The Best Buddhist Writing 2011

The Best Buddhist Writing

by Melvin McLeod (Editor), Editors of the Shambhala Sun (Editor)

A thought-provoking mix of the most notable and insightful Buddhism-inspired writing published in the last year. 

The Best Buddhist Writing 2011 includes:

   • Karen Miller's story of love, marriage, and dishes
   • Joanna Macy on the First Noble Truth and healing from the legacy of Chernobyl
   • Brian Haycock's taxi ride on the Dharma Road
   • His Holiness the Dalai Lama's manifesto on tolerance
   • Dzogchen Ponlop on the rebel buddha inside you
   • An adoption love story by Leza Lowitz
   • Ira Sukrungruang's humorous meditation on death
   • Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel on finding the courage to live in reality as it is
   • Susan Piver on the wisdom of a broken heart
   • Thich Nhat Hanh on healing the wounded child within
   • Matthieu Ricard's answer to the question: why meditate?
   • Rick Bass on the lessons of the Gulf oil spill
   • Pico Iyer's insider's look at the heart of the Dalai Lama
   • And much more

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2011

Reviews

[Shivangi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of pieces in here but nothing caught my fancy or gave insight. I admire the concept but this particular book was pretty average.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many moments that truly struck me.

One quote in particular from 'Something from Nothing':

"Slowly, it was becoming clear to me that there is no truth out there--or in there for that matter. There is only the way we experience things...

We have a choice between two very different ways to meet what arises in experience.

The first is to rely on explanation. We interpret our experiences in life according to a set of deeply held assumptions. We may or may not be conscious of the assumptions, but they are there. Even when we explore our experience, we are usually looking for evidence that supports or confirms them. These assumptions are never questioned. They are taken as fundamental. A self-reinforcing dynamic develops that results in a closed system in which everything is explained, the mystery of life is dismissed, new ideas, perspectives, or approaches to life cannot enter and certain questions can never be asked. This I call belief.

The other way is to open and be willing to receive, not control, whatever arises-that is, not only allow but embrace every sensation, feeling, and thought, everything we experience. In this approach, we allow our experience to challenge our assumptions. Here, there is no fundamental or eternal truths, and some things cannot be explained; they can only be experienced. This willingness to open to whatever arises internally or externally I call faith."

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of Buddhist writing. Makes one ponder many aspects of every day life and how that too can be part of Buddhist moments. Sometimes it is hard to understand how to put the idea of the thought of Buddhism into practice in your everyday life when there are so many distractions. The ideas put forth in one of the essays about laundry, cooking and marriage. Making choices in each moment, how those things influence the practice of Buddhism, really made an impact on how I can practice in my own life as well.

There are many more essays, that speak of many different things. Wonderful book. I'm planning to add it to my library.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Best Buddhist Writing 2011 is a compendium of essays from a diverse group of scholars and teachers into the philosophy and practice of Buddhism. Also, in terms of one's practice, the reader is presented with the opportunity to choose from those schools of Buddhism that best reflect and convey the benefit of Buddhism to their individual lives

[Elizabeth R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A variety of short pieces. I liked some of them more than others. Many made me think. Recommended.

[Steve Tjiang · Rating 4 out of 5]

After many months I came back and finished it. A few essays were a bit of a slog to get through but there were many worth reading at least once. I dog-eared a few essays to rereading because of their insight into meditation and how to approach Buddhism.

[Chraeloos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a very important collection of writings.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love these collections. Almost all elucidating, centering and grounding for me.
Always sad to read the last essay. More more more.