The Book of Dharma: Making Enlightened Choices

by Simon Haas

The ancient texts of India speak of a “knowledge for kings, guarded by kings”. The Book of Dharma charts Simon Haas’s journey to India and his “excavation” of the Dharma Code, a powerful system for making enlightened choices and manifesting our highest potential. Haas apprenticed with an elderly master practitioner in the Bhakti tradition for sixteen years and learned from him the system formerly used by kings and queens to effect personal transformation in their life and rule wisely.Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince were written specifically for rulers. While these works have become renowned, the teachings for kings and queens from India remain to this day largely undiscovered. In this ground-breaking book, Haas discloses these teachings for contemporary Western readers, for the first time openly revealing a knowledge that has been passed down in secrecy in a sacred tradition for millennia.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Self Help, Spirituality

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 18, 2013

Reviews

[Krishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read offering profound insights into the wisdom of Ancient India’s mystics. Haas’s deep assimilation of the subject matter is evident throughout this well researched and intelligently presented book. I found it most enjoyable to read and even though I am very familiar with the source material, I found myself repeatedly admiring his many insights. Dharma is a much used word these days, but also much misunderstood I would suggest. This book draws deeply on the origins of true dharma found in the Sanskrit texts left by the spiritually realised sages of yore, books such as the Bhagavad-gita, the Bhagavata Purana and other similar works. Whilst adhering closely to those enlightening teachings, Haas brings in more contemporary wisdom from many schools of thought to show a consistency of direction given by them all. Basically, by incorporating the universal principles of the Dharma Code, which he extracts from these various teachings and lucidly presents, we can enhance our lives unlimitedly, finding within ourselves the boundless happiness that is our birthright. Highly recommended.

[Kamilė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neskaitant poros skaitytų grožinės literatūros knygų šia tematika, tai pirmoji mano pažintis su Dharma. Pradžia knygos pasirodė šiek tiek daugžodžiaujanti ir norėjosi greičiau pereiti prie esmės (o gal tai tik mano nekantrumas). Visgi, kaip pirmoji pažintis, knyga paliko didelį norą įgauti daugiau žinių apie Dharmą ir privertė stebėti ir paanalizuoti savo pačios mintis, veiksmus ir įpročius.
Knygoje pateikti įvairūs paties autoriaus gyvenimiški ir kiti istoriniai pavyzdžiai. Įdomu ir tai, kad autorius, nors ir daug metų mokęsis Indijoje, sako, jog ir jam pačiam sunkiai sekasi gyventi pagal Dharmos principus.

"Neišeis, kol gyvi esame, negalvoti ar nejausti."

Rekomenduoju.

[Steven]

Positively enjoyable read. This book offers a very personal experience of Buddhism and life, and really touched me. I felt inspired and motivated by the accounts and ideas included in the book. A must-read for anyone who seeks a deeper and more clear understanding of Buddhism.

[Aiden Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not for the weak; if you are easily offended or cannot take criticism, I would suggest keeping the receipt for this book. Simon Haas launches a full-fledged attack on your ego, the complacent nature in which we sleepwalk through our lives, and the way we are uncomfortable to go against societal standards and precedents that are set for us. The book discusses the ancient Buddhist belief: dharma. The book dives into the different meanings of the word dharma (which is essentially being/finding the best version of yourself), the history of the belief, and the ways in which we can apply it to our everyday lives all in chronological order. The author is clearly very educated on the concept of dharma and has applied it to his own life. The book has no weak points and my favorite part about it is the way that Haas put the book in such an order where it gives you a complete understanding of the word and gives you certain ways to apply it in your own life. The book goes in-depth about how the rules and principles of dharma were originally sacred I’m not sure that one could write a better book on the definition and application of dharma. This book has made me reflect on how I think, behave and question if I am truly functioning as my best self. The book has allowed me to silence and compartmentalizes a lot of the clutter in my brain.

[Jennifer Appleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BOOK OF DHARMA tells the story of the author’s personal journey to India as a boy and his adventures and training under a master practitioner in the ancient Bhakti tradition. If you enjoyed The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz or The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, you will like this book too.

I liked how the author made the teachings of Dharma very relevant to me right from the beginning. He shows how we actually all apply this system to some extent already, without even knowing it. The book has altered my perspective on life. I want to begin applying the Dharma Code more deliberately now. It’s a system previously used by philosopher-kings and queens to create a flourishing kingdom.

[Zamarina Pastor · Rating 5 out of 5]

great!

Love this book! Filled with knowledge and insight. Someone can read a million books on enlightenment but what this book shows is that you don’t have to do that… all the knowledge, love, happiness, abundance, and compassion are already within us we just have to see it and feel it within our own kingdom. Once we drop the ego and become more aware of our own thoughts and actions which equal habits/personality we will experience true unconditional love for ourselves, others, and the universe. Thank you Simon for gathering all your own knowledge and gathering all the knowledge of Dharma in general and taking the time to write this to engage and open others, including myself, minds and spirits to our own kingdom within. Bless you on your continued journeys.

[Jim Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because of a review I read of it. I was expecting more explanations of how the ancient text were related to our understanding of dharma in today's world and was very disappointed in the beginning of the book.

I get the early chapters in the book were weak and could have been improved by more stories and examples. The later chapters were much better and the author brought in more of his experiences. The use of stories from teachers and the ancient text were very interesting and insightful.

The book could have used more examples of applications of the dharma to the modern world.

The book was full of excellent references.

[John Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first learned about “Dharma” from the Buddhist tradition. I read The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac many years ago, followed by a number of helpful books on mindfulness. Actually, there are many Buddhist books on Dharma, but very little at all for contemporary Western readers from the ancient Vedic tradition. This book is therefore a milestone, and one of the first of its kind.

Simon Haas, the author, studied these teachings of Dharma for sixteen years under an elderly master in a living tradition. The book is meticulously researched and has great depth. This is not another self-help book that offers quick fixes; it is a book of timeless principles.

[Rita Simonavičiūtė-Koreivė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skaičiau LT vertimą, tai nežinau ar tas pats ir EN versijoj, bet daug pa(si) kartojimų info tekste.
Nepaisant to - patiko ir naudinga buvo, kaip autorius paprastai ir trumpai perteikė Dharmos esmę.
Daug gerų priminimų.

[Nityananda Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read and wonderful start for yoga peeps

Simon Haas is fantastic writer. His style of philosophical concepts interwoven with intriguing stories is great. I also love how all his points are well supported and well researched. I look forward to more by Mr Haas.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is your dharma? What is your path? How can you figure out what the best way to live is? Another great book from Haas. Loved it!

[Cristina Villacres · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book! so clear, kind and full of good advice. I am glad to have discovered it thanks to the Teen yoga teacher training and it is completely in line with the Dharma yoga that I practice.

[The · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to Dark night of the soul.

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for knowledge and wisdom

[Dave Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

Simon Haas brilliantly distills ancient ideas and contextualises them with notes from modern thinkers. It is an unusually concise and inspirational book.

[Jason Hearne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read Simon Haas' words all day.
Written with sure care, compassion, and grace.
Really positive quick read.

[Nital Jethalal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Potent, concise and accessible. A must read for applying ancient knowledge and wisdom to make powerful choices in modern day life that allow us to access our true being and, thus, path.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Simona Marcišauskienė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mes nesame vien stebėtojai, mes – kūrėjai. Buda paaiškina: ”Šiandien esame – ką vakar mintijome, dabartinės mūsų mintys kuria rytdieną; gyvenimas - tai proto kūrinys”. Gyventi apgalvotai – nepapratai sunkus uždavinys. Dauguma mūsų, užuot gyvenę apgalvotai, gyvena kaip pakliuvo. Ir sąmoningai savo gyvenimo nekuria. Gyvenimas – ne vien trukmė nuo gimimo iki mirties, jis turi ir pasleptą dimensiją – dharma. Ir savo poelgiais bei mintimis mes šia vertikalia dimensija judame aukštyn arba žemyn. Svarbiausias dalykas, kurį aš gavau iš šios knygos yra keturios dharmos dimensicijos: Tiesa, Tyrumas, Neprievarta ir Disciplina. Ši knyga tinkama žmogui pradedančiam gilintis į save, nes yra paprasta, greitai ir lengvai suprantama.

[Jennifer Appleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

EL LIBRO DEL DHARMA tells the story of the author’s personal journey to India as a boy and his adventures and training under a master practitioner in the ancient Bhakti tradition. If you enjoyed The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz or The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, you will like this book too.

I liked how the author made the teachings of Dharma very relevant to me right from the beginning. He shows how we actually all apply this system to some extent already, without even knowing it. The book has altered my perspective on life. I want to begin applying the Dharma Code more deliberately now. It’s a system previously used by philosopher-kings and queens to create a flourishing kingdom.

[John Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first learned about “Dharma” from the Buddhist tradition. I read The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac many years ago, followed by a number of helpful books on mindfulness. Actually, there are many Buddhist books on Dharma, but very little at all for contemporary Western readers from the ancient Vedic tradition. This book is therefore a milestone, and one of the first of its kind.

Simon Haas, the author, studied these teachings of Dharma for sixteen years under an elderly master in a living tradition. The book is meticulously researched and has great depth. This is not another self-help book that offers quick fixes; it is a book of timeless principles.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A branch of 'Yoga' most people are not aware of. Yoga is more than asana practice, it is part of a large tree that is a way of life. This book offers a clear and simple understanding of Buddhist and Yogic Philosophy teachings.

Dharma is a Sanskrit word for understanding your individual duty/life path (best version of yourself) in relation to cosmic law and then following it will bring contentment.
This book breaks down your ego and encourages you to ask those deep deep questions about your life.

I read this during my teen yoga teacher training.

[Konrad Plechowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's something very solid, straight forward and approachable in the way Simon Haas brings old vedic concepts towards Westerners. I loved this book and the concept of Dharma. Clear and powerful, much more direct to understand and take than lots of yogic philosophy I've read. Just as with his other book ,'The dark night of the soul ', i can only fully recommend.

[Aakaanksh Pothukutchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read

Well written.puts points across in a non esoteric manner. The principles being advocated are done so in a succinct and non preachy way.

We must all choose a life of Sharma.