Reviews (8)

Five Star all the Way
"moon in a dewdrop" is a collection of writings by Eihei Dogen, the founder of Soto Zen. The text is divided into four sections, which are clear and easy to understand. There are notes and a glossary so that the meaning of the text can be clearly grasped. The book is a five star raft.
The Best Single Volume of Dogen's Writings
Eihei Dogen is without a doubt the greatest writer in Zen history.His masterwork, the Shobogenzo, represents one of the most comprehensive, fascinating, and valuable works of Buddhist literature.In Moon in a Dewdrop, Kazuaki Tanahashi has compiled the best single volume Dogen in the English language.This contains the best translations I have ever read of several of Dogen's seminal works - Genjo Koan, Uji, Yuibutsu Yobutsu, Sansuikyo, Zenki, and the Tenzo Kyokun.

Excellent Introduction To Dogen's Integral Thought
Dogen may very well be the most important master in all of Zen history, next to Shakyamuni of course. This particular book is a translation of portions derived from Dogen's masterwork, Shobogenzo. I would suggest purchasing with this "Enlightenment Unfolds: The essential teachings of Zen Master Dogen" by the same author, it's somewhat like a follow-up. Also beneficial readings come from many of the works out there from the late modern master Taizan Maezumi. This book offers clear translations ofsome of the most central aspects of Dogen's fascinating style of Zen (still one of the predominant schools to have survived to date). One of the previous reviewers mentioned this book's wonderful glossary of terms, to which I must agree; It's at once extensive and dense. If you are looking for a really accurate (as well as fairly easy to read) book on Dogen Zenji aside from the entire Shobogenzo itself, don't look any further. Your needs are all met right here. Enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Doctrines    3. Early works to 1800    4. Eastern - General    5. General    6. Philosophy    7. Sotoshu    8. Såotåoshåu    9. Buddhism    10. Philosophy / Eastern   

Reviews (1)

Musashi vs Yagyus: Duels In Writing
MUSASHI is no doubt the legendary Samurai hero dramatized into a number of plays and novels most famous of which is by Yoshikawa Eiji. Thomas Cleary not only translated this classic by Musashi's own writing into English, but he also introduced Musashi's archrival bushido school by Yagyus' chief Munenori's "The Book of Family Traditions of Book of War". Such coupling should cause much uproars from pure bushido followers which take sides of either ideas of the way of sword.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Military Science    3. Philosophy    4. Combat sports & self-defence    5. Philosophy / Eastern   

Reviews (10)

Brain Food and Heart Energy
Ken Wilber's writings are a new discovery for me and his passionate intellect has my neurons sparking and fizzing like electric Alka-Seltzer.
Wonderful, short, and easy to access
Ken Wilber has made many inspiring observations about spirituality, philosophy, psychology, politics, history, you name it. His work is very unique in that he attempts to integrate the various theories and research findings in such a wide variety of fields of inquiry as has never been done before. This book is a very good introduction to the basics of this all-encompassing theory. Even though Wilber has lots to say about everything, this book boils it down to the few crucial points necessary to understand the basic framework of his theory. Another writer who integrates some of these ideas excellently at a smaller scale (focusing mostly on psychology and spirituality) is Toru Sato. His book "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" is an amazing one in this regard! I would recommend that book in addition to this one if you are a novice interested in theories that integrate many fields of inquiry.

A good Introduction
A great introduction to Ken Wilber. An overview of his main ideas as well as some material from his new book "One Taste". Easily Recommended ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consciousness    2. Eastern - General    3. General    4. History & Surveys - Modern    5. Philosophy    6. Psychology    7. Self-perception    8. Speculative Philosophy    9. Subconsciousness    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Occultism & quasi-religious beliefs    12. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (10)

Pleasant but not far reaching
I have been pursuing Buddhist literature for many years and I have to admit I was a little bit disappointed with this book from Lama Surya Das.Whilst I hold his other two in higher regard (Awakening the Buddha within, Awakening the Buddhist Heart), I thought this particular rendition was lacking in substance.The title was somewhat misleading.Whilst Surya Das does discuss one of the virtues of Buddhism (if I can call it that)of letting go, it is purely a description of anecdotes of people who haven't let go.Letting go is such a simple thing and yet is also one of the hardest. If you're looking for instructions as to how to achieve 'letting go', there isn't any here.Anecdotes don't stop there - there are sprinkled everywhere throughout this book.
Very well written book
Loved the book!Staight forward, easy to understand information.Very spiritual, not necessarily religious.This book made a lot of sense to me.Full of common-sense ideas and values.Will definitely read again.

Poetically Practical Presentation
This book is poetically succinct, practical, & sometimes poignant.It overstates the force of mindfulness (ignoring how priorities, values, karma affect situations) but packs a lot into 210 pp.Much is familiar to Buddhist practitioners, but is delightfully presented & well integrated-with morsels to enjoy for old-timers too.The author addresses both the positive & negative aspects of pain & suffering--p. xiii: "In life pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional...without the pain of inner irritation, the pearls of wisdom will not be produced within us...The Pearl Principle: no pain, no transformative gain."He emphasizes & provides a balanced approach to life's tribulations & changes-- pp. 34-5: "The teachings of the Buddha stress balance...Throughout his life, he taught his followers to value balance, restraint, & moderation.He called it the Middle Way: a path of harmonious, non-harming, moderation, virtue, & spiritual investigation-a practical application of the Golden Mean."Maintaining a Buddhist perspective, he gives supporting parallels from other traditions, East & West (e.g. p. 122: Philo-"Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle").His approach is primarily psychological with some metaphysics as well-- pp. 43-4: "Loss & suffering can also bring faith.Suffering can be redemptive; it helps burn away superficiality & complacency" & p. 42: "For some of us, the most consistently troublesome thing about loss is the destruction of expectations."He presents practical advice--meditative techniques (e.g. chewing, walking & mindfulness meditations), Medicine Buddha practice (see Thrangu Rinpoche's Medicine Buddha Teachings 1559392169), & Chod.Some is quite touching-based on case histories--p. 47: Laura-"I once read that forgiveness means letting go of the hope for a better past" & his own experiences (e.g. with Suil) or quite profound--p. 83: "The 3rd Patriarch said long ago, `Do not seek for truth; merely cease to cherish opinions' & p. 86: "Nonattachment is the supreme spiritual discipline; non-clinging is the ultimate form of generosity."He addresses difficult topics such as Western romantic relationships in a practical, sensitive manner--p. 163: "We tend to transform our memories into the stuff of legend & myth" & p. 168: "Sometimes you have to keep the love in your heart, but let the object of your affection go."Self-change is the proper response to change itself because, p. 185: "One definition of insanity is doing what we have always done & expecting a different result."He gives a fine exposition on anger--p. 199: "There is wisdom to be found even in anger: with its sharp cutting edge, anger helps us to see what may be wrong.Strong emotions can raise our energy & our conscious awareness.We can direct these qualities into positive action.Anger always reminds us that something needs to change or at least be attended to, usually sooner than later...I see our difficult emotions as disruptive children.When they are acting up it is time to be there for them & with them."And, as with our children--p. 210: "Letting go is the ultimate act of generosity & faith."It's been said that we only truly keep what we give away. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Doctrines    4. Impermanence (Buddhism)    5. Psychology    6. Religion    7. Spiritual    8. Spiritual healing    9. Spiritual life    10. Religion / Buddhism   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (29)

Destructive Emotions
I thought this book might be more of a "how-to overcome" or "prevent" destructive emotions so I found the presentationto be a little disappointing. The format was an academic-type of discussion to prove the truths behind Buddism and it used a lot of scientific jargon.

Very important book
The only reason I didn't give this book five stars is because I did get an overall feeling of lack of cohesiveness. I suppose that this is a peril of the format, but nonetheless, I think that true cohesiveness could be reached in this format.
Interesting, but doesn't have the same impact as another format might
In general, I liked this book and found it useful.I thing it contains a lot of good concepts, but because of the dialogue format it is difficult to get one's arms around all the concepts.There are also some holes that are left unaddressed, again probably because of the format.
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Subjects:  1. Asian And Oriental Religions    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - Tibetan    4. Eastern - Buddhism    5. Emotions    6. Emotions and cognition    7. Mental health    8. Psychology    9. Religion    10. Religion And Medicine    11. Religious aspects    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Emotions   

Reviews (20)

Superb translation; consider reading a chapter a day
-Here's another five-star vote for an excellent translation showing care and faithfulness. The Introduction is itself a wonderful introduction to Buddhist thought and concepts, and the footnotes and index are commendable. The author often advises the reader when some controversy exists in translation and how this was resolved. Reading such a fine translation can add tremendous depth to your practice, help refine your compassion and wisdom, and give you an irreplaceable understanding of Buddhism.
The Authority on Buddhism
I have spent this past summer studying at the monastery where Bhikkhu Bodhi resides.In my daily contact with him, listening to his lectures, and having one-on-one discussions about Buddhism, I must say that he is one of the most influential and authoritative figures on the Dharma.
How long are the long ones?
Don't be fooled by the name.The "Middle Length" discourses tally 1151 pages, plus more than 200 pages of notes.But if you want to understand the philosophical aspect of Indian Buddhism, this book is a must.Fortunately, each sutta (skt. sutra) is relatively short (thus the name "Middle-Length"), so you can read it casually over a longer period of time.The text is also dense, as anyone familiar with classical Indian texts is well aware.So there's a lot of opportunity to ponder what you've just read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - Zen    4. General    5. Philosophy    6. Religion    7. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts    8. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (5)

Dense and redundant, but quality
If you're looking to experience as close as possible what it was like to sit in the forest and listen to the Buddha's dharma talks, this will get you there.But did the Buddha really repeat himself so much?It's common to see passages repeated in Buddhist sutras, but boy these really take the cake.This is a huge, rich work, to be in my library for a lifetime.

Diligence pays off
It took me some time to understand the lay-out of the book (mainly because of the vast scope, the nature of oral transmission, and my unfamiliarity with Pali terminology) but it has been VERY worth while.There is much here for the serious Buddhist.Thank you to Bhikkhu Bodhi for taking on this massive translation.

An amazing achievement and a precious gift
I can only express my profound gratitude, joy, and wonder over Bhikku Bodhi's marvelous translation of "The Connected Discourses of the Buddha." What a treasure trove exists here! These texts will provide a lifetime of study, reflection, meditation, and guidance for all serious students of the Buddha's teachings. They are beautifully put together, thoroughly referenced and explicated, and translated with a great depth of understanding and obvious love. This book is not only a classic work of translation but also, for the serious practitioner, a priceless boon. To have access, in this day and age and in English, to the canonical literature that almost certainly most accurately reflects the actual words of the Buddha, and in such a beautiful and authortative version, is a great benefit. Many, many heartfelt thanks to Bhikku Bodhi and Wisdom Publications for this tremendous achievement ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Religion   

Editorial Review

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 Read more

Reviews (80)

Said the Buddhist to the hot dog vendor, "Make me one with everything!"
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.)
He knows what he's talking about...take notes and learn
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 repeatly 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.
A Simple and Comprehensive Study on Ethics
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.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhist ethics    4. Ethics    5. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Religion / General   

Reviews (7)

Behind Our Roles To Insight Of A Larger Order Of Objectivity
An excellent book on helping ourselves which in turn act in helping others in a life of service. The awareness first must be found in ourselves before we can exercise the compassion for others. It is here we gain insight into a larger order of lawfulness we cannot understand rationally but which nevertheless resonates within. Compassion becomes an increasingly automatic response.
Every helping professional should read this book
I am a social worker and an author. I have recently become involved with writing about medical as well as human rights issues. (My book BEHIND THE BURQA, which is to be published in October by John Wiley, is the memoir of two women who escaped the brutality of Afghanistan and the suffering they endured in the US.) Through my work, I have come into contact with people, such as the two subjects of my book, who have endured excruciating circumstances. HOW CAN I HELP sits on my night table so that I can read it after I've come home from interviewing someone in pain. It addresses all the issues that come up when people try to help each other, whether as "helping professionals" or simply as friends or family who are reaching out--guilt, burnout, fear, sense of helplessness--the myriad emotions that afflict those who want to make a difference in the lives of others. HOW CAN I HELP is psychologically astute, spiritually enlightening and written with great gentleness, compassion and occasional moments of humor. I feel the authors have become my mentors and friends. They accompany me to detention centers when I interview imprisoned asylum-seekers who have fled horrific tortures. They're with me when I visit people in the hospital. Their wisdom and guidance inspire me and inform my ability to remain intimately involved with people who have undergone horrible suffering. This book should be required reading in medical schools, psychology and social work programs, and any other context in which people are being trained to work with others in need.

Comforting and Revelational
This book is filled with insights. These insights arehidden gems of wisdom revealing our personalities desire to seek and find what we all have in common. This unity is driven by our need and desire to find peace in the midst of life's most difficult moments. As our heart goes out to those in need, our acts of service contain our soul's longing to connect with a fellow soul. Once our soul is awakened in service, a path opens and leads us into a sacred human relationship infused by the power of peace. Thanks, Ram Dass, for your guidance into the realm of spirit through the words written in this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Affirmations    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Helping behavior    4. Personal Growth - General    5. Psychology    6. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    7. Self-Help / Affirmations   

Reviews (6)

I no longer feel guilty for having anxiety
I suffer from depression and anxiety. Like most Christians, I kept this problem to myself and acted as if everything was OK. That was until I crashed and became so full of anxiety and fear that I could no longer function in normal daily life. I could not sleep, could barely eat and could no longer take care of my kids or go to work. Thank God that my pastor counselled me and told me that it was OK to take medication. We went through some intense counseling to get at the root of my fear. It turns out that I have a lot of abandonment issues from childhood that I had never dealt with. However, I could not have gone through that painful self-analysis and healing of past hurts if I had not been on medication. Plus, I needed to get back to work and get my kids back. Even on medication, I am still dealing with daily anxiety. When I picked up Dr. Hart's book, I could hardly put it down. He is right when he says that Christians suffer needlessly from anxiety disorders because "worry" is viewed as a sin. However, he goes through scripture and shows how the bible is talking about normal worry and "what if's". When the bible was written, people didn't suffer from anxiety disorders. Life was about the pace of a camel and today people are living at the speed of a jet plane. Anxiety disorders are a recent phenomenom that has resulted from the great stress that has been placed on our lives. We need to get rid of a lot of this stress and this book tells you how. Dr. Hart believes that counseling and medication work together. A person can't make difficult life changes if they're always on the verge of a panic attack and can barely function. Medication is a temporary solution to get your "happy hormones" back in balance while you make changes in your life. I no longer feel guilty for taking Xanax. He even has a whole chapter on how to get off Xanax without going through major anxiety. God Bless Dr. Hart! I finally have hope that I can be healed of this anxiety.

THANKS FOR THE WARNINGS!
This "review" is to thank the others who've read and reviewed the book.If "Arch" recommends medications for anxiety, then his title has no credibility.Most medications for anxiety are highly addictive, and the one or two that aren't, don't really work very well.But most importantly, these pills AREN'T CURES for anxiety.They're TREATMENTS.When you stop the pills the anxiety comes right back.And as for the Christian perspective -- don't get me started.All I can say is thanks for the warnings!

Too many contradictions and absolutes:
I bought this book based on the back cover which reads: "...Then he offers practical proven steps you can take to change your lifestyle, without relying on medication and psychotherapy."I found as I was reading the book, however, that Dr. Hart is a huge proponent of the use of medications.There are also many absolutes in the book.He claims that if you don't do certain things or let certain things go too long, you may never get rid of anxiety or worry.This book is definitely not for everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety    2. Christianity    3. Eastern - General    4. Emotions    5. Mood Disorders    6. Peace of mind    7. Psychology    8. Religion    9. Religious aspects    10. Self-Help / Mood Disorders   

Reviews (3)

No god, no soul, but kharma
You need to enter that book slowly and then let it guide you at the pace that will be proper for you. It is long, complex and extremely profound. You may not understand the Pali text but you will understand the commentary and notes. There is, first of all, a vision of the world and of man in the world as a complete continuum of many parameters that create permanent change and movement. At each moment we lose something and we gain something else. At each moment we may grieve because of the loss, or rejoice because of the gain. Dukkha, the long process of change and decay that leads to death also contains the necessary forces and qualities that our mind can use to gain wisdom and clear knowledge at every moment of this road of decay. And that's the real challenge Buddhism contains. Every single person, if they want, can decide to use their minds to push away the negative parameters that lock them up in decay, and develop the positive parameters that lead them to realizing that all is change, all is dissatisfaction in a way or another, all is the absence of an eternal godlike soul in us. The only chance we have to evade this path that leads to death is to cultivate our mind and get on the path of mental liberation, of enlightenment, of sukha. The book contains beautiful pages that are ahead of their times on time, language, the � flippant � personality of a subject that is changing all the time and how he can try to control and dominate the change by preparing his escape from it. This is the paradox of the book . There is no escape from this slow movement towards death through the death of each instant and the birth of the next one. And yet there is a way to go beyond and reach nirvana, a pure mental existence completely oblivious of the world and the body. As it is so justly said in note 7 in chapter IX, this is a hypnotic circle. You are self-hypnotizing yourself into nirvanic bliss. And that should enable you to get free of all ties, fetters and other chains and become ready to serve the world and others in order to improve reality and make the decaying process less painful, free of violence and war, free of greed, free of alienation. The Buddha, the Blessed One, imagined a way to improve the world by improving human individuals. But hurry up because there is still a lot to do to ban violence, war, greed, alienation, ignorance and poverty from this world. You feel optimistic when you reach the last page.
All you ever wanted to learn about the Theravada Abhidhamma
I heard that this book is supposed to be an *introduction* to the Abhidhamma.I heard that in Burma, this text must be memorized before one will have the opportunity to study from the Abhidhamma masters.The original canonical Abhidhamma is supposed to go into thousands of pages, with the commentaries adding more pages.However, Acariya Anuruddha managed to squeeze practically ALL of the accumulated and developed Abhidhamma doctrine from the time of Emperor Asoka (3rd century BCE) to the 12th century CE (1500 years!) into about 50 pages!!! A great buy for meditators
Though the advice of Achaan Chah about studying one's own heart rather than Abhidhamma should be kept in mind like a shining star when tackling anything regarding it, still the reading of this book may provide a framework for one's own mind where to insert experiences: one in which conventional items may not be needed for their comprehension.Read more

Subjects:  1. Abhidhammapitaka    2. Abhidhammapiòtaka    3. Abhidharma    4. Buddhism - General    5. Commentaries    6. Early works to 1800    7. Eastern - Buddhism    8. General    9. Religion    10. Religion - World Religions    11. Tipitaka    12. Tipiòtaka.    13. Buddhism    14. Oriental & Indian philosophy    15. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (37)

Incredibly simpe yet powerful depiction on Zen.

The Drama of Practice
I have very mixed feelings about this book.It is the book which really brought me to spiritual practice; for that, I will always be grateful.It was, however, the same things about it which first drew me in, that I now find problematic.
One of the few authentic and unique books on Zen
Today it seems the west is in a big backwash of Zen related themes. The Zen of Gardening, the Zen of Grooming your Pet, the Zen of brushing your teeth etc. Most of these accounts are by people who wouldn't know Realization if it jumped up and bit them in the rumps. It's due to these circumstances that Philip Kapleau's account of Zen is truly refreshing.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Zen    2. Eastern - Zen    3. Philosophy    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Religious    7. Zen Buddhism    8. Philosophy of religion    9. Religion / Zen Buddhism   

Reviews (29)

Excellent starting point to learn of Krishnamurti's teachings....
I have several Krishnamurti books and "Think on These Things" is by far the most accessible of any of them.Set in a style of a question and answer format from audience members when he would frequently travel the world and hold public dialogues on his observations on the nature of truth, life, and freedom, among other things. In "Think on These Things" he simply answers questions such as "What is jealousy?"; questions from kids with their naievete, and from adults with their cynicism.
Great Essays
For those who want a good sampling of Krishnamurti's work, this is a good place to start.These are clearly written essays that convey the essence of Krishnamurti's thought.
A gem
This is a magnificent collection of Krishnamurti's talks with students and teachers. The thought-provoking and enlightening appeal of Krishnamurty's words emnates from each and every page of this book.
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Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    4. Philosophy    5. Cultural studies    6. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    7. Oriental & Indian philosophy    8. Religion / General   

Reviews (4)

Terrible translation and here's why:
I am a Sikh, and, as noted by others, this is a terrible translation of our holy scripture.I was torn between giving this a rating of 1 because of the terrible translation, or a 5 for it being at least somewhat of a representation of our holy scripture.I eventually decided to give it a 1 because lisa jones gave it a 5 for the same reason I would have, and because this is such a bad translation that I'm not so sure it is a good representation of our Sikh Philosophy, as I will describe.This traslation was done by a man, Trumpp, who, historically, had an unfavorable view of Sikhs.His goal, as noted in various historical references, was to engender the idea that Sikhism is just another sect of Hinduism and the Guru Granth is just another Hindu scripture.This is quite wrong so I would like to give you an example of how bad the translation is, and how Trumpp was trying to achieve his goal.To do so, you need go no further than the very first two words on the very first page.
wahe guru
i was born into a catholic based family. im a 21 yr old male mexican in hollywood. i found god through sikhism.
Greatest Holy book ever written! This is AMAZING!
This is the ONE! This is the TRUTH! Prepare to be AMAZED! I challenge you to compare this to any other 'holy' book, you will be shocked at this masterpiece. It will change your life!
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Subjects:  1. Religion    2. Sikhism    3. Theology   

Reviews (9)

Best book on the subject available
The title is not a put-down of books like "Rainbow of Liberated Energy" or "The Five Wisdom Energies".They do particular justice to the subject of the five 'elements'.The point that I want to make is that I liked this one best, not just because of the friendly and precise writing style, but because this one goes to the roots of the system - the primordial basis of Tibetan metaphysics.
5 Million Stars: Help to Heal Yourself with This Book
An INDESPENSIBLE, highly special resource for those interesting in: delving into the elements as a way to heal self and world, delving into different meditative practices, and deepening the ability to abide in a healing and balanced state of being. Most helpful to me has been the emphasis on the WHY of spiritual practice...i.e.,practice is only half complete if it is "me" centered. The teachings in this book are given with immeasurable clarity, light, and love. This teacher, this book, is a refuge, a light, and a blessing. May all beings benefit.

Good Introduction to Working with the Five Elements
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche has provided his western audience with a basic introduction to theory and practice regarding the Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra and Dzogchen.His exposition is lucid and interesting, and his view of the relationships between Shamanism, Tantra and Dzogchen is insightful.My only gripe is that I wanted more depth.I suppose I would have to become his student in order to gain access to the real treasure to which this book points. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bon (Tibetan religion)    2. Bonpo (Sect)    3. Buddhism - Tibetan    4. Doctrines    5. Eastern - General    6. Healing - Energy (Chi Kung, Reiki, Polarity)    7. Rdzogs-chen    8. Rdzogs-chen (Bonpo)    9. Religion    10. Religion - World Religions    11. Spiritual life    12. Tantric Buddhism    13. Religion / Eastern    14. Tibetan Buddhism