The Dalai Lama is a great person, and I have really appreciated his other ...
342984
The Dalai Lama is a great person, and I have really appreciated his other work, including the Book of Joy.  I think the translation of this work into English is poor.  There are many other books by the Dalai Lama, so I would recommend reading one of the others.
1472954
I wouldn't quite call "How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life" by the Dalai Lama a primer on Buddhism, because I feel that someone with no foreknowledge of Buddhist philosophy and practice might quickly get lost amidst the vast amount of information contained in this little volume. However, if you understand the basics, His Holiness presents the details of how to practice, in the Tibetan way, in a very clear and concise presentation. I found myself coming to several new and exciting revelations as I read this book, things I will be working on in my own meditations for some time to come.

I did have a few issues with this book. As with most books intended to teach a way to practice (whether it be religion, philosophy, or even sports) there is a certain amount of repetition. By the third or forth time the same thing was repeated I was ready to just skip over it, which would have been a shame because intermixed with some of them were a few wonderful stories about the Dalai Lama himself and his own journey toward Buddhahood. I also found some of his examples to be distracting, especially when they were taken from traditional teachings or contained particularly difficult names. I plodded through these sections and gleaned what I could from them, but feel a less traditional approach might have translated better.

If you have more than a passing interest in Buddhism or the ways of meditation, then you can't do much better than this book by the Dalai Lama himself!
3230941
I have been a devotee of the Dalai Lama and have read much of his work and listened to many of his (recorded) talks aver the past 40 years. Although I do not claim to be a practicing Buddhist, I have come to deeply appreciate the gentle power and consistency of his messages to anyone and everyone who will pay attention. What Daniel Goldman has done, in this interesting and welcome book, "A Force For Good" is to connect elements of the Dalai Lama's personal life and experience with the teachings that he offers.

I suppose that this might have been done by any careful student, but the author has had and continues to enjoy a close personal relationship with the man referred to by millions around the world as "His Holiness."

At the heart of the teachings are, of course, the basic Buddhist principles of Loving Kindness and Compassion. But, this volume is so much more than a simple re-statement of those values. It is a rather detailed portrait of one man's attempt to actualize them through a lifetime that continues to this day.

I have heard the Dalai Lama criticized for being a 'dreamer', a man not in touch with the harsh realities of the modern world. This book quashes any such notion by showing him as a very human being with very human qualities and frailties - but still, as one whose life quest is to spread the words that he hopes will  actualize the primary values of living kindness and compassion in a world where these things seem sometimes difficult to find.

For those who do not have much knowledge about the Dalai Lama or for the many who are somewhat knowledgeable about his life and teachings, this book is a most welcome opportunity to better appreciate the humanness and humanity of a man whose life revolves around the promotion of higher ideals.
902254
The Declaration of Independence asserts our self-evident right to pursue happiness, but doesn't teach us how to do so.  The Dalai Lama says happiness is the goal of human existence and teaches us not just how to rid ourselves of the negative thoughts from which unhappiness springs, but also how to grow into an habitually positive frame of mind.  This is not a selfish pursuit since compassion and altruism are understood as essential to personal happiness.  In an age of road rage and air rage, depression and anxiety, such a guide to mental hygiene and growth is needed and welcome.  I was initially disappointed that the book had two authors, but now consider this a strength.  Dr. Culter not only adds western psychological information that complements "Buddhist" doctrine, but also provides good descriptions of the Dalai Lama, engages him in a running dialogue, and asks the questions that I would like to ask, particularly how a non-Buddhist would use the teaching just given.  As it turns out there is very little in this book that is strictly "religious" or that would be unacceptable or impractical advice to a believer in another or in no faith at all.  The Dalai Lama addresses himself specifically to such people.  Obviously the book needs to be put into practice, not just read.
3273096
Sergey who I have had the pleasure of meeting personally really is a light in the darkness, one of the most well informed humans beings ive ever met with a truely amazing story to tell!
I am very glad to share part of my journey with him and hope that this book and the fragments of light it points towards travel across the world to those inquisitive fearless souls who will benefit the most from finding it.

Good to know there are others out there just like ourselves.

I found it fairly easy to get around some of the odd Russian/English-isms (that I feel add to the character of the book) and get at the heart of the message which happens to also be heart and the hard and winding journey of searching for universal truth in a world of lies, a path that so many of us are also on.

Thank you Sergey for being a light in the darkness, thank you for introducing me to the love of Huachuma those long afternoons in the high valleys of Peru, I will see you again!
1790127
After doing the rites in the first book for about 4 weeks, I became curious enough to see what book 2 had to offer. It's a wonderful book too. Tibetan Buddhism, it's proponents from the west and Tibetan medicine have interested me for a long time. Enough to go to Nepal and experience some interesting phenomena with regard to Tibetan lamas. So I was thrilled to read some new information about the mystery and lore of Tibet. Also the various contributors to the book provide many points of view about why these rites work so well. Particularly useful was the additional information about the breathing technique while performing the rites. This has aided my practice tremendously. I am having no difficulty going into my 4th week doing 11 repetitions of each exercise in one sitting.
I have dropped some weight, at least my jeans are looser, and gained tone and endurance. For sure my metabolism has picked up. This is a good thing, as hypothyroidism is a metabolic issue that I've been dealing with for a few years.
So all in all, I would recommend this book if you are interested in the myth and mystery of Tibet, if you have read the first book, and wonder if you have mastered the breathing technique, or if you are just curious about a way to improve your health without investing in any equipment and that takes just a few minutes a day.
3917268
This book is an entertaining, informative, and easy read. It is written by a western psychiatrist, Howard C. Cutler, M.D., and contains exceprts of interviews between the author and The Dalai Lama. Through out the book philosophical wisdom is provided in an easy to understand language. One does not have to be Buddhist in order to benefit from this read. It is not written in a concise handbook format, but reads like a narrative novel. The author's writing is more abundant than The Dalai Lama's words, so if you are looking for a book written by The Dalai Lama, this is not the book for you. This is an excellent book for western people to learn some simple concepts on how to be happy through employing eastern philosophies. Athough Buddhism is mentioned briefly here and there, it is definitely not a book on Buddhism. Anyone of any faith can gain insight through reading this book. The author's personal depictions pertaining to his learning process and occaisional missteps are refreshingly honest. The author thoughtfully provides a list of The Dalai Lama's books in the back of the book to facilitate one's desire to delve deeper into the subject of Buddhism from The Dalai Lama's perspective. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was that I was looking for a book written by The Dalai Lama and was mislead by the cover of the book, which implies greater input from The Dalai Lama than is present in the book. However, this book is a worthy read in its own right.
3342860
It seems strange to rate anything involving the Dalai Lama.  As far as I'm concerned, he is far and away the finest and wisest human being alive. So not giving this book the full "five star treatment" feels strange  to me.  So here's why I only gave it four...
This is a very good book  that centers around issues involved in christian-buddhist dialogue. I don't  think it's as good a treatment as Robert Aitken's The Ground We Share - but  it's very good nonetheless.  However, it could have been SO much better if  it had instead addressed the gospels from the point of view of what they  mean in light of buddhist approaches to leading a good life, rather than  what they mean with respect to more theoretical views on buddhist  cosmology, questions of christian-buddhist doctrinal similarities and  differences, etc.
Most of the Dalai Lama's books are very, very good in  terms of relating buddhism to real life.  Reading the Dalai Lama in this  regard is in every respect a religious experience as well as a useful  experience in learning to live a good life. However, over all I found The  Good Heart to e a rather dry - though certainly scholarly - treatment of  how buddhism and christianity compare and contrast with one another.
So, if you're interested in buddhist-christian dialogue on doctrinal  matters, this would be a very good book for you.  However, if you're  looking for something more along the lines of what the Gospels really MEAN  in terms of developing and nurturing a "good heart" - this is not  it.
4416023
I feel a connection with Swami Satchindananda, I happened to meet probably one of the only people in my area that was blessed to be under his direct teachings.  Anything I have read from him comes from a very humble and peaceful place, and helps me to stay focused in my humble and peaceful place.
3513348
I spent last evening reading "Heaven Is Beautiful," and it was a huge blessing to me.  Thank you for writing it; I know it wasn't easy to share such a deeply personal experience.

You may not remember my grandmother, a resident of the Island Nursing Home, but I remember very well how much your visits to her wing of INH meant during the time you pastored the Deer Isle Congregational Church.  Grammie was a staunch Advent Christian, and I was surprised (although pleased) by her being so open to visits from a pastor from another denomination.  Then she told me that you brought your beautiful husky along.  No wonder she opened up to you; Grammie adored dogs in general, and huskies in particular!

My great aunt, Grammie's younger sister, was undoubtedly among your flock at Deer Isle Congregational.  Thank you for ministering to her, also.  I loved my aunt dearly.

Thank you for being one of the people I have never met who nevertheless has made a difference in my life.  So often I think of writing a note like this one, and then never find the time to do it.
2914149
Actually, I've already been reading other books on Buddhist teachings before reading this one.  But I got a hold of this book to read how he intreprets those teachings, especially on Interdependent Co-Arising.

I wish Master Thich Nhat Hanh and all other practitioners well.
3844306
You will not regret buying this book!!!

I've lived in Seattle for over 20 years and did not know the true meaning of love and compassion until I went to the Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, where I had the honor of knowing H.E. Dagmo-Kushula (Mother of Princes) Jamyang Sayka and her husband His Holiness J.D. Sakya Rinpoche.

His Holines is the Spritual Leader of the Monastery and I knew Him and His Wife quite well. It was there that i received my "refuge" (Basically a loyalty oath, confirming that i have taken Buddhism as a personal course to attain enlightenment); it was also there where i received my Buddhist name, given to me by His Holiness, Himself.

In this magnificient, eloquent and profound book, (With a forward by His Holiness, The Dalai Lama) the journey that She, her Husband and family took to escape the chinese is fully documented by H.E. Jamyang and it is full of laughter, joy and tremendous hardship.

She has the ability to be incredibly sublime in her quips and anecdotes. A favorite accounting of mine is when they were actually in as much danger crossing the Himalayas as they potentially faced with the chinese.

There is a Tibetan word i cannot recall which, roughly translated, means, "look out below,!" meaning that if you were on the downside of a steep slope, you had to watch out for an ox who had slipped and was plunging down the mountain towards you, which to her, was funny in retrospect, but rather alarming at the time.

In this book, H.E. Jamyang has the astonishing ability to actually allow you to see through Her eyes. A rare gift that is continually sought by writers the world over.

You do not have to be a Buddhist to appreciate this wonderful book, and you will discover what love and compassion means to these displaced people, and it not just some fleeting emotion that most feel only over the Christmas holiday. This book will delight and enlighten you, and show you why they had over 1000 years of peace until their ancestral home was usurped by the chinese.

you will never regret reading it, but you may very well regret losing it! it is worth reading time and again, especially when you feel anger towards your fellow human, and, more importantly, when you feel anger towards yourself.

This book is worth far more than its weight in gold.
1459856
For many years, I have been both facinated by and interested in the Dali Lama. This book, while it doesn't exactly give answers, it certainly gives hope and direction to a more peaceful spirituality, and a road to finding  your own answers and happiness. And I now have great admiration for Dr.  Cutler, who did a wonderful job of transcribing his insightful interviews  into a book. Dr. Cutler did not just write what they discussed, he gave his  own interpretation and thoughts as well. This is a truly great book.
2777043
I am one of those who feel a hunger for echoes of the great women spiritual leaders of Buddhism. They are never mentioned in many tibetan centers.
This book has been a real source of inspiration.
Thank you Tsultrim Allione, I received from you some answers to my painful questions about sexism and prejudices against women in Buddhism.
1693643
I, like many others I'm sure, feel that Mother Teresa was a great person. This book is full of quotes from her. It is awe-inspiring to me that she did such great things and was as humble about what she was doing as she was.

While reading these quotes I was struck by how simple the things she said truly were, yet in their simplicity lies their magnitude. She wasn't helping the poor because it made her a better person, she was helping the poor because it was what she was needed to do to strengthen her relationship with Jesus. Many times she mentions that she helps the poor because the poor are Jesus, and by helping them she is helping Jesus.

Reading these quotes from her was quite touching. I hope that by listening to the message that she was conveying that I can become a better person.
1067474
As has been true with each book I've read by Ponlop Rinpoche, "Rebel Buddha" adds enormously to my knowledge of Buddhism.  I always welcome his understanding of American Culture and how far he has come to bridge the "gap" between Tibet and America in his writings on Buddhism. (Even to the point that he watches Stephen Colbert!).

I always find a great deal of encouragement from his writings for my practice; that I can advance, that awakening may not be millions of lifetimes in the future but, in fact, could be at any time with deepening practice of the six perfections.

Rinpoche's approach is casual, light-hearted and joyful, but, nevertheless conveys the immense importance of undertaking the Path. I've never met him, but through his writings, I've come to regard him as a great spiritual friend.

~~Rich
1282310
To anyone who has read much about spirituality or self-awareness, this book probably has nothing new to offer. Neither the advice of the Dalai Lama or that of the author, Howard Cutler, is very remarkable. The author frequently gushes over the profoundness of some simple observation or advice that the Dalai Lama makes. It seems strange to me that a professional psychologist such as Mr. Cutler hadn't already discovered most of what the Dalai Lama teaches before. I did learn one thing from reading this book though:  Psychologists are not very bright and I'm therefore not inclined to ever seek the advice of one.
  In all fairness, the concepts and ideas presented by the Dalai Lama are good ones. If you've never read much about spirituality or self-awareness this might be a good book to start with. Much better than the Dalai Lama though, I would recommend  reading some of the books by the late Anthony de Mello. A major problem with the Dalai Lama however is that he has little credibility. I'm looking for advice that I can apply to MY life. The Dalai Lama however leads a very pampered life. He doesn't have to worry about being unemployed. He doesn't have to worry about being homeless. He doesn't have to worry about obtaining medical care which may be ruinously expensive. He doesn't have to worry about retiring. He doesn't have to worry about being a wage slave the rest of his life. He travels all over the world and doesn't have to worry about paying for it.  In fact, people pay him to travel. Everywhere he goes, people treat him deferentially because of his status. It's no surprise that the Dalai Lama is happy. He darn well ought to be!