Transform Your Life: A Blissful Journey

by Kelsang Gyatso

If we use our human life to accomplish spiritual realisations, it becomes immensely meaningful.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Philosophy, Self Help, Meditation

365 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

*'Geshe' is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks and nuns.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is a fully accomplished meditation Master and internationally renowned Teacher of Buddhism who has pioneered the introduction of modern Buddhism into contemporary society. Presenting Buddha’s teachings in a way that is relevant and suitable for modern people with busy lives, he shows how these teachings can be used by anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, to solve problems, improve relationships and eventually attain a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness.

He has also created all the conditions necessary to support the study and practice of Buddhism in modern society: writing 22 highly acclaimed books that perfectly transmit the ancient wisdom of Buddha; establishing over 1,200 Kadampa Buddhist centers and groups throughout the world; developing modern study programmes; training qualified Teachers; and establishing local, national and international courses, festivals and retreats. Through all these and other activities Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is giving new life to Buddhism, enabling people everywhere to discover inner peace and happiness through Buddha’s teachings, thereby bringing greater peace to a troubled world.

The term "Rinpoche," added to Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's name, is a Tibetan word that means "Precious One," and has been added as a mark of deepest respect.

To discover more about Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s compassionate vision and activities visit http://tharpa.com/us/benefit-all-worl....

Reviews

[Magnus Lidbom · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are looking for anything resembling rational practical Buddhism look elsewhere*. This book is firmly rooted in superstition, the supernatural and utterly irrational views of reality. In a world with 7 Billion people every single person gets exactly the results of their karma. All the murder victims and all the starving people have only themselves in a previous life to blame. You should essentially give up on this life because your future lives are so much more important. Once a family member dies you can surmise that they have been reborn as the child of someone you know based on a couple of dreams and because with some creative listening you can imagine hearing a few words of your native language among all the countless mispronounced words as the child learns to speak. It just goes on and on like that with utterly irrational rubbish. I could only stand reading the first 10 percent or so of my kindle copy before giving up.


* I would recommend Pema Chödrön, Thich Nhat Hahn and The Dalai Lama

[Haley Ellingson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The NKT, led by Kelsang Gyatso, is sadly inauthentic and yes, a cult. If you hear stories from the people who have been on the inside, it's not pretty. Things that Gyatso himself have said point to this being purely materialistic. He despises Westerners. He wants NKT temples built in every city. The temples and the image are more important than the teachings. The eightfold path isn't even taught. This is sadly a scam. Read the original sutras themselves to find out what authentic Buddhism is about and do as Buddha taught: be a lamp unto yourself. Meditation, question, investigate.

[Janet Maragioglio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of my weekly Buddhist meditation class. For anyone who has curiosity about Kadampa Buddhism, this is a wonderful way to get started. It's pretty much "Buddhism 101" and creates a do-able and practical path for embarking on the path to enlightenment. Some of the concepts covered here are heavy and difficult, but the author has a straightforward and deceptively simple way of explaining them and rooting them in the real world.

[Ben G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up as e-book on a visit to the monastery in Ulverston.

Always intrigued to read about Buddhism as a philosophy and to what extent it might be labelled a religion.

In chapter X the author states that we should ruminate on death, given that our time on earth is short and the time of our death uncertain. I guess this could come across as a little morbid, but I've usually found that buddhist's manage to turn this meditation on it's head and look upon it as a more life affirming meditation to do and experience more.

The central idea in the chapter on 'cherishing others' is that by doing so we alleviate our own suffering and experinentially I've certainly found that to be true. Later chapters also emphasise the inherent emptiness of all phenomena, this is (I think?) the christian equivalent of 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust' i.e. we all destined for one end and anything that comes into what we call 'existence' must also 'perish'. Alternatively, accepting this 'emptiness' as truth we see that nothing exists per se. I find that strangely comforting.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather irritating book that prompts us to stop focusing on everyday 'delusions' to channel our prayers and efforts towards others and others' sufference in order to develop compassion, first, and then wisdom, the ultimate goal being enlightnment to escape samsara.
To transform one's life, according to Gyatso, means to revolutionise the way we see ourselves (we simply do NOT exhist) and the world (it's fake) to move beyond appearances and put others before us.
I obviously struggle with the idea that everything, and particularly the 'self', is just an illusion ... Not as easy as having to say one Our Father and 10 Hail Mary's :)

[Sergio Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Buda dijo que las personas que conocen sus defectos son sabias, mientras que aquellas que no son conscientes de ellos y además se fijan en las faltas de los demás, son estúpidas."

Un libro que te explica muchas de las bases del budismo con lenguaje claro y ejemplos fáciles de entender. Considero que el autor busca sobretodo con esta obra explicar e incentivar la practica de las enseñanzas del budismo. Le doy 5 estrellas por que cambio mi perspectiva de percibir y entender el mundo para siempre. Si estas buscando una lectura fácil de leer y que te lleve a descubrir y/o fortalecer tu parte espiritual, seguramente este seria un gran libro para ti.

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow... this book was written and given to the world for FREE by a Buddhist monk, and some people took the time to come here and simply trash it... seriously? Please continue reading about Buddhism and meditation because you seem to really need it.
Anyways, about the book: I think it is a pretty helpful reference book on specific concepts and meditations. I am personally not ready to accept every single idea in it, but I will be coming back to certain meditation practices. If you are looking to deepen your practice as well, this can be helpful.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a guide to learning how to shift one's perspective in order to be more compassionate towards all livings beings. It I simply written and brought me to tears multiple times! My favorite section in the book is about the unconditional love of a mother and using that example to spread love to all beings. It's a Buddhist book but the positive ideas in it can be easily used.

[Paulette Ponte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was not an easy read. There is lots of information, most of which I could grasp and attempt to put into practice. The last chapter, however,Ultimate Truth, which teaches the meaning of emptiness was totally foreign to me. I had difficulty understanding the concept. This is not a criticism of the book or the author, it's merely letting others know that I will require much more teaching or reading to understand this concept.

[Austin Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like it. It had some nice parts, but there are just so many logical fallacies that I can't give it any more than 2 stars. It also takes reincarnation very literally and tries to prove its reality through a couple anecdotes. I like the idea of reincarnation as a moral guide but not as literal fact.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not aware of too many things, I know what I know if you know what I mean.

Many thanks to Geshe Kelsang Kyatso for this book.

There’s a lot of deep philosophical discussion in this book. Most of it went over my head!

[Justyna Politańska · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into some buddhist concepts, some of which you can apply in your everyday life to be more compassionate, calm and happy.

[Kerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely not for me - I thought I was going to learn about Buddhism and to a degree I did - but this was not the level I was expecting

[Lisa Heller · Rating 1 out of 5]

took me two years to finish this book😐

[Terry Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful yet beautifully written book on happiness, compassion and ultimately becoming an enlightened being. Just by reading this book you feel happier and benevolent towards all beings.

The message of buddhism is explained very simply yet eloquently throughout this book. Where finding real happiness is achieved by letting go of your "self-cherising" acts (such as attachment, selfish needs, me-me-me thinking) and by cherising all other human beings. It explains how we all cause our own suffering through materialistic attachments or through lustful love which all can be resolved through practicing unconditional love towards others and cherising all living beings.

The last segment of the book drills down deeper into the spiritual path of enlightenment. This involves practicing emptiness (which is different to feeling empty), a clear and natural mind that perceives things as is. Cultivating inner peace and being faithful to become free from suffering.

One message that really hit home for me is something like: We are all given a choice in our lives to either chase after worldly material things, where the cycle of wanting, comparing and obtaining to then find out you are still not happy vs following a spiritual path to seeing the truth. Ultimately becoming a wise human being that constantly learns and practices compassion.

[Kate O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been reading this as part of my meditation class text over the last few months and I found it an interesting guide to a certain type of Buddhism - more Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism in some ways but then with a focus on reincarnation and enlightenment which I’d not come across before in other Buddhist traditions.
I’m not sure I’ll continue in this version but I find the meditation practices and teaching on loving kindness really beautiful.

[Kylie Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started off really well. it was a good overview of buddhist foundations and concepts but the last part of the book was teaching you to become more detached from people objects and your body which is where i start to fail in the belief, so i think i'll stick with my nichiren buddhist practice as this is just not for me.

[Juan Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can read hundreds of books on how to ride a bicycle, but if you do not practice, you will not advance anything.

So it is with the spiritual path. Follow a path, follow it deeply and you will find God.

A summary of Tibetan thought and forms of meditation to attain enlightenment (or state of grace as Christians call it).

Everything is very simple and simple, but you have to practice.

[Rhonda Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basics for growth through compassion and loving of others. Some useful meditations however take the information in this book and incorporate only what resonates with you. I’m not into 6 spiritual realms, particularly when the author encourages not ‘attaching’ ourselves to any one belief as it immediately limits our ability to see more.

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first cursory read was inspirational enough, and gave me insight into deeper mediation tactics that I have already begun to integrate in my daily life. It also challenged many of my perceptions and even infuriated my logical mind many times, so I will be rereading this and seeking out more of his guidance very soon. I hope to attain liberation.

[Randi Taylor-Habib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Similar to Howt to Solve our Human Problems, only focuses on Lamrim, the 21 daily meditations that are the stages of the path to Enlightenment.

[S.B. Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will learn a lot about you

This is a great book for anyone interested in Buddhism. It explains things well and does not get too dense.

[Shenase Karrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly meditative read. Its transformation isnt as a self help as the title may suggest. Its a journey of transformation through perspectives in human life. Buddhist psychology

[Amy Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such helpful and practical advice for daily life. This is definitely a handbook on how to be a better person through using Buddhist thinking.

[Bebe Bay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Andrew Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

Very inspiring. Difficult to read in places as it is quite detailed, but well worth the effort. Would recommend you read it.

[Aggie Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical

Practical to read. Based on moral discipline, being kind to others, always be humble, and increase your compassion and wisdom.

[Anne Kadet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the pink flowers fool you—this book is the real deal.

[Purvi Laxman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure wisdom.

[Armando · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most enlightening book I've ever read. The first step to a long journey.