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37th out of 61 books
—
31 voters
Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience
by
Sharon Salzberg (Goodreads Author),
Marysarah Quinn , Jess Morphew
In this beautifully written work, one of America's most beloved meditation teachers offers discerning wisdom on understanding faith as a healing quality. Through the teachings of Buddha and insight gained from her lifelong spiritual quest, Salzberg provides us with a road map for cultivating a feeling of peace that can be practiced by anyone of any tradition.
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
September 2nd 2003
by Riverhead Trade
(first published 2002)
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I heard about this book through one of the talks on audiodharma.org. I've always had trouble, I guess, with having faith in myself. Yes, now that I've written this, I know it's true. Faith, self-confidence, trusting in oneself. And I've seen what happens when one places blind faith in others, even if these are people close to you, even if they are related to you. So reading this book gave new perspective. The author shares part of her own story, which draws you in and connects you, but oh Lord,...more
Sep 12, 2010
kyle
added it
Finally picked this up to figure out what all the Sharon Salzberg fuss was about. Ended up thoroughly enjoying it. The premise in itself is interesting: A non-theistic, Buddhist approach to the concept of faith. What does it mean to have faith if you do not have faith in a deity? Furthermore, what are the stages and pitfalls involved in the development of this faith? The subtitle gives a strong hint as to the answers Salzberg provides to the first question. In some way the second question become...more
An extremely personal account of Salzberg's experiences with faith. She is a Buddhist and from the first page deconstructs the notion that faith is based in an object or an external subject (i.e. 'god'), but that true, unwavering faith can only be found in trust and courage found within oneself. That sounds more touchy-feeling that this book actually is - it's clear and concise and also a quick read. I wouldn't start with this book if you are just entering Salzberg's writings, but found it an am...more
Faith by renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg is one of those books that can change your entire perspective of the world. There are few books that can do that, that can challenge the foundation of your reality. For me, such books were On the Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche and Walden by Henry David Thoreau. As a heavy reader of religion and spirituality, I thought I’d never read a book on faith apart from God, or a deity we know as God. I didn’t think the word could exist witho...more
This book is a very personal account of Salzburg's experineces in coming to meditation and Buddhist practice, it has been timely for me. The first half spent setting the conbtext I found a bit "airy fairy" lacking substance. Maybe because I'd seen tghe material better presented elsewher but the second half of the book was truly powerful. This applied especially the chapter on Faith and Fear and the chapter on Despair. These experiences were the lynch pins on my own journey and Salzburg's treatme...more
Sharon Salzberg writes about faith from a Buddhist perspective, but it could pertain to any religion. It felt a bit hokey at times, but overall, I enjoyed the book and the insights of the author.
My favorite quote from the book is: "While beliefs come to us from outside - from another person or a tradition or heritage - faith comes from within, from our alive participation in the process of discovery."
I love the idea of an alive participation!
My favorite quote from the book is: "While beliefs come to us from outside - from another person or a tradition or heritage - faith comes from within, from our alive participation in the process of discovery."
I love the idea of an alive participation!
I am drawn to books about Buddhism usually, but I found this one to be uninspiring. sometimes within Buddhism there seems to be a simplistic approach -- or maybe it is just simple and I resist its simplicity. anyway, that's pretty much how I found this book -- though there were some wonderful quotes and thoughts. "Holding rigid views is like gazing at the sky through a straw" etc.
Really touched by this book. It wasnt what I expected. It is an autobiographical account of SS's own development and relationship to Faith. It's nice to see the humanity and development of a teacher. I enjoyed the her thoughts on prayer and also the difficulty of non-attachment in prayer. It is very human. It reminds me that the struggle is the path.
This is a quiet little book that I will return to, I think. Some very wise words on suffering, compassion, and interconnectedness, written in a way that is compelling and easy to follow. It really had an impact and provided some helpful guidance for me right now.
Author explains her journey and understanding of faith through Buddist practice. Author frequnetly criticizes other religions as she has a loose understanding of faith and tradition in other religions.
This book imbued me with a strong sense of peaceful empowerment. I'm not usually a highlighter, but I was dogearing and highlighting so often. So much of it resonated with my sense of rightness and truth.
I began to read this in August '08. I read through the first chapter to the second and stopped. At that moment in my life it was WAY TO WEIRD to move on because it was hitting home.
Superb memoir and insights into non-dualistic spirituality. This was a long drink of cool water for me and resonated with my own spiritual journey out of the land of orthodox religion.
I love reading this author. She makes the complexities of Buddhist thought accessible. In this work, she shares her own personal story so the reader understands how her struggles have led to this philosophy and practice.
Wonderful book for those who are looking for a spiritual book that talks about how to find inner faith within yourself without form of religion.
For someone who is not actually Buddhist, I read a lot of books about Buddhism. I think this one is useful for people of any spiritual background.
The title was the best part of the book. Buddhist worldview: suffering is considered the proximate cause of faith (nearest reason for) p 102.
I loved this book and re-visit it now and then. If you are floundering around wondering what the heck is all this for, why do we suffer, why do we have anxiety and fear and depression that we cannot seem to let go of, read this book. It's really a lesson in believing in good things, in a happy ending no matter what you're going through. It's not about theology. It's more of getting in touch with your own soul, trusting that if you continue to SEEK, you will find. It does use Bhuddism as a tool,...more
Tried, but couldn't get into this one. And I love Sharon Salzberg, she is a teacher that speaks to me in a way that I can hear.
A great book about the meaning of faith with a different twist (non-Western religious tradition). Highly recommend this one!
The Western guru of lovingkindness meditation tells the story of having faith in the process of life. Good stuff.
This is one of my favorite all-time books (& perhaps most purchased!). Sharon is such an inspiration.
My meditation group is reading this book together and it does make for lively and heartfelt discussion.
"To develop a verified faith, we need to open to the messiness, the discordance, the ambivalence, and above all the vital life force of questioning. If we don't our faith can wither. If we don't our faith will always remain in the hands of someone else, as something we borrow or abjure, but not as something we can claim fully as our own."
This is a book that I will go back to again and again. Salzberg has written a poetic book about a turbo-charged subject. By sharing deeply from her own experie...more
This is a book that I will go back to again and again. Salzberg has written a poetic book about a turbo-charged subject. By sharing deeply from her own experie...more
I would probably have liked this book if i hadn't fallen asleep every time I picked it up.
A philosophical exploration of faith from a Buddhist perspective which does not rely so much on faith in a deity but in one's own awareness and love.
I love the way Sharon wove her own story into this book on faith. It's truly inspiring.
A beautiful little book on faith, that speaks to you no matter what your practice.
What a good book. The author weaves her own story with Buddhist teachings. I thought the last chapter was the most profound. This book really made me think. I will want to read it again at some point.
Not sure why I read this,my favorite chapter was Faith in Action...
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One of America’s leading spiritual teachers and authors, Sharon Salzberg is cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts. She has played a crucial role in bringing Asian meditation practices to the West. The ancient Buddhist practices of vipassana (mindfulness) and metta (lovingkindness) are the foundations of her work.
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“To offer our hearts in faith means recognizing that our hearts are worth something, that we ourselves, in our deepest and truest nature, are of value.”
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10 people liked it
“Abiding faith does not depend on borrowed concepts. Rather, it is the magnetic force of a bone-deep, lived understanding, one that draws us to realize our ideals, walk our talk,and act in accord with what we know to be true.”
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4 people liked it
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Jan 19, 2010 03:28pm