gaining converts and their money is foremost on their minds. (Yeah, I'm a little cynical.)
In this book, Ethics for the New Millennium, HH the Dalai Lama is the answer to the overly authoritarian and the insipidly lax. In it, he answers the question that lazy, greedy, or selfish people inevitably ask: Why should I live an ethical life? To them, living ethically implies being taken advantage of by the less ethical. They're wrong. Living ethically leads to being happy. You don't, however, have to be stupid to live ethically.
This book is divided into three major sections:
1. The Foundation of Ethics - in which the Dalai Lama describes how we are all dependent on each other, from our dependency on our parents when we were children to the interconnectedness of the global society. He concludes by discussing the most important emotion that we can express: compassion. Compassion and ethical action leads to happiness.
2. Ethics and the Individual - in which the Dalai Lama discusses how people can increase their compassion and thus their happiness in life. He says that to increase compassion, we should restrain those factors that inhibit compassion, and these factors are the source of unethical conduct. Also, to increase compassion, we should encourage love, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, humility, and so on. Sounds good to me.
3. Ethics and Society - in which the Dalai Lama makes the natural extension of living an ethical life as an individual and lays out routes to help change the world. Because every act has a universal dimension, because all things are interconnected, ethical discipline, wholesome conduct, and careful discernment will lead to a better world.
I'm not a Pollyanna. I don't believe that the whole world will be better if I act ethically, but I know that I feel better when I follow the teachings of the Dalai Lama, and I like the effects on my family. I don't let people take advantage of me financially or personally, but that is a matter of respecting oneself. Extending the hand of compassion, however, makes one a better human being, and that makes you happy.
I'm putting this book back on my nightstand to read a little of, every night.
TK Kenyon
RABID, coming in 2007 from Kunati Books
A moral masterpiece!.......2006-06-24
This is an absolute wonder, and may be the most important book I have ever shoplifted.
He knows what he's talking about...take notes and learn.......2006-05-30
The Dalai Lama considers the state of the world in relation to ethics with a fine-toothed comb. (I am currently borrowing "Ethics for the New Millennium" as an abridged audiobook from my local library. This is a tape I will repeatedly listen to until its due date...) The Dalai Lama is such a sweetheart! I love how he perceives the world, suggests solutions and alternatives to global and ethical dilemnas, and remains optimistic about the future. He believes that we are a people who want to be happy while avoiding suffering. He acknowleges that we do have a dark side that we must keep in check and subdue; but to counter this dark side, the Dalai Lama believes that people are mostly gentle by nature and can return to that natural state with discipline and guidance. We deviate from our better nature when we try to find happiness the wrong way or in the wrong things, and thereby only feel transitory illusions of happiness that may cause harm to others. As a pop song claims, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look in the mirror and then make a change...I'm looking at the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways...etc." The Dalai Lama is definitely in favor of the need for personal growth and an inner revolution for everyone.
The Dalai Lama doesn't go on at length about idealizing this planet or how great it is. He says it is where we live, and therefore, we must take good care of it and encourage global stewardship. The actions of one country will impact the whole world (think about jet streams and imported and exported food). We literally are in this world together; think about what that means. I love how he disparages concepts of Group Identity and other separatists ideas. Black, white, whatever, we all have feelings, and our common ground and goals far outweigh any cultural differences or bitterness over history's mistakes. Also, no one's self-worth or sense of identity should be forged at the expense of another person or ethnic group.
Like Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People," this is a must-read for every person on the planet. We can agree with the Dalai Lama theoretically, but we must go the extra mile to learn how to apply these ethics (that promote happiness and prevent or curb suffering). (I'm preaching to the choir when I say that I need to learn how to better transform these principles from theory into practice, especially when it comes to managing my emotions and curtailing my feelings of anger and disappointment.) Even in small ways, we can make things better for each other and ourselves. I love when the Dalai Lama observes that when we are promoting others' happiness, we feel happiness ourselves. He repeatedly stresses how interconnected and interrelated we all are. We depend on each other, we need each other.
I'm so sick of over-the-top pessimism and unrealistic nostalgia for the past. As a Universalist, I believe the best of times are in the future and the worst of times are in the past and the immediate present. I remember a lyric from a U2 song ("Zoo Station"/Achtung Baby) that says, "time is a train, makes the future the past." I love that the Dalai Lama points out many positive trends in today's society. He's pleased-as-punch that reconciliation and compassion are buzz words, even in politics and businesses. He also is pleasantly aware that the current global marketplace is very dependent on international cooperation. On a related note, I love when I buy chocolate, tea, and coffee that is not only organic, but is fair-trade certified. No one needs to be exploited for the greed of shareholders. Profit is okay if it is accrued ethically, meaning no sweatshops, no needless, man-made hell imposed on innocents (read "Fast Food Nation" to learn about the consequences of unethical business practices. Like the Dalai Lama, the author of "Fast Food Nation" points out how we are only nickle and diming ourselves to do it the wrong way; with redirection in energy and ethics, we can do it the right way without unnecessarily harming employees or the environment).
To wrap up, please read this book or listen to it as an audiobook. The Dalai Lama knows what he's talking about...take notes and learn.
A Simple and Comprehensive Study on Ethics.......2006-04-30
There are few books that I've read that have captured my interest so much as to inspire me to read them twice. This is one of those books. It is not a book about Buddhism. It is not a book about religion. Yet I am confident that most people will find the core values of their faith in these pages. "Ethics" is a book about morality. It teaches the reader how we benefit individually from living our lives in an ethical manner as well as how society as a whole benefits. And it describes how society suffers, and we suffer, when our actions are immoral and self-serving.
The Dalai Lama starts off his book, appropriately, by discussing the foundation of ethics. What is the foundation of ethical behavior? On what basis do we judge an act to be ethical? And how does our lack of ethical behavior not only affect the happiness of others but our own happiness as well? I feel that any discussion of ethics must address these questions, and the Dalai Lama provides sound answers. He then follows this first section with several chapters devoted to ethics for the individual, specifically addressing virtue, compassion, and restraint. The discussion continues with a discussion of ethics and suffering, and finally a chapter on ethical discipline. In the last section, the Dalai Lama addresses ethics and society, covering such topics as universal responsibility, peace and disarmament, and the role of religion in modern society.
In the beginning of his book, the Dalai Lama calls for a spiritual revolution. He then goes on to describe what he feels each of us must do, individually, to bring about such a revolution on a global scale. And it all boils down to ethical behavior at an individual level. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the study of morality and how it affects each of us and the world as a whole.
Books:
- The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Micro Economy Today with DiscoverEcon with Solman Videos
- The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers
- The Prints of Rockwell Kent: Catalogue Raisonne
- The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage
- The Purpose of Your Life: Finding Your Place In The World Using Synchronicity, Intuition, And Uncommon Sense
- The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap
- This Moment on Earth: Today's New Environmentalists and Their Vision for the Future
- Tuscan & Andalusian Reflections
- Venice from the Ground Up (From the Ground Up)
Books Index
Books Home
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- Organic and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life
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- The M.C. Escher Jigsaw Puzzle Book
- Lines in the Water: Nature and Culture at Lake Titicaca
- War in the Persian Gulf Biographies Edition 1.: From Operation Desert Storm to Operation Iraqi Freed
What Makes You Not a Buddhist
Mind Beyond Death
Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill
Quintessential Dzogchen: Confusion Dawns as Wisdom
Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves
