A guide to reconciling Buddhist spirituality with the American way of life addresses the challenges of spiritual living in the modern world and off...
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May 14, 2009
Helynne
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I really like books about meditation, and I think the amazingly prolific Jach Kornfield, an American psychologist (Ph.D. in clinical psych), former Buddhist monk in Thailand, Burma and India, and now a husband, father, teacher, and popular lecturer, is a great place to start and to continue. The title of this book emphasizes Kornfield's favorite theme that love is what life is ultimately all about and whatever path one follows in life, one must be sure that it is a "path with heart,"
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May 25, 2011
Pam
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This is a spiritual guide book I find that you can refer to frequently.. it focuses on our body, emotions, relationships, spirituality and helps the reader to develop and enhance the skills we need now to be present in all life has to offer. I find it helps opening up your inner self and awareness to help you look and see in a different way perhaps, the world around us, and it does this by aiding you in finding a healing, compassion, and freedom within you. It comes with a variety of special med
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Jan 15, 2010
Myridian
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This is a Kornfield's attempt at a general guide book to Buddhist spiritual inquiry. It makes an attempt to draw parallels between Buddhism and other spiritual traditions, but in general it's intended audience is practicing Buddhists with some familiarity with the tradition. I bought this book after seeing Kornfield speak at the Evolution of Psychotherapy conference. He got a room of about a thousand mental health practitioners to chant and do meditation in concert. It was a powerful experie
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Jun 15, 2011
Marc
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I would say that while this is truly a wonderful, and spiritual book, it is not intended for the absolute novice, or beginner, in buddhism. I think there are probably better books for that purpose. However, if you have been sitting for some time, and are feeling perhaps a bit stuck, or are being hard on yourself--perhaps for what you see as a lack of progress, then this is an incredible book to read. Impermanence, suffering, selflessness, lovingkindness, all right there in your day-to-day lif
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Nov 02, 2010
Nadia
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What a beautiful book. I read this in small bites (a couple of chapters a week), and was somewhat sad when I finished because I felt like my weekly conversations with a wise old soul had come to an end. Kornfield makes the practices of Buddhism accessible and meaningful to those living in the West. He goes through many of the issues unique to life in the West, such as loneliness, alienation, and materialism, and how a spiritual practice could ease such struggles. He distills the core princip
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Jan 13, 2009
Edipalma
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I'm reading this now, along with a few related books (Ending the Search for Happiness by Barry Magid is one).
Kornfield writes with ease and clarity, and gives good guidance from his personal experience. What he has to say about relationships from a Buddhist perspective is what I'm finding most interesting and helpful.
When I have the book in front of me I'll add some excerpts, but for now
I'll just say that it's a keeper.
Kornfield writes with ease and clarity, and gives good guidance from his personal experience. What he has to say about relationships from a Buddhist perspective is what I'm finding most interesting and helpful.
When I have the book in front of me I'll add some excerpts, but for now
I'll just say that it's a keeper.
Nov 08, 2010
Phillip
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This book by the one of the founders of Spirit Rock Meditation Center is a thorough introduction to the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of meditation. Kornfield’s book offers beginning students many gateways for getting started. It is filled with engaging, inspiring stories that help students believe it’s possible for them to meditate too. And it provides a context for understanding the many facets of insight meditation.
Jul 10, 2010
Lia
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Hooray for Jack Kornfield, is all I've got to say. This book is dense (I had to read it veeeeery sloooowly) with amazing observations, advice, analogies about choosing a spiritual path, and he writes with a lot of honesty and without too much self-seriousness about meditation and the hunt for something larger than oneself. I would recommend this to anyone who considers themselves any kind of seeker.
Dec 30, 2009
James
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Jack Kornfield came along at just the right time as I was adrift in an Ocean of Chaos without Mercy. His book gave permission to me to grasp an illusion as real but with the warning to not forget the belief is not real. This is a book that I have purchased about 11 times, copies end up in the hands of friends and fellow travelers.
Jul 30, 2010
Kathy
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I only was able to appreciate the first five or six chapters of this one. After that, I felt like it was a book for the non-beginner and I will wait till the future to see if the rest of the book will make sense to me. But I did pick up many pearls from the first part of the book to help me learn more about happiness.
Apr 20, 2011
Couldn't renew this book anymore at the library ---- so bought a used copy.
Now I can give this book all(!) the time it deserves.
To once have known the joy of solid meditation means, I do believe, it can be recalled
if one follows along the accumulated advice of many men as mr Kornfield supplies.
Now I can give this book all(!) the time it deserves.
To once have known the joy of solid meditation means, I do believe, it can be recalled
if one follows along the accumulated advice of many men as mr Kornfield supplies.
Dec 17, 2009
Mattie
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I liked this book, even though it wasn't quite what I was expecting. The book was much more about meditation, per se, than the broader commentary on living a "spiritual life." That said, it's a really good book on meditation and contains a variety of suggested meditations that are good. I've actually been trying to incorporate one in particular, with good results (I think). Also, there are some thoughtful insights about the fruits of meditation - various realizations about the natu
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Mar 27, 2011
Soulerflare
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Jack Kornfield, one of the great American Buddhist teachers, lays out a beautiful vision for living the Buddhist life in the west in A Path with Heart. He poetically addresses everything from how to choose a teacher to the deep meaning that can be had by following the Buddhist path.
Dec 29, 2008
I've been reading this book for a long time. I read a chapter, put it down. Pick it up months later. Not because it is bad or poorly written--it's not. It's just something I do with some books. I have learned from it...and I'm sure I will learn more in the future.
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Aug 29, 2011
Michaela
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Very interesting book. Although it does offer meditation exercises, it is really more of a guidebook describing what you may experience and the stages many meditators go through. It includes good advice regarding finding an ethical teacher and it emphasises the need for balance in all things, meditation included.
Aug 11, 2011
Stephanie
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Wise and accessible. In the middle it gets a little bit confusing with the different divisions of Buddhism and its concepts. Overall though, beneficial to anyone seeking peace and a meditative spiritual life of any (or no) religion.
Oct 21, 2007
Mary
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good ol' kornfield. i'm unsure how well this book would read if you didn't have a meditation practice already, but i'm finding it to be a fantastic support for my current practice. he lays out the key obstacles that people find as they build their spiritual practice, as well as how to support yourself when you come up against these roadblocks. gentle, wise, funny, sometimes weird, i'm finding that this book is very much reflecting the challenges i'm currently in the midst of.
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Mar 18, 2011
Ben
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Jack Kornfield brings years of experience and a strong intuitive feel to his writings. Although he is a Buddhist practitioner, there is a strong universalism to his writings.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fresh and uplifting spiritual boost!
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fresh and uplifting spiritual boost!
Dec 07, 2008
I've commited to reading a bit everyday to encourage me in my meditation. Kornfield is the easiest to read on this subject. Makes me think. Gives suggested thoughtful, heart-opening meditations to try.
Jan 15, 2012
Gloriavirtutisumbra
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this was for me, a very difficult read, and i cant even really tell you why. Jack kornfield is acknowledged as one of the best in his field, but his books and audios are just not for me.
Nov 19, 2010
Jenny
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Wonderful and deep book, not something to read all at once, but something to read a little at a time. Great book for thinking about your spiritual path, doesn't have to be Buddhist.
Aug 20, 2011
I have tried to plow my way through this over quite some time, but haven't been inspired. Will put it away for a time and maybe get it out and read bits every now and then.
Jul 05, 2010
Rachel
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Truly an inspiring book. Each chapter is rich with stories, advice, and meditations guided towards a happier being. It inspires questions, answers, and intrigue.
Apr 21, 2009
Martine
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I read this when my life journey seemed difficult and found peace in developing a spiritual practice. I need to revisit this book/concept and renew my practice.
Apr 06, 2010
Ellen
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Beautiful book. Clear writing and the writer's voice shines through. You feel like you've been sitting and having a conversation with a wise friend.
Oct 26, 2009
Dave
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The book is spiritually challenging with feet still on the ground. Kornfield has a serious sense of mission with a sense of humor to keep it within reach.
Jul 03, 2011
Irene
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I have this as a book and on tape. Jack Kornfield is an excellent teacher of ways to cultivate "respectful attention and compassion for the moment".
Dec 01, 2010
carrie
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This book put into words much of what I've been experiencing in the past year or so through my yoga practice. It's a must.
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May 22, 2009
Alex
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If you want to read a real book about working buddhism in this century, Jack Kornfield and Pema Chodron are the only people I'd recommend.
Mar 13, 2009
Drjfkennedy
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A wonderfully uplifting book. A great way to understand Buddhism written in an elegant and interesting way.
