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The New Saints: From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors
A USA Today Bestseller
A Buddhist Lama and intersectional thought leader shares a guide for those who would dream a more just, ethical world into being.
Saints, spiritual warriors, bodhisattvas, tzaddikim—no matter how they are named in a given tradition, they all share a profound wish to free others from suffering. Saints are not unattainable beings of stained glass or carved stone. “Saints are ordinary and human, doing things any person can learn to do,” teaches Lama Rod Owens. “Our era calls for saints who are from this time and place, speak the language of this moment, and integrate both social and spiritual liberation. I believe we all can and must become New Saints.”
With The New Saints, Lama Rod shares a guidebook for becoming an effective agent of justice, peace, and change. Combining personal stories, traditional teachings, and instructions for contemplative and somatic practices, he shares inspiring resources for self-exploration and wise action. Each chapter reinforces the truth of our interdependency—allowing us to be of service to the collective well-being, access the unseen realms of divine guidance and strength, and call on the support of the countless beings who share our struggles and hopes.
The status quo of our society is crumbling, and rightly so. But what future will emerge to replace it? “There’s nothing like crisis to wake us up and force us to get serious about change,” says Lama Rod. “Ancient, powerful magic is returning. With the end of the lies of the old world comes the awakening of truth.” For those who have the willingness to allow our hearts to break, disrupt systems of violence, and let deep, authentic care guide our actions instead of fear and hate, here is a clarion call for becoming a spiritual warrior—a human refreshed, serving a vision of a world shaped by love.
A Buddhist Lama and intersectional thought leader shares a guide for those who would dream a more just, ethical world into being.
Saints, spiritual warriors, bodhisattvas, tzaddikim—no matter how they are named in a given tradition, they all share a profound wish to free others from suffering. Saints are not unattainable beings of stained glass or carved stone. “Saints are ordinary and human, doing things any person can learn to do,” teaches Lama Rod Owens. “Our era calls for saints who are from this time and place, speak the language of this moment, and integrate both social and spiritual liberation. I believe we all can and must become New Saints.”
With The New Saints, Lama Rod shares a guidebook for becoming an effective agent of justice, peace, and change. Combining personal stories, traditional teachings, and instructions for contemplative and somatic practices, he shares inspiring resources for self-exploration and wise action. Each chapter reinforces the truth of our interdependency—allowing us to be of service to the collective well-being, access the unseen realms of divine guidance and strength, and call on the support of the countless beings who share our struggles and hopes.
The status quo of our society is crumbling, and rightly so. But what future will emerge to replace it? “There’s nothing like crisis to wake us up and force us to get serious about change,” says Lama Rod. “Ancient, powerful magic is returning. With the end of the lies of the old world comes the awakening of truth.” For those who have the willingness to allow our hearts to break, disrupt systems of violence, and let deep, authentic care guide our actions instead of fear and hate, here is a clarion call for becoming a spiritual warrior—a human refreshed, serving a vision of a world shaped by love.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
122 people are currently reading
746 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 13, 2023
Summary:
"Saints, spiritual warriors, bodhisattvas, tzaddik—no matter how they are named in a given tradition, they all share a profound wish to free others from suffering. " Drawing on his own multi-faceted learnings, traditions, and experiences, Lama Owens teaches us how to be "an effective agent of justice, peace, and change" through teaching, stories, and ideas for our own practice.
Thoughts:
I first heard about Lama Rod Owens and his new book, _The New Saints_, on the 10% Happier podcast. When I first heard the interview, I had this feeling of comforting radical self-acceptance coming from Lama Owens that I was quiet taken with and wanted to experience more of. Over the next few weeks, I was able to listen to audiobook through Libby, and found it to be quite fantastic. Even as _The New Saints_ takes on challenging topics (trauma, repression, rejection), I felt like I was getting a big hug the entire time I was listening. I think those with Buddhist leanings and/or those who incorporate spiritual practices from multiple traditions will particularly enjoy it, but I do believe there is something for everyone here. I will probably pick up the book on Audible so that I can engage with it on any difficult day. I really hope Lama Owens comes to Boulder!
Enjoy with a hot spicy chai on a cold day, regardless of stromy life conditions
"Saints, spiritual warriors, bodhisattvas, tzaddik—no matter how they are named in a given tradition, they all share a profound wish to free others from suffering. " Drawing on his own multi-faceted learnings, traditions, and experiences, Lama Owens teaches us how to be "an effective agent of justice, peace, and change" through teaching, stories, and ideas for our own practice.
Thoughts:
I first heard about Lama Rod Owens and his new book, _The New Saints_, on the 10% Happier podcast. When I first heard the interview, I had this feeling of comforting radical self-acceptance coming from Lama Owens that I was quiet taken with and wanted to experience more of. Over the next few weeks, I was able to listen to audiobook through Libby, and found it to be quite fantastic. Even as _The New Saints_ takes on challenging topics (trauma, repression, rejection), I felt like I was getting a big hug the entire time I was listening. I think those with Buddhist leanings and/or those who incorporate spiritual practices from multiple traditions will particularly enjoy it, but I do believe there is something for everyone here. I will probably pick up the book on Audible so that I can engage with it on any difficult day. I really hope Lama Owens comes to Boulder!
Enjoy with a hot spicy chai on a cold day, regardless of stromy life conditions
March 2, 2025
Just…yeah. Took my time. Many of these teachings I’ve heard from Lama Rod over the years, and, to read them this way, with so many others, is powerful.
It’s not perfect but perfection is for the birds.
It’s not perfect but perfection is for the birds.
February 15, 2024
I haven’t read a dharma text this relevant to exactly where I am at since I started reading Dharma.
Probably going to write a whole review of it for my blog.
Probably going to write a whole review of it for my blog.
March 11, 2024
Certainly the most thought-provoking read of the year so far, The New Saints: From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors is written by a Queer, Black, American, Buddhist Lama. It is a meditation on the intersections and interconnected nature of spirituality and activism in today’s world, the politics of violence and care, and the potential for each and every one of us to be human ‘saints.’
Books on Buddhism seldom speak to people working in the realm of social change (beyond concepts of compassion and charity) while books on social change seldom touch upon spirituality or how care ought to be at the centre of everything we do. This book is an outlier in this regard and touches upon themes that are seldom discussed together or in relation to each other.
I am not sure how much of the ‘theory’ described in the book would make sense to someone unfamiliar with practices like Vipassana, but for me, reading it with some prior knowledge and practice of the concepts, was a delight. It helped me make sense of my own emotions and spiritual journey, and gave me a framework to make sense of how my personal and professional experiences converge.
One of the sections in the book that stood out for me was about the perception of goodness in society, and how it is dependent on the extent to which we conform to society’s standards and expectations. We are deemed a ‘good’ person/daughter/citizen/woman as long as we follow the status quo and don’t question patriarchy/authority/customs/rules of engagement. But as soon as we do so, don’t fit into the given template, we are shamed by those around as as being selfish, stubborn, rogue. Because accepting our non-compliance would mean that those shaming us would need to confront their own choices, and the discomfort and existential crisis that might bring forth is scary. So the easier option for them is to shame our choices.
There are parts of the book I didn’t understand or relate to, but these are minor peeves in front of the overall value and food for thought (and action) this book provides. The ending surprised me, and I am amazed by the author’s courage, vulnerability, and authenticity in writing this book the way he has.
Books on Buddhism seldom speak to people working in the realm of social change (beyond concepts of compassion and charity) while books on social change seldom touch upon spirituality or how care ought to be at the centre of everything we do. This book is an outlier in this regard and touches upon themes that are seldom discussed together or in relation to each other.
I am not sure how much of the ‘theory’ described in the book would make sense to someone unfamiliar with practices like Vipassana, but for me, reading it with some prior knowledge and practice of the concepts, was a delight. It helped me make sense of my own emotions and spiritual journey, and gave me a framework to make sense of how my personal and professional experiences converge.
One of the sections in the book that stood out for me was about the perception of goodness in society, and how it is dependent on the extent to which we conform to society’s standards and expectations. We are deemed a ‘good’ person/daughter/citizen/woman as long as we follow the status quo and don’t question patriarchy/authority/customs/rules of engagement. But as soon as we do so, don’t fit into the given template, we are shamed by those around as as being selfish, stubborn, rogue. Because accepting our non-compliance would mean that those shaming us would need to confront their own choices, and the discomfort and existential crisis that might bring forth is scary. So the easier option for them is to shame our choices.
There are parts of the book I didn’t understand or relate to, but these are minor peeves in front of the overall value and food for thought (and action) this book provides. The ending surprised me, and I am amazed by the author’s courage, vulnerability, and authenticity in writing this book the way he has.
August 25, 2024
What are the main ideas?
- although sainthood is positioned today as an impossible goal, it is wholly possible to be as a saint would be (a new saint, if you will) by tending to ones inner work and outer work and letting that work speak for itself so much so that others around you identify you as a saint
- one of the key parts of the work of being a new saint is to find what work is uniquely yours to do and then do it relentlessly. that means coming back to it when you get knocked off of it, which will happen without a question
- "saints are people from various spiritual and religious traditions who have deeply embodied lovea nd compassion and whose embodiment has inspired countless others to aspire to that same practice." new saints are people who do that but in this era.
- new saints are committed to the work of liberation but who follow through with that commitment without bypassing any part of their experience or the experience of others.
- the new saint is a prophet who reveals what is happening right here and right now.
- the capacity to do awakened care is critical to being a new saint. one definition of awakened care is your capacity to embody the realization "that everything in my life can be aligned with not just my personal liberation but the liberation of all beings."
If I implemented one idea from this book right now, which one would it be?
practice liberatory self-care: "understanding what i need and then understanding how to get what i need while offering others what they need."
How would I describe the book to a friend?
this book is a spiritual tome and not for the faint of heart! if you've been following along lama rod's writing journey and reading everything along the way, this book *still* might give you a run for your money and attention. but you will definitely have a leg up if you're well-practiced with some of his specific practice offerings (like SNOELL). if you're feeling grounded, spacious, and willing to be with the practices, this book is gold. this book feels to me like the product of a lot inner work translated for others. each of the different elements (ex: the four sweet liberations, the 3 levels of freedom, prayer, patriarchy, etc, the four yogas of the new saint, the three great streams of awakened care, etc etc) could be its own spiritual text. i had to work to take this book real slow and really digest before moving on. and, honestly, i probably should go back and relook at it piece by piece. there's so much good stuff in here and each piece really deserves significant attention.
all that said, if you're willing to take this text seriously, spiritual sainthood within reach and that's not an exaggeration.
- although sainthood is positioned today as an impossible goal, it is wholly possible to be as a saint would be (a new saint, if you will) by tending to ones inner work and outer work and letting that work speak for itself so much so that others around you identify you as a saint
- one of the key parts of the work of being a new saint is to find what work is uniquely yours to do and then do it relentlessly. that means coming back to it when you get knocked off of it, which will happen without a question
- "saints are people from various spiritual and religious traditions who have deeply embodied lovea nd compassion and whose embodiment has inspired countless others to aspire to that same practice." new saints are people who do that but in this era.
- new saints are committed to the work of liberation but who follow through with that commitment without bypassing any part of their experience or the experience of others.
- the new saint is a prophet who reveals what is happening right here and right now.
- the capacity to do awakened care is critical to being a new saint. one definition of awakened care is your capacity to embody the realization "that everything in my life can be aligned with not just my personal liberation but the liberation of all beings."
If I implemented one idea from this book right now, which one would it be?
practice liberatory self-care: "understanding what i need and then understanding how to get what i need while offering others what they need."
How would I describe the book to a friend?
this book is a spiritual tome and not for the faint of heart! if you've been following along lama rod's writing journey and reading everything along the way, this book *still* might give you a run for your money and attention. but you will definitely have a leg up if you're well-practiced with some of his specific practice offerings (like SNOELL). if you're feeling grounded, spacious, and willing to be with the practices, this book is gold. this book feels to me like the product of a lot inner work translated for others. each of the different elements (ex: the four sweet liberations, the 3 levels of freedom, prayer, patriarchy, etc, the four yogas of the new saint, the three great streams of awakened care, etc etc) could be its own spiritual text. i had to work to take this book real slow and really digest before moving on. and, honestly, i probably should go back and relook at it piece by piece. there's so much good stuff in here and each piece really deserves significant attention.
all that said, if you're willing to take this text seriously, spiritual sainthood within reach and that's not an exaggeration.
February 29, 2024
I've been a huge fan of Lama Rod Owens for a few years now, since I first heard of him when he first co-wrote Radical Dharma in 2016. His second book, Love and Rage changed my life and the way I interact with my anger. I even attended a (virtual) retreat with him in 2021 that has stayed with me ever since. Owens, according to his bio, is a "Black Buddhist Southern Queen," who also refers to himself as an anarchist. In a lot of ways he has made Buddhism and it's beliefs and practices more accessible to a much wider range of people.
The New Saints is my least favorite of his three books though. It felt more like a journal most of the time, and I didn't get the feeling I got from his other two or from listening to him speak. I think part of it too was the influence of christianity on him and his words. He's mentioned growing up christian in the past, but this book felt like it had more references to god and jesus and bible stories than his previous two books combined. I get very turned off by talk of christianity, so maybe the book was great and I was just distracted.
If you've never read anything by Owens, I recommend starting with Love and Rage. If you've read everything but this, I think it's still worth a try.
The New Saints is my least favorite of his three books though. It felt more like a journal most of the time, and I didn't get the feeling I got from his other two or from listening to him speak. I think part of it too was the influence of christianity on him and his words. He's mentioned growing up christian in the past, but this book felt like it had more references to god and jesus and bible stories than his previous two books combined. I get very turned off by talk of christianity, so maybe the book was great and I was just distracted.
If you've never read anything by Owens, I recommend starting with Love and Rage. If you've read everything but this, I think it's still worth a try.
December 17, 2023
The New Saints From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors by Rod Owens
Pub Date: 31 Oct 2023
<3 The Artistry is what made me interested in picking this up. The content seamlessly resonated with my ongoing learning and practicing of these holistic self-care tools that has been around for decades. It being mainstream only came (IMO) about due to the pandemic, political and racial unrest all erupting and corrupting simultaneously. This alignment of all these evils seem to bring these Spiritual and Self-Care practices front and center. He is practicing 3 of my daily practices along with a whole lot more that I can not even begin to wrap my head around. Hearing of his 3 years in Spiritual Training sounds exactly what I been seriously contemplating. I am ready to just leave this apartment and this area all together... It was informative and left me more curious about all these practices that are what I think is an advanced level of Spiritual Gangster Status.
It may be a trendy thing or the thing to be practicing... but for me they all has served as self-preservation, past and ongoing trauma, physical and emotional healing--some tools that I went looking for when one practice was no longer effective on its own... TM did wonders for the purpose of #RageTaming, Equanimity Strengthening and #chokeOutPrevention purposes.--until it didn't.
My #TBR LISTS just got longer. This is well worth the read to learn of the old traditional indigenous practices or to strengthen anyone's Spiritual Practices. #Meditation #BreathWork #CommunityHealing #Rituals #Ceremonies #GenerationalTrauma #ReAwakening #Reparenting #InnerChildCare #NetGalley <3
Saints, spiritual warriors, bodhisattvas, tzaddikim—no matter how they are named in a given tradition, they all share a profound wish to free others from suffering. Saints are not unattainable beings of stained glass or carved stone. "Saints are ordinary and human, doing things any person can learn to do," teaches Lama Rod Owens. "Our era calls for saints who are from this time and place, speak the language of this moment, and integrate both social and spiritual liberation. I believe we all can and must become New Saints."
With The New Saints, Lama Rod shares a guidebook for becoming an effective agent of justice, peace, and change. Combining personal stories, traditional teachings, and instructions for contemplative and somatic practices, he shares inspiring resources for self-exploration and wise action. Each chapter reinforces the truth of our interdependency—allowing us to be of service to the collective well-being, access the unseen realms of divine guidance and strength, and call on the support of the countless beings who share our struggles and hopes.
The status quo of our society is crumbling, and rightly so. But what future will emerge to replace it? "There's nothing like crisis to wake us up and force us to get serious about change," says Lama Rod. "Ancient, powerful magic is returning. With the end of the lies of the old world comes the awakening of truth." For those who have the willingness to allow our hearts to break, disrupt systems of violence, and let deep, authentic care guide our actions instead of fear and hate, here is a clarion call for becoming a spiritual warrior—a human refreshed, serving a vision of a world shaped by love.
Pub Date: 31 Oct 2023
<3 The Artistry is what made me interested in picking this up. The content seamlessly resonated with my ongoing learning and practicing of these holistic self-care tools that has been around for decades. It being mainstream only came (IMO) about due to the pandemic, political and racial unrest all erupting and corrupting simultaneously. This alignment of all these evils seem to bring these Spiritual and Self-Care practices front and center. He is practicing 3 of my daily practices along with a whole lot more that I can not even begin to wrap my head around. Hearing of his 3 years in Spiritual Training sounds exactly what I been seriously contemplating. I am ready to just leave this apartment and this area all together... It was informative and left me more curious about all these practices that are what I think is an advanced level of Spiritual Gangster Status.
It may be a trendy thing or the thing to be practicing... but for me they all has served as self-preservation, past and ongoing trauma, physical and emotional healing--some tools that I went looking for when one practice was no longer effective on its own... TM did wonders for the purpose of #RageTaming, Equanimity Strengthening and #chokeOutPrevention purposes.--until it didn't.
My #TBR LISTS just got longer. This is well worth the read to learn of the old traditional indigenous practices or to strengthen anyone's Spiritual Practices. #Meditation #BreathWork #CommunityHealing #Rituals #Ceremonies #GenerationalTrauma #ReAwakening #Reparenting #InnerChildCare #NetGalley <3
Saints, spiritual warriors, bodhisattvas, tzaddikim—no matter how they are named in a given tradition, they all share a profound wish to free others from suffering. Saints are not unattainable beings of stained glass or carved stone. "Saints are ordinary and human, doing things any person can learn to do," teaches Lama Rod Owens. "Our era calls for saints who are from this time and place, speak the language of this moment, and integrate both social and spiritual liberation. I believe we all can and must become New Saints."
With The New Saints, Lama Rod shares a guidebook for becoming an effective agent of justice, peace, and change. Combining personal stories, traditional teachings, and instructions for contemplative and somatic practices, he shares inspiring resources for self-exploration and wise action. Each chapter reinforces the truth of our interdependency—allowing us to be of service to the collective well-being, access the unseen realms of divine guidance and strength, and call on the support of the countless beings who share our struggles and hopes.
The status quo of our society is crumbling, and rightly so. But what future will emerge to replace it? "There's nothing like crisis to wake us up and force us to get serious about change," says Lama Rod. "Ancient, powerful magic is returning. With the end of the lies of the old world comes the awakening of truth." For those who have the willingness to allow our hearts to break, disrupt systems of violence, and let deep, authentic care guide our actions instead of fear and hate, here is a clarion call for becoming a spiritual warrior—a human refreshed, serving a vision of a world shaped by love.
February 17, 2024
The content of this book and the embodied experience of reading it feel the same to me--which is a profound level of integrity rare in my experience. The book offers both formal and in-daily-life practices integrating personal, social, and ultimate liberation. Reading it ranged--for me--from the transcendent to the cringey--with the (for me) cringey parts maybe manifesting the deepest practice and greatest rigor (and inviting them from me as reader), embodying how the ultimate and the very human dance with our own actual bodies and our own and larger shadows inseparably co-create each other--imprison or liberate each other. I feel Lama Rod opening doors, inviting me to step farther into feeling myself, farther into light, farther into shadow, and farther into what lies beyond those dualities. Much appreciation.
April 17, 2024
Moving, thoughtful, heartbreaking, refreshing
Lama Rod’s honesty, poetry and concrete tools combine in this inspired and epic work. Reading through is literally important work for the reader, each section a reckoning offering challenge, invitation and guidance.
I’ve already re-read several sections, shared quotes and the whole book with folks I love who it would sing to in their current moment. I would recommend this book to everyone; To anyone trying hard to figure out how to be in the world.
As always, Lama Rod show up. He sits with conflicting emotions and realities and finds truth that can hold them all.
Lama Rod’s honesty, poetry and concrete tools combine in this inspired and epic work. Reading through is literally important work for the reader, each section a reckoning offering challenge, invitation and guidance.
I’ve already re-read several sections, shared quotes and the whole book with folks I love who it would sing to in their current moment. I would recommend this book to everyone; To anyone trying hard to figure out how to be in the world.
As always, Lama Rod show up. He sits with conflicting emotions and realities and finds truth that can hold them all.
November 22, 2024
The New Saints covers a lot of spiritual ground. From Christian tradition to ancient mysticism to Buddhism, Lama Rod Owen lays the groundwork for how we can interact with the spiritual world and the physical world in ways that will renew us instead of depleting us.
The New Saints offers practical meditation techniques to be present with both joy and pain--and to allow for and experience the interconnectedness we all share. Lama Rod Owen offers fierce protectiveness of the marginalized--a welcome and inclusive perspective.
I was challenged and intrigued by this approach to spirituality. No matter your spiritual tradition, there is something for you in The New Saints.
Support Bookish and buy The New Saints on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4334/978164963...
The New Saints offers practical meditation techniques to be present with both joy and pain--and to allow for and experience the interconnectedness we all share. Lama Rod Owen offers fierce protectiveness of the marginalized--a welcome and inclusive perspective.
I was challenged and intrigued by this approach to spirituality. No matter your spiritual tradition, there is something for you in The New Saints.
Support Bookish and buy The New Saints on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4334/978164963...
December 26, 2023
I really appreciate when an author/teacher knows a subject so well that they are able to use new language to discuss concepts I only almost understood when others used more traditional language. Owens also manages to hold both compassion and candor in ways that are inspiring, challenging and comforting all at once.
See pp. 55,60,93,94, 231, 237-8, 241 & 198 re nationalism/protection/hospitality, 248
See pp. 55,60,93,94, 231, 237-8, 241 & 198 re nationalism/protection/hospitality, 248
July 31, 2024
If you're looking for an in-depth immersion into Buddhism, this is maybe not the book for you. But if you are beginning your own spiritual journey in curiosity and want to follow another's journey from a Black, queer lens, you will find love and joy, transcendence and care.
Beautiful words an vulnerability. And profoundly human.
Beautiful words an vulnerability. And profoundly human.
April 9, 2025
it took me forever to read this. I read just a few pages a night for months. Partly slow digestion, partly being tired of it. In the end, Lama Rod comes through, keeps it real and makes space for all the things that are taken from us and gives hope through all our pain and struggles without a smidge of toxic optimism.
March 3, 2024
Lama Rod talks about familiar concepts and also stuff that I think is new or subjects others haven't covered. Some of it gets pretty out there, but it's an interesting perspective. Some good processes here for meditation, forgiveness, and prayer.
August 21, 2024
Another Lama Rod Owens book just etched itself into my heart forever. Even though the profound wisdom in this book was written in a relatable and approachable way, it took me awhile to get through this because of how deeply each section impacted me.
December 5, 2025
Some great meditations. A bit crass for me. I have met Lama Rod when he lead our Sangha. He is very well thought upon by Sangha members. What I love about this book is his authenticity and raw honesty.
dnf-for-random-reasons
April 10, 2024Ultimately, too much for me to finish, but I did get some interesting thoughts out of it.
May 21, 2024
Provocador e íntimo, Rod muestra a través de su historia su espiritualidad más personal. Un llamado a la práctica espiritual profunda y creativa, y la liberación colectiva.
Read
May 27, 2024A handbook for liberation, crafted for this very moment.
June 26, 2024
A bit long, but a very fascinating read.
July 12, 2024
I’m having trouble rating this one. So much beautiful food for thought, but I think I lack a basic understanding of Buddhism that would have made the book more accessible to me.
July 30, 2024
An inspiring, honest, and thought-provoking book, but long and tedious at times.
January 3, 2025
10/10 would read again
January 6, 2025
So fucking beautiful! The template for leadership I needed.
January 26, 2024
Gut wrenching, deeply personal, hopeful, and practical. May we all get free.
March 19, 2024
I was very excited to read this book but was met with content that was a bit different than what I had expected. Personally, I was hoping to get out of this some inspiration on how to connect our inner practices with community-work, activism, and navigating the dark global landscape we find ourselves in. This book was mostly about the inner practices and personal growth and it contained less on how it manifests externally. There's nothing wrong with that, but I think if you're looking for a book on inner transformation from a Western Tibetan Buddhist perspective, there are already many books written by westerners like Pema Chodron and Thubten Chodron or just pick up another one of Lama Rod Owen's books. Although Owens frequently brings in examples and stories from other traditions to illustrate his ideas, it often comes at the cost of disrupting the flow of each chapter.
Readers would greatly benefit from a working knowledge of Mahayana Buddhism and some exposure to the Vajrayana, although even I found it hard to connect traditional terms to what would either be changed or translated differently (for example, samsara as 'the carceral state'). I don't believe that re-translating these terms is necessary considering many of them such as Bodhicitta are very difficult to translate succinctly and accurately. If anything, it just confused me more.
Readers would greatly benefit from a working knowledge of Mahayana Buddhism and some exposure to the Vajrayana, although even I found it hard to connect traditional terms to what would either be changed or translated differently (for example, samsara as 'the carceral state'). I don't believe that re-translating these terms is necessary considering many of them such as Bodhicitta are very difficult to translate succinctly and accurately. If anything, it just confused me more.
June 28, 2024
Many inspiring reflections from a confident, realized spiritual teacher. I appreciate his candor and authenticity - he shares about his personal traumas, hang-ups, and struggles with a level of detail that'd make most writers blush. That said, this strength is also a weakness; the book goes on way too long. Also, I found the writing uneven and sometimes tedious. Overall, this would have benefited greatly from a strong editor.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews