Best book for beginners as well as for those who'd like a refresher on Tibetan Buddhism
352646
This is the very first book I read about Tibetan Buddhism.  It is my #1 recommendation to beginners, as well as to those who'd like a refresher course or guidance on how to present Tibetan Buddhism to others.  The book is written so clearly and simply; Dr. Thurman's elucidation just can't be matched.  It is by far the most inspiring and impactful book I've ever read (and I've read hundreds in my  journey for truth).  My worldview completely transformed thanks to Inner Revolution (the title is so appropriate in my particular experience).
3787633
If you are looking for an imminently readable and accessible exposition on this subject, by an undeniably authentic modern Tibetan teacher well versed in Western culture, this is one of the very best books currently available on Lojong. It will add inestimably to your practice, and even more so to your everyday life. Not dry or academic by any means, but not at all dumbed down in the least. Gets straight to the heart of the matter. This book gets my very highest recommendation. Do yourself, and the world, a favor and hunt down a copy of this gem!!!
3148923
I wouldn't recommend this book for beginners in buddhism. It has many symbolic and metaphoric passages that could lead to bad misunderstanding. But for those seriously following the path, specially in he Nyingma tradition, it's a wonderful book to know better Guru Rinpoche and how the Buddhadharma arrived in Tibet!
3959198
as a beginner who has acquired several books by master teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, I rate this one as just about tops.  Like many of TNH's books, the prose is easily accessible and reading just a few pages at a time, either before or after meditation, allows one to more readily benefit from a session of sitting or walking meditation.  The short chapters are organized in such a way that the reader can choose the topic that speaks to  you most strongly at the moment.

The book offers an excellent introduction to the philosophy and practice of this branch of Buddhism, with several chapters that invite the interested reader to delve more deeply through other books.
3075704
This is an excellent text on the Tibetan Buddhist teachings on the five elements.  It is well-written and thorough, not to mention poetic.  There are many powerful metaphors used to explain difficult concepts.  This is a book you can read over and over again and never run out of things to learn.  It covers a lot of ground in a very short space.  Lucid and profound.
4330511
This is a MUST READ if interested in Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama highly recommends this book and so do I!
4754816
I have been reading and practicing in Buddhism for about 20 years. This was the first really deep book on Buddhism I ever read - about 15 years ago.  Don't take this as knocking other dharma books, because they all have a place and many great ones and are often written at many different levels.  I hesitate to say many were written for a "pop" audience,  but many were written on the "intro" level as the vast majority of English speakers grew up in an anglo-Christian environment didn't grow up around Buddhism. So the majority of English language books don't take the deep dive into the dharma that this does.  It blew me away and did a lot to inspire me into a serious practice.  I would leave it next to where I meditate and read a page or two often after meditation as the insight gained from that action helped me digest it.

I'm still just starting, but this book was my first real foray into deeper meaning of the dharma -  highly recommended as an extremely worthwhile place to spend time studying and worth revisits.  Know a handful of leaves and you will know the entire forest.

PLEASE - an audible version as driving is the only place many people have in solitude.
4822751
This text is an explanation of the basics of Tibetan Buddhism, written by Gampopa around a millennium ago. I've found it very useful as a source of supplemental information and alternative perspectives on various topics that have arisen in my studies. For example, a common Buddhist teaching that people are instructed by their Lama to start with is the teaching on "The four thoughts that turn the mind toward the dharma." I think Kalu Rinpoche's book "Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism" is a much better book to learn about the four thoughts, but Gampopa's text is very useful to expand and elaborate on that knowledge.
214763
Lama Migmar has released a number of outstanding books, and they just seem to get better and better. By keeping the tone conversational, and by including plenty of excellent Q & A, he has created a volume which is a treasure for beginners as well as students with experience... my new favorite book on the Buddha's first teaching.
1185378
A fabulous combination of books.

Tibetan Secrets explains the 5 Tibetan Rites in excellent detail and with great illustrations so you know exactly what you are supposed to be doing. Since I read this book I have been doing these daily and I must say, I feel so much better.

The Crystal Healing Energy book was an extra bonus for me and I learned a lot from it.

Recommended!
4435312
So flipping through the channels on the television you come across Zen air freshener. A friend says that they just had a Zen experience at a rock concert. In the grocery store you see Zen Hamburgers. This zen thing is everywhere. Do you really understand it? Do I?

If you are just checking Buddhism out for the first time, this book is a perfect jumping off point to the sometimes confusing sect of Zen Buddhism.

Suzuki Roshi was a true Zen master. His teaching and skills transcended the western mind set and allowed Zen Buddhism to be understood by the simplest of terms. In this book he covers breathing techniques, which even masters do daily. This book also covers mindfulness practice and the benefits of doing this every day. Written with the skills of a master but understandable by everyone this is one of  the greatest treasures this book holds. Its not very long and can easily be read in a weekend. Its lessons can carry you through a lifetime. There are not many books that can do such a thing and do it so adeptly.

For the every day practicioner you will not find a koan in this book. You cannot skip Dokusan by reading this. It is after all just a book. What you will find in here is a refreshing of attitude that many Zen Pro's get stuck in a rut. Its worth a first read through just for that. Its worth a reread too.

Summary:
If you have read this book in the past and are still practicing today or you are a new practitioner looking to find out what this Zen thing is you cannot go wrong by getting this book.

Thank you for reading my review.
2807732
This is a book that has the teachings that are or became the foundation for Zen Buddhism. If you are new to Zen or Buddhism or meditation, do not start with this book. But, if you would like something special, ancient and oh so good, then this is the book for you. I love the detailed commentary that accompanies each page because it helps to get behind the time and culture in which this book was produced. Red Pine does a masterful job at translation and interpretation. Highly recommended.
1039918
In Tibet, a Spiritual Friend is equivalent to one's lama or guru.  This book is a superior introduction to some of the best aspects of Tibetan Buddhism (i.e. Vajrayana).  It is written in a very readable form with sensitivity and grace.  I cannot think of a better book to give a friend interested in knowing about or starting out on a journey to Vajrayana.  I heard of it long before I read/bought it.  Presently, I've loaned it out.  It's a great book to have on your shelf for reference and especially to loan to other seekers.
4844510
I once heard that all books you read are the same book.  I also heard that when you are ready to advance a teacher will find you.  In the 21st century the idea of a teacher finding you is tough because of how spread out we are.

I've been practicing Tibetan Buddhism for about a year and half including meditation and Dharma study on the Lam Rim teachings.  I have definitely experienced a calming of my mind and the Dharma teachings give me a good grounding in the true nature of reality.

When I found this book I was curious but I have a very skeptical mind typically.  I started reading and for some reason the words just resonated with me on such a deep level.  I've heard this all before - in various books dating back to Shakyamuni Buddha and Shantideva.  I've heard it in Lama Yeshe and other current Tibetan teachers.

But something about the way the teachings on mind, feelings, desires, sensations, and the nature of truth, hit me in a different way.  I've only been reading this book for five days and twice today I found myself in a very agitated state.  Rather than just suffer I actually took steps into the agitation - the desire.  First I entertained the thoughts around it and realized they were lies.  Then I experienced the feeling - the sensation of intense sorrow in my gut, and I also knew that this wasn't real.  I finally ended up at a place of just emptiness in the moment and it completely turned around the problem I was facing.

To have a teaching affect me so profoundly in just five days is quite a miracle for me.  I understand that everyone is at their own level and their own path; but for me this book has been an astounding teacher that apparently found me at exactly the time I needed it.

Thanks, Nirmala, for making this available.  I look forward to reading your other works when I complete this.
4945940
I first read this book 10 years ago and was inspired by Le Shan's insightful introduction to meditation.  He tells it straight, describes the history of Western (christian) and Eastern meditation, reviews the basic types of meditation (structured/unstructured, mind/body/feeling centred) and points out potential pitfalls that may befall the beginner and the experienced meditator (more often it's the experienced meditator who gets sid-tracked by uplifting 'experiences' during meditation - such as seeing lights or the image of god or whatever - and as Le Shan points out this is not meditation's goal, so just say, 'how interesting' and carry on).  I'm re-reading this book right now and am delighted to have re-discovered it on my bookshelf - it is a fresh reminder of why it's worthwhile to practice meditation.
4380149
Wow. I have read many books on Buddhism and meditation and this one is one of the best I've read. Maybe it was a case of "If the student is ready, the teacher will appear" type of thing, but the beautiful and thorough writing explains the concepts of meditation in a scientific and illustrative way. I have struggled with the concept of Karma for a long time and this book gave me an "Ah ha" moment. The author recommends further reading on this subject. I wouldn't recommend this book for an introduction into meditation. This book gave me real insight into my practice and talked me through some of the questions I've have for a long time and inspired me to continue with renewed focus. I found this book to be a real page turner and delight to read- not a plod like a lot of books on Buddhism tend to be.
1794625
Old Path, White Clouds is a wonderful book for anyone wanting to learn more about the life of Buddha, whether they be experienced with Buddhism or completely ignorant. The simplicity of this book makes it readable by a scholar or a junior high school student. Many popular books on Buddhism overlook the role of this historical Buddha. This book changed the way I thought about life and helped me experience mindfulness. Don't let the large size of this book deceive you. It is so engrossing and easy to read that you seem to quickly slide through it wishing for more when it is done. A book I would strongly recommend for the Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike.