Andrew Furst's Blog, page 161
July 11, 2014
David Brazier Reviews Western Lights
Pure Land Buddhist teacher, author, and founder of Zen Therapy David Brazier just offered this review of Western Lights (I see it as a beautiful teaching as well). Here it is: There are many people who have been caught by the attraction of Buddhism seeing in it a path of outer and inner peace, higher […]
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July 10, 2014
One Minute Meditation – Carving Through The Water
It was the first weekend in May, a busy weekend. My wife and I divided and conquered our teen boy’s weekend schedule. It turns out I got the better options. My eldest, as part of his college science course, had a whale watch field trip. Our family calendar instructed me to get him there and then […]
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July 3, 2014
One Minute Meditation – Spring Lawn
It had been a few weeks since the full on explosion of spring. I was fawning over every leaf that appeared and flower that bloomed. But spring became the norm and allergies dampened the pleasure of enjoying the outdoors. This one minute meditation captures a spontaneous reconnection with the joy of the moment. Developing the ability to be present is something […]
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June 29, 2014
Independent Book Store Connnection
So as the horizon widens, and I get further down the road on this author thing, I’ve started pondering getting Western Lights onto an independent book store’s shelf. I’ve also come to see all my generous friends out there as a wonderful force for good. It feels like you can do anything. So here’s what sounds […]
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June 28, 2014
Two In One – We Are and We Are Not Perfect
This is the second in a series of concept diagrams I’ve fiddled with to work through some traditionally complex Buddhist ideas. The diagram plays with the notion of the Great Perfection or Two in One as my teacher explained it to me. It’s a paradox of sorts. At the base of it is the existential riddle […]
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June 26, 2014
One Minute Meditation – Dragon Brook’s Mossy Bank
Our family returned to Shelburne Falls on the last weekend of spring for a visit to our friends Lisa, Andi, and their daughter Stella. It was Father’s day and a perfect one in many ways. It was in the upper 70′s, sunny, and blue skies. We couldn’t stay inside and it was inevitable I’d be shooting aanother One […]
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June 24, 2014
Western Lights Ranked Number One on Amazon Buddhism!
Ok, breathe. Let go of ego. Aw heck, it when you’re happy, be happy! I got some great news today. Western Lights ranked number one in Amazon’s Kindle store in the Buddhism – Rituals & Practice category. I did not expect anything so dramatic.
I had to take a screenshot – because it sounds like a fish story. Even to me.
Thank You
Anyways, a big thank you to everyone who has purchased the book, reviewed it, and helped get the book out there. Who’d have believed Western Lights ranked number one?
If you haven’t downloaded the free kindle edition, the offer ends on Friday. Click here to order.
Western Lights is a collection of essays from the viewpoint of a Western Buddhist teacher. It speaks about Eastern concepts like karma, hope, attachment, and amptiness from a personal perspective and in terms familiar to Americans. They’re grounded in subject matter familiar to Americans like politics, science, psychology, heaven, and nature. I hope to help the reader find a personal connection to this ancient tradition and discover what it has to say about the challenges of contemporary life.
Buddhism is an ancient eastern tradition steeped in the culture of India, China, Tibet, Thailand, Korea, and Japan. It’s still acquiring its form and voice in the west. For Americans to benefit from its wisdom, it needs to find a place in our hearts and minds.
About Latest Posts
Follow meAndrewAuthor of the new book Western Lights,Meditation Teacher, Buddhist blogger, yogi, backup guitarist for his teenage boys, lucky husband and technologist Follow meLatest posts by Andrew (see all) Western Lights Ranked Number One on Amazon Buddhism! - June 24, 2014 Free Kindle Edition of Western Lights – This Week Only - June 23, 2014 The Indiegogo Campaign Is Complete - June 22, 2014 Powered by Starbox
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June 23, 2014
Free Kindle Edition of Western Lights – This Week Only
Free Kindle Edition of Western Lights - June 23-27, 2014
What are you waiting for?
Western Lights is a collection of essays from the viewpoint of a Western Buddhist teacher. It speaks about Eastern concepts like karma, hope, attachment, and amptiness from a personal perspective and in terms familiar to Americans. They’re grounded in subject matter familiar to Americans like politics, science, psychology, heaven, and nature. I hope to help the reader find a personal connection to this ancient tradition and discover what it has to say about the challenges of contemporary life.
Buddhism is an ancient eastern tradition steeped in the culture of India, China, Tibet, Thailand, Korea, and Japan. It’s still acquiring its form and voice in the west. For Americans to benefit from its wisdom, it needs to find a place in our hearts and minds.
Western Lights is a collection of essays from the viewpoint of a Western Buddhist teacher. It speaks about Eastern concepts like karma, hope, attachment, and emptiness from a personal perspective and in terms familiar to Americans. They’re grounded in subject matter familiar to Americans like politics, science, psychology, heaven, and nature. I hope to help the reader find a personal connection to this ancient tradition and discover what it has to say about the challenges of contemporary life.
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June 22, 2014
The Indiegogo Campaign Is Complete
Yesterday I mailed out almost 40 books to the wonderful donors who helped fund the effort to self publish my first book Western Lights. This wraps up the Indiegogo Campaign! If you’re one of the recipients, I hope you enjoy the book.
Happily, the book has received numerous great reviews. If you’re interested in a short, easy read on the fundamentals of Buddhist belief and practice–regardless of your religious background, please purchase a copy on Amazon. You can preview the kindle edition for free.
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June 21, 2014
Reviewers Recommend Western Lights on Amazon!
The reviews are starting to come in. The hard work and help I received from so many friends has paid off. Western Lights received it’s first reviews on Amazon. So far they’re all 5 stars. One review was provided by Eric Swanson, the co-author of the New York Times bestseller, The Joy of Living. Another by Braja Sorensen, an author and editor for Elephant Journal.
Please consider purchasing a copy of Western Lights on Amazon today. Only with your help can this be a success. Also know that revenue from the book will help fund continued Dharma activities.
The book is a short read. Great for your summer book list. But don’t take my word for it, listen to what the readers have to say.
Reviews of Western Lights on Amazon
The clarity and simplicity of Andrew’s writing in Western Lights struck me immediately — from the explanation of processes and practices, to the eradication of myths and misunderstandings inherent in the conditioned minds of anyone not fully versed in any one particular form of religion or practice.
The book is a refreshing and welcoming introduction and guide to the practices of Buddhism: whether one’s desire is simply curiosity or to delve deeply into the philosophy and transcendent nature of the practices.
Breaking down terms like Faith, Vows, Meditation, Spirituality and Englightenment, and dispelling age-old prejudices and mental conditioning against such words with simplicity and obvious compassion, Andrew has managed to deliver a unique and open door to practices and traditions that should be, by now, the norm for everyone–no matter our choice of spiritual path.
Being a practitioner of mantra meditation for nearly 30 years, I particularly loved the section The Name That Calls, and the chapter that addressed the question (Ch 11) Buddhism: Religion, Belief System, or Philosophy. I particularly liked Andrew’s presentation of the concept of karma, a modern-day term that is often misunderstood and misapplied, and consequently cheapened. It is a complex and deep philosophy, and Andrew deals with it again with clarity and simplicity.
He even addresses politics and Darwinism, cats (yes, cats!), our relationship with God, anger, and healing. It’s pretty much got it all, this little pearl.
Seriously recommended reading for the practitioner of any form of spiritual process: if we can’t find something in all practices to apply to our own, we’re doing something wrong—and this book sets it right.
Each of the short essays in this delightful book is a small jewel, discussing essential points of Pure Land (and other forms) of Buddhism in a very clear, accessible style. I would recommend this highly to anyone who is interested in learning about the fundamentals of Buddhist belief and practice–regardless of one’s religious background (or lack thereof)
Having lived as a Christian my entire life, I’d never given much thought to eastern traditions. Reading Western Lights, my curiosity overcame my skepticism and I eagerly moved on to each new chapter. For the Buddhism neophyte, Andew Furst’s book introduces basic concepts in easily digestible short essays that combine ethos with experience to illustrate previously exotic ideas in a familiar context. From these thought provoking articles, I found new insights into my own beliefs and a new appreciation for those I’d previously found beyond mystical.
About Latest Posts
Follow meAndrewAuthor of the new book Western Lights,Meditation Teacher, Buddhist blogger, yogi, backup guitarist for his teenage boys, lucky husband and technologist
Follow meLatest posts by Andrew (see all) Reviewers Recommend Western Lights on Amazon! - June 21, 2014 Buddhist Violence: Old World Fathers - June 18, 2014 How Did I Become an Author? - June 14, 2014 Powered by Starbox The post Reviewers Recommend Western Lights on Amazon! appeared first on Andrew Furst.
