Reviews (68)

WOW!!
This series of books really changed my Life!!I've actually applied what The Masters talk about and it really works!!

Not a weight loss or self help book...
I can see how western civilization readers may have a very difficult time accepting Life and Teachings as nothing more than black magic. It goes very deep. This is not a series of books that you sit down and read like the DaVinci code. Have you ever, as an example, opened up the King James version of the New Testament at your hotel room and tried to actually read it and take any of it in? Its tough. Not a page turner. Kind of boooorrring.No wonder we have sunday church to get us through it all. Life and Teachings has to be read in small bites people. Really. Yes, there is a message of sorts that comes out of it: Your religion is right. So is your neighbors and so is there neighbors. Yet it doesnt focus so much on "religion" as it does on the human potential. Thats where its at. And, thats where this read keeps going. This is not an easy book series to get through. Dont pick it up and expect "an answer" right away. You have to work a bit. Like a textbook rather than a Dan Brown Novel. It's laughable that people who read about "men that move mountains or part waters etc" can't comprehend it in anything other than magic. Life and Teachings is a thinker series. You read a bit. You stop. You think. Pick it up later and read some more. Not entertaining nor was it meant to be, but it strikes a lightning bolt at a few nerve endings you didnt know you had. And, no, you won't have to send any money to a special group or PO Box at the end. They dont have a Web site either. Baird Spalding is quite dead as are all the other scientists that went into thosemountains in the late 1800's that resulted in this book series. Read it. Don't worry. You won't grow hair on your palms and it won't corrupt your 21st century thinking on modern christianity.The message of Life and Teachings is; Put down your swords. Everyone's right about why we "are". Buddah, Jesus, Allah, Mohammmed, everyone of you....YOu all came down the same road from the same hilltop and this is an excellent tutorial on how that could be and examples of the human potential. Its nothing new. No revelations.Millions of years have gone by and its all still the same except on-going arguments.

jesus throwing thunderbolts?!
The first volume was interesting fiction. Hide a city in a mountain?! In later volumes jesus is throwing thunderbolts and killing the 'enemy' is not the jesus of the new testament. Instead buy Aquarian Gospel, Impersonal Life, Door of Everything and on recincarnation/heaven read testimony of light, but skip the introduction and notice the constant unfolding as in the movie ground hog day ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Eastern - General    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness   

Editorial Review

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with the Dalai Lama and really press him about life's persistent questions? Why are so many people unhappy? How can I abjure loneliness? How can we reduce conflict? Is romantic love true love? Why do we suffer?How should we deal with unfairness and anger? How do Read more

Reviews (311)

Interesting introduction to the Dalai Lama's thoughts and beliefs
For anyone seeking a simple, introductory look into the fundamental beliefs and principles of the Dalai Lama, "The Art of Happiness" would be a great place to start. The book, authored by Howard C Cutler, MD, consists of excerpts and commentary from a series of documented conversations held between himself and the Dalai Lama.
one of the best self help book
everytime when I struggle with some emotional problem, this book always helps me to feel better and resolves my problem no matter which page I flip to.How amazing?It is a must-have book!

An interesting debate
A bit of a tough read, but worthwhile all the same! It takes the Dalai Lama's views and mixes them with explanations from an American psychiatrist (East meets West). The result is a useful tool kit for creating more happiness in your life, but beware, it requires some deep thought - and some very active mental changes in your normal patterns of behaviour. Happiness, it seems, requires a great deal of mental discipline! But remember, its the end purpose we are working towards, not the short term pleasure...so put those chocolates away, and read the book!
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Doctrines    4. Happiness    5. Personal Growth - Happiness    6. Psychology    7. Religion    8. Religious Life (Buddhism)    9. Religious aspects    10. Religious life    11. Religion / Buddhism   

Features

• Unabridged

Reviews (52)

the art of war
The book itself is not the problem.If I had known it was only two inches square I never would have bought it.I was expecting a regular sized book, regardless of the amount of it's contents

The Art of War
The book is, of course, a great classic and a historicly significant treatise, which requires no review. One could just as soon "review" Clausewitz or Thucydides.
book or matchbox
this book is ridiculously small. although it an interesting bit of information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Military Science    3. Philosophy    4. Warfare & Defence   

Editorial Review

Is there such thing as a Western Taoist? Benjamin Hoff says there is, and this Taoist's favorite food is honey. Through brilliant and witty dialogue with the beloved Pooh-bear and his companions, the author of this smash bestseller explains with ease and aplomb that rather than being a distant and mysterious concept, Taoism is as near and practical to us as our morning breakfast bowl. Romp through the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh while soaking up invaluable lessons on simplicity and natural living. ... Read more

Reviews (187)

What An Awesome Book
I love this book. It isn't dogmatic and it doesn't so much alter one's thinking as it does challenge someone to pay attention to the nature of individual perception. Perception is not as it's claimed"everything" but it does go a long way toward shaping how a person views the world, and Pooh is simply a master of life. What else can you say?

Tao of Pooh is simple and easy to understand
I read this book in high school as part of epistemology course. It is very easy to understand the basic principles of taoism through the ideas of pooh and his friends. I suggest this book for all philospohy students.

Those who "mis-understand"
For those of you who are curious about this book and may be turned off by some of the "negative" comments, allow me to offer my humble opinion. I think that those people who did not like this book or felt it did not explain taoism, just really don't get the point. Taoism most certainly isn't something you seek and seek and then get frustrated at not finding, then angry, and then seek and seek. Taoism seen especially through Pooh's eyes and actions (or should I say "inactions") comes so near the mark to beginning to understand this ancient philosophy of harmonious existence on earth with the earth, and the duality of all things. I highly recommend this book for that open minded, non-judgemental, person open to the concept that indeed anything is possible...too many of us are so grounded in what we "absolutely know to be fact", when in reality anything in this universe is truly possible. Please explore this book on your path. I also highly recommend the companion book to this, The Te of Piglet, which delves ever more into taoism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Alan Alexander),    2. 1882-1956    3. 20th century    4. Books and reading    5. Characters    6. Children    7. Children's stories, English    8. Eastern - Taoism    9. General    10. Great Britain    11. History    12. History and criticism    13. Milne, A. A    14. Philosophy    15. Winnie the Pooh    16. Winnie-the-Pooh (Fictitious character)    17. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -    18. Philosophy / Taoism    19. Religion    20. Taoism   

Reviews (152)

The Translation for Our Times........
Simply the best translation of the Tao Te Ching available. Stephen Mitchell has done us all a great service by bringing this ages old book of wisdom to the modern era.

stephen mitchell presents the tao te ching
The tao te ching is a great book, I'm not giving that a one star review, I'm giving mitchell's interpretation of it one star.As many other reviews have stated, he doesn't speak chinese, so this translation is comprised of his reading other peoples' translations and what he thinks it means.He then tries to modernize it and make it accessible to 21st century americans.I like the old world feel of this book, you don't need to change swords to nuclear warheads, I know what a sword is.At least though, this change makes sense, some chapters Mitchell changes so much, that the entire chapter loses its meaning.A couple chapters made no sense, so I went to the back of the book where he tells what parts he changed, and then I was able to understand exactly what Lao Tzu intended to say.Don't buy this book.

Comments on reviewers
It's funny, people are giving it 1/5 because it isn't a "literal translation." It has to be the exact translated words by someone who is "scholared" for it to be worth reading.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Philosophy    3. Religion    4. Taoism    5. Biography: general    6. Religion / Taoism   

Subjects:  1. Jainism    2. Jewish - General    3. Judaism - History    4. Reference    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Jewish studies    8. Judaism    9. Reference works   

Reviews (10)

even if you have never been to a yoga class ...
... this book will still be of great interest and value to you if you are spiritually inclined.
excellent, but only for professionals
This beautiful book from the world teacher Iyengar was difficult to read, and I am teaching yoga already for 25 years. So, for me it was marvellous, but not recommended for beginners.
The theory behind the practice
There was yoga before the time of Patanjali but it was not written down, or at least no text survives.We find elements of the practice in the Upanishads and of course in the Bhagavad Gita.But before Patanjali's codification there was no systematic text to guide the aspirant.Since then Patanjali's sutras have been translated into many languages along with commentary to elucidate the concise text, with Vyasa's commentary from the ninth century--upon which Iyengar makes some reliance--being the most important. Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness    4. Philosophy    5. Yoga    6. Health & Fitness / Yoga    7. Hinduism   

Editorial Review

In 1927, Walter Evans-Wentz published his translation of an obscure Tibetan Nyingma text and called it the Read more

Reviews (78)

Life's Instruction Manual
People say life doen't come with an instruction manual, well this is it. Why you are here; what is important; how to deal with departure (death), your own and others; what happens if you spend your life sidetracked by the 'immediate but not important' issues. Written in a way that compels you to move to action, beyond simple intellectual curiousity. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!

WAKE UP AND LIVE.
WOW..it has been so long since a book has moved this hardened soul,so for this masterpice i am very grateful.
Quiet Revolution Is Pure Good Fortune
Reading the currently posted 75 reviews of Sogyal Rinpoche's "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" is an education in itself. Devotion, gratitude, and open-minded reading in the majority of the reviews are juxtaposed with ignorance, mis-information, and a desire to make points in other reviews. Thus is our human condition. There is a Tibetan saying, "When luck comes to the mouth, the tongue pushes it out." Let us see "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" for what it is: pure good fortune.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. China    4. Death    5. Death, Grief, Bereavement    6. Doctrines    7. Philosophy    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Religious aspects    10. Religious life    11. Self-Help    12. Tibet    13. Personal religious testimony    14. Sacred texts    15. Self-Help / Death, Grief, Bereavement    16. Tibetan Buddhism   

Editorial Review

Much like Zen, Pema Chodron's interpretation of Tibetan Buddhism takes the form of anontheistic spiritualism. In Read more

Reviews (91)

Only Love can Heal the Soul
When things fall apart it is not the mind that will ultimatley save us but our heart and soul. Our intellect can serve our best interests when it conjures up strategies that align with our hearts. That said, there is a reason why it often takes a tragedy to push someone to reconnect with God and divine inspiration. Not talking about religious addiction ... but rather that miracle of surrendering to the flow and what a more divine plan has in mind. Chodron goes to the "heart" of the matter ... the broken heart that is left in tatters .... where the healing is first and foremost demanded. The cure for the pain lies in the pain ... and in harnessing a greater spiritual force. A must read!

Feeling pretty bad?Read this.
I happened across this book by accident when a lot of things in my life were truly falling apart.Pema Chodron will some day be reknowned as a very significant spiritual leader, if she is not already.She has an amazing way of bringing spiritual truth down to the executional level.You can do these things, and doing them helps - a lot.I can't recommend this highly enough to anyone who is struggling.

Order this book today!
During an extremely difficult time in my life, this book found me.Each time I read it I get something new out of the experience.And I always come away feeling more centered, more grounded, more calm.This book has touched me in such a way that I have given away three copies,in fact I am on Amazon tonight to order a fourth.Andthe Compassion box for myself.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Eastern - General    4. New Age (Self Help)    5. Philosophy    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Religious life    8. Popular psychology    9. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (16)

The Best Edition

ART OF WAR Sun Tsu
Many points that apply not only to wars and Governments, but to living.

Foundation of Military Science

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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. General    3. History    4. Military    5. Military - Strategy    6. Military Science    7. Philosophy    8. Philosophy / Eastern    9. Technology-Military Science   

Reviews (224)

I find myself making better sex every day.
This is the first time I've felt compelled to write an Amazon book review. This book makes you want to have sex over and over again, I've really needed to take control of my eyaculation, and I now know the divine pleasure of truly satisfying a woman. I'm a 42year old man and I was beginning to worry that my performance was getting worse. This book showed me that performance does not just mean erection and orgasm, but much more. And I'm so grateful for that. I use it as a guide and as a counselor and that's the great thing about it: it can be put to several different uses to great effects! I've recommended it to all of my friends. I'll get more chances to keep giving it as a gift, aside from the fact that the techniques it presents have helped my relationshisp with partner.
Very impressed, sexy and pleased: the best
Well, people don't always like to hear you telling them that they should smarten up, so that's why I decided to write this review - easier, and the least I can do, This book is the perfect school for a balanced sexual life with fantastic ilustrations. Sex and the perfect lover has tips easy to follow and recommendations to experience pleasures with your partner and reach orgasm at the same time, has made us a happier and more confident couple. I learned many things that I was not aware of. And when I tried to experience these things with my partner it was excellent and very exciting for us both
Sex and the Perfect Lover, become one
Reading Sex and the Perfect Lover by Iam Mabel, I was pleased to see that this is the first book that takes the ancient Kama Sutra and presents it in a step by step. This is a book of sexuality as a way of life, a text written in easy terms, usual to the Western ear. By far, the best Kamasutra and sex book I've been able to get all these years, and believe me I've bought more than 20 of this topic.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - Taoism    2. Human Sexuality    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Oriental Philosophy    5. Religious aspects    6. Self-Help    7. Sex    8. Sex Relations    9. Sex instruction    10. Sexual Instruction    11. Tantrism    12. Taoism    13. Self-Help / Sexual Instruction   

Reviews (216)

Unbelievable but thought provoking
Unbelievable I say not as a skeptic, but as a true rational person. This same skepticism opens up other horizons in one's thinking - is this all true? Yogi Paramahamsa, the author, renders in this charming and lucid storytelling, facts he came across in his life - like his Master being able to 'know' that they will have guests arriving in the middle of the night; another yogi predicting the author's arrival and telling him of what he did miles away and many more such incidents.
A fantasy book not a spiritual guide
This book is full of stories, or perhaps lies might be a better word, because nowhere is it indicated that the stories are not the truth.
Best book for possibilities of Self Awareness and Spiritual insight
A great introduction to saints, saintly lifestyle, Yogic siddhis, miracles, Krishna Consciousness, etc is easily found in the engaging book of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda - Autobiography of a Yogi . It has given inspiration to do spiritual labour to me whenever I glance at its devotional pages.
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Subjects:  1. 1893-1952    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Eastern - General    5. Eastern - Gurus    6. India    7. Paramahansa,    8. Religion    9. Religious    10. Yogananda,    11. Yogis    12. Religions of Indic & Oriental origin   

Editorial Review

What should we think when on the one hand Buddhism tells us that life is suffering and on the other we are told to enjoy life's every moment? Loved around the world for his simple, straightforward explanations of Buddhism, Thich Nhat Hanh has finally turned his hand to the very core of Buddhism and conundrums such as this. In the traditional way, Thich Nhat Hanh takes up the core teachings one by one--the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Twelve Links of Interdependent Co-Arising--but his approach is as fresh as a soft breeze through a plum orchard. For illustration, he dips into the vast stores of Buddhist literature right alongside contemporary anecdotes, pointing out subtleties that can get glossed over in other popular introductions. He also includes three short but key sutras, essential source teachings from which all Buddhism flows. Studying the basics of Buddhism under Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh is like learning basketball from Michael Jordan. Read more

Reviews (52)

Nice Read
This is, I believe, the second or third book I read by Thich Nhat Hanh."Living Buddha, Living Christ" sort of inspired me to pick this up.He gives the basics as to what this whole Buddhism thing is all about.His explanation is neither too simplified nor to technical for the "average reader".If you pick up one book on the teachings of Buddha, make it this one.

A Brillant Roadmap to Practicing
I've read a few books about the Buddha and Buddhism generally, but I am still very much a beginner.The other books I read covered the basics, but did not break them down in a way I, as a beginner and Westerner, could easily understand.I guess you could say those treatments were scholarly and intellectual to a fault.Hanh's simple, straightforward writing style, on the other hand, breaks down Buddhism's central concepts: the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.This simple style does not, however, lose any meaning.The result is much the opposite: I feel like this book has given me a good start in my practice.In fact, I'm willing to bet that it will give me much more each time I read it.

First Half of Book is Better than the Second
The first two parts of the book alone cause me to give the whole book 4 stars. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I liked Hanh's poetic, and even flowery, style of writing.. it's tender, flexible, like a person should be when considering Buddhism.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Doctrines    4. Four Noble Truths    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Religion / Buddhism   

Editorial Review

If you'd like to read about meditation and then go back to your regular life, don't get this book. Henepola Gunaratana, a monk from Sri Lanka and venerated teacher of Buddhism, warns us that vipassana meditation is "meant to revolutionize the whole of your life experience." In one of the best nuts-and-bolts meditation manuals, he lays out the fundamentals of basic Buddhist meditation, the how, what, where, when, and why, including common problems and how to deal with them. His 52 years as a Buddhist monk make Read more

Reviews (59)

Just what it says
This is the next best thing to a meditation teacher. The book is a manual and trouble shooting guide to shamatha/vipassana meditation.A simple and powerful technique which has gradually and profoundly changed my life for the better.If you do not have access to a meditation instructor, or don't want to, get this simple and clear instruction manual.

A Life-Changing Book that you will read over and over and give to anyone you care about
I've read this book along with his subsequent book, Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness, multiple times and consult parts of both on regularly.
Great 1st Meditation Book
I loved this book after reading great reviews of it. I'd just like to add that it's a great one for giving to friends who are interested in learning about meditation but have no idea where to begin. I gave a copy of this away after a couple I knew both responded positively to it after reading the first few chapters. It's the first book I want to read again to get back to having a daily practice. Meditation is work, but this book addresses the hurdles and pitfalls well and will help you get the ball rolling. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Meditation    4. Religion    5. Religion - Church History    6. Vipasyana (Buddhism)    7. Vipaâsyanåa (Buddhism)    8. Body, Mind & Spirit / Meditation    9. Mind, Body, Spirit   

Editorial Review

Scholars say that the original Read more

Reviews (55)

The Beauty of Tao
This beautiful book introduced me to Tao.As a child, my father would let me page through it just to look at the gorgeous and simple photography.It wasn't until many years later that I actually began to read and appreciate the Tao Te Ching for the writing and significance.This subtle philosophy can be difficult to comprehend, but reading the text and performing your own analysis before delving into interpretations is a good beginning.
An excellent translation
One of the best, most readable interpretations of Tao Te Ching I have come across over the years. The supporting illustrations are bold yet do not take away from the text.
Hands Down - Best Interpretation
I've read over 20 interpretations of the Dao, and this is easily the clearest. The wording is very understandable for the Western mind.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. General    3. Philosophy    4. Religion    5. Taoism    6. Religion / Taoism   

Editorial Review

Prince Arjuna faced a dilemma that many face sooner or later--whether to take action that is necessary yet morally ambiguous. The difference is that Arjuna's action was to wage war against his own family. With the armies arrayed, Arjuna loses his nerve. Krishna, his charioteer and incarnation of divine consciousness, begins to teach him the nature of God and of himself, that Arjuna can attain liberation through union with God, and that there are several available paths. And so the most famous and revered of all Hindu Scriptures goes on to teach the paths of knowledge, devotion, action, and meditation, becoming the seed for all the Hindu systems of philosophy and religion that followed. For all of its profundity, Eknath Easwaran manages to translate the Read more

Reviews (29)

Words of Khrisna
I am going to buy this book and read it. I am going to compare it to the New Testament writings. I will compare the words of Khrisna with the words ofChrist. Which words have the path of salvation in them and which words are a lie? This question is of all others the most important.
A scholarly yet readable translation makes BG relevant today
No wonder this is the best-selling translation of this Indian classic work! Easwaran gives a full introduction, putting the Gita into the context of the literature and traditions of the time, and showing how it relates to modern philosophy. Sanskrit concepts that are quite difficult to translate into English are explained carefully, as is the relationship with Yoga. The translation itself is vivid and convincing, and the book is cleverly divided, with each chapter preceded by a clear explanation of the difficult concepts to come in that chapter.

Required For Any Library of Eastern Theology!
This slim volume in my opinion, should be, along with Easwaran's translation of the Upanishads and Dhammapada, on the shelf of every student of Eastern Wisdom. The translation is beautiful, somewhere between prose and poetry, and the introduction, and chapter openings are especially helpful to Westerners unfamiliar with Hinduism, and the non-physical schools of Yoga. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hinduism    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Mind, Body, Spirit   

Reviews (55)

Excellent book
This is a great book for someone interested in developing an "intimate partnership".Seeing the truth is difficult in close relationships, as we often deny the things we see in the name of "love".Dr. Kasl encourages us to seek the truth in our relationships, and in that way they continue to mature (or fade away naturally with as little pain as possible).
If the Buddha Dated
Excellent book about becoming ready to give and receive love.Do not have to be buddhist

Wonderful alternative guide to dating in this day and age.
This book was recommended to me by a good friend, and I'm very glad that I heeded her advice. This brilliant little guide offers the reader practical strategies on how to address dating in a positive, loving and undefensive manner. The Buddha's approach truly doesn't require us to compromise the self by trying too hard to manipulate, impress or change who we are just to attract who we want - The Buddha only wants us to be ourselves, nothing more, nothing less. I especially want to underscore the chapter about identifying "bottom lines" - these are behaviors that you just can't accept from people you date or boundaries that guide you in the dating process so as not to keep on repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Bravo! This book + Harville Hendrix's Keeping the Love You Find give the single person an effective combo that would certainly improve their dating skills, preferences and ultimately, their future relationships! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Compassion    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family/Marriage    6. Interpersonal Relations    7. Love    8. Love & Romance    9. Love / Sex / Marriage    10. Man-woman relationships    11. Religious aspects    12. Family & Relationships / Love & Romance   

Reviews (6)

Excellent and essential
This is a required text for just about every introductory course on Hinduism. Essential reading for anyone wishing to understand how Hindus worship and see the divine.

Solid introduction to the concept of Hindu iconography and related ritual experience
Diana Eck is a wonderful scholar who has written several great books on Hinduism. Darsan (or "darshan," if you're transliterating it simply for an English-speaking audience) is a wonderfully simple introduction to Hindu iconography and the related ritual experience, a subject that is overwhelmingly broad and often unwieldy.
Eck sees it clearly
Diana Eck has done an excellent job of sifting through the vast amount of material on Hindu imagery in India and presenting an intelligently distilled interpretation. An excellent read on a very difficult subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Eastern - General    3. Hinduism    4. Religion    5. Religion - Church History    6. Anthropology    7. Cultural studies    8. India    9. Religion / General   

Editorial Review

In undertaking a spiritual life, we must make certain that our path is connected with our heart, according to author and Buddhist monk Jack Kornfield. Since 1974 (long before it gained popularity in the 1990s), Kornfield has been teaching westerners how to integrate Eastern teaching into their daily lives. Through generous storytelling and unmitigated warmth, Kornfield offers this excellent guidebo