5 comments about The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep.

1. I think this is a really good book to get some alternative info on lucid dreaming. I still prefer Stephen Laberges EWLD, but this one is great in a different way. I'm not into buddhism. And if you don't have any experience with buddhism, then it's not very easy/clear. You'll just have to ignore some of the buddhist slang to get the best out of it. Anyway, it's nice to read about the subject from a different angle.



2. I highly recommend this Book on Dreaming and Sleep. It's very enlightening.



3. Very hip writing about PREPARING FOR DEATH... Amazing material being able to see life as a dream and hence waking up in your dreams to transcend death, and the subject of a new Hollywood big budget sci fi film, CONVERGENCE, by a director named Wake.
   Simple and beautiful. Achieves what Casteneda makes complicated. But we know this one is real.



4. Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche presents Tibetan dream yoga in full detail, and most importantly, fully contextualizes its practice in the Dzogchen spiritual tradition. As I slowly worked my way through this illuminating book it increasingly dawned on me that this work was not only the clearest practical manual on dream yoga ever penned, but that it ranks as one of the most enlightening spiritual treatises I have ever encountered. The author starts by outlining the conceptual foundations of Dzogchen teachings as related to dream yoga, then presents preliminary practices necessary for developing the "mental muscles" needed for genuine engagement in the rigors of dream and sleep yoga. Then comes the meat of the text, where Tenzin Wangyal elucidates all the elements for the complete practice of these esoteric yogas. He repeatedly stresses that the ultimate aim must be a consistent abiding in clear, non-dual awareness, or "rigpa"--throughout waking, dreaming, sleeping, and ultimately in dying (bardo). As heavy as this sounds, the author actually carries it all out with the light touch of a true master. He gently leads the reader into a realm of wondrous mystery...



5. Buy this book immediately if you have a sincere interest in dream practices. The information is appropriate for the beginner as well as the advanced yogi. Don't waste one third of your life in the sleep of ignorance. Make it the fertile pure land it is when seen clearly.

5 comments about How to Meditate With Pema Chodron: A Practical Guide to Making Friends With Your Mind.

1. I have read a few of her other books, and what appeals so much to me about Pema is how human she is. She has been doing this for many, many years and she still experiences the shortfalls that I experience trying to make time to sit with myself and meditate for the last 8 years. If you are new to the path of meditation or think you know what you are doing-get this book.



2. This is a set of five instruction cds on the process of meditation, not a meditation cd. Contains five one hour (approximate)sessions, each building on the last, with a short meditation time included. For those looking not for guided mediation but for instruction on "fully awake" meditation, this is perfect. As is everything that Pema Chodron does. Great value for the money.



3. I am new to meditation and thought that a CD set with a title of "How to Meditate" would be a good choice to learn. Not with this set. This was recorded at a 5 week retreat, so most people there would know something about meditation. And this knowledge shows in how the teacher speaks. There are postures and other terms used that a new person, like myself, would not know. Some are described, but "like this" does not help when listening to a CD. If you know how to meditate this maybe good to further your meditations. But if you are new, start somewhere else.



4. In this 5 CD set, Pema Chodron expands on her prior works (but see Pure Meditation), honing in on Buddhist Shamatha (tranquil or calm abiding) meditation. This is a basic, eyes-open, being-fully-present technique (akin to mindfulness practice). It differs greatly from transcendental types as well as from Vipashyana (insight) meditation. Total time=5:52:48 in 46 tracks (CD1=65:18/9 tracks; CD2=63:29/10 tracks; CD3=69:54/9 tracks; CD4=74:53/9 tracks; CD5=79:14/tracks). Her presentation is comprehensive, including: Physical--much detail on 6 points of posture (seat, legs, torso, hands, eyes, & mouth); Emotional--being fully present, attention to tension, observing your pain/stress; Mental/Psychological--generosity, patience, sense of humor; & Spiritual/Mystical--(per Trungpa Rinpoche) "Mixing mind and space." Each CD includes a meditation experience & practices for the ensuing week.
   
   Ani Chodron explains the basic Tibetan Buddhist/Vajrayana approach of transforming poisons (kleshas or afflictions) into medicine (wisdom/enlightenment). This is similar to judo (vs. karate) & to transcendental alchemy (The Secret of the Golden Flower: A Chinese Book of Life) with kleshas being the prima materia. Tibetans differentiate between pain and suffering; the latter being more psychological than physical--reaction to pain vs. pain itself. She, thus explores Shenpa, the process of getting hooked--see Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions. Pema also briefly discusses Tonglen (exchanging oneself for others), a highly empathetic technique--see Tonglen, the Path of Transformation or Good Medicine: How to Turn Pain into Compassion with Tonglen Meditation; & includes some more advanced Mahamudra meditation, which I find particularly helpful, quoting a poet: "Thoughts are like clouds in the sky; they shimmer when they fly." Her use of sounds, sights, touch over the body is reminiscent of both the Western allover (or overall) exercise (Wisdom of the Mystic Masters) & the Dhyani Buddha families (The Mandala of the Enlightened Feminine). Overall, Pema's voice & presentation are extremely peaceful & meditative--quite conducive to these practices, though she aims at you becoming "your own meditation instructor." To have a more complete appreciation of Pema, see her Good Medicine video. This set is valuable for newbies (though some of the terminology may be unfamiliar) as well as those who have practiced meditation before. It is also a nice refresher.



5. Pema Chodron is a wonderful teacher, of whom I have the greatest respect. This is another example of her down-to-earth, humorous and loving teaching style. For me, it was an excellent choice. However, just so you are not disappointed, be aware this is a specific type of meditation. She is teaching Tibetan Buddhist meditation techniques, which are a little different from other styles. In this style your eyes remain partly open to maintain a level of awareness. It is not the type you use to generate a trance state.
   
   If you are unfamiliar with meditation and this is your first exploration, you may want to look at "The Art of Meditation by Daniel Goleman". It is an excellent first step.
   
   Pema's training can take you to a deeper level of understanding, but may be a little too deep for your first attempt. Also, the fact her CD is speaking to those who have a background in Buddhism does'nt mean you won't learn from this CD. Buddhist are experts at meditation because it is part of their belief. The techniques taught can apply to any faith.
   
   Pema's Chodron is an excellent speaker and this is another excellent example of her work. With the understanding that I would not advise this as the first meditation book I would read/listen to, I believe it is a valuable resource for those interested in this style of meditation.
   
   Namaste

5 comments about Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism.

1. I found this book an excellent guide in understanding Buddhism. It is a book that requires more than one reading. Chogyam Trungpa teaches the Path with the use of analogies that are helpful in trying to understanding the Buddhist religious beliefs, and practices. I found this to be a thought provoking book.



2. Chogyam Trungpa is no doubt by far the most influential Buddhist Master to the west. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism is a must-read master piece for those who are considering to step onto a spiritual path or those who want to pursue the ultimate true happiness in life. It seems that he can see through our mind and intention, and be able to give the most apprehensive, vivid and direct advice to us, not only to our mind, deep down to the heart as well.



3. Alot of people find this book very hard going, as it challenges their comfort zone. Chogyam Trungpa's controversial career is characterized by his style of "crazy wisdom" by Western followers.
   
   Book Description
   In this modern spiritual classic, the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa highlights the commonest pitfall to which every aspirant on the spiritual path falls prey: what he calls spiritual materialism. The universal tendency, he shows, is to see spirituality as a process of self-improvement--the impulse to develop and refine the ego when the ego is, by nature, essentially empty. "The problem is that ego can convert anything to its own use," he said, "even spirituality." His incisive, compassionate teachings serve to wake us up from this trick we all play on ourselves, and to offer us a far brighter reality: the true and joyous liberation that inevitably involves letting go of the self rather than working to improve it. It is a message that has resonated with students for nearly thirty years, and remains fresh as ever today.
   
   also Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior



4. Chogyam Trungpa(rinpooche(bright star?))'s (how's that for a possessive apostrophe 's'?) book is so far the best I've read of Buddhism and how to get There from Here. No worry that there is here, but simply you may not be, yet. After 40ish years of off and on study of and practice, I have reread this book from the section, "The 4 Noble Truths" all the way to the end. The beginning I have lived and am familiar with. I've done chi gong, inner smile, inner heat(Kathleen McDonald), Taiji,read TaoTeChing, Chuang Tzu, and practiced other skills of my own devising, BTW. I am no expert, not a scholar, but after working with Kathleen's pedantic methodology and Walpola Rahula's What the Buddha Taught, and even the wonderful Zen Mind Beginner's Mind, Trungpa's presentation is clean and clear, straight to the heart of the matter.
   I reread and re-mine these chapters whilst walking a treadmill, before or after sitting. Never really knew what the turnings of the wheel of dharma were(but like the concept), never felt like 'surrendering" to no buddha, dharma, sangha--it's all in the gap.
   Trungpa is a master of concision. This book is a service to us beginners.
   I hear the book is middle level instruction. That's neither here nor there.
   Enjoy.



5. Essential reading for anyone of any religious or spiritual persuasion who fancies her/himself a spiritual aspirant or truth seeker. Reveals the need to be constantly aware of the tendency we have to fashion our spirituality into a commodity that actually bolsters egoism rather than liberating us from it. Gives many examples of how this process takes place. This book forced me toward a deeper honesty about the motivations behind my own spiritual quest.

5 comments about The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment.

1. I commented several months ago on a post made by Mike-in-the-Middle, asking for more resources to help a beginner (me) without easy access to a roshi who could offer clarity on Zen/Buddhist ideas. I have since received several emails which offered more resources for me to check out, and I'd like to share these resources with you.
   
   Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor. This one is obviously of a secular bent, and I've been reading it off and on since I purchased it. It's a bit. . . scholarly, with some big 50-cent words, if you know what I mean. You definitely need a quiet place to be able to focus on his intellectual renderings, but if you can get into it, it's very insightful. Although it's "intellectual" and contains "big words," it doesn't contain a lot of the mysterious and otherworldly terminology of other such books written by Zen/Buddhist disciples. The book shows how you can practice the tenets of Buddhism without necessarily buying into all the religious aspects.
   
   The Positive Psychology of Buddhism and Yoga: Paths to a Mature Happiness by Marvin Levine. This is the book I am currently reading. Mr. Levine makes a good comparison between the tenets of Buddhism (and yoga) and those of Western Psychology, both of which seek to put the person in touch with his/her true self. He also gives advice, gleaned from his own life and journey, about how to incorporate the ideas into your life. This book is VERY readable; Mr. Levine goes out of his way to make this book accessible to the lay person. I'm enjoying this one very much. (It doesn't have to be QUITE so quiet at my house in order for me to get into it. =)
   
   Also recommended to me, but which I haven't yet checked out, are the following books:
   
   Here is a short email I received.
   "Saw a comment you left on a review of 3 Pillars of Zen mentioning you were looking for a good place to start. For me, the perfect start was "Buddhism Plain and Simple" by Steve Hagen. It's short, inexpensive and simple. Then I went to his website and downloaded all his free audio talks to listen to on my commute, and now i feel i can approach more advanced zen books quite comfortably (but start with the book before the audio stuff).
   
   Another book recommended was Everyday Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck.
   
   I hope these books will help some of you on your journey.
   
   =)
   Laurie
   (Lovejoy444 at a o l dot com)



2. An interesting contrast to the more traditional Soto style (with its emphasis on just sitting and not forcing) although the approach in this book does incorporate most of the commonly used methods of practice. I enjoyed this read because it gave perspective to the type of practice that "feels" right for me, I now know this even more so having read of the approachs taken by this author. Even if you may not agree with the approach to Zen practice outlined in this book, it is still a must read, it will re-affirm your perspective or provide new insights, either way it should be read and forgotten.



3. Do not expect to read this as a "Zen for Dummies". Unfortunately trying to learn Zen from a book is a little bit like teaching someone who has been born blind to "imagine" various colors such as red, blue or green. Zen has to be experienced to be understood. Having said that, however, this book is probably the next best thing.



4. There are many paths to enlightenment, and this may be one for some... but not for everybody. Zazen is a highly codified form of meditation. It feels like a rigourous martial training, reminiscent of karate or kendo. Except that you are aiming for spirituality. This is a double-edged sword. For those who have doubts... the book will provide an interesting cultural read, but there are many paths, even among Buddhist followers.
   
   Pros: self contained meditation manual, complete with personal lectures from Japanese masters, struggles of other followers and pictures of seating positions. A welcome contribution to the literature.
   
   Con: zazen only, at times critical of other Buddhist paths. Ignores the fact that the journey to spirituality is ultimately personal.



5. The title for my review is something I read in the review sections. I am an American, don't speak or write Japanese or Chinese...like most practicing Americans. This means that we for the most part have to trust what the writers of a way purportedly beyond words and letters have to say on reams and reams of paper. PK had the advantage over us in that he had a facility for language and set his life up to pursue his Zen. I like this book. Frankly it is a morass out there. PK always goes back to the fundamental of sitting. If one is not sitting...the slow going is even slower! I recommend this book for anyone that is seeking to learn...because there is much to unlearn eh?
   
   I recommend this book because I believe that when pushed people can make up their own perceptions of what a special book like this has to offer. My only criticism of it would be the anecdotal descriptions of people reaching kensho and the bells and whistles and weeping that goes with it...kensho has certain hallmarks but the reader must come to it in their own way...and these war stories do much to create preconceived notions of what one's practice can entail.
   
   That being said...of all the books (and there are myriad) this one has a good feel to it and its simple focus on the fundamentals without jargon is forever needed. When one looks through the book notice the pictures of PK and his Roshi's. The eyes and the face say a great deal...and the images speak volumes of what practice meant to them.
   
   Before you buy the latest thirty dollar rehash of what some whipper snapper has to say about Zen...Give this book a read.

5 comments about Everyday Zen: Love and Work (Plus).

1. This is one of my favorites!! I can read it over and over and is a great companion to FREE YOUR MIND by Sensei Tony Free Your Mind: The Four Directions of an Awakened Life



2. Once again we are fortunate to have the words and wisdom of one of the great voices in contemporary Buddhism-I highly recommend along with FREE YOUR MIND by Anthony Stultz and BEING ZEN by Ezra Bayda.



3. I picked up this book only by chance as a supplementary material for one of my classes. I did not expect much as i have never been to interested in Zen before, maybe just because of my ignorance on the subject. After reading a first couple of chapter i felt myself change. This book opened my eyes. It is written in a simple language, when i read it i felt like the author was talking to me and all i had to do was kick back and listen. It is really a great book if you want to know more about Zen and not feel like you have to struggle through every page to understand what the author is saying.
   
   It is pleasant, beautiful and inspiring, so i give it 5 stars and i could i'd give it more!



4. This very well written & appropriate for today's world is easy to read & very meaningful!! I bought a half dozen more for Christmas/Chanukah presents. It's been around a while, now I know why, can't wait to read it again & see what else can be gleaned now, & now, & now, etc. ;-)
   It also has meaning to Martial Artists who exist in the moment!
   Dr Dave



5. Very practical and accessible. I've read a lot of zen books and I like the simplicity and yet substantive approach to the subject. It's a really good read.

5 comments about Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking.

1. `The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking' by Yamuna Devi is an awesome Indian cookbook. Yamuna gives you the history behind the recipe, and her style of writing is extremely interesting, it makes you feel you were there while she tasted the meal for the first time, and decided that the recipe should be in her book! She's extremely knowledgable in Indian cooking although Yamuna Devi is by no means Indian. You would never know that from her knowledge of Indian cookery, and certainly not from her name (she has an Indian name because she changed her name).
   
   Most of her recipes are of North Indian cuisine - which for those who don't know it, is totally different from South Indian cuisine. If you like the spicy curries and other dishes like that, you're a fan on South Indian cuisine. That doesn't mean that you won't like these recipes though, as there's an abundance of South Indian cooking and spicy meals in this cookbook too!
   
   For those who prefer a milder version of Indian cooking, I have good news for you too! This book contains mild recipes too. In fact, in Indian cooking you can change the "hotness" or spiciness of a recipe to suit your tastes.
   
   A word of caution : Traditional Indian cooks (my grandmother included) didn't use oil to excess like many recipes in this book. Grandma used more oil back in the day when it was ok to do so, but as time went by, and my mom told her about the dangers of using too much oil in her food, she cut down on her use of oil. But by no means did she EVER use as much oil and ghee (clarified butter) as some of the recipes in this book call for. It's absolutely ridiculous to use huge amounts of oil when cooking, and I wish Yamuna Devi had improved on that aspect of Indian cooking. Deep frying - if it's done ocassionally, would probably be ok, but even Grandma learned to use alternative methods of cooking, and her food was as delicious as ever!
   
   So, my advice is cut down on the amount of oil these recipes call for, bake or grill whenever possible, and deep fry ocassionally if you want to enjoy a recipe that requires deep frying. Apart from that, enjoy this cookbook because I certainly do!



2. I just purchased this volume for my 21-year-old son at his request. This cookbook has been a standby in our household since he was born. My copy is well worn and full of notes like "fantastic," "quick to fix," "just the right degree of spiciness."
   You'll need to stock up on three dozen spices, as there are often more spices in the ingredients list than main ingredients. I'm always surprised at the delicious results. I've never been disappointed in any of the recipes in this 800-page treasury of Indian delights.



3. my parents are indian and i was brought up in the US. i've had some luck cooking my own food, but it ended up always tasting the same. i've loved this book because it has combinations of spices that i would not have though of before, and a lot of vegetable and daal recipes dont require you to have any skill to make them! i've been pretty happy with most of the dishes i've made from this book over the past month or so.



4. As a newbie cook and vegetarian way back in '91, I received this book as a gift and remain so so grateful for it! This book is amazing. I've not only learned how to cook traditional Indian food using this book, I've also learned valuable techniques that apply to all types of cuisine (prepping vegetables and dried beans, for example). If you're looking for a great all-around vegetarin cookbook, this is it!



5. This is a in depth, detailed cookbook. It explains the origin of the recipe. I am so impressed with it. All the recipes have so many ingredients, I feel overwhelmed. I am brand new to Indian cooking. Everything sounds so good. If you are already familiar with the ingredients, know where to get it, this is your book. If you are looking for quick and easy, look somewhere else.
   
   This book is well thought out and written beautifully.

5 comments about Open Heart, Clear Mind.

1. This book, written in a flowing conversational style, has 7 sections: an introduction, an extremely fine rendition of Buddhist psychology-aimed at human emotions, the "current situation" on cyclic existence/karma, the future-Buddhahood, the path to take, the past-brief Buddhist history; & conclusion. Overall, it's a very fine introduction to basic Buddhism & a terrific companion to Ven. Chodron's Q&A "Buddhism for Beginners" & "Working with Anger." While the author is a Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist Bhikshuni (ordained nun), the book is more generic. The pp. 25-80 psychology portion is convincing: e.g. p. 40: "The sources of the pain & confusion are our own biased projections & the selfish expectations we've placed on others," but goes a bit far, stating p. 77: "all problems arise from the self-cherishing attitude." Later sections present std. Buddhist doctrines, dogmas, mythology, & terminology-very different from the psychology section. For example, as I read Websters, "kindness" implies intention; while one can be grateful to another for some benefit, an unintended benefit is not a "kindness." Similarly, p. 161 the discourse on emptiness ignores the mixed definition of "cracker"--Websters says it must be baked, it is not simply the sum of its parts + synergy is possible. She has some questionable (though not unusual) assumptions-saying p. 196 there were no Buddhist wars (but the Gelugpas came to power over the Karmapa via Mongol military strength etc.). The discussion on soul/self is also party line e.g. p. 163: "the Judeo-Christian idea of an eternal, unchanging soul" & p. 166: "the self still exists, but in a gentler & softer way. It's merely a convention, not a real entity." IMO it depends on one's definitions of words used. This basic book doesn't address specific Vajrayana or Mahamudra perspectives, but Ven. Chodron says very valuable things when speaking for herself: p. 206: "Others may not be our relatives, but they are someone's parents & children. They are the same in being parents & children, only the possessive pronoun describing them is different: `their' instead of `our.' Once we recognize the arbitrariness of these labels `mine' & `others,' our love & compassion can spread to everyone impartially. In this way, feelings of alienation & barriers between people fall away." I find this observation very useful in developing lovingkindness, compassion, Bodhichitta & Tonglen & p. 209: per Lama Yeshe, "We do whatever we can, with whatever wisdom we have...to the best of our ability. This in itself will be of enormous benefit to others; we don't need to wait until we become Buddhas before we can begin to act."



2. This book was the start of an unquenchable thirst for Tibetan Buddhism for me. I recommend it to beginners in Buddhism and as a complement to any variety of spirituality. A must for understanding and treating human suffering at the root cause.



3. An excellent book to re-read at least once a year. Thubten Chodron offers insights from the combination of many perspectives-a Buddhist in a Christian world, a nun in a predominantly man's religion. But underlying the philosophies is a gentle female offering wisdom on how to give, receive and feel love! Beautiful!



4. You will not find a better introduction into the world of Buddhism than Open Heart, Clear Mind. Thubten Chodron does a phenomenal job simply explaining complex concepts in language that the beginner can understand. Her prose style is easy yet full of wonderful metaphor. The book is all about questioning our basic assumptions, and examining them in a whole new way, such as this passage about the management of anger:
   
   Generally when we're angry or hurt we feel like victims of others' harmful deeds. We see ourselves as innocent people who unjustly have to bear the brunt of others' actions. We're hurt or angry because we think other people are wrong or bad. Both the anger and the hurt refuse to accept what has happened.
   
   Many people live with a "victim mentality," constantly feeling helpless, mistreated and fearful. However, the more we understand the workings of our minds and the functioning of cause and effect within our mental continuums, the more we'll understand that our present interpretations, as well as our past actions, have played vital roles in the evolution of what we experience. We are in some way responsible for what is happening to us. Knowing this, we then take responsibility and act in order to improve our situation. (47-8)
   
   Part of the understandability of Thubten Chodron's explanations stems from the fact that she is a Westerner, and once had all the questions that we might ask. Her ability to discuss reincarnation, karma, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment in clear and compelling writing is an incredible accomplishment. And those wanting to learn about Buddhism would do well to heed her words.
   
   Following is a quote quoted in the book (so this is a quote of a quote of a quote) from Christian Humphreys (an eminent British judge) that sums up a lot of what I dig about Buddhism:
   
   Buddhism . . . is a system of thought, a religion, a spiritual science and a way of life which is reasonable, practical and all-embracing. For 2,500 years it has satisfied the spiritual needs of nearly one-third of mankind. It appeals to those in search of truth because it has no dogmas, satisfies the reason and the heart alike, insists on self-reliance coupled with tolerance for other points of view, embraces science, religion, philosophy, psychology, mysticism, ethics and art, and points to man alone as the creator of his present life and sole designer of his destiny.



5. Over the last few years I have purchased over 50 copires of this book and given it to my friends and co-workers. It is that good! It has a very uplifting message that is well grounded in real life. I very highly recommend this book to those interested in Buddhist philosophy or to anyone who simply wants a more open heart and clear mind.

5 comments about Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen.

1. If you are truly after understanding the nature of Zen Buddhism this book will be the greatest gift ever. Infinite wisdom of this man will touch you with every phrase, not colored, not wrapped in unnecessary complications, simple, deep and true. This is a book to read many times and to feel lucky time after time.



2. Ed Brown definitely knows Master Suzuki's heart.
   And he presents the warm heart of his master in a logical and progressive ordering of a few of Suzuki's lectures.
   
   After 30 years of daily meditation (15 in the style of Monk Dogen) and always failing to reach calmness of mind in every session,
   a book like this gives a nugget of hope.
   
   For example:
   specifically, on page 6 of the Chapter on "Calmness of Mind," it offers:
   "Exhaling, you gradually fade into emptiness--empty, white paper."
   
   This is as clear as it gets;
   the essence of the connection between breath, body, mind and emptiness.
   Thank you very much.
   
   Other concepts are also explained nicely.
   
   For example:
   Suzuki explains the meaning of the koan of "Jumping Off the 100-foot Pole,"
   starting at page 16. (Myself, I've never really understood this one. I've always pictured myself reaching the top of the Pole and then trying to decide what to do next.)
   Suzuki explains that this is precisely where I make my big mistake--stopping at the top of the pole and thinking. He says that the secret is just to say "Yes!" and jump off from there--forget the top of the pole and extend your practice.
   
   One last example:
   In the Chapter "Stand Up by the Ground" (page 139)
   Suzuki explains "Immo,"
   which can also mean a questioning, "What is this?"
   A very subtle point here.
   "What" or "It" is both something very definite ( "What" is "it"? may refer to that specific table right over there, and at the same time something beyond description and comprehension, maybe this table has only one leg and functions more like a chair and is merely drawn by an artist to symbolize some basic human emotion.)
   Oh boy, my mind really runs wild with kind of "stuff."
   
   Maybe Ed Brown will write a new book, giving his own commentary on these concepts.
   Didn't Zen successors always write commentaries on scriptures?
   
   Well, maybe "not always so."
   Yet this book is like a Zen scripture.
   
   Thank you very much Mr Brown.



3. Outstanding book with insight into a true Zen master. Written after the passing of Suzuki Roshi by one of his students, it is an insight into a beautiful man.
   
   Not always so is a simple book with a single teisho or talk every couple of pages. This allows you to read one talk and digest it without having to delve into any serious brain bending. Suzuki Roshi presents the most complex ideas of Zen in a refreshing and accessible way. I enjoyed reading the 1-2 pages and then going to sit, just as if he gave me a personal teisho.
   
   It is a thin book, but would you expect anything less from someone who could say one word and hold everything in it?
   
   If you are new to Zen or an old master there is probably something wonderful to find in here for you.



4. On page 110, it is written: "Because we do not cling to any particular standard for thinking, for us there is no true way and not false." Is that not a meaty philosophical idea that could lead to endless intellectual discussions about the Buddha etc. etc.? His life will be prolonged in your mind and get in the way of your practice.
   The book does end on what Zen really "is"; "So the point is just to sit..." (page 152). "Even though our practice is not better than a frog's, we continue to sit." (page 151). "Just sit for the the sake of zazen" (page 152).
   But you won't make a best-seller with: Just sit. Just sit. Just sit., page after page. Sazuki's best-seller "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" was already too much more than enough to get across the simple idea that Zen is what happens to you when you sit still and follow or count your breaths. And what happens to you cannot really be put into words and ideas.
   I give the book four stars for the interesting personal stories, philosophical and psychological discussions. But for the real practice itself-- sitting and meditating in Zen fashion--it was entirely unnecessary.



5. I am very new to Zen and have read several books on the subject. I have practiced zazen for a little while, so I am, by no means, advanced on the subject of Zen and zazen meditation. This book is geared more for those who are more advanced into the world of Zen and Buddhism than I am as there are a lot of things written that I really don't understand (I know that's somewhat Zen in and of itself), but seriously there are better books for beginners. Hopefully in a few years I can pick this book back up and get more out of it.
   
   That being said, the essays are short and wonderful and even though I didn't "get" all of them, there were a lot of great little nuggets inside. For the price, this book is packed with great stuff, I'm just not sure it's for beginners.

5 comments about The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind.

1. I own several of Alan Wallace's books. I like them all. He presents information from a Western perspective, which I find easier to understand.
   Shamatha is the theme of this book. Here there are specific meditation techniques for developing meditative quiescence presented in detail. You are encouraged to practice for a while at each stage using the suggested exercises before continuing on in the book. This book serves as a lifetime checklist with a variety of specific mind training exercises.
   Alan has attempted to share the benefits of Tibetan Buddhist mind training, separate from Buddhism so that all may benefit.
   If you want to see the version that includes Buddhist beliefs, see his similar book, Genuine Happiness: Meditation as the Path to Fulfillment.



2. I am not yet finished reading this book. I have found it interesting. I have endeavored to read it with an open mind.
   
   I was a little disappointed early on when I realized that with my life as it is now I would not be able to attain the seventh step of meditation. To do so would require months of meditation. My life and commitments as they are now just does not permit that.
   
   Despite that I feel that I have benefited from the techniques that are taught. I do know that I will need to re-read this book in order to get all the benefits from this that I want.
   
   Since beginning this book I do feel that I have been sleeping better. I am more aware of my dreams. I am more relaxed. I do believe that meditation in conjunction with other lifestyle changes have resulted in lower blood pressure readings. My blood pressure was good. It is now excellent.
   
   If you are a person of faith do not fear that this will harm your relationship with God. I am Catholic and have been also reading a book on contemplative prayer. I have found the two to be quite compatible and while reading these books my faith has deepened.
   
   If you are interested in strengthening you mental capabilities or deepen your faith I would recommend this book. Be sure to read it with an open mind.



3. Not an "easy read", but for the reader sincerely interested in expanding his/her understanding of Tibetan Buddhist Meditation, this book is both clear and engaging. Wallace is such a prolific writer, my chief difficulty has been deciding which of his books to center on! This one is enormously rewarding. Each chapter builds upon the ones that have gone before--ya gotta do it to reap the skill.



4. It often seems as if half the population has a problem with paying attention. Apart from the different types of attention deficit disorder, a former Apple and Microsoft executive called Linda Stone has identified another problem: continuous partial attention.
   
   We have all been multitasking since before our ancestors came down from the trees, but now people's attention is constantly being distracted by an array of new inputs: email, text messaging, instant messaging and a hundred other things. Just think of the way in which many television programs now have multiple items on the screen at once. Many of us are suffering from information overload, and it would be very valuable to be able to improve our ability to focus our attention without putting ADHD medicines in the water supply.
   
   This is a very interesting book by an interesting individual. B. Alan Wallace spent fourteen years as a Buddhist monk and was ordained by the Dalai Lama. He is also the founder and president of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies. He is the author of several other books, including the superb book Contemplative Science.
   
   In this book he describes the ten stages of Shamatha meditation, a technique for developing extraordinary levels of attention and focus. As Alan Wallace describes it in the preface to the book, "Shamatha is a path of attentional development that culminates in an attention that can be sustained for hours on end."
   
   Alan is a committed meditator who has spent the eight hours a day necessary to perfect the method. There are obviously not that many people who could - or would want to - dedicate that amount of time to the practice. But there is still plenty of value to the individual who can only dedicate a few minutes a day to the practice. As with most forms of mental or physical development, the returns that you get from this kind of meditation are strongly related to how much effort you can put in.
   
   The ten stages are:
   Directed attention
   Continuous attention
   Resurgent attention
   Close attention
   Tamed attention
   Pacified attention
   Fully pacified attention
   Single-pointed attention
   Attentional balance
   Shamatha
   
   Some books about meditation are a little dry and focused almost exclusively on the mind. Alan has done something very nice with this book: in between his explanation of the ten stages, he has inserted what he calls "interludes;" short ancillary practices that complement the training in attention. The first four of these interludes are designed to cultivate one of the four qualities of the heart: compassion, loving-kindness, empathetic joy and equanimity.
   
   This is a book that you can easily read in a few hours, but you could spend years putting it into practice. As many of us have discovered, applying the basic techniques for just a few minutes a day can be very helpful. If you want to get all the way to the final stage it would require a great deal of time and effort, and ideally also a personal teacher.
   
   The type of focus and attention that is developed by these methods was originally intended to focus inwards and to control and still the mind, but the techniques can be equally useful for focusing on things outside of you.
   
   Alan Wallace has done us a great service by recording and explaining this method, and the book is well worth reading if you have any interest in trying to improve your own ability to focus and to pay attention.
   
   
   Richard G. Petty, MD, author of Healing, Meaning and Purpose: The Magical Power of the Emerging Laws of Life



5. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I have been inclined to believe that samatha was a foundation of any kind of vipassana training and this book reinforced this notion in me. The ten stages of samatha training are well laid-out and I liked the interludes and reflections on the practice at each stage. The description of each stage is very vivid and sprinkled with some detailed personal experiences of the author. It's interesting as well as somewhat reassuring to read about these experiences when one finds that his or her own practice brought up similar experiences. While we're not to look for progress in this practice, it's hard to avoid making comparisons.
   
   This book is an good manual for someone practicing samatha meditation. I personally took some good hints from it. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was one flaw that sort of bothered me. The author makes several references to his belief that an everyday person living in the Western world cannot possibly proceed beyond stage 2 on the path to samatha. I know for a fact that this is not correct. The more problematic issue however with the reinforcement of this notion is that it can potentially discourage fledging meditators or foster doubt and lack of enthusiasm in their practice. That would be a pitty, since in my experience, one's doubt is stronger when starting out on the path and gradually recedes as one makes progress - however small that progress may be :)
   
   It would be for the benefit of humanity as a whole if more individuals took up meditation practice. Therefore, discouraging people from the practice by saying that progress can hardly be made while living an engaged life does not serve much benefit. Very few of us can take to the mountains a'la Thoreau for a couple of years and practice samatha in complete seclusion. But many of us can take an hour or even a couple of hours a day for practice. While I have no doubt that progress would be faster on the shores of Walden, that doesn't mean that progress is out of the question in the city.
   
   This is still a good book though. Do yourself a favor and read it. Then, do yourself an even greater favor and practice it.

4 comments about Turtle Feet.

1. I finished Turtle Feet last night before bed, and I dreamt all night about one of the characters--the eccentric, ribald, rebellious and loveable alcoholic womanizing Bosnian ex-monk called Tsar. I never expected that this book would make me laugh so hard and dream so vividly. I chose the book because I was curious to know what could make a handsome, gifted young man with so much musical talent--who had only just managed to get out of Bulgaria to the States--decide to give up everything and enter a Tibetan monastery. I didn't expect that Grozni's monastic world would be so down to earth, filled with so many quirky, damaged, endearing, curious, intriguing, and truly sympathetic characters. I had not expected to encounter sexually frustrated monks, nuns on the verge of nervous breakdowns, weary adventurers plagued by loneliness and longing, competitive chess players brawling over matches, and most interesting to me--people who struggle, as I do, with the question of whether they have chosen the right path. Is what they are committed to meaningful and worthwhile, or of it is just another farce, another man-made construction in this absurd world? This was a great book! Moving, enlightening and damn funny. It is definitely a must read if you are interested in Tibet and monks and spirituality... For me though, I loved it because it gave me a clever, irreverent, sometimes hilarious insider's peek behind the curtain into a secret world--a world that I had no idea was scandalous as often as it is spiritual and serene.



2. Are you tired of reading Buddhist books about serene, serious, saffron robed monks sitting on cushions mediatating on the nature of emptiness? Then it's time for 'Turtle Feet' a raucous look at what Buddhist life is really like.
   
   Author Grozni, a Bulgarian music prodigy studying jazz piano at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, decides to chuck it all and go to India in order to learn the meaning of life. He travels to Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama in exile and thousands of Tibetan refugees from Communist China. There Grozni becomes a monk newly named Lodro Chosang.
   
   The streets of Dharamsala are teeming with life as thousands converge there from all over the world to study the dharma and perhaps get a glimpse of the Dalai Lama. Grozni's account of his life of poverty there is vivid and his assortment of friends fascinating. Grozni lives with a Bosnian war refugee with no passport named, Tsar. Tsar is an ex-monk, having violated one of the Buddhist precepts and having had sex with a beautiful Israeli girl. Other members of the household include Mona Lisa, a huge green snake, a plethora of rats (one named Thomas Edison) and various other wild life large and small.
   
   While Grozni studies at the nearby monastery with an emotionally abusive Geshe (Geshe being the Ph.d of the monk world), attempting to memorize sacred texts and master advanced debating techniques worthy of samurai warriors, Tsar carouses, plays chess for hours, smokes dope and ruminates about how to get out of India with no passport.
   
   Years go by, friends come and go and Grozni learns that to understand something clearly one must give it up. His Buddhist journey is wry and wise.



3. While the author of "Turtle Feet" is a very talented writer, (when he is describing the beauty of his surroundings, he sometimes verges on the poetic) in this book, he spends way, way too much time detailing the exploits of his manic, foul-mouthed, Bosnian, ex-Monk friend, Tsar. Grozni's religious/spiritual experiences as a novice monk take a back seat to Tsar's theatrics.
   
   People in India - like people everywhere - all share certain human traits. You get a bunch of young men living together in a community (even a Tibetan Buddhist community) and there are going to be some there with bad tempers, some with mental problems, some who swear like sailors, some who love to talk about sex, and some who use drugs. Maybe the author thought it was important to let us know this. But there is so much more that he could have shared with us - things unique to his life in India - that he did not.
   
   While the book offers a glimpse into a far-off world, it left me wishing the author had "waxed poetic" on more occasions and spent less time on his friend's passport/housing/woman troubles.
   
   
   
   
   
   



4. I can't say enough good things about this wonderful, exciting book. It has everything in it: vivid descriptions of horrid conditions, cuddly rats, snakes named Mona Lisa, very insightful passages about Buddhist teaching presented in a non-dogmatic way, linguistic trivia and examples, and of course extremely vibrant human characters. You might think that if Tsar, the Bosnia ex-monk who is constantly playing chess, fighting, making love and planning to escape India, is the central character, and he is, that the author couldn't paint others in as realistic a light. And yet he does. Vinnie, the crazy 70-year-old German who pisses on the floor of the kitchen and whose feet are oderiferous in the extreme, comes across in full living technicolor. But surprisingly, the author paints himself as a real human in no-less detail, which was really really neat. I almost feel as if I know him. I certain feel as if he and I share the same common human traits of desire for englightenment, and everything baser. But it is more than that. The book's details and word painting are just staggering. Excellent job! I wish I could read Bulgarian in order to enjoy your other books. You (Mr. Grozni) are one superb author!!!!