Buddhism

Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment

by Deepak Chopra

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"The story of the prince who awakened to become the Buddha is one of the most dramatic and compelling stories of all time. Deepak Chopra, a well-known and loved voice in the self-help arena, has a new book out that beautifully lets us experience just what the life of the Buddha was like as he embarked on his spiritual journey. We can really feel the natural internal conflict that he goes through as he seeks both wisdom and transformation. Deepak is a gifted writer. I'm sure you have read many of his non-fiction work; I have a whole "Deepak" bookshelf at my house! "Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment" is a novel, and an inspiring read. As an added kind of "bonus" to all of us on the path who crave nonfiction, Deepak has included a guide with commentary and teachings on core Buddhist principles. This book is destined to be a classic. And I could totally see it being turned into a movie. Two thumbs up from me!"

Publisher: HarperOne | More reviews: amazon.com

No Time to Lose: A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva

by Pema Chodron

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"The title of this book may intimidate a little. But believe me, this book is a treasure. This is the best of all of Pema Chodron's wonderful books. It is the most practical and helpful of her guides on the Buddhist spiritual path. She doesn't presume we already are Bodhisattvas (saints) -- but this book can remind us of the steps toward that end, no matter who we are. And with her characteristic humor and friendliness Pema reminds us not to despair when we mess up, which we will. She makes it clear that we simply renew our resolve and begin again because there is always hope! Pema Chodron calls upon the great wisdom of the ancient sage Shatideva, whose spiritual poetry is quoted throughout this book, as a resource to draw upon as we attempt to become Bodhisattvas. We are encouraged to tame our anger through patience, to uncover our own Buddha-nature by sitting mindfully, and, generally, to practicing the Dharma. This is a lovely work, lyrically written, playful while erudite, and absolutely uplifting. If you want to be happy, do yourself an enormous favor and get yourself this book."

Publisher: Shambhala | More reviews: amazon.com

The Tibetan Book of the Dead

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In this classic scripture of Tibetan Buddhism—traditionally read aloud to the dying to help them attain liberation—death and rebirth are seen as a process that provides an opportunity to recognize the true nature of mind. This translation by Chögyam Trungpa and Francesca Fremantle emphasizes the practical advice that the book offers to the living, and Fremantle's insightful introduction explains the text and presents a psychological perspective on its teachings. Read by the actor Richard Gere, this audio program offers a new way to encounter the profound meaning of his sacred text.

3 CDs; 2 hours 45 minutes. Unabridged.

Publisher: Shambhala Audio | More reviews: amazon.com

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path

by Henepola Gunaratana

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"Bhante Henepola Gunaratana has summarized all of the Buddha's path to happiness, everything we know about affecting change in our lives, and everything that psychology teaches us about healthy living into a single, easy to read, easy to apply manual for happiness. This book is a gem! It can be used for inspiration, or instruction. It can be read countless times for added insight. If you are inclined toward Buddhism, or at least are taken with the Buddhist perspective, you will appreciate the straightforward approach he takes to describing the eight steps. If you are not Buddhist or so inclined, you might be put off with some of what you read (the Author clearly believes that the Buddha's way is THE way, and you might be inclined to think of Jesus as the way, or someone else), but I think any rational person would recognize the power and potential for creating change that is captured in this book. The eight steps are: 1. Skillful Understanding - recognizing the roles of cause and effect, and truly understanding the Four Noble Truths as taught by the Buddha2. Skillful Thinking - Emphasis on understanding how our attachment to things is the source of our suffering (letting go), the practice of loving-friendliness, and practicing compassion.3. Skillful Speach - Special emphasis on truth-telling, gentle speach, and avoiding useless chatter.4. Sillful Action - Particular attention to the Five Precepts, namely abstaining from killing, stealing, speaking falsely, sexual misconduct and misuse of intoxicants.5. Skillful Livelihood - Understanding that how we make a living can have negative or positive impacts (skillful or unskillful) on our path to happiness.6. Skillful Effort - Recognizing and dealing with the hindrances and fetters that keep us tied to our unhappiness.7. Skillful Mindfulness - A study of mindfulness practice in terms of the body, feelings, the mind, and mental objects.8. Skillful Concentration - Teaches what concentration means in the context of meditation, and how it is developed through the four stages to full Concentration.At each step, you'll recognize yourself and the things you do that hold you back from the path of happiness. You'll find solace in the knowledge that you are not alone (these are common to all us human beings), and relief in learning how to see things differently so that the world you live in works FOR you and not against you.This is a wonderful book, and anyone who feels they need to make changes in their life would benefit enormously."

Publisher: Wisdom Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

Seven Years in Tibet

by Heinrich Harrer

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"Three months after finishing and putting down the book, I'm still so inspired by the whole Heinrich Harrer tale and his experience in Tibet. This is the coming about of the second review of the book.The book starts off at the outbreak of World War II. Heinrich Harrer and his mountain climbing associates, while attemtping the Nanga Parbat mountain, were arrested by the British and were imprisoned in Indian internment camp located near the border with Tibet. After securing enough life necessities and supplies, Harrer and his friend Peter Aufschnaiter escaped and set out for the Indian-Tibetan border. The road to Lhasa was strenuous, arduous, and painful. Harrer and Aufschnaiter struggled with winter blizzard, depleting supplies, mountain sickness, and even risk of robbers. They had to obtain license upon arrival in unexplored territory. They risked the refusal to enter Tibet without a permit. They risked their life as their supplies won't last for the trip. Upon arrival into the country, they were greeted with curiosity, meticulousness, guard, and warmth. They were housed in government mansion; treated sumptuous Tibetan meal; tailored expensive hand-crafted embroidered wardrobe. From day to day throng of visitors came visit these newly-arrived foreigners. Heinrich Harrer lived in Lhasa for almost 5 years. He performed plumbing and other technical servies for his friends and government officials. He taught children how to read and write English. He introduced ice-skating to Tibetans by sticking a knife underneath the boots. The most significant portion of this book is the detailed yet sentimental description of Harrer's relationship with the young Dalai Lama. Harrer recalled spending days and days at Dalai's summer palace and in Potola Palace teaching him English, talking to him about politics and building the first "home entertainment center". They even made a film together and showed the film to the monks. Harrer was even permitted to film the Dalai processional in New Year. Harrer had built a deep friendship with Dalai and his people, one of which Harrer never had expected. Harrer stayed in Tibet until the time when the Chinese was ready to take over Tibet. This book is filled with heart warming anecdotes, scenes of Tibetan lives and people. It has temendously inspired me to visit Tibet one day and experience for myself. Highly recommended."

Publisher: Tarcher | More reviews: amazon.com

Mind Beyond Death

by Dzogchen Ponlop

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"Well now, there's no getting around the fact that this book is about Buddhism, and it's also the case that if you absolutely don't believe in the possibility of reincarnation, then the whole business might not appear to make any sense. And yet...if there lingers in your mind the faintest openness to the notion that life doesn't end at "death" but may well wander on into another life, and then still another, you might find this book a revelation and even a delight. Try, perhaps, reading just the first 20 pages or so while loitering in the bookstore: one might find oneself hooked. The book is about life, death and, most of all, about right now. This is a profound text to be treasured and pored over, I believe. I recommend that you give it a shot. You just might change your life for all eternity, so to speak."

Publisher: Snow Lion Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

It's Up to You: The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path

by Dzigar Kongtrul

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"Whether you are a practicing Buddhist, Christian, or other, Dzigar Kongtrul's book, It's Up to You is a gem that will inspire your heart and your intention for living your life. It is apparent that Dzigar Kongtruls' intention in this book is to encourage us to take advantage of the precious opportunity we have to make a difference for ourselves and others.

In It's Up to You, Dzigar Kongtrul emphasizes that every being has the potential to be free from suffering and that it is up to us to recognize this and take the necessary steps to get there. Dzigar Kongtrul expresses that self-reflection is the key to obtaining the peace we all strive for. In It's Up To You, he explains that self-reflection is not always a comfortable process and emphasizes that it must be done with care and compassion. He suggests that having a non judgmental stance is imperative and that self-reflection requires both observation and description without bias. He outlines some of the steps he feels are crucial to this process.

I have read this book more than once and will continue to benefit from its teachings for the rest of my life. Thank you, Dzigar Kongtrul for putting these teachings on paper."

Publisher: Shambhala | More reviews: amazon.com

Mind and Life: Discussions with the Dalai Lama on the Nature of Reality (Columbia Series in Science and Religion)

by Pier Luigi Luisi

For over a decade, a small group of scientists and philosophers-members of the Mind and Life Institute-have met regularly to explore the intersection between science and the spirit. At one of these meetings, the themes discussed were both fundamental and profound: can physics, chemistry, and biology explain the mystery of life? How do our philosophical assumptions influence science and the ethics we bring to biotechnology? And how does an ancient spiritual tradition throw new light on these questions?Pier Luigi Luisi not only reproduces this dramatic, cross-cultural dialogue, in which world-class scientists, philosophers, and Buddhist scholars develop a holistic approach to the scientific exploration of reality, but also adds scientific background to their presentations, as well as supplementary discussions with prominent participants and attendees. Interviews with His Holiness the Karmapa, the Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard, and the actor and longtime human rights advocate Richard Gere take the proceedings into new directions, enriching the material with personal viewpoints and lively conversation about such topics as the origin of matter, the properties of cells, the nature of evolution, and the ethics of genetic manipulation. A keen study of character, Luisi incorporates his own amusing observations into this fascinating dialogue, painting a very human portrait of some of our greatest-and most intimidating-thinkers. Deeply textured and cleverly crafted, Mind and Life is an excellent opportunity for any reader to join in the debate surrounding this cutting-edge field of inquiry.

Publisher: Columbia University Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Plant Seed, Pull Weed: Nurturing the Garden of Your Life

by Geri Larkin

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Gardens have often been used as metaphors for spiritual nurturing and growth. Zen rock gardens, monastery rose gardens, even your grandmother's vegetable garden all have been described as places of refuge and reflection. Drawing on her experience working at Seattle's premier gardening center, Zen teacher Geri Larkin shows how the act of gardening can help you uncover your inner creativity, enthusiasm, vigilance, and joy. As your garden grows, so will your spirit. Larkin takes you through the steps of planning, planting, nurturing, and maintaining a garden while offering funny stories and inspiring lessons on what plants can teach us about our lives. As soothing as a bowl of homemade vegetable soup, Plant Seed, Pull Weed will entertain, charm, and inspire you to get your hands dirty and dig deep to cultivate your inner self.

Publisher: HarperOne | More reviews: amazon.com

The End of Suffering: Fearless Living in Troubled Times: Fearless Living in Troubled Times . . or, How to Get Out of Hell Free

by Russell Targ

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"Russell Targ, states in the preface of this book that his grief over the untimely death of his daughter Elisabeth prompted him to examine more deeply the nature of his own suffering. The result is a tour de force. I don't say this lightly. Nor do I say this simply because Russell is my friend. The truth is that Russell Targ is a man of enormous gravity. Long before we developed a friendship, I admired him from a distance.

I should explain that Russell Targ is one of the most successful parapsychology researchers in the history of the field. He has an extraordinary gift of allowing the psychic talents of other people to flourish in his presence. And, he has had the wherewithal to conduct well-controlled studies published in mainstream scientific journals. He is one of the acknowledged founders of the flourishing field that is now known as "remote viewing." He conducted the first published, scientific research with the famous Israeli psychic Uri Geller. He persuaded the U.S. government to invest millions of dollars in parapsychological research.

These are awesome scientific accomplishments in the field of parapsychology. I would predict that hundreds of years from now students will be studying Russell Targ's scientific papers.

But, the point of The End of Suffering, is far more profound than Targ's scientific achievements. In fact, Targ makes clear that -- to the extent he identifies himself with the famous, pioneer parapsychologist -- he is dooming himself to a life of ego-attachment. This, he claims is the basis of all unnecessary suffering.

A large part of this book is a cogent presentation of some esoteric aspects of Buddhism that few westerners ever approach. Especially important is the non-dualistic, madhyamika philosophy of the second century philosopher Nagarjuna. Targ (and his co-author J. J. Hurtak) elucidate with great clarity the distinctions between the dualistic Aristotelian thinking that has permeated western culture and the four-valued logic of Nagarjuna. But, this is not merely an exercise in the history of philosophy. It is a exploration of the psychological implications of these philosophies in modern life.

A major highlight of the book, for me, was then how the venerable teachings of Nagarjuna are shown to be consistent with the empirical findings in a variety of contemporary sciences: particularly parapsychology and physics -- but also modern medicine. And, another highlight, are the many well-known examples from popular culture (miserable lifestyles of the rich and famous) that reinforce further the pitfalls of ego-attachment to one's "story."

Yet, another highlight, for me, was the discussion of Vajrayana or Dzogchen Buddhism. Like many others, I have thought of Buddhism as composed of two major schools -- the Hinayana (or "small vehicle" based on the original Buddhist teachings) and the Mahayana (or "large vehicle" based on the notion of the compassionate Boddhisatva). Vajrayana, the third school, involves letting go of all conditioning -- including the conditioning of one's earlier training.

This book exemplifies the integration of spiritual truths with scientific facts culminating in a pragmatic, psychological approach to a life that works. I highly recommend it. "

Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing | More reviews: amazon.com