Everyday Enlightenment: Walking the Path to Happiness in the Modern World

by Gyalwang Drukpa

"Everyday Enlightenment" is an inspirational guide to finding happiness by taking in the beauty right in front of you. Leading Himalayan Buddhist His Holiness the Gwyalwang Drukpa walks with you along your path and teaches you that: there is peace in recognizing that we are all connected; positive influences are closer than you think; in order to inspire others, you need to find inspiration in your life; what we think, we become. Bringing ancient wisdom into the modern world, "Everyday Enlightenment" teaches through stories and example, showing you how to let go of your ego and stress, turn anger into compassion, and transform your fears into courage.

From www.amazon.co.uk

Genres: Spirituality, Buddhism, Self Help, Philosophy, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2012

About the author

The Gyalwang Drukpa is the honorific title of the head of the Drukpa Lineage, one of the independent Sarma (new) schools of Vajrayana Buddhism. This lineage of reincarnated masters started from Tsangpa Gyare, the first Gyalwang Drukpa and founder of the school. The 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, Jigme Pema Wangchen, is the current lineage holder.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Vimal · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, has hereby successfully attempted to display most of the fundamental teachings of the Buddha in this very masterpiece of his—Everyday Enlightenment. He brings upon many disciplines from Buddhist literature while he applies them to circumstances which put a halt to the true causes of turmoil in human beings’ lives. His Holiness has thoroughly and concisely combed through many notions of life’s problematic events as per those faced daily by human beings. There are many elements of truth and particles of spiritual knowledge which are well presented by this spiritual leader in order to deal with such matters. Gyalwang Drukpa instructs mere basic principles which are of great relevance to us, humans. These are spiritual evidence which handle happiness, harmony, and peace of mind, compassion, self-growth, motivation and spiritual enlightenment in the lives of man. His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa is very cautiously emphasizing on the happiness which comes from within ourselves versus external influences that lead to personal satisfaction. Gyalwang Drukpa carefully portrays a holistic approach to the idea of seeking for the Buddha within, the spiritual friend within, and, the teacher within. His Holiness gives solutions which restore states of unrest in the daily lives of humans: common sources of nuisances to the lives of humans are well depicted and solutions to such matters are clearly indicated in his book. Gyalwang Drukpa attaches a firm relationship to what the developed mind is really about. He gives many likable amazing examples on how compassion is truly created in the lives of humans. Also, he indicates that the latter should adopt such a characteristic for the sake of enhancing life’s minute treasures and wonders by using the spiritual principles taught by the Buddha. Gyalwang Drukpa indicates that fear, ego, anger, anguish and the feeling of being controlled by others always impact on either man’s peace of mind or on his state of tranquility.

His Holiness also reveals that karma is nothing but our "actions" (physical, mental and spoken) and that its causes and effects (good and/or bad) depend on the motives which reside behind of our deeds. Gyalwang Drukpa stresses on the idea of gaining true wisdom within the self by our thorough acceptance of spiritual enlightenment in our everyday life. Everyday Enlightenment is a book which replenishes and fulfills all the spiritual knowledge attached to human beings’ daily lives. It creates a deep impact in the lives of those who read it by its complete acknowledgment of compassion as being the most persistent and most definitive requirement which better the lives of human beings. His Holiness has brought a real life spiritual journey, all of it in this very monumental book of his. Everyday Enlightenment is a book which has profound teachings to us all: it has high moral values, high spiritual values, high social values and insightful inspirations which shed light on our pathway to spiritual enlightenment.

[John Eliade · Rating 5 out of 5]

H.H. the Gyalwang Drukpa knows exactly how to appeal to a western modern audience. He makes Buddhism relevant to office workers, students, and commuters without having to ordain and shave your head. I loved the wisdom contained in these pages.

[Sonam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and helpful:-)

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most eloquently written book, but Everyday Enlightenment definitely condenses valuable lessons and Buddhist ideas into an easily understood and relatable way. It's so inspiring!

[Ekaterina Anguelova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gentle and digestible

Found this amongst my flatmate's books and decided to go for it. At fist, I was very critical. It was clear that the co-author infused the prose with lots of New-Age sounding references to the "inner child" and "inner self". It seemed like a distorted, westernized rendition of Dharma which had lost its essence somewhere on the way to making more sales. The randomly scattered inspirational quotes in bold font didn't do much to improve that impression, either.

But then, night after night, reading bits before falling asleep, I found the book speaking to me and many of the problems of attitude I face on a daily basis. The final chapters on relationships and anger seemed especially relevant and to the point. Everyday Enlightenment is not a book on the formalities of Buddhist doctrine. It's an accessible and gentle narrative coming from a practitioner with plenty of experience. Once I got over my initial doubts, I found it enjoyable to read and easy to work with.

[Mingaudė · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a book I keep reading, and I never truly finish reading it, for it is like a guide, like a little something I can go to if I need to rest my mind and rethink my emotion management strategies. It helps to feel more loved, to love more, to feel happier and more relaxed. It's a great achievement for a book to be able to do so.

[Betina Tsvetkova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасна малка книжка с ценни послания, няма излишен или ненужен ред с думи в нея.
Всеки би научил дълбоко заровени истини за себе си, прочитайки Просветлението.

[Greete · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, was a very simple reminder to be grateful for my life, even in the toughest times.

[Erja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selkeää, yksinkertaisesti kuvattuja esimerkkejä siitä, miten voisi löytää onnellisuutta ja tasapainoa elämään.

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An aspiring member of the turtle club! A book that addresses many challenges of the contemporary world without dwelling on them

[Carrie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work in a high stress, high stake environment and this was the perfect book to refresh my outlook. It was an easy ready with subtle and profound insight.

[Elbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, beautiful book of life in more love, caring and mindfulness.

[Pema · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect guide :)

[Warren Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully pragmatic and easy to understand philosophy for life.