Reviews (11)

Vomit is in the Mouth of the Beholder
Creativity, Unleashing the Forces Within, Osho
First Osho book
I'm in high school and this was the first Osho book and only book so far that I have read.It did help me understand how to think more creatively and has several great quotes that will leave you analyzing everything you do in your life from the day you put the book down.He encourages an open mind yet is very direct on his religious beliefs at times which may be hard for some people to get around.I'm not too religious myself, but I did enjoy the different spiritual interpretations and comparisons.His action vs. activity section will leave you asking yourself why you ever watch tv or do anything non-creative at all.It will motivate you to not only do more with your life, but also help you think more outside the box. He does like to repeat himself a little bit which I actually liked instead of a beginning to end straight and narrow approach.

Master
Osho is a master spiritual teacher.He draws from all different traditions to express points that lie behind the symbolic languages used by these traditions.I recommend highly his works. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Creative ability    4. Eastern - Gurus    5. Inspiration & Personal Growth    6. Meditation    7. Mysticism    8. New Age    9. Religious aspects    10. Spiritual life    11. Cognition & cognitive psychology    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / Authorship    13. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques   

Reviews (4)

Magickal & Beautiful Book

Larong, Nyingma
The book of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche gives a full account of Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

An Outstanding Feat
The two volumes are both extremely useful for anyone seriously interested in Buddhist philosophy in general and Tibetan Buddhism in particular.Dudjom Rinpoche gives a thorough, encyclopedic overview of all Buddhistschools, seen from the Nyingma (i.e. The Great Perfection, or Dzogchen)perspective, and an account of the history of the Nyingma lineage is given.The reference volume contains amongst other items a brilliant bibliography.Dudjom Rinpoche's work is not easy reading, but demonstrates the complexityof Buddhist thinking and practice. Gyurme Dorje's translation is annotatedand is in itself a remarkable feat in buddhology and tibetology. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Tibetan    2. Eastern - General    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Religion / Buddhism / Tibetan    6. Tibetan Buddhism   

Reviews (7)

Start with chapter one!
This book is pretty much as the Booklist review describes. It is worth noting that the book begins with lengthy forwards and prefaces which I found wordy,ponderous, and a bit moralistic. I began to fear the book would be the same. Not so! when you finally get to chapter one, the pace picks up and the tone and diction become lighter and much friendlier to a high-school level of reader. Far from being moralistic, the author deals with a variety of real issues that young people have to face, and does it in a frank, sensible, easygoing and very constructive fashion. The book should be a help and a comfort to many in its target audience.

Great, great book!
I have been learning about Buddhism for a couple of years now and bought this book for my teenage daughter, in hopes that it would inspire her to join me. She hasn't read it yet, but I decided to pick it up off her shelf one day and read it myself. This book changed my life. It is written in very simple, easy to understand terms. I felt like Diana Winston was a good friend, walking the path with me and explaining things along the way. I loved it. And I am still hoping my daughter will join me!

This book worked miracles for our 15 years old teenager
Our son was in very hard times, struggling to come to terms with the low values (if values) of modern society, modern music and his own background and values. With 14 he went into extrem aggression and anger. He sought refuge in hard rap, which on one side helped to work anger off, but fueled it from another side. Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Children's 12-Up - Religion - World Religions    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Religion    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Compassion    6. Doctrines    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Religion (Young Adult)    9. Religion - Eastern    10. Religious aspects    11. Social Issues - Values & Virtues    12. Social Situations - Values    13. Spiritual life    14. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (3)

Review: A Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols
the book was very well put together and has alot of useful info on buddhist art.

An exceptionally fine book
This volume took Robert Beer more than 10 years to complete, and one understands why. As far as I know it is the only book on the subject with such superbly crafted illustrations, each meticulously drawn in pencil-thin, lucid detail. There are a huge number of these drawings, and the well-structured text is informative, thorough and scholarly, without being dry. It is an eminent work of very high quality and a joy to read for any Buddhist practitioner, art lover, or just for curiosity. It is surely a classic reference volume. Modesty must have compelled the author and editors to give it the diminutive title 'a handbook' - it is indeed much more. Read it an enjoy.

Especially informative for connoisseurs of Tibetan art
The Handbook Of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer (who has studied and practice Tibetan thanga painting for more than thirty years) is a straightforward reference guide to the meaningful symbolism of sacred Tibetan art. Black-and-white illustrations depict all the major Buddhist symbols and motifs, while the text offers depth and interpretation behind the meaning and usage of each. The Handbook Of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols is enthusiastically recommended for inclusion into Buddhist Studies and especially informative for connoisseurs of Tibetan art. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art, Tibetan    3. Asian And Oriental Religions    4. Buddhism - General    5. China    6. History - Symbolism    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Religion And Art    9. Subjects & Themes - Religious    10. Symbolism in art    11. Themes, motives    12. Tibet    13. Art / Religious   

Subjects:  1. 1914-    2. Consciousness    3. Eastern - General    4. Interior Design - General    5. Islamic Philosophy    6. Islamic Studies    7. Izutsu, Toshihiko,    8. Mind & Body    9. Philosophy    10. Philosophy, Islamic    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. Sufism   

Reviews (63)

it's not your average McFeng Shui...and that's a good thing!
this book is wonderful.although i'm usually wary of books that seem to exist solely for the purpose of dumbing down a complex subject, this book provides all the background knowledge necessary to understand the feng shui approach.if you're looking for a quick-and-easy way to apply feng shui to your home/office/life, this is not the book for you.if you have an open mind and would like to understand the philosophy of feng shuit, then is book is a fabulous introduction.the authors freely admit they didn't write this book to perpetuate the "McFeng Shui" junk that's rampant out there.however, they categorize areas into 'the least you need to know' areas to understand how to apply feng shui concepts.
Too complicated
I had hoped that a book titled 'complete idiots guide to feng shui' would do all it could to simplify and explain the practice.I was very disappointed in this book, which goes into dreadfuly complex details about feng shui rather than guide you through it's practical application in your own home.Oh well.I don't recommend buying this book.

Not That Helpful
This is a book of 'technical' presentations of Feng Shui.It lacks the 'how to' of using Feng Shui in our lives.It skips past the meaningful ways to apply all that technical information into practical applications.A waste of money and time... there are much better choices than this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Decorating - General    3. Eastern - General    4. Feng Shui    5. Philosophy    6. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (14)

Practitioners will find they owe Thomas Cleary a serious debt
I have been a practitioner in the Tibetan Vajrayana for over thirty years. This short book, which I have put into daily practice has corrected mistakes in my practice to such an extent that I feel I have wasted thirty years. This, of course, is not entirely true. Because of the extensive study during those years I could appreciate the depth of Cleary's translation and commentary as one who has successfully practiced this meditation.
Whatever the secret is, you won't find it in this translation
Thomas Cleary has probably done more harm to the cause of Western understanding of Asian philosophy than any other individual, even perhaps including H. P. Blavatsky. He seems to translate one word at a time with the result that you understand each word as you read it, only to find that the sentences are incoherent. Since Cleary has been prolific, not hard considering how carelessly he translates, his translations flood the market making it unlikely that others will be published, particularly of works, such as the Secret of the Golden Flower, with a limited market. We can avoid reading Cleary's translations but then cannot find others by more competant hands.
one interesting translation
This book has been very underestimated, even though it was Carl Jung and Richard Wilhelm who edited it some time ago.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. General    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Taoism    6. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    7. Religion / Taoism   

Reviews (17)

Man's Eternal Quest Book
I can't say enough about this book and the powerful message relayed by Paramahansa Yogananda.Although Paramahansa is no longer alive, when I read his books and hear his message about God and living for God I cannot help but to feel that I am in master's presence and enlightened by God and his powerful all mighty light.Just as he tells his devotees at his talks and speeches that took place during his early years in America, I feel like if he's alive now and telling me exactly what he told them and that is that as he spoke to his disciples, he could see God blessing each and every one of them.My life is changing each day.I am little by little experiencing small miracles in my life and I know that those are coming from God because of my new found devotion for spiritual growth and knowledge about the almighty Christ.I hope you too choose this path of self realization through master's works and live your life blessed as I am living mine.

A Priceless Spiritual Gem!
This volume of Yogananda's collected talks and lectures should be on the shelf of every student of Eastern Wisdom, along with its two sequels, no matter which tradition they follow, and even if they follow no specific tradition at all.

The Universe Unveiled
Another masterful book by the Yogi.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - Gurus    2. Hinduism    3. Inspirational - General    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Spirituality - General    7. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness   

Editorial Review

Hinduism is such a vast, complex, and exotic topic that to boil it down to a few hundred pages--and make it fun--must be the work of a true avatar, in this case Linda Johnsen. In Read more

Reviews (32)

Who expected it to be fun?
It's not easy to introduce a completely alien topic in a way that's fun, easy to follow, and instructive. Linda Johnsen's Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism has managed to do all of it. This is not to say that Hinduism is a lark, easily absorbed or easily understood and remembered. It isn't. But the book makes it seem that much closer to being so.
Informative, yet Biased.
The Complete Idiots Guide to Hinduism is a book that provides a wealth of knowledge but from a completely biased veiwpoint.Linda Johnsen obviously knows a lot about the "Eternal Religion" and imparts that knowledge in an easy to understand manner.I love how much is packed into this book from the history of the religion and it's philosophical views to the myths and stories that bring it to life.
A good overview, if a bit idealized
Being somewhat unusual as a Buddhist who believes in a godlike force, I began to explore Hinduism to see how it - the "birth religion" of Buddhism - dealt with such ideas.I picked up "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism" after looking through it a few times at book stores.Like many of the CIG series, its title can be misleading.The book does a good job of touching on a wide range of subjects in Hinduism, such as the major deities, the different factions, a scaled-down history of Hinduism, the fundamental concepts, and an all-too-brief discourse on where Hinduism may be headed in the modern era.The writing is light and the author's love of the subject (as well as ice cream), is glowingly evident.
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Subjects:  1. Hinduism    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Religion / Eastern   

Reviews (15)

An Inspiring book for humanity!
This book revels the unlimited potential of human evolution.It shows that the current human development is at its infancy and it is very possible to achieve immortality with the human body.
I recommend it
I have enjoyed this book. It speaks about the ancient lore of Yoga. It is only like the tip of the iceberg of a great knowledge. Those who like to know deeply about Yoga will like it.

A must for all devotees of Babaji
If you feel attracted to Babaji, this book is for you. You will learn about Him and His backgrounds. You will also learn about the Siddhas of the South of India. Babaji is here to stay, is spite of the darkness around. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language Study    2. French    3. Hinduism    4. Meditation    5. New Age    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Kriya Babaji Nagaraj    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Yoga for exercise   

Editorial Review

Like Stephen Mitchell,acclaimed author and poet Ursula K. Le Guin has attempted a nonliteral, poetic rendition of the Read more

Reviews (22)

The Way is The Way
Even though the information seems a bit short.That is the Way.This little books sums it up most pleasantly.You get a chance to think on the pieces and the writer/translator does not insult your intelligence with mundane information.She allows the reader to make their own assessment.I do recommend this book as one for travel and pondering.A great way to empty your mind.

Not a translation at all....
If she had a genuine interest in translating the Tao Te Ching one would think that Ursula LeGuin would have learned Chinese and studied the Tao Te Ching in depth.She has done neither, and the "translation" shows this, making some very horrible distortions of the original text that are indeed well written, but have nothing to do with Taoism.

The Way of Being. Outstanding Book
Ursula K. Le Guin did a remarkable job in bringing us her translation of this magnificent book that will lift your heart, bring more understanding to your mind, free your ego from its grip on your life, and bring your soul peace from the ancient and extraordinary verses in this book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Philosophy    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Taoism    5. Religion / Taoism   

Editorial Review

Wouldn't it be nice to have a handy collection of highlights from the Dalai Lama's writings and teachings? Renuka Singh, a student and friend of the Dalai Lama, brings together a sampling of his words for each day of the year in Read more

Reviews (6)

This is an excellent book
The Dalai Lama is one of the wisest and most successful people on this Earth. Any of his books is worth buying. This one is particularly useful, because it is a mix of several different, more specific writings. Its daily format is very helpful. Buy it and read, keep it and read it again.

Daily Wisdom for daily people
This book gets you through your day and your life better. May you find your way to enlightenment. Get Buddha in Daily Life.

It's helped me a lot
When I got this book, I thought it a little boring. I like histories, not words of wisdom. But through the days, as I read it, I could see how it would help me. So, every time I am sad, or when I am too nervous, I like to read it and forget everything.It is very beautiful, and coming from a so learned man, it is a promise of a good book. Read it with your eyes closed and even so, you'll feel the power of Dalai Lama's words. (I don't know English so much as that, so please, sorry) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Inspirational    3. Inspirational - General    4. Religion    5. Religion / Buddhism / Tibetan   

Reviews (2)

Excellent, but not universal
This book is an exceptional piece of literature on the subject of meditation, but it's not for everyone.Some may pick this up believing it to be an instruction manual for finding the Self, which it is not.It does have instructions for meditating, but rather than treat it like an aerobics class, Swami Muktananda concentrates on the spiritual application and universal depth of meditation.Basically, if you don't already understand a little bit about meditation and Hindu philosophy, alot of the read will be lost to you.It has many references to texts like the Upanishads and proverbs from Hindu culture that many readers will not understand, especially if they are totally new to meditation.
Essential!
Swami Muktananda was one of the greatest meditation teachers of thecentury. He came to the West in 70's and became very popular. In this book,Muktananda focuses on the essential aspect of his Yoga, known as SiddhaYoga, that is: Meditation. He said meditation was the most efficient wayfor all of us - his Yoga is open to all, he says - to re-connect with thedivinity that lies in each of us. This path is the path of living anawakened life while living in the world. This little book is a perfectintroduction to one of the most simple and yet most mysterious practices ofYoga. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cinema/Film: Action/Adventure    2. Hinduism    3. Meditation    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Body, Mind & Spirit / Spiritualism    6. Mind, body, spirit: thought & practice    7. Spirit communication & mediumship, spiritualism   

Reviews (6)

Very good, but some shortcomings
B. Allan Wallace has extremely impressive credentials.He was ordained by the Dali Lama, earned an undergraduate degree in Physics and a Ph.D. from Stanford University.Therefore, he is well qualified from an exposure to the concepts point of view.
Basic and informative
My teacher suggested this book for anyone new to Tibetan Buddhism.It's well-written and has basic information for some of the most popular questions a new person might have.It's a good "starting point" as well as a good text for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of various paths of life.

10 stars if possible....
This is by far the best explanatory book on Tibetan Buddhism I've read.It should be a Must Read for everyone interested in this fascinating philosophy and life style. Although targeted for beginners mostly, it is a thorough book for us in the western cultures. Easy to read and thought provoking.This books deserves a ten star rating and a special mantra. Buy it!Another recommended book is Open Heart, Clear Mind by Thubten Chodron. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - Tibetan    3. Buddhism - Zen    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Religious Life (Buddhism)    7. Religion / Buddhism    8. Tibetan Buddhism   

Reviews (8)

buy this if you are really serious about practice
a still forest pool ... i like the imagery . it's more than just a title though . Heartfelt and illuminating
This book is a collection of short dharma talks given by meditation master Achaan Chah. Pay attention to this book.
Achaan Chah's teachings are like a breath of fresh air floating among some obscure and mystifying old texts.Some of his other books are available on the web at accesstoinsight.org for free, and anyone who is interested in getting a flavor of his teaching should read these.Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. General    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Religion    6. Spiritual life    7. Religion & Beliefs    8. Religion / Eastern   

Editorial Review

Gandhi's nonviolent struggles in South Africa and India had already brought him to such a level of notoriety, adulation, and controversy that when asked to write an autobiography midway through his career, he took it as an opportunity to explain himself. Although accepting of his status as a great innovator in the struggle against racism, violence, and, just then, colonialism, Gandhi feared that enthusiasm for his ideas tended to exceed a deeper understanding. He says that he was after truth rooted in devotion to God and attributed the turning points, successes, and challenges in his life to the will of God. His attempts to get closer to this divine power led him to seek purity through simple living, dietary practices (he called himself a fruitarian), celibacy, and Read more

Reviews (61)

Honest politician
Gandhi may have been the only honest successfull politician ever.
Gandhi, A man of Truth
Barrister Gandhi, in his book "Gandhi and Autobiography: The Story of my Experiments With Truth" is a real account of experiments with truth or what is percieved to be the truth. Gandhi, the youngest of three sons was born and brought up in Porbandar, India. His love for truth and respect for all humanity was put in him by his father who was "...a lover of his clan, truthful, brave and generous..." His mother too left him with an "...outstanding impression ... of saintliness" as "she was deeply religious", a woman devoted to prayer and fasting. It's on this background that Mr. Gandhi built his life of Experiments on.
Inspirational Convictions...
What can you say that hasn't been said about this man?A good read and a wonderful humanist perspective.I was amazed at his capacity and restraint to qualify his perspectives and avoid embellishments.It took a bit longer to read through this novel and left me to ponder.This should be on a list of books for suggested reading for everyone.I only understood the general history and concepts that he pursued in his life, which were admirable.This book allowed me to see why he was so exceptional. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1869-1948    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Eastern - General    6. Gandhi,    7. General    8. India    9. Mahatma,    10. Statesmen    11. Gandhi    12. Philosophy / Eastern   

Reviews (4)

A gem for the enthusiast's collection.
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF CHUANG TZU.Translated by Burton Watson.397 pp. New York and London: Columbia University Press, 1968 and reprinted.