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Becoming Kuan Yin: The Evolution of Compassion
In his long career as a poet, Buddhist teacher, spiritual advisor, and writer, Stephen Levine has changed our understanding of death and dying. In Becoming Kuan Yin, Levine's first new book in many years, he turns to the legend of Kuan Yin, the Bbodhistitva venerated by East Asian Buddhists for her compassion.
In Becoming Kuan Yin, Levine shares the tale of Miao Shan, born centuries ago to a cruel king who wanted her to marry a wealthy but uncaring man. This is the story of how Miao Shan refused to follow the path her father had in mind and, instead, became Kuan Yin, the first acknowledged female Buddha who watches over the dying and those who work with them.
Levine weaves together story and practice and helps readers discover their own infinite capacity for mercy and compassion under difficult circumstances. This book will have resonance for Kuan Yin's millions of followers.
In Becoming Kuan Yin, Levine shares the tale of Miao Shan, born centuries ago to a cruel king who wanted her to marry a wealthy but uncaring man. This is the story of how Miao Shan refused to follow the path her father had in mind and, instead, became Kuan Yin, the first acknowledged female Buddha who watches over the dying and those who work with them.
Levine weaves together story and practice and helps readers discover their own infinite capacity for mercy and compassion under difficult circumstances. This book will have resonance for Kuan Yin's millions of followers.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
67 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Levine
109 books163 followersStephen Levine was an American poet, author, and spiritual teacher best known for his groundbreaking work on death, dying, and grief. A central figure in the conscious dying movement, he helped bring Theravāda Buddhist teachings to Western audiences, alongside contemporaries like Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg. His work, however, was uniquely shaped by devotional practices drawn from Bhakti Yoga and his spiritual connection to Neem Karoli Baba, blending Buddhist insight with heart-centered mysticism.
With his wife Ondrea, Stephen spent over three decades offering workshops, counseling, and writings that supported the terminally ill, trauma survivors, and caregivers. Their book Who Dies? remains a foundational text in end-of-life care. Levine’s teachings also explored “everyday grief”—the quiet accumulation of life’s disappointments—and emphasized the healing power of mindfulness and compassion.
A former heroin addict who transformed his life through spiritual practice, Stephen lived his final years in quiet seclusion in New Mexico. He passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of deep insight and loving presence that continues to influence seekers, caregivers, and teachers around the world.
With his wife Ondrea, Stephen spent over three decades offering workshops, counseling, and writings that supported the terminally ill, trauma survivors, and caregivers. Their book Who Dies? remains a foundational text in end-of-life care. Levine’s teachings also explored “everyday grief”—the quiet accumulation of life’s disappointments—and emphasized the healing power of mindfulness and compassion.
A former heroin addict who transformed his life through spiritual practice, Stephen lived his final years in quiet seclusion in New Mexico. He passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of deep insight and loving presence that continues to influence seekers, caregivers, and teachers around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 30, 2013
I received "Becoming Kuan Yin" as part of the Goodreads giveaway program.
In today's digital world of e-books and vanity press, I always appreciate when a book makes an effort to have a beautiful presentation, and "Becoming Kuan Yin" is as lovely outside as it strives to be inside. The photography and color pallet are beautiful and superbly chosen, and I love the faux-jacket-sleeves on the thick, glossy cover - a classy touch.
Inside, "Becoming Kuan Yin" is a bit of a Buddhist hot mess. BKY describes itself as the tale of Miao Shan and how she becomes Kaun Yin, the first acknowledged female Buddha. But as a story, the form of the book is all over the place. It sometimes reads as a spiritual self-help, it often-times presents as a narrative, at other times a poetry book, and other times third-person, then unexpectedly first-person, then back to instructional - the book constantly seems to switch tense, perspective, purpose, from chapter to chapter, with loss, it seems, to any regard to an overarching cohesion. BKY goes from incomprehensible beauty to scriptural dogma to fanciful mythology without so much as a blink in transition and often left me wondering as to how I had arrived at the point in narrative. As perhaps a book about Buddhist ascension should be.
And make no mistake, BKY is a book of Buddhist addendum. While the subtitle "The Evolution of Compassion" may suggest a broader look at a human condition, the contents inside are strictly within the confines of Buddhist mythology and instruction. The "evolution of compassion" is better described as the progression of events that unfold along Miao Shan's path to enlightenment by embracing extreme compassion in the face of her cruel Father's treatment of her in his misguided attempts to control his daughter's will.
BKY is scriptural in presentation, mythical in content, administrative in its dolling out of Buddhist instruction, and jumps from mythical story-time to deprecating self-help with disconcerting disregard. At times both beautiful and bewildering, BKY does not try to convince or persuade and assumes we've all arrived at its door-step on the same team. BKY is probably best recommended for those seeking more of what they already believe.
In today's digital world of e-books and vanity press, I always appreciate when a book makes an effort to have a beautiful presentation, and "Becoming Kuan Yin" is as lovely outside as it strives to be inside. The photography and color pallet are beautiful and superbly chosen, and I love the faux-jacket-sleeves on the thick, glossy cover - a classy touch.
Inside, "Becoming Kuan Yin" is a bit of a Buddhist hot mess. BKY describes itself as the tale of Miao Shan and how she becomes Kaun Yin, the first acknowledged female Buddha. But as a story, the form of the book is all over the place. It sometimes reads as a spiritual self-help, it often-times presents as a narrative, at other times a poetry book, and other times third-person, then unexpectedly first-person, then back to instructional - the book constantly seems to switch tense, perspective, purpose, from chapter to chapter, with loss, it seems, to any regard to an overarching cohesion. BKY goes from incomprehensible beauty to scriptural dogma to fanciful mythology without so much as a blink in transition and often left me wondering as to how I had arrived at the point in narrative. As perhaps a book about Buddhist ascension should be.
And make no mistake, BKY is a book of Buddhist addendum. While the subtitle "The Evolution of Compassion" may suggest a broader look at a human condition, the contents inside are strictly within the confines of Buddhist mythology and instruction. The "evolution of compassion" is better described as the progression of events that unfold along Miao Shan's path to enlightenment by embracing extreme compassion in the face of her cruel Father's treatment of her in his misguided attempts to control his daughter's will.
BKY is scriptural in presentation, mythical in content, administrative in its dolling out of Buddhist instruction, and jumps from mythical story-time to deprecating self-help with disconcerting disregard. At times both beautiful and bewildering, BKY does not try to convince or persuade and assumes we've all arrived at its door-step on the same team. BKY is probably best recommended for those seeking more of what they already believe.
August 10, 2019
Here's an excerpt from this book:
"When I look into your eyes seeking my true song, a wolf looks back. Surrounding the dark center, deep amber, in which I am trapped like a Jurassic beetle. Wolf eyes drawing the formless into form. I find my throat just above my heart."
No.
The first few chapters, which tell the story of Kuan Yin, are fine, but the rest of this book is a mess. What is it supposed to be? Is he just trying to fill pages? Why all these sentence fragments? I'm trying to have compassion for the author, but I don't think I'm advanced enough a practitioner to withstand all these sentence fragments.
"When I look into your eyes seeking my true song, a wolf looks back. Surrounding the dark center, deep amber, in which I am trapped like a Jurassic beetle. Wolf eyes drawing the formless into form. I find my throat just above my heart."
No.
The first few chapters, which tell the story of Kuan Yin, are fine, but the rest of this book is a mess. What is it supposed to be? Is he just trying to fill pages? Why all these sentence fragments? I'm trying to have compassion for the author, but I don't think I'm advanced enough a practitioner to withstand all these sentence fragments.
January 2, 2014
This book is a bit of a hot mess. I usually enjoy Stephen Levine's books, but the subtitle is this book is completely misleading. This book presents the mythology of Kuan Yin, nothing more. I had expected a treatment of how compassion evolves, perhaps some treatment of the history of devotion to Kuan Yin, but was mistaken.
August 26, 2017
Having read several of Stephen's books and after attending one of his and Ondrea's workshops many years ago, I was delighted to discover his last book, Becoming Kuan Yin. Passages in this very personal account of Stephen's lifelong encounter with Kuan Yin are transcendent, inspired and call the reader to quiet the mind and still the heart. It's not an easy encounter, but a deep and friendly one, and if you can find the sense of a dear friend speaking their most heartfelt wish for your happiness, then this book might become a small treasure and you will mark your time with Stephen's Kuan Yin as a sacred moment of peace along your path.
September 6, 2015
Poetic informative and readable
July 12, 2016
Beautifully written. Inspiring to read.
August 26, 2016
Ancient background of Kuan Yin...with present day guides to practice ...as in soft belly. Beautifully written.
April 15, 2025
The author explores how to cultivate compassion in one’s life through looking at Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva—an enlightened being in Buddhism who delays entering paradise to help others achieve enlightenment—venerated by many, especially in East Asia, for her compassion.
In the early part of the book, the author discusses the origins of Kuan Yin. Later in the book, he seeks to link her evolution to growing compassion in the reader.
The author and his partner Ondrea are well respected for their work to provide “emotional and spiritual support for those who are life-threatened, and for caregivers. Through their healing and forgiveness workshops, many writings, and endless compassion,” they have reached many.
My interest in this book is primarily in the origins of Kuan Yin.
For those interested in learning compassion, this book may appeal.
My rating reflects a mismatch between what I wanted and what was provided. I make no judgement on the quality of learning compassion.
FB. Written by a well-respected teacher of Buddhist medication, the author explores cultivating compassion through understanding Kuan Yin’s evolution to a venerated Bodhisattva.
In the early part of the book, the author discusses the origins of Kuan Yin. Later in the book, he seeks to link her evolution to growing compassion in the reader.
The author and his partner Ondrea are well respected for their work to provide “emotional and spiritual support for those who are life-threatened, and for caregivers. Through their healing and forgiveness workshops, many writings, and endless compassion,” they have reached many.
My interest in this book is primarily in the origins of Kuan Yin.
For those interested in learning compassion, this book may appeal.
My rating reflects a mismatch between what I wanted and what was provided. I make no judgement on the quality of learning compassion.
FB. Written by a well-respected teacher of Buddhist medication, the author explores cultivating compassion through understanding Kuan Yin’s evolution to a venerated Bodhisattva.
September 25, 2019
This novel was written so poetically, with such wisdom and grace. I was attached to it from the first page until the last. The last chapter prepares you for detachment of the book and Kuan Yin herself, so that you can potentially embody it yourself. It contains so many beautiful sentences that you read over a few times, so they linger in your mind a little longer. This book is meant for those who are yogis, those searching for inner peace, and anyone who wants to understand compassion. “The more we forgive our own pain we are in, the more generosity flows to others and is reflected back as an increased capacity for happiness and even love.”
March 20, 2025
The beginning of this book is beautifully written and very interesting. The middle of the book was difficult for me to get through. For my purposes, it is not a straightforward, descriptive, or informative text. It is more metaphorical, and I found myself re-reading many sections just to make some sense of what I had read.
As short as it is, it took me too long to get through it. The first 7 and about half of the last 7 chapters were interesting and informative.
The bottom line is that I find it tough to recommend this one.
As short as it is, it took me too long to get through it. The first 7 and about half of the last 7 chapters were interesting and informative.
The bottom line is that I find it tough to recommend this one.
July 28, 2020
I read this book quickly but I became this book. Yes I know it is in the title. But it moved me deeply on so many levels. It was exactly what I was looking for to immerse myself in her energy and to feel her presence. Thank you to Mirabai Starr for recommending this book in her class recently. I was led to this book because of her. This is a book that I will go to again and again and work with some of the interactive exercises.
July 8, 2025
Fall in love with Kuan Yin
What a beautiful poetic book. Filled with inspiring stories and devotion to Kuan Yin and her call for us to experience and follow the path of compassionate presence. May Kuan Yin guide and lead me into becoming a more compassionate person and discovering the fullness of who I am. May all beings experience overflowing compassion.
What a beautiful poetic book. Filled with inspiring stories and devotion to Kuan Yin and her call for us to experience and follow the path of compassionate presence. May Kuan Yin guide and lead me into becoming a more compassionate person and discovering the fullness of who I am. May all beings experience overflowing compassion.
July 1, 2020
A fable, written by Stephen Levine, shares the transmission he received during his life practicing the teachings of Kuan Yin. Kuan Yin is the Chinese female Buddhist bodhisattva known as Avalokiteśvara: the Bodhisattva of compassion.
June 27, 2019
I believe if more people would try and be just a tenth more compassionate, this life and plus would be a beautiful experience.
January 5, 2020
This book is beautiful!
January 26, 2020
Beautiful and full of the most wonderful emanation of compassion.
February 8, 2020
An inspiring book to read and reread. Good bed table book for those special moments.
November 9, 2021
books fall open to remind us
October 12, 2024
This was inspiring and a beautiful introduction to Kuan Yin.
December 2, 2024
I found this book very interesting, although the author lost me at some points.
February 11, 2018
I have so many books I want to read I essentially never read a book more than once. This one is an exception. There is so much deep, simply put, and profound wisdom there is no way to absorb and retain it in one sitting. I am going to give it some time and come back to reading this. Probably more than a second and third time. Highly recommend!
May 8, 2015
In the end, I find love and wisdom in the unlikeliest of places. Was at the library and a thin Kuan Yin book popped out at me.
Reading it, I never knew Kuan Yin (Omg, just typed Kuan Yew) was a daughter of a ruthless man of the Miao clan. She was called Miao Shan ( in this version at least). She had a big heart, was one with nature and animals, and cared for the sick and old. I like her story so far because it doesn’t say, oh, she feared nothing and was kind. The story is pretty realistic so far- how she used to flinch when changing bedpans for elderly etc etc. She was human too. But gradually she grew to love, and boy did she love so much.
Even in her death she spread mindfulness in hell. She “forgave hell for existing”. What kind of benevolent, selfless love is this? She is full of love. One true goddess.
#amazed
Meanwhile, this had been sitting under my nose forever. Takes an english book to explain this to me, but haha better late than never.
She taught Buddha’s teachings: “You could look the whole world over and never find anyone more deserving of love than yourself.”
Digressing a little, have been refreshing my memory about gods and rituals with my Greek Myth class on Coursera, If you use the functionalist perspective, rituals are there to reinforce certain societal values. Why are the heroes praised for gentlemanly-ness or sportsmanship? Filial piety and respect? Myths are sort of stories that have survived centuries, and though details may differ, often they share some sort of wisdom or valuable insight on culture or moral character of man. Sometimes it’s just a story of how pride goes before a fall, or the rage of man etc etc etc. But that’s the magic of stories and myth… so moving, so powerful, and devastating beautiful.
Just had a funny thought. What if one day you call out, “Kuan Shi Yin Pu Sa”, or “God”, and they reply, “You call me for what?”
Hhaha. Singlish gods.
#self-entertain
/edit my dad says in another version guanyin’s surname is chen. lol. we will never know.
Reading it, I never knew Kuan Yin (Omg, just typed Kuan Yew) was a daughter of a ruthless man of the Miao clan. She was called Miao Shan ( in this version at least). She had a big heart, was one with nature and animals, and cared for the sick and old. I like her story so far because it doesn’t say, oh, she feared nothing and was kind. The story is pretty realistic so far- how she used to flinch when changing bedpans for elderly etc etc. She was human too. But gradually she grew to love, and boy did she love so much.
Even in her death she spread mindfulness in hell. She “forgave hell for existing”. What kind of benevolent, selfless love is this? She is full of love. One true goddess.
#amazed
Meanwhile, this had been sitting under my nose forever. Takes an english book to explain this to me, but haha better late than never.
She taught Buddha’s teachings: “You could look the whole world over and never find anyone more deserving of love than yourself.”
Digressing a little, have been refreshing my memory about gods and rituals with my Greek Myth class on Coursera, If you use the functionalist perspective, rituals are there to reinforce certain societal values. Why are the heroes praised for gentlemanly-ness or sportsmanship? Filial piety and respect? Myths are sort of stories that have survived centuries, and though details may differ, often they share some sort of wisdom or valuable insight on culture or moral character of man. Sometimes it’s just a story of how pride goes before a fall, or the rage of man etc etc etc. But that’s the magic of stories and myth… so moving, so powerful, and devastating beautiful.
Just had a funny thought. What if one day you call out, “Kuan Shi Yin Pu Sa”, or “God”, and they reply, “You call me for what?”
Hhaha. Singlish gods.
#self-entertain
/edit my dad says in another version guanyin’s surname is chen. lol. we will never know.
December 20, 2013
I received this books as part of the first reads giveaways program.
This is the story of a girl who escaped to the peacefulness and spirituality of nature in her otherwise turbulent world. This girl disobeyed her tyrannical father and overcame all the tortures he thought he'd throw her way. Through the totems of mercy, compassion, forgiveness and meditation this girl became the first female Buddha-Kuan Yin. The book is not just a reflection of Kuan Yin's life but the author's journey to find and understand the truths Kuan Yin offers.
Overall, this was a wonderful story that causes one to reflect on one's own struggles and pain and how we might be able to turn those negatives into something wonderful as well as full of love. There were moments that the writing was a bit drawn out and dry, however, and I felt some of the books order could have been organized better for flow purposes. That is why I couldn't give it higher than a 3, but I would definitely recommend it as a read.
This is the story of a girl who escaped to the peacefulness and spirituality of nature in her otherwise turbulent world. This girl disobeyed her tyrannical father and overcame all the tortures he thought he'd throw her way. Through the totems of mercy, compassion, forgiveness and meditation this girl became the first female Buddha-Kuan Yin. The book is not just a reflection of Kuan Yin's life but the author's journey to find and understand the truths Kuan Yin offers.
Overall, this was a wonderful story that causes one to reflect on one's own struggles and pain and how we might be able to turn those negatives into something wonderful as well as full of love. There were moments that the writing was a bit drawn out and dry, however, and I felt some of the books order could have been organized better for flow purposes. That is why I couldn't give it higher than a 3, but I would definitely recommend it as a read.
November 22, 2014
I think I would have gotten more out of this book had I'd known more about Buddhism. It isn't a book for novices there are a lot of terms that were foreign to me and made interpreting it difficult. But as someone interested in learning more about Buddhism I am happy to have read it and further along me understanding. I think avid readers of this topic would enjoy it
April 28, 2024
Amazing book. Best decision to choose this one.
January 18, 2014
About the legend and believes in Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, but it's superficial and a little bit puerile.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews