Accessible and clear, this national bestseller on Buddhism--now available in paperback--shows how to cultivate a strong, stable mind and no longer ...
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Feb 22, 2010
Callie
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"My father often taught about 'cutting through spiritual materialism." this means cutting through our attemtps to use spirituality to feed our solid self. The Buddha also taught that stability, the peace that comes through meditation, can become just as much a trap as any old desire. . . so much of what passes as spirituality these days is really about pleasure seeking, getting high. This self absorption disguised as spirituality only leads to more suffering." Oprah, anyone? Nah,
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Aug 25, 2011
Claudia
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Very good introduction to meditation from a Buddhist lama who was raised in both eastern and western cultures. From the jacket: "Sakyong Mipham grew up American with a Tibetan twist. His idiomatic English, his stories and wisdom from American culture as well as the great Buddhist teachers help demystify this essential discipline and place it in the framework of Western culture..." The Shambala style of meditation is very specific, with focus on the breath being the central technique. H
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Dec 17, 2009
Cherie
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A- This terrific book, written by Trungpa Rinpoche's son, focuses a lot on engaging your mind fully, especially for meditation principles. Already knowing heaps about Trungpa, it's interesting to see the combination of Buddhist-Eastern/Western world and how it has affected his upbringing and Buddhism. A breath of fresh air, really thought-provoking. He's a marathoner, too, though he doesn't mention that here.
Dec 26, 2010
Dan
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I've been meditating for a number of years now and spent several years as a member of a Shambhala Buddhist sangha. Nevertheless, I never felt 100 percent sure of my meditation practice. Despite all that time, frequently I would wonder, "Am I doing this right?" Fortunately, Sakyong Mipham, spiritual leader of Shambhala, wrote this book in which he manages to illuminate the practice of mindful meditation and give meditators a sense of where they are in their practice, what they can expec
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Jul 25, 2010
Meg
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I was told by my meditation instructor to read "Turning the Mind Into an Ally" because it describes the basic instructions of and reasons behind meditation. And it does, beautifully so. The beauty of it is that it describes it so simply without any unnecessary stories, words, or descriptions. Mipham also has his own voice throughout the book, a voice that is reminiscent of his father Chogyam Trungpa, yet is his own.
Interesting side note: I purchased this book at DI, an More...
Interesting side note: I purchased this book at DI, an More...
Nov 03, 2010
Kohl
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I am totally convinced that I need to meditate now and I have an entry level idea how to do it.
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Feb 23, 2011
Rebecca
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Simple, elegant, and very adept at poking holes in the modern mindset. I've heard it discussed as a "Buddhism for Dummies" book, but really it's more about where you are, mentally: who do you think you are? what do you value? what suffering does it bring you? is one worth the other? and, of course: how can we be better, both internally and as citizens of the world?
This book really gave me some good thinking points. I always seem to pick up things piecemeal from books More...
This book really gave me some good thinking points. I always seem to pick up things piecemeal from books More...
Feb 08, 2010
Laura
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This is an excellent book to start with if you are just getting into meditation. Sakyong Mipham's writing is clear, free of jargon, and eloquent. He uses a lot of tangible examples to connect more abstract ideas about meditation to other areas in life, and, in that way, his writing felt very grounded and not so "heady" as some spiritual writers can get. I really enjoyed reading this book, and it will defintely be a book that I come back to again and again.
May 31, 2011
Edithandersen
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Well, I loved it. So said, please don't run out an buy it. It spoke to me and where I am--spiritually/emotionally. Funny thing about this book is that after reading about half of it, thrilled at my find, I concluded that I'd found a hidden gem that others had missed. Few days later, picking it up to continue my reading, right there on the cover--the very top of the cover--"National Bestseller." So much for a "hidden" gem.
Nov 12, 2009
Robin
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This is one of the most useful and inspiring books I have read on establishing a meditation practice. Although he is a meditation master, Mipham seems to understand exactly what I go through when I sit down on the cushion. He gives practical and gentle advice for how to overcome difficulties. He also talks about the rewards of a meditation practice in practical terms. I would highly recommend this book.
Nov 06, 2011
As I was reading the book, I suddenly thought to list it here on Goodreads, so here I am. A wonderful example of the distracting mind winning, the horse running off the trail, as it were. Ah, keep practicing....A great start for sitting. (Thank you, Chris C. for the gift.)
May 21, 2011
Christopher
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An introduction to the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of meditation. It is written with clarity and humility. Turning the Mind Into an Ally offers a simple approach to daily meditative practices, and is ultimately, a kind educational tool.
Sep 05, 2009
J
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Awesome. Should be a quick read, but I end up thinking deeply about each page and didn't finish the book before I had to return it. This might be one that I buy.
Jul 20, 2009
Jeffrey Ethan
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I am rereading this, now. I have bought and given to friends more copies of this book than any other. I met him once, and that was a life-changing experience also.
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Dec 14, 2008
Gordon
rated it:
Practical and comprehensive textbook of meditation as currently taught in Shambhala Buddhist centers around the world. Readable - and practicable.
Aug 02, 2011
I'm halfway through and have been for awhile. Very readable, but it's getting into stuff that I can't quite understand yet. Still working on it. . .
Jul 03, 2010
Jim
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Excellent and well written. Contains the essence of the Shambhala tradition and seeks to help one turn the mind into an Ally rather than and Alley!
Aug 08, 2009
Rachel
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This book says everything you tend to forget you knew. What you should be doing. How you can get there. In the end you know that you can feel comfortable in your own skin.
It's a Buddhist approach involving meditation and compassion. It's work but if we keep referring to this book we'll get there!
General consensus: Elegantly powerful.
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Jun 28, 2010
Picked this one up at the Shambalaya Mountain Center after reading the first chapter while visiting the stuppa.
Dec 23, 2007
Jeremy
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I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone curious about meditation, specifically the Buddhist approach. The advice is very practical and the author lays it out beautifully.
Already quite familiar with Buddhism and had read two books on mediation (including "How to Meditate" by Lawrence LeShan) so there wasn't much new stuff for me here.
However, each page was very inspiring. I read this during my 4 hour bus ride into Seattle. Before I started reading that day, I was fee More...
Already quite familiar with Buddhism and had read two books on mediation (including "How to Meditate" by Lawrence LeShan) so there wasn't much new stuff for me here.
However, each page was very inspiring. I read this during my 4 hour bus ride into Seattle. Before I started reading that day, I was fee More...
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Sep 14, 2011
Dharma Bum
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An excellent book on Buddhist meditation that is clear but yet causes you to think deeply.
Sep 19, 2011
Rob
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Above average exploration of buddhist psychology, focused on a Western audience.
Aug 03, 2010
Barbara
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This book is incredibly well-written. It's a basic book about secular buddhism. It provides a foundational understanding of the practice, the obstacles to practice and the "goal" or "purpose" of practice. As a Christian, I found that it brought me closer to understanding what it means to "know" Christ. It's a beautifully clear book.
Apr 16, 2009
Elie
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Mipham is one of the champions of Buddhism in the west, and his book is one of the most accessible introductions to meditation I've come across. Although his examples -- which, for some reason, constantly include riding horses -- can be a bit tedious, his message is spot on and his guide to beginning to meditate is simple and clear. I usually get intimidated or annoyed by books like this, but Mipham I managed to finish.
Mar 10, 2011
Ilse
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Mijn eerste kennismaking met Shambhala boeddhisme, of boeddhisme van het dagelijks leven. Zeer interessant! Eén van de uitgangspunten is dat de geest als een wild paard is dat je eerst moet begrijpen alvorens je het kan temmen. Sakyong Mipham beschrijft hoe je meditatie kan integreren in je dagelijks leven zonder dat je daar uren tijd voor moet uittrekken.
