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19th out of 409 books
—
464 voters
How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life
As human beings, we all share the desire for happiness and meaning in our lives. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the ability to find true fulfillment lies within each of us. In this very special book, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, Nobel Prize winner, and bestselling author helps readers embark upon the path to enlightenment with a stunning illuminat...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
August 19th 2003
by Atria Books
(first published January 1st 2002)
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I find this man really fascinating, but this book didn't quite get there for me. I wonder if what he preaches is too simple to be interesting in a literary format. I would be interested in reading his auto-biography. His English isn't all that hot, but his occasional anecdotal digressions are very interesting.
I can't believe I'm giving the Dalai Lama TWO stars!? The good news is, I'm not going to Hell, but rather, I may be reborn as a desert rodent.
I can't believe I'm giving the Dalai Lama TWO stars!? The good news is, I'm not going to Hell, but rather, I may be reborn as a desert rodent.
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This book is a good introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. It is generally set up to provide specific daily practices (visualizations, thoughts and meditations). I enjoyed the chapters on the basics and practicing morality, but after that, I found that the descriptions became less coherent. That could either be a translation issue or perhaps I'm not at the understanding level yet. Either way, the most meaningful parts of the book were nearer the beginning. Portions of the book are redundant in that a...more
Although I have immense respect for the Dalai Lama's teachings and for traditional Buddhist doctrine, I would not recommend this book as a primer for someone who wants to learn more about Buddhism and/or meditation. The first half of the book is very general, very lightly describing basic Buddhist tenets and advising on concentrated meditation. The second half focuses on the concepts of 'emptiness,' 'inherent existence' and 'dependent-arisings' - and I came away feeling like none of these were r...more
A bunch of quotes from this book I need to get down, because they are valuable.
"By greeting trouble with optimism and hope , you are undermining worse troubles down the line."
CONTENTMENT REGARDING FOOD< CLOTHES< SHELTER:
SHELTER "Lay people can reduce the neverending quest for a better home and for the funiture and decorations in it." Imagine! This is an outright unequivocal, unapologetic suggestion that we just stop acquiring things and be happy with what we have.
"Examine your attitudes...more
"By greeting trouble with optimism and hope , you are undermining worse troubles down the line."
CONTENTMENT REGARDING FOOD< CLOTHES< SHELTER:
SHELTER "Lay people can reduce the neverending quest for a better home and for the funiture and decorations in it." Imagine! This is an outright unequivocal, unapologetic suggestion that we just stop acquiring things and be happy with what we have.
"Examine your attitudes...more
This was, as you would expect from the Dalai Lama, an insightful book. It is a guide to enlightenment. As you would also expect, that path is by no means an easy one.
I think it is a bit too hard going for the layman such as me. There are concepts within the book that have left me a little confused. I know I need to look up more on the Middle Way and the philosophical concept of the emptiness. His Holiness (HH) writes:
The understanding of emptiness is fantastic, is it not? [mmm, not sure I got...more
I think it is a bit too hard going for the layman such as me. There are concepts within the book that have left me a little confused. I know I need to look up more on the Middle Way and the philosophical concept of the emptiness. His Holiness (HH) writes:
The understanding of emptiness is fantastic, is it not? [mmm, not sure I got...more
It was an excellent book for the purposes of interior examination, for the growing of virtues. It gives exact cataloguing of moral imperfection, including sexual which are very on the ball. I do think there are practical applications of meditation that would be helpful in changing attitudes and of course the idea of loving people in an expansive meditation is excellent. It is of course missing the christian aspect of acceptance of suffering rather than avoidance.....and the definition of hope is...more
Mar 09, 2013
Mark Harris
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people interested in Tibetan Buddhism
The Dalai Lama presents the concepts and practices of Tibetan Buddhism in a matter-of-fact manner. In fact, it is surprisingly dry. I appreciate this, because it facilitates my preferred mode of initial contact with unfamiliar perspectives. When approaching any unfamiliar worldview, I tend to slowly assemble a mental model of it from the sources I'm consuming. I gain a sense of its structures and claims — which I believe can only be appreciated in this particular dispassionate way by an outsider...more
Dec 28, 2012
Rob
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
metaphysics-psy-rel,
self-improvement
Another small volume/quick read distilled with succinct overviews covering a multitude of topics.
As other readers have noted, the last third of the book does bog down somewhat. Material presented there seems denser, more obtuse, and arcane. Challenging material and concepts to ponder and process.
I thought things quickened again at the start of chapter V. Tantra.
Maybe that's just me: finding such subjects as sex, Buddhists swilling beer and eating barbecue, and the fact that women can indeed atta...more
As other readers have noted, the last third of the book does bog down somewhat. Material presented there seems denser, more obtuse, and arcane. Challenging material and concepts to ponder and process.
I thought things quickened again at the start of chapter V. Tantra.
Maybe that's just me: finding such subjects as sex, Buddhists swilling beer and eating barbecue, and the fact that women can indeed atta...more
As the title suggests, this book is more about how to practice Buddhism rather than being about Buddhist doctrine. I found it interesting but less applicable to my life than the Dalai Lama's other books, since I'm unlikely to wake up in the middle of the night to meditate or to ever want to be able to focus my mind on a single picture for up to four hours at a time.
This would be an excellent resource for those who are looking for a step-by-step approach for practicing Buddhism. I'd suggest the p...more
This would be an excellent resource for those who are looking for a step-by-step approach for practicing Buddhism. I'd suggest the p...more
This isn't a book to be read all at once. I think it works best if it's read a bit at a time. That said, I didn't find this to be a particularly easy read. There were sections that I had to read several times to understand what was being said and even then I still don't understand it all. Some of the terminology was unfamiliar, but that's understandable since this is the first book on Tibetan Buddhism I've read.
If you are wanting in introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, there may be other that are b...more
If you are wanting in introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, there may be other that are b...more
This book offers a nice intro to the foundations of buddhism for beginners, as well as some nice simplistic ways to incorporate basic practice into everyday life. However, some suggestions become rather repetitive-- surely there are other ways to incorporate this philosophy into everyday life. Also, the last section of the book becomes somewhat confusing. I found it difficult to follow some of the Dalai Lama's points and seemed like it would have been more appropriate for more advanced students...more
The Dalai Lama is such a witty character. He cracks me up and surprises me with every page of this book! It's so refreshing to read the words and advice of a religious leader that isn't stuffy and in your face about beliefs and religion.
He offers great wisdom and tips on living more peacefully and happily with an open heart and mind. I came away from this feeling lighthearted and motivated to be a better person, live more fully, and experience one day at a time, with grace. I respect him so much...more
He offers great wisdom and tips on living more peacefully and happily with an open heart and mind. I came away from this feeling lighthearted and motivated to be a better person, live more fully, and experience one day at a time, with grace. I respect him so much...more
I think this is for those a little more practiced (read: followers/practitioners) in Buddhism than myself. This was a library pick-up, with the hopes that it would help to explain some about the religion and also how to incorporate it into daily life, but I felt that it was really geared to someone who has been practicing for a while and now wants to continue on the ultimate path to enlightenment. So I'm sure that this is actually a good book, but it needs to be read in the proper context, and I...more
His Holiness The Dalai Lama is incomparable among modern day practitioners for his compassionate teachings. This book is a guide for anyone who does not understand how to begin to practice Dharma. When I came upon this book I already had an established Zen sitting practice and was learning Vipassana practices. The most valuable part of this book for me personally was its profound interpretation of The Heart Sutra and its explication of the mantra Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha. I lov...more
A book best read when in a thoughtful and attentive state of mind - not in bits and pieces while driving through the city! The book is heavy and philosophical and contains much interesting and valuable information on the practices to follow to find fulfillment. Definitely worthy of a good read. For my first time through, I found the summary for practice in the final chapter to be most useful and valuable. My only complaint is the mellow and monotonous tone used by the narrator in the audio versi...more
This is an odd book that seems to span the entirety of Buddhist practice from beginning to end.
The first third of the book was easy to connect with. It talks about things in our daily lives, what the tenets or Buddhist practice are, how these two relate, and basically what Buddhism encourages people to do and why. Having studied Buddhism a little before, there were few surprises there for me but it was yet a welcome reminder and well structured.
The middle part of the book tackles subjects that...more
The first third of the book was easy to connect with. It talks about things in our daily lives, what the tenets or Buddhist practice are, how these two relate, and basically what Buddhism encourages people to do and why. Having studied Buddhism a little before, there were few surprises there for me but it was yet a welcome reminder and well structured.
The middle part of the book tackles subjects that...more
I wouldn't quite call "How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life" by the Dalai Lama a primer on Buddhism, because I feel that someone with no foreknowledge of Buddhist philosophy and practice might quickly get lost amidst the vast amount of information contained in this little volume. However, if you understand the basics, His Holiness presents the details of how to practice, in the Tibetan way, in a very clear and concise presentation. I found myself coming to several new and exciting revel...more
Although I am fascinated by the study of Buddhism and by the amazing words of wisdom passed along by the Dalai Lama, I found the author to be a bit overbearing on the details of ritual practice rather than practical inclusion of Buddhist philosophy into everyday life. From beginning to end, the Dalai Lama lays out the foundations of Tibetan (Mahayana) Buddhist practice, from the cultivation of compassion for others, followed by methods of meditation, and finally acquiring wisdom to ultimately at...more
When I bought this book, I was looking for answers to the many questions that we seem to accumulate over the course of our lives {or so I imagine}. I was disappointed with where I was and with the way I was reacting to the situations in my life ... way too much anger, cynicism, confusion and emptiness.
I thought that I may be able to find a few "tricks" or "secrets" that I could put to immediate use to help bring back a sense of balance that I was sorely lacking.
Unfortunately, my expectations wer...more
I thought that I may be able to find a few "tricks" or "secrets" that I could put to immediate use to help bring back a sense of balance that I was sorely lacking.
Unfortunately, my expectations wer...more
This was my first real introduction to Buddhism.
Since the purpose of this book is teaching how to achieve enlightenment, it doesn't cover things like Buddhist history or explanations of the basic concepts and so I realize I have a lot to learn to understand this religion.
There are essentially 3 steps to enlightenment: Practicing Morality, Concentrated Meditation and Practicing Wisdom. These are the steps to totally enlightenment and becoming a Buddha, as such they go beyond the layperson. My goa...more
Since the purpose of this book is teaching how to achieve enlightenment, it doesn't cover things like Buddhist history or explanations of the basic concepts and so I realize I have a lot to learn to understand this religion.
There are essentially 3 steps to enlightenment: Practicing Morality, Concentrated Meditation and Practicing Wisdom. These are the steps to totally enlightenment and becoming a Buddha, as such they go beyond the layperson. My goa...more
Owned this book for several years before I finally finished it. Though technically I lost it before I quite got to the last few pages. I'm taking that as a sign that my journey with this book is complete. Definitely not a book for beginning practitioners as some of the concepts are really subtle and difficult to grasp as laid out.
"First you realize that each and every sentient being wants happiness and does not want suffering, just like you; in this fundamental way you and they are equal. Then,...more
"First you realize that each and every sentient being wants happiness and does not want suffering, just like you; in this fundamental way you and they are equal. Then,...more
If you like lists, Buddhism is for you. This book is a little more dry than others written by the Dalai Lama, like 'An Open Heart,' but it lays out 'How to Practice,' so mission fulfilled. As with most of his books the last couple chapters were very hard to follow, while the first several were more insprational. I was struck by the thought that modern science probably prepares many of us the concept of emptiness, e.g. quantum theory. But then "I think I can safely say that nobody understands qua...more
Jeffery Hopkins does a masterful job of translating both the words and the cultural context of same in his little book. The contents are His Holinesses description of practicing morality, meditation and wisdom together with "tips" to help with understanding. It is helpful to both the novice and a seeker. Many things that I remember but have not yet made priorities in my life. Shame on me.
Before reading this book, noticed that there were a variety of reviews, good and bad, and everything in between. I had read others from the Dalai Lama before, and enjoyed them all, so I was excited. However, my excitement wasn't fulfilled, and I struggled to finish the book. What I thought would be an introduction to buddhist practice, turned out to be lacking. I'm not sure what was missing in comparison to his other books, but something was missing.
This book offers some keys to enlightenment by way of understanding the Three Practices: The Discipline of morality; The Discourse on concentrated meditation; and the manifest knowledge that explains the training in wisdom.
Deep exercises for the mind to delve into unknown territory evolve so I read this book again and again every few years.
Deep exercises for the mind to delve into unknown territory evolve so I read this book again and again every few years.
Jun 07, 2012
Nomi
is currently reading it
Trying to read this during my trip to India and, while I did page through it more than a bit between Nepal and Darjeeling and while it was a great companion in the Himalayas, I had to give it to a friend who needed it much more than I do right now. Don't know when I'll get another copy, but I do intend to finish this one in the fullness of time.
I wish this book was properly titled "Buddhism and Meditation 101." The current title is misleading as the Dalai Lama doesn't share specific insights on how to live a meaningful life, but rather explains how meditation works and the various steps to follow. It's still an interesting read but not at all what I was expecting.
Reading the words of His Holiness always feels beautiful and right. My favorite excerpt:
"A person is not earth, not water,
not fire, not wind, not space,
not consciousness, and not all of them.
What person is there other than these?"
"Emptiness is form, form is emptiness" has finally been conveyed in a way I can understand~ it's inviting, uplifting, and excellent motivation for meditation.
"A person is not earth, not water,
not fire, not wind, not space,
not consciousness, and not all of them.
What person is there other than these?"
"Emptiness is form, form is emptiness" has finally been conveyed in a way I can understand~ it's inviting, uplifting, and excellent motivation for meditation.
Excellent book. 80% of it was really interesting and intelligible and the dalai lama emphasizes that the practice can be applied regardless of your specific religious beliefs. It got a bit sketchy on the justification for reincarnation using physics principles that the soul like matter cannot be destroyed but only transformed. I will also admit to being at a loss during his discussion of a search for emptiness that is nothing akin to nihilism.
I'm no where near the place that some of this would make most sense.
But I did find the choice of words to describe certain phenomena a bit difficult, like "dependent-arising". I think I'd actually have to study properly in order to really understand the layers of meaning here.
Not a book for those looking to begin their exploration of Buddhism, Tibetan or otherwise.
But I did find the choice of words to describe certain phenomena a bit difficult, like "dependent-arising". I think I'd actually have to study properly in order to really understand the layers of meaning here.
Not a book for those looking to begin their exploration of Buddhism, Tibetan or otherwise.
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Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub, Tibetan: ལྷ་མོ་དོན་འགྲུབ་), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming fa...more
More about Dalai Lama XIV...
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming fa...more
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