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The Wisdom of Compassion: Stories of Remarkable Encounters and Timeless Insights
The Wisdom of Compassion offers rare insights into the Dalai Lama’s life and his efforts to translate compassion into action through deeply engaging, behind-the-scene stories about his interactions with remarkable people from all walks of life.
This is the Dalai Lama at his most human, and most humane. We see how he approaches the world with playfulness, optimism, and a profound empathy for the suffering of others. Through his own conduct, he shows us the tangible benefits of practicing kindness, forgiveness and compassion. And he demonstrates that opening our hearts and minds to others is the surest path to true happiness.
The Wisdom of Compassion is an intensely personal portrait of the Dalai Lama. It recounts the story of his friendship with a blind Irishman, how they first met and how in later meetings the Dalai Lama comes to call him his one and only hero. It explores the Dalai Lama’s collaboration with a neuroscientist and how it results in significant discoveries about the human brain. It also brings to life poignant accounts of his uncommon encounters with a little beggar girl, a disabled boy in a critical care ward, a man who trains grandmothers to become solar engineers, and many others.
The Dalai Lama’s wisdom principles revolve around the practical application of compassion. Enhanced by his seven decades of practice and elucidated through captivating anecdotes of his own experiences, they will help readers lead more fulfilling lives. As the Dalai Lama has written many years ago: if you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want yourself to be happy, practice compassion.
This is the Dalai Lama at his most human, and most humane. We see how he approaches the world with playfulness, optimism, and a profound empathy for the suffering of others. Through his own conduct, he shows us the tangible benefits of practicing kindness, forgiveness and compassion. And he demonstrates that opening our hearts and minds to others is the surest path to true happiness.
The Wisdom of Compassion is an intensely personal portrait of the Dalai Lama. It recounts the story of his friendship with a blind Irishman, how they first met and how in later meetings the Dalai Lama comes to call him his one and only hero. It explores the Dalai Lama’s collaboration with a neuroscientist and how it results in significant discoveries about the human brain. It also brings to life poignant accounts of his uncommon encounters with a little beggar girl, a disabled boy in a critical care ward, a man who trains grandmothers to become solar engineers, and many others.
The Dalai Lama’s wisdom principles revolve around the practical application of compassion. Enhanced by his seven decades of practice and elucidated through captivating anecdotes of his own experiences, they will help readers lead more fulfilling lives. As the Dalai Lama has written many years ago: if you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want yourself to be happy, practice compassion.
255 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2012
69 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Dalai Lama XIV
1,554 books6,207 followersJetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 18, 2013
I have long admired the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, who no longer have a country. This book has many incidents and meetings that showcase the Dalai Lama's sense of humor as well as his wisdom and compassion. It mentions in the book that just being in the room within twenty feet of his presence, one feels a deep sense of contentment. Would really like to check this out. Think I would really like to go to a Buddhist retreat, well maybe someday. I don't see myself meditating for five hours a day, which is what he does every morning, but I do feel that meditation will benefit not only myself but others as well. Many touching stories, such as his meeting with the Protestants and the Catholics in Northern Ireland. Compelling.
May 9, 2013
This book was not what I was looking for. Parts of it were interesting, like learning about nonprofit organizations and humanitarian efforts. But I would have been better off reading a book actually written by the Dalai Lama and not someone that choose to include so much unnecessary detail (I don't care about a gift visor that doesn't fit the Dalai Lama's head). I did enjoy the stories about Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama acting like two little kids together and their discussions. Other than that I found it hard to stay interested.
February 22, 2014
I love this book, it gives you so much respect for His holiness. He is such a inspirational compassionate person. This books is told by his friend and translator, about them 2 traveling together and what his experience with the dalai lama is like. Its so much more than that though, it definitely is a spiritual break through, and by the end of the book you will want to be a better person. I gave it 4 stars though because, there are some area where the dalai lama is talking and its kind of hard to understand him, but thats how he really speaks- its not a bad book , but more of a heads up to readers. :)
July 29, 2015
This is the book that started my obsession with the Dalai Lama. It's unfortunate that the author did not do too well in the fluency of his writing, but the essence of the Dalai Lama and what he stands for can clearly be felt. The author also introduces too many characters in a way that makes it difficult to remember and keep track of them. But that still does not detract from the sheer awesomeness of the book. Read it.
May 26, 2013
This, just as the first book by this author (Wisdom of Forgiveness) is breathtaking, you can feel the warmth and authenticity of the Dalai Lama as if he were there in front of you. The stories told on the various humanitarian projects are amazing, motivating and also very humbling and made you truly think about your own life. Definitely a must read for any human being!
March 6, 2014
It is always good to hear what the Dalai Lama has to say. The message comes through as a heartbeat on all the pages. A warm-hearted attitude will provide the happiest life. Women have a special obligation to promote it, and we all need to focus especially on children.
June 16, 2013
Plus:
Profound and thought provoking teachings and philosophies, exciting and fascinating characters (Tutu, catholic and protestant religious leaders from north Ireland, Murray Gell-Mann, Sir Ken Robinson, Eckhart Tolle, Aaron Beck, Sir Fazle Hasn Abed, the founder of BRAC, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, and many etc.). At one point I burst into tears over a speech from the African bishop Tutu.
Minus:
The writing is at times boring and tedious in spite of the excitement of the events and people. Puzzling behaviors of the Dalai Lama.
Excerpts:
1. Major causes of suffering are overinflated egos, heightened sense of our own importance, our selfish needs... our over attachment for our wants, our needs. Therefore, any change of perception that leads to a more balanced view of our ego and the world around us is helpful to our mental well-being.
2. We get the angriest with those we love the most, because we expect too much from them.
3. Differences always there. Even with myself, morning one idea, evening another idea. Conflicts always there. Everybody wants happy life, safe life... Try to make peace with more patience... Do u think some sense? If make sense, then pls implement.
4. We pursue short-lived pleasures instead of meaningful happiness... For the Dalai Lama, The only way to achieve sustained well-being and inner-peace is through the cultivation of altruism, through the cultivation of love and compassion.
5. There is a gap between reality and appearance... With the old way of thinking, we try to deal with new problems. But reality has changed and the method of dealing with it is old-fashioned. Reality is always changing.
6. Some kinds of compassion are tinged with attachment. It changes with circumstances. Unbiased compassion, however, is based on the realization that others, even our enemies, have the right to be happy and avoid suffering, just as much as we do.
7. Through training of mind, using intelligence. I understand the value of compassion. I realized the harmfulness of anger, hatred. Use education to train your mind. With practice, my own experience deepen. More unbiased compassion brings me inner peace. Result, better physical health.
8. Love grows brain and brain grows love.
9. Tutu: The glory of God is mind blowing. He can sit and not intervene because he has such an incredible, incredible reverence for our autonomy. He is prepared to let me go to hell. Freely. Rather than compel me to go to heaven.
He weeps when he sees us do the things that we do to each other... God says, I can't force u, i beg u, please for your own sake, make the right choice. I beg u.
When you do the right thing, god forgets about God's divine dignity and he rushes and embraces you, "You came back, you came back. I love you. oh how wonderful you Came back." (Here is where I cried...)
10. Tutu: religion is a morally neutral thing. It is what you do with it. It is like a knife, a knife is good when you're using it for cutting up bread for sandwiches. A knife is bad when you stick it in somebody's gut.
I would not have survived without the faith of knowing that this is God's world and that God is in charge, that evil is not going to prevail despite all appearances to the contrary... Sometimes you want to whisper in God's ear... "we know that you're in charge, but why don't you make this more obvious?"
11. When somebody is sick, there is external medicine and there is internal medicine.
12. The higher beings develop higher energy because of their practice of altruism. The ultimate source of energy is altruism. This energy is always ready, like electricity, we just need to be receptive.
13. A rabbi: We have to do what we can do. Then god helps... If we don't take the initiative, we cannot accept the power.
14. When negative emotions(e.g. Anger) develop, ur whole self becomes like that emotion. So when this strong emotion develops, try to separate urself from that emotion. Then can watch that emotion. Then much easier to see the faults of that emotion. Look from distance and that emotion's intensity weaken.
15. CBT cognitive behavior therapy: for Beck (Aaron T. Beck wrote "Prisoners of Hate"), the driving forces of our psychological malaise are ideas that are unrealistic and self-defeating. He called them "automatic thoughts." Like tinted lenses, they can color and warp people's perceptions and affect their reactions.
16. Beck: we have to be good people, not right people (Not thinking we are right, ur wrong, etc.)
17. CBT is similar to analytic meditation. When emotion comes, use analytic meditation to not let it dominate or influence. But rather analyze its consequences, its benefits, its destructiveness.
18. Get away from selfishness, de-centering; switching, exchanging oneself for others. Group self-centeredness
19. Once afflictive emotion develop, then u can't see the reality. Strong mental projection. 90% of the time, the person who gets angry is wrong.
Beck: when I get angry, I first think that I'm wrong, not from a moral standpoint but from a reality standpoint... My reality is wrong (gap btw truth and appearance)
20. Addiction, being caught up in desire is like drinking salt water. The more u drink, the more u get thirsty.
21. Vernedoe pointed out that in modern art, u don't play by the rules, u play with the rules, and that's an aspect of creative thinking.
22. The Dalai Lama has always attached great importance to developing a realistic approach to life, to our interaction with others around us. He thinks that seeing reality accurately and unflinchingly contributes to our sense of well-being. It's a helpful antidote to distorted thinking.
Profound and thought provoking teachings and philosophies, exciting and fascinating characters (Tutu, catholic and protestant religious leaders from north Ireland, Murray Gell-Mann, Sir Ken Robinson, Eckhart Tolle, Aaron Beck, Sir Fazle Hasn Abed, the founder of BRAC, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, and many etc.). At one point I burst into tears over a speech from the African bishop Tutu.
Minus:
The writing is at times boring and tedious in spite of the excitement of the events and people. Puzzling behaviors of the Dalai Lama.
Excerpts:
1. Major causes of suffering are overinflated egos, heightened sense of our own importance, our selfish needs... our over attachment for our wants, our needs. Therefore, any change of perception that leads to a more balanced view of our ego and the world around us is helpful to our mental well-being.
2. We get the angriest with those we love the most, because we expect too much from them.
3. Differences always there. Even with myself, morning one idea, evening another idea. Conflicts always there. Everybody wants happy life, safe life... Try to make peace with more patience... Do u think some sense? If make sense, then pls implement.
4. We pursue short-lived pleasures instead of meaningful happiness... For the Dalai Lama, The only way to achieve sustained well-being and inner-peace is through the cultivation of altruism, through the cultivation of love and compassion.
5. There is a gap between reality and appearance... With the old way of thinking, we try to deal with new problems. But reality has changed and the method of dealing with it is old-fashioned. Reality is always changing.
6. Some kinds of compassion are tinged with attachment. It changes with circumstances. Unbiased compassion, however, is based on the realization that others, even our enemies, have the right to be happy and avoid suffering, just as much as we do.
7. Through training of mind, using intelligence. I understand the value of compassion. I realized the harmfulness of anger, hatred. Use education to train your mind. With practice, my own experience deepen. More unbiased compassion brings me inner peace. Result, better physical health.
8. Love grows brain and brain grows love.
9. Tutu: The glory of God is mind blowing. He can sit and not intervene because he has such an incredible, incredible reverence for our autonomy. He is prepared to let me go to hell. Freely. Rather than compel me to go to heaven.
He weeps when he sees us do the things that we do to each other... God says, I can't force u, i beg u, please for your own sake, make the right choice. I beg u.
When you do the right thing, god forgets about God's divine dignity and he rushes and embraces you, "You came back, you came back. I love you. oh how wonderful you Came back." (Here is where I cried...)
10. Tutu: religion is a morally neutral thing. It is what you do with it. It is like a knife, a knife is good when you're using it for cutting up bread for sandwiches. A knife is bad when you stick it in somebody's gut.
I would not have survived without the faith of knowing that this is God's world and that God is in charge, that evil is not going to prevail despite all appearances to the contrary... Sometimes you want to whisper in God's ear... "we know that you're in charge, but why don't you make this more obvious?"
11. When somebody is sick, there is external medicine and there is internal medicine.
12. The higher beings develop higher energy because of their practice of altruism. The ultimate source of energy is altruism. This energy is always ready, like electricity, we just need to be receptive.
13. A rabbi: We have to do what we can do. Then god helps... If we don't take the initiative, we cannot accept the power.
14. When negative emotions(e.g. Anger) develop, ur whole self becomes like that emotion. So when this strong emotion develops, try to separate urself from that emotion. Then can watch that emotion. Then much easier to see the faults of that emotion. Look from distance and that emotion's intensity weaken.
15. CBT cognitive behavior therapy: for Beck (Aaron T. Beck wrote "Prisoners of Hate"), the driving forces of our psychological malaise are ideas that are unrealistic and self-defeating. He called them "automatic thoughts." Like tinted lenses, they can color and warp people's perceptions and affect their reactions.
16. Beck: we have to be good people, not right people (Not thinking we are right, ur wrong, etc.)
17. CBT is similar to analytic meditation. When emotion comes, use analytic meditation to not let it dominate or influence. But rather analyze its consequences, its benefits, its destructiveness.
18. Get away from selfishness, de-centering; switching, exchanging oneself for others. Group self-centeredness
19. Once afflictive emotion develop, then u can't see the reality. Strong mental projection. 90% of the time, the person who gets angry is wrong.
Beck: when I get angry, I first think that I'm wrong, not from a moral standpoint but from a reality standpoint... My reality is wrong (gap btw truth and appearance)
20. Addiction, being caught up in desire is like drinking salt water. The more u drink, the more u get thirsty.
21. Vernedoe pointed out that in modern art, u don't play by the rules, u play with the rules, and that's an aspect of creative thinking.
22. The Dalai Lama has always attached great importance to developing a realistic approach to life, to our interaction with others around us. He thinks that seeing reality accurately and unflinchingly contributes to our sense of well-being. It's a helpful antidote to distorted thinking.
August 19, 2023
Victor Chan does a very good job conveying His Holiness the Dalai Lama's advice on cultivating compassion through his public talks and dialogues. All of the billions of people (and animals) on this planet want happiness and do not want suffering, so in this way, we are all the same. The Dalai Lama also teaches that the key to achieving happiness is altruism and doing work for / caring for others.
December 22, 2023
Rather than containing teachings from the Dalai Lama, this is a series of observations and anecdotes by another author who traveled with him. Sometimes it was a bit cringy, sometimes thoughtful, easy to read and there were touching moments, but I didn't find it profound.
August 16, 2025
contained neither a remarkable encounter nor a timeless insight
April 15, 2019
It is interesting to contrast this book with https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Both of the are about spiritual leaders who are doing good for the people. There is no doubt about it. Both have been written by authors who are in awe of the leader that they have written about. But the one by Namrita and Francois Gautier is a pure panegyric on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whereas while it is adulatory, it provides concrete examples of discussions of Dalai Lama with various personalities and the adulation is based on these unlike the one on Sri Sri Ravishankar where it just goes on an on how the organizations setup by Ravi Shankar have done this here and done that there.
The surprise about the book is that the author is a Chinese, well not exactly from mainland China but from Hong Kong, probably that explains. The author is a follows Dalai Lama's activities closely when he is not organizing a meeting between the spiritual leader and other towering personnel who are either intellectuals or are out helping people in need.
Of the various meetings that are related in the book some of them are with Ken Robinson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu a neuroscientist from the University of Wisconsin, Richard Davidson, Aaron Beck, interactions with University students in Canada, Sanjit Roy from India who has setup a Barefoot College to educate and empower the poor in the rural India.
In a very interesting conversation between the Dalai Lama and Aaron Beck has Beck stating this "I think, I have been wronged; you did wrong to me. So I have to examine: Did you really wrong me? You may not have, I may have misunderstood what you did, so we have to analyze. And then the second thing is: Even if you did wrong, does that make you a bad person? And, if you are a bad person, do I have to kill you, do I have to punish you! So that is the whole sequence". Profound is the apt word.
Another snippet that stuck in my mind is from the chapter on Matthieu Ricard who was a personal attendant of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the foremost meditation masters of Tibetan Buddhism and the tutor of Dalai Lama. In meeting arranged by the author and Matthieu in Delhi with a group of humanitarians in Delhi the following is stated by the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama states "My approach: Today's reality is whole world just one body. Everything is a part of me. Understanding this helps reduce negative emotions. Hatred comes because we don't appreciate interdependence. We cause harm, sometimes unintentionally, because we are greedy for money, power. We think these things will make us happy. This is a misunderstanding. Real happiness comes from peace of mind. The only way to obtain is to be altruistic, be compassionate". The author interprets this as "We need to actively help others and we should do t with a genuine sense of compassion, not pity. At a minimum, we should not harm others. Not harming others is a logical extension of idea of interdependence. Since everything is a part of us, harming others would hurt ourselves". He then quotes the following commentary "A human being is part of a whole, called by us 'Universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." While it appears to be a commentary by Dalai Lama, it is a quote by Albert Einstein in 1954.
A wonderfully written book. Do Read
The surprise about the book is that the author is a Chinese, well not exactly from mainland China but from Hong Kong, probably that explains. The author is a follows Dalai Lama's activities closely when he is not organizing a meeting between the spiritual leader and other towering personnel who are either intellectuals or are out helping people in need.
Of the various meetings that are related in the book some of them are with Ken Robinson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu a neuroscientist from the University of Wisconsin, Richard Davidson, Aaron Beck, interactions with University students in Canada, Sanjit Roy from India who has setup a Barefoot College to educate and empower the poor in the rural India.
In a very interesting conversation between the Dalai Lama and Aaron Beck has Beck stating this "I think, I have been wronged; you did wrong to me. So I have to examine: Did you really wrong me? You may not have, I may have misunderstood what you did, so we have to analyze. And then the second thing is: Even if you did wrong, does that make you a bad person? And, if you are a bad person, do I have to kill you, do I have to punish you! So that is the whole sequence". Profound is the apt word.
Another snippet that stuck in my mind is from the chapter on Matthieu Ricard who was a personal attendant of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the foremost meditation masters of Tibetan Buddhism and the tutor of Dalai Lama. In meeting arranged by the author and Matthieu in Delhi with a group of humanitarians in Delhi the following is stated by the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama states "My approach: Today's reality is whole world just one body. Everything is a part of me. Understanding this helps reduce negative emotions. Hatred comes because we don't appreciate interdependence. We cause harm, sometimes unintentionally, because we are greedy for money, power. We think these things will make us happy. This is a misunderstanding. Real happiness comes from peace of mind. The only way to obtain is to be altruistic, be compassionate". The author interprets this as "We need to actively help others and we should do t with a genuine sense of compassion, not pity. At a minimum, we should not harm others. Not harming others is a logical extension of idea of interdependence. Since everything is a part of us, harming others would hurt ourselves". He then quotes the following commentary "A human being is part of a whole, called by us 'Universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." While it appears to be a commentary by Dalai Lama, it is a quote by Albert Einstein in 1954.
A wonderfully written book. Do Read
September 27, 2013
I love the message of the Dalai Lama and therefore, this book: "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want to be happy, practice compassion." It also amuses me that the author asks himself the question in everyday life "What would the Dalai Lama do?" I suspect the answer isn't much different when answering the "What would Jesus do" question.
Author Victor Chan (obviously a fan) describes the Dalai Lama as attuned to human suffering, always aware of his surroundings, having an always active compassion radar and emanating goodness. I love the comment that the Dalai Lama notices that Chan can't sit cross-legged for long and gets him a chair. (I guess I love that because I can't do it either.) The Dalai Lama sees himself as a simple Buddhist monk without special powers and only a limited ability to help. He looks at things from multiple perspectives fostering a sense of care and mindfulness in thinking and interacting. Apparently, he is also something of a joker - Desmond Tutu playfully chastises him for behaving like a naughty schoolboy rather than a holy man! And he shares dirty jokes with his brother! Really?!
According to Chan, the Dalai Lama is a great believer in empiricism and scientific method. I hope this is true. I also hope that the studies that show that more compassionate people have better health; do better in school if they learn empathy, altruism and compassion; and altruism is the clearest way to genuine life satisfaction. I would certainly like these things to be (scientifically) true. Chan and the Dalai Lama are also big believers in meditation practice triggering compassion. I'm going to have to work on my compassion without meditation because I just have no interest!
Author Victor Chan (obviously a fan) describes the Dalai Lama as attuned to human suffering, always aware of his surroundings, having an always active compassion radar and emanating goodness. I love the comment that the Dalai Lama notices that Chan can't sit cross-legged for long and gets him a chair. (I guess I love that because I can't do it either.) The Dalai Lama sees himself as a simple Buddhist monk without special powers and only a limited ability to help. He looks at things from multiple perspectives fostering a sense of care and mindfulness in thinking and interacting. Apparently, he is also something of a joker - Desmond Tutu playfully chastises him for behaving like a naughty schoolboy rather than a holy man! And he shares dirty jokes with his brother! Really?!
According to Chan, the Dalai Lama is a great believer in empiricism and scientific method. I hope this is true. I also hope that the studies that show that more compassionate people have better health; do better in school if they learn empathy, altruism and compassion; and altruism is the clearest way to genuine life satisfaction. I would certainly like these things to be (scientifically) true. Chan and the Dalai Lama are also big believers in meditation practice triggering compassion. I'm going to have to work on my compassion without meditation because I just have no interest!
July 31, 2013
This isn't going to break any new ground, since the Dalai Lama has been writing for decades, and his teachings are many thousands of years old. The book's jacket is a bit deceptive, too - the primary author here is Victor Chan, the Dalai Lama's co-writer. Chan recounts recent public lectures given by the Dalai Lama in recent years and summarizes important contextual information; His Holiness figures substantially in the dialogue portions of the book. My best guess is that the Dalai Lama selected the particular incidents to discuss, proofed the transcripts of his speeches & descriptions of his moods at different times, and then Chan filled in the rest. Still, it's a fun book to read, and the Dalai Lama's Buddhist teachings should be of interest to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. Chan is an engaging, earnest writer. Of course, this book is hagiography, but since the subject certainly deserves hagiography, it's OK. A worthwhile read that may make readers seek out more material co-authored by the Dalai Lama.
December 19, 2015
first biography i ever read, as usually i hate book written about people and their successful lives and money and unicorns, and by following their so called methods, or how to become the next steve jobs, we can be like them too!
no i dont buy it.
but this book is about humility.
written from 3rd POV, it gave me a chance to look at the compassion practiced by HHDL, as an observer by reading this book,
rather than to read a book that lets say HHDL write about himself.
a chapter that i like was about buddhism and neuroscience.
as usual HHDL and his compassion and mindfulness and whatnot, it was interesting how HHDL curious about sciences and belief that buddhism tradition, mainly meditation (or mind training) and its benefits can be prove, and proven by modern medicine and sciences.
that i am having bipolar mood disorder and on meds for some time, this chapter somehow give me hope that other than taking meds religiously, at the same time i could practice "mind training" to improve the resilience of my brain, and stabilizing my mood.
no i dont buy it.
but this book is about humility.
written from 3rd POV, it gave me a chance to look at the compassion practiced by HHDL, as an observer by reading this book,
rather than to read a book that lets say HHDL write about himself.
a chapter that i like was about buddhism and neuroscience.
as usual HHDL and his compassion and mindfulness and whatnot, it was interesting how HHDL curious about sciences and belief that buddhism tradition, mainly meditation (or mind training) and its benefits can be prove, and proven by modern medicine and sciences.
that i am having bipolar mood disorder and on meds for some time, this chapter somehow give me hope that other than taking meds religiously, at the same time i could practice "mind training" to improve the resilience of my brain, and stabilizing my mood.
February 16, 2017
Finished this last night but didn't get a chance to do the write-up on it. This was a very fun, but easy read, (which is why I'm surprised it took me so long to finish, I think primarily because I've been reading 3 other books simultaneously) that details about a decade's worth of the Dalai Lama (XIV)'s life. Primarily written in the present tense but over the course of numerous years by Victor Chan, a man who traveled and spent a large amount of time with the Dalai Lama, there is some "past" times that he explains (primarily in a few paragraphs here and there). This is mostly about different conventions or visits the Lama made to various places (like Vancouver, New Delhi, etc.) and his appearances with humanitarian compassionate people (like Desmond Tutu for example). It is not a guidebook on Compassion or the Wisdom of it, but more or less a character study of the Lama as well as these other humanitarian individuals and how through their lives we can see how to be compassionate and how the wisdom of that can only benefit our lives (and others).
May 27, 2017
A very good Dalai Lama book that's not like most others that are simply transcripts of talks. Victor Chen attends various events and meetings with the Dalai Lama around the world and tells what everyone talked about, but in a narrative rather than journalistic way. The meetings are often fascinating, like at a children's hospital in Salt Lake City where a father asks if his son's severe disabilities are karma and the Dalai Lama totally screws up his response so the man feels much less comforted and everybody in the room is unsatisfied. I don't know if this is the impression that Chen meant to convey, but he shows the Dalai Lama as someone who often has nothing concrete to offer to high-level conversations about poverty and trafficking except for his compassion — and this compassion inspires those who understand how to make the concrete details work better. Notes: Chen does not clean up the Dalai Lama's English but transcribes it exactly as said (I liked this because it made it easier to hear the Dalai Lama's voice in my head). And he meets with very few women in this book. Grade: A-
May 14, 2014
This is not a primer for anyone who wants to acquire some basic knowledge about Buddhism or the Dalai Lama. Rather, it's a recitation of encounters that the Dalai Lama has had with notable people over a period of years, reported by a close associate and obvious admirer. This book would be best for a reader who understands the basic teachings of Buddhism. It's interesting but somewhat repetitive. There are some jolting moments--such as the time that the Dalai Lama tells the father of a severely disabled child that the doctrine of karma tells us that the child is disabled because the child engaged in very bad acts in a prior life. That was of course only the first statement in a more longer and more nuanced conversation, but it took me aback (and I am sure that it affected the child's father in the same manner). Buddhism isn't for the faint of heart. But the Dalai Lama's message that the path to happiness is through offering genuine compassion to all is very compelling.
September 21, 2014
I loved this book by Victor Chan, just as I loved its predecessor, The Wisdom of Forgiveness. Victor Chan not only captures so much of His Holiness' precious teachings but most importantly, the dedication in which His Holiness goes about his daily life. It's delivered in a manner that is humble, honest and sincere. I truly felt close to His Holiness as I read every page. It's an inspiration and a pleasure to get a glimpse into His Holiness' interaction with others. I also enjoyed discovering the projects and ventures of great many other leaders in this book as so often, these positive projects aren't highlighted by the daily media. It's important to be reminded of the good in our world manifesting not just in His Holiness and Buddhists but from other cultures, religions and from our generation. Thank you for showing us so much of His Holiness, Victor Chan, and inspiring the blaze of compassion in us all.
August 14, 2015
This is an easy and interesting read, and includes several encounters between Dalai Lama and various people involved in volunteering, social organisations, even scientists, and others. It is a good intro for somebody who is not familiar with the life philosophy of Dalai Lama, or, on the other hand, it is an useful addition for somebody who is extremely interested in anything Dalai Lama says. I found the book to be too detailed at times, describing encounters which were not so outstanding. Moreover, Dalai Lama's behaviour is oftentimes similar, and (as most of us) he reacts similarly when faced with similar circumstances, so some of the stories were repetitive in the message sent. Nevertheless, it's a light and relaxing read, so I recommend it.
February 1, 2013
I really loved this. Had to finish it and return it to the library, but it's a quick read. Made the Dalai Lama much more human and accessible than he is already, and that's saying something. The author is a longtime friend, and took me with him as he traveled around the world meeting various groups and dignitaries, all of them touched and heartened by the presence of this great man who calls himself "a simple monk."
Most useful for me were the teachings on compassion and how learning to open one's heart leads to a happy and fulfilling life. So simple. A lifetime practicing just this one thing would be a life well-lived. I'm going to try it.
Most useful for me were the teachings on compassion and how learning to open one's heart leads to a happy and fulfilling life. So simple. A lifetime practicing just this one thing would be a life well-lived. I'm going to try it.
June 13, 2018
Low score for the writing; not well curated, just reproduced conversations (although that's honest, at least). Commentary is a bit disingenuous; apologetics not amplifications. Dalai Lama's views on disabled children downright unacceptable. Despite that I enjoyed reading it and love the constant message of compassion, HHDL's humility and self-awareness, and I very much want to internalise and live out his formula for compassion: others are motivated by avoiding suffering and seeking happiness, which they have as much right to as me, so I should ask what that means for my attitudes and actions.
February 7, 2013
Really enjoyed this book about educating the heart. Part Two was the best and began with this quote from the Dalai Lama.
My hope and wish is that, one day, formal education will pay attention to what I call education of the heart. Just as we take for granted the need to acquire proficiency in the basic academic subjects, I am hopeful that a time will come when we can take it for granted that children will learn, as part of their school curriculum, the indispensability of inner values such as love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness.
AMEN!
My hope and wish is that, one day, formal education will pay attention to what I call education of the heart. Just as we take for granted the need to acquire proficiency in the basic academic subjects, I am hopeful that a time will come when we can take it for granted that children will learn, as part of their school curriculum, the indispensability of inner values such as love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness.
AMEN!
March 19, 2014
I really wanted to like this book. I was in the book store and it called out to me "buy me! Read me!" So I did. I was drawn to the book from the very beginning. The problem I had with the book was not the message but the way it was written. I understand that the author may have been trying to make the Dalai Lama seem more like a real person and trying show what he was going but a lot of the time I thought it was too much detail and diluted the message of the book. So, it's a good book but not grea.
June 11, 2016
Daniel, Central patron, June 2016, 4 stars:
This book mixes biographical sketches with the teachings of the Dalai Lama. Interestingly, the teachings often take a back seat to the laughter and warmth of the Dalai Lama, which seem to be the inspirational driving force of the book. Christians who have had little exposure to Buddhism might enjoy reading this book and seeing how the teachings of Jesus such as "denying yourself" and "loving your enemies" are brought to fruition in a slightly different context.
This book mixes biographical sketches with the teachings of the Dalai Lama. Interestingly, the teachings often take a back seat to the laughter and warmth of the Dalai Lama, which seem to be the inspirational driving force of the book. Christians who have had little exposure to Buddhism might enjoy reading this book and seeing how the teachings of Jesus such as "denying yourself" and "loving your enemies" are brought to fruition in a slightly different context.
March 26, 2013
This book is a series of vignettes, observations of many public appearances and a few private times with the Dalai Lama. Most of these stories touch on compassion, and illustrate the ripples in the pond of actions of many people from the stone of presence and mindfulness of their contacts with him.
No great or earthshattering insights are revealed here, but what better mode of change than a gentle way?
No great or earthshattering insights are revealed here, but what better mode of change than a gentle way?
November 5, 2013
Less about the ideas of the Dalai Lama than about Chan's affection (and others as well) for the Dalai Lama. Not the kind of material I usually read (a book with Bono in it?) However, I did read some powerful stories of real altruism and the powerful impact that some people's compassion is having on our world. Chan comes off a little star struck, but that might be true for me under the same circumstances.
July 29, 2014
im sad i didnt like this book, because i love the dalai lama and the concepts and beliefs he expresses.
however, it was the way the book was written - all over the place - that kept me disengaged. i found myself perking up the few times the dalai lama was actually quoted, and zoning out for the rest of the mindless details.
maybe ill try another book written about the dalai lama, but this sadly wasnt it.
however, it was the way the book was written - all over the place - that kept me disengaged. i found myself perking up the few times the dalai lama was actually quoted, and zoning out for the rest of the mindless details.
maybe ill try another book written about the dalai lama, but this sadly wasnt it.
July 23, 2017
While it is always fun to see the personal side of the HH Dalai Lama, there is no deep philosophy in this work. The book demonstrates through many stories: 1) HH compassion for others; 2) his caution on expressing opinions on what he knows and not being drawn in to subjects that he doesn't and 3) the simplicity and honesty of his advice. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for HH fans, of which I count myself as one.
December 9, 2017
This book recounts dialogues and conferences his Holiness with scientists, religious leaders, teachers, children, aid workers on the topic of openheartedness and compassion. It provides great insight to his Holiness’ engaging style and his profound thinking. The book also provides interesting information about the work of many nonprofit organizations and humanitarian efforts around the world. An easy but thought provoking read.
March 3, 2013
Good book. Hopefully will make you realize how good we have it. No matter what your circumstances, someone else has gone through much worse. The levels of compassion and forgiveness stated in this book staggered me. I can only hope to live with a fraction of this wisdom, I know it would have a huge impact on my life and those around me.
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