What do you think?
Rate this book
Inner Revolution: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Real Happiness
The New York Times calls him "America's number one Buddhist." He is the co-founder of Tibet House New York, was the first American Tibetan Buddhist monk, and has shared a thirty-five-year friendship with the Dalai Lama. Now, Robert Thurman presents his first completely original book, an introduction to Buddhism and "an inspiring guide to incorporating Buddhist wisdom into daily life" (USA Today). Written with insight, enthusiasm, and impeccable scholarship, Inner Revolution is not only a national bestseller and practical primer on one of the world's most fascinating traditions, but it is also a wide-ranging look at the course of our civilization--and how we can alter it for the better. "Part spiritual memoir, part philosophical treatise and part religious history, Thurman's book is a passionate declaration of the possibilities of renewing the world" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
72 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Robert A.F. Thurman
72 books188 followersTenzin Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, holding the first endowed chair of Buddhist Studies in the United States. He is the author of the bestseller Inner Revolution, as well as Anger, Infinite Life, and other popular books. He is also a translator of Tibetan texts. He serves as co-founder and president of Tibet House US, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the endangered culture of Tibet.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Read
August 18, 2011A few years ago, I'd have soaked up this book up, swallowed it whole. But now? I find myself arguing with it and thinking its theories to be too sacarine and simplistic. To me, the thesis seems to be, ''treat your life as if its a movie you're watching about somebody else'' and if you can do that, then you'll be free of your own worst enemy, yourself, and all the potential unhappiness in the life that you're watching.
Also, I'm one third in without a great deal much gained by this. But, I'll keep going -- this is my first Ramadan and so this is a good thing even if it plunges me into despair and a sort of existential crisis. Unlike before, I realize now that Buddhism isn't easy, because it's not inherently at-ease with the world as it once used to seem. I get upset with it, reading just 7 pages at a time, then I go to Murakami and he seems to confront these same issues, often finding the same results, but in a compelling way because unlike this writer, he doesnt seem to view Buddhism's answers to suffering as inherently correct and complete, and even pinpoints the more painful parts about letting go and become more of a compassionate spectator. Likewise, for me, it's more a question of, is suffering even something that I should be trying to avoid, lessen, or remove from my life? I used to value simplicity, but there's a thing as too much of it. So now, I'd say that I think NO. Also, if you view death as a very firm end to everything, then it seems OK and acceptable to grasp at the ephemeral things life has, even while being aware of their ephemerity. To reject it all because of the ephemeral and transitory things is to shoot yourself in the foot because the toe itches, it seems to me. OR maybe even because of that very reason, that's all the chance to get the most out of it, even while stumbling over yourself and making yourself very unhappy a lot of the time.
Also, I'm one third in without a great deal much gained by this. But, I'll keep going -- this is my first Ramadan and so this is a good thing even if it plunges me into despair and a sort of existential crisis. Unlike before, I realize now that Buddhism isn't easy, because it's not inherently at-ease with the world as it once used to seem. I get upset with it, reading just 7 pages at a time, then I go to Murakami and he seems to confront these same issues, often finding the same results, but in a compelling way because unlike this writer, he doesnt seem to view Buddhism's answers to suffering as inherently correct and complete, and even pinpoints the more painful parts about letting go and become more of a compassionate spectator. Likewise, for me, it's more a question of, is suffering even something that I should be trying to avoid, lessen, or remove from my life? I used to value simplicity, but there's a thing as too much of it. So now, I'd say that I think NO. Also, if you view death as a very firm end to everything, then it seems OK and acceptable to grasp at the ephemeral things life has, even while being aware of their ephemerity. To reject it all because of the ephemeral and transitory things is to shoot yourself in the foot because the toe itches, it seems to me. OR maybe even because of that very reason, that's all the chance to get the most out of it, even while stumbling over yourself and making yourself very unhappy a lot of the time.
October 4, 2024
A timeless vision remains as powerful today as millennia ago
While working on editing an upcoming book that involves Robert Thurman, I found myself spending a good day or two deep in my religion library re-reading by and about his remarkable life as a scholar, teacher and Buddhist peace activist.
What struck me in particular was how this 1998 book, written just before the dawn of this third millennium (and before the attacks of "9/11"), remains as hopeful and relevant as when Thurman wrote it nearly three decades ago. I had also just been watching some recently recorded video teachings by Thurman about the troubled state of our world today—and there were echoes of the same optimistic energy that he expressed in the pages of this remarkable overview of Thurman's own life, of Buddhism as an "enlightenment movement" and specifically of the Dalai Lama's career up to the late '90s.
I really enjoy encounters with Thurman's life, his teachings, his occasional brief comments that pop up in major newspapers and magazines—because he's so full of hopeful energy! He even jokes about how contrary his hope for humanity is in the face of so much evidence of looming crises around the world.
We all could do with some regular doses of his pure joy in living.
So, of several Thurman books in my library, I found myself sitting there for some hours re-reading most of this particular book—and I thought that, even though it may seem dated to a casual customer looking for a good book on Buddhist enlightenment—I can tell you that it was a welcome shot in the spirit to read Thurman's vision of the sweep of spiritual history.
Don't overlook this book just because of its age. In many ways, it's as wise and pointed today as the time in which it was written.
While working on editing an upcoming book that involves Robert Thurman, I found myself spending a good day or two deep in my religion library re-reading by and about his remarkable life as a scholar, teacher and Buddhist peace activist.
What struck me in particular was how this 1998 book, written just before the dawn of this third millennium (and before the attacks of "9/11"), remains as hopeful and relevant as when Thurman wrote it nearly three decades ago. I had also just been watching some recently recorded video teachings by Thurman about the troubled state of our world today—and there were echoes of the same optimistic energy that he expressed in the pages of this remarkable overview of Thurman's own life, of Buddhism as an "enlightenment movement" and specifically of the Dalai Lama's career up to the late '90s.
I really enjoy encounters with Thurman's life, his teachings, his occasional brief comments that pop up in major newspapers and magazines—because he's so full of hopeful energy! He even jokes about how contrary his hope for humanity is in the face of so much evidence of looming crises around the world.
We all could do with some regular doses of his pure joy in living.
So, of several Thurman books in my library, I found myself sitting there for some hours re-reading most of this particular book—and I thought that, even though it may seem dated to a casual customer looking for a good book on Buddhist enlightenment—I can tell you that it was a welcome shot in the spirit to read Thurman's vision of the sweep of spiritual history.
Don't overlook this book just because of its age. In many ways, it's as wise and pointed today as the time in which it was written.
September 1, 2007
Apparently August is "Happiness Month" at the Multnomah County Library, and this is just the book for the job. I guess.
I'm really not at all sure about this book. Buddhism, though more appealing than most religions (Zen Buddhism in particular, which devotes more interest in personal experience than scripture-reading), still possesses some yet-unnamed quality that quickly turns me off. Of course, it could just be the author. A close friend of the Dalai Lama, Robert Thurman was the first westerner to be ordained a Buddhist monk, and he renounced his monkhood only a short while later after returning to the Americas. He seems... opinionated. A little angry, even, and certainly decided about what's good for other people.
I haven't finished it, and I don't know if I will. This may just be the book for you, so don't let my review, undoubtedly jaded by any number of factors, deter you from reading it yourself. The subject matter is close to my heart, so I don't want to interfere with anyone else's "Inner Revolution."
I'm really not at all sure about this book. Buddhism, though more appealing than most religions (Zen Buddhism in particular, which devotes more interest in personal experience than scripture-reading), still possesses some yet-unnamed quality that quickly turns me off. Of course, it could just be the author. A close friend of the Dalai Lama, Robert Thurman was the first westerner to be ordained a Buddhist monk, and he renounced his monkhood only a short while later after returning to the Americas. He seems... opinionated. A little angry, even, and certainly decided about what's good for other people.
I haven't finished it, and I don't know if I will. This may just be the book for you, so don't let my review, undoubtedly jaded by any number of factors, deter you from reading it yourself. The subject matter is close to my heart, so I don't want to interfere with anyone else's "Inner Revolution."
July 31, 2012
Professor Thurman, is my go to Author on all Tibetan Buddhism information, and this is by far one of my favorite book by the good professor. It took me more than one read to begin to comprehend the practice that the Professor shares in this book, and I do believe that it will take the rest of my natural life to practice and create the Inner Revolution I most create to be free from all attachments
I remember learning of Adam Yauch death and thinking well there's one being who has certainly created and lved a tru Inneattachnebr Revolution.
I remember learning of Adam Yauch death and thinking well there's one being who has certainly created and lved a tru Inneattachnebr Revolution.
September 24, 2009
Reading Robert Thurman induces me to smile...I think he'd be fun to play frisbee with. He never returns my phone calls though.
July 29, 2011
A journey through the early histories of India and Tibet and the beginnings of Buddhism as a philosophy and way of life. Thurman juxtaposes in later historical epochs the "cool" (read transformation from the interior of people and societies) revolution of Buddhism in Tibet and the "hot" (read violent politically and socially) revolutions of the nation-building centuries in the West. His narrative journey through the historical underpinnings of Buddhism ends with his prescriptions for the founding of a new "politics of enlightenment".
March 7, 2007
Very good book to read for a time when I was feeling a little lost.
Currently reading
February 11, 2008So far this book is giving a concise description of the essence of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. I like it.
December 10, 2009
This was a truly inspirational book with relevant information for everyday
December 4, 2015
My Buddhism professor! He's awesome!
March 21, 2024
I did Thurman’s buddhist history course on EdX and I liked that but this was disappointing even though it ranges over the same turf. It was hard to tell what is legend and what is more firmly established history, some kind of citations would have helped. The chapter about meditations that lead to a universal compassion were unconvincing and again might have provided recommendations to more detailed writing on the subject aimed at “westerners” instead of brief snippets of 2000 year old sutras. The final chapter and appendix are a rambling mess of what probably amounts to good old “social democracy” when I had expected something about how sanghas in the developed world can advocate for social justice. All in all, it just wasn’t serious enough for me, but it did help review some names and dates and it had some kick-ass wizard battles with one guy shooting flames from his fingers and then transforming into a giant eagle who eats an ancient Tibetan dragon diety. I would recommend the EdX course over the book, though.
October 27, 2019
Interesting read. But, the world today is not ready for the kind of government that promotes enlightenment, which is a sad state of affairs, but a fact. Our current leader, has no morals, ethics, or compassion in him, how sad it that?
August 24, 2017
THIS BOOK IS WHY WE NEED STEPHEN BATCHELOR.
What starts off as a well-constructed book chronicling the need and nature of Buddhism (and the interesting story of Robert Thurman) gradually devolves as Thurman articulates the history of Buddhism as public policy. He makes some good points. He makes some compelling arguments. But unfortunately, his staunch mahayana tendency, religiosity, and obsession with an idealization of Tibetan people as spiritually more evolved human beings are all nails on a chalkboard.
By 2017 it is possible for anybody with the time to access primary sources and Pali instructional material. It is possible for us to access the writings of many different schools of Buddhism from across the world and read century-old arguments. It is possible for us to educate ourselves and challenge and even doubt humans with institutional religious authority. In writing this book and calling for the cool, inner revolution Thurman has an interesting and attractive platform for anybody who likes what the Buddha was all about. The 4 Noble Truths and 8 Fold Path were uttered by a human being for the benefit of human beings, and whether or not he was the reincarnation of a deity or the cosmos is the tapestry of myth is irrelevant--we will all die or suffer and the prescription for our suffering lies in understanding the causation and cessation of suffering.
I think it's great that the Dalai Lama promotes Buddhism. I think it's wonderful that Buddhism was such a focus of Tibetan policy before Mao took over. But Thurman's argument about why the religiosity has anything to do with any individual's ability to follow the Eight Fold Path stems from his fundamental belief that the ONLY people capable of internalizing Buddhism are people in the religious universities of the Dalai Lama's school of Buddhism. It chauvinistically disregards Theravada Buddhism, Zen, and other schools of Buddhism while degrading nations (like Japan) as being spiritually inferior because of policies that attempted to separate the influence of monasticism from public life (Nobunaga). At one point of his book he claims that there was a day in the 20th century when ALL Tibetans experienced enlightenment and confidently asserts that Tibet was a total utopia thanks to the perfect policy brain of the Tibetan religious institutions.
In other words, the weakness of this book is that it centers the institutions of religious Buddhism at the heart of inner enlightenment inconsistently with the thesis of the book calling for individuals to pursue enlightenment. As the book progresses, his Tibet-centrism comes out unabashedly and incoherently transforms into a strange pseudo-libertarian political manifesto calling for consensual tax systems and for the United States to cut its military budget and dedicate the money to build "enlighted" democracies on the Tibetan model.
This book ironically illustrates the counter-productivity of institutional religious control and has shown me why Stephen Batchelor's writing on Buddhism Without Beliefs is so important. I can't help but feel that if Thurman edited out the Tibetan nationalism and the religiosity this would be a phenomenal book.
What starts off as a well-constructed book chronicling the need and nature of Buddhism (and the interesting story of Robert Thurman) gradually devolves as Thurman articulates the history of Buddhism as public policy. He makes some good points. He makes some compelling arguments. But unfortunately, his staunch mahayana tendency, religiosity, and obsession with an idealization of Tibetan people as spiritually more evolved human beings are all nails on a chalkboard.
By 2017 it is possible for anybody with the time to access primary sources and Pali instructional material. It is possible for us to access the writings of many different schools of Buddhism from across the world and read century-old arguments. It is possible for us to educate ourselves and challenge and even doubt humans with institutional religious authority. In writing this book and calling for the cool, inner revolution Thurman has an interesting and attractive platform for anybody who likes what the Buddha was all about. The 4 Noble Truths and 8 Fold Path were uttered by a human being for the benefit of human beings, and whether or not he was the reincarnation of a deity or the cosmos is the tapestry of myth is irrelevant--we will all die or suffer and the prescription for our suffering lies in understanding the causation and cessation of suffering.
I think it's great that the Dalai Lama promotes Buddhism. I think it's wonderful that Buddhism was such a focus of Tibetan policy before Mao took over. But Thurman's argument about why the religiosity has anything to do with any individual's ability to follow the Eight Fold Path stems from his fundamental belief that the ONLY people capable of internalizing Buddhism are people in the religious universities of the Dalai Lama's school of Buddhism. It chauvinistically disregards Theravada Buddhism, Zen, and other schools of Buddhism while degrading nations (like Japan) as being spiritually inferior because of policies that attempted to separate the influence of monasticism from public life (Nobunaga). At one point of his book he claims that there was a day in the 20th century when ALL Tibetans experienced enlightenment and confidently asserts that Tibet was a total utopia thanks to the perfect policy brain of the Tibetan religious institutions.
In other words, the weakness of this book is that it centers the institutions of religious Buddhism at the heart of inner enlightenment inconsistently with the thesis of the book calling for individuals to pursue enlightenment. As the book progresses, his Tibet-centrism comes out unabashedly and incoherently transforms into a strange pseudo-libertarian political manifesto calling for consensual tax systems and for the United States to cut its military budget and dedicate the money to build "enlighted" democracies on the Tibetan model.
This book ironically illustrates the counter-productivity of institutional religious control and has shown me why Stephen Batchelor's writing on Buddhism Without Beliefs is so important. I can't help but feel that if Thurman edited out the Tibetan nationalism and the religiosity this would be a phenomenal book.
November 19, 2011
at the end of page 92 I discover that the next page is 103! Back to the library I go!
so, with a short hiatus for the wonderful (it really is fantastic) la public library to deliver an undamaged copy, i read through to the end and it's a fine book, by a fine thinker.
interesting to be able to look back at the author's 1998 writing with the hindsight of occupy wall street movement and other dramatic changes since then.
there's an appendix, "some contemporary ideas for an actual political platform based on enlightenment principles" which is indeed, a platform with which i heartily agree.
mr. thurman writes in more detail than i've read about global history and the interesting contemporaneousness of asian, european and african periods of relative enlightenment.
and, he gives great detailed histories of several Indian and Tibetan periods. His conclusion is that Tibet is the only example of a culture/society that has achieved widespread and mainstream achievement of enlightenment, albeit to a limited extent. Hence, the significance of everything Tibetan.
so, with a short hiatus for the wonderful (it really is fantastic) la public library to deliver an undamaged copy, i read through to the end and it's a fine book, by a fine thinker.
interesting to be able to look back at the author's 1998 writing with the hindsight of occupy wall street movement and other dramatic changes since then.
there's an appendix, "some contemporary ideas for an actual political platform based on enlightenment principles" which is indeed, a platform with which i heartily agree.
mr. thurman writes in more detail than i've read about global history and the interesting contemporaneousness of asian, european and african periods of relative enlightenment.
and, he gives great detailed histories of several Indian and Tibetan periods. His conclusion is that Tibet is the only example of a culture/society that has achieved widespread and mainstream achievement of enlightenment, albeit to a limited extent. Hence, the significance of everything Tibetan.
May 6, 2013
This is a wonderful and wise book. Although I have read bits of it over a long period of time, I can always go back to it and feel the material is fresh and I wonder that I don't seem to realize it in a more sustained manner. I expect to reread it multiple times.
July 5, 2014
I enjoy all of Robert Thurman's books. He has a great style that make Buddhism accessible to everyone. If you have an interest in reading a life changing book, this would be at the top of the list in my mind.
April 21, 2009
Robert Thurman, professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies, presents his insights and clear explanations regarding enlightenment and serving others.
August 13, 2015
If you are interested in a brief history of Buddhism, this is a good place to start. It dragged a bit towards the end, but generally, was informative.
December 6, 2020
The only true revolution is the inner revolution, a revolution of consciousness. The spiritual enlightenment civilization of Tibet can serve as an inspiring example for the whole world. Maybe it is a little naive to want to change the world, because ultimately we can only change our own mind, but we can transform and shape our own personal life, our relationships, our physical and mental environment into a little Buddhaverse and spiritual Heartspace of freedom, happiness and bliss. We should never underestimate the power and healing effect of two human beings sharing an enlightened relationship with each other. It affects the world on a deeper, subtle dimension. I believe that two people (in a truly loving relationship) or a small group (spiritual circle) can serve as vehicles of enlightenment for the whole of humanity.
“Tibet became a laboratory for the enlightenment movement to create its model society, to evolve into an actual manifestation of a buddha‘s pure universe, a „buddhaverse“. A social buddhaverse is a place where everything is geared toward enlightenment, where every lifetime is made meaningful by dedication to optimal evolutionary development. Because that nation embraced the enlightenment movement for more than a millennium, Tibet is the prime example of a sustained attempt by an entire people to create a society, culture, and civilization that cherish the individual‘s pursuit of enlightenment over the needs of society. Instead of believing that a strong central government can force a group of people into making a better place to live, the Tibetans, influenced by ancient India, saw that helping the individual is what transforms society. Imagine a culture in which everything is geared toward helping all individuals become the best human beings they can be; in which individuals are driven to devoting their lives to becoming enlightened by the natural flood of compassion for others that arises out of their wisdom. Once an individual attains enlightenment, society at large automatically becomes enriched. This was the heart of the Buddha‘s social revolution. (p. 32-33)”
― Robert A.F. Thurman, Inner Revolution
“Tibet became a laboratory for the enlightenment movement to create its model society, to evolve into an actual manifestation of a buddha‘s pure universe, a „buddhaverse“. A social buddhaverse is a place where everything is geared toward enlightenment, where every lifetime is made meaningful by dedication to optimal evolutionary development. Because that nation embraced the enlightenment movement for more than a millennium, Tibet is the prime example of a sustained attempt by an entire people to create a society, culture, and civilization that cherish the individual‘s pursuit of enlightenment over the needs of society. Instead of believing that a strong central government can force a group of people into making a better place to live, the Tibetans, influenced by ancient India, saw that helping the individual is what transforms society. Imagine a culture in which everything is geared toward helping all individuals become the best human beings they can be; in which individuals are driven to devoting their lives to becoming enlightened by the natural flood of compassion for others that arises out of their wisdom. Once an individual attains enlightenment, society at large automatically becomes enriched. This was the heart of the Buddha‘s social revolution. (p. 32-33)”
― Robert A.F. Thurman, Inner Revolution
January 26, 2018
I've been attracted to buddhism for many years because of its simplistic but powerful truths. I was looking forward to this book as an exploration of the simple, but powerful truths that buddhism has to offer but unfortunately, I did not find that in this book.
I found the ideas of this book to be vague, the explanations to be superficial and the historical anecdotes to be filled with pages of long, fluffy details. I thought the ideas jumped too quickly from one to the next and left me feeling like I was reading a history book that gave little reflection on what the events could mean to the reader and what they meant to the writer.
If you're looking for a more practical and in-depth exploration of spirituality, I would recommend the Tao Te Ching or Wherever you Go, There You Are.
I found the ideas of this book to be vague, the explanations to be superficial and the historical anecdotes to be filled with pages of long, fluffy details. I thought the ideas jumped too quickly from one to the next and left me feeling like I was reading a history book that gave little reflection on what the events could mean to the reader and what they meant to the writer.
If you're looking for a more practical and in-depth exploration of spirituality, I would recommend the Tao Te Ching or Wherever you Go, There You Are.
March 17, 2022
As a Buddhist who practices in the Tibetan tradition, there’s not a lot of great books out there (except those by His Holiness The Dalai Lama) that aren’t “practice” books or commentaries on sutras. Sometimes they can be very opaque, outside of formal study, and so I often read in the Zen or Vipassana traditions despite my own.
This book is different. Perhaps because it’s written by a Westerner, it’s accessible to me. But it provides a great history of Buddhism through Tibet, as well as ideas for incorporating enlightenment into our political and social worlds of today. Wonderful read, even for non-Buddhists
This book is different. Perhaps because it’s written by a Westerner, it’s accessible to me. But it provides a great history of Buddhism through Tibet, as well as ideas for incorporating enlightenment into our political and social worlds of today. Wonderful read, even for non-Buddhists
September 27, 2020
I'm giving it five stars because his concept (and that of the Buddha's) truly is brilliant, but his writing can get bogged down by his loft mind so I found I had to read many parts over and over to try and figure out what the hell at which he was getting. This was inconsistent though. Parts of the book flowed, other parts, not so much. But overall, I loved it as it helped elucidate my understanding of Buddhism and the steps needed to realize my own desire to be a contributive part of living in a better world.
July 31, 2017
Buddhism and global politics: how the Tibetans went to an inner spiritual liberation while the western world went to an outer materialist liberation. Some Buddhist history, some world history, and a political platform he hopes will be adopted so that the inner spiritual liberation can be worldwide.
September 26, 2020
Astounding, well articulated and inspiring
I have been reading the works of Prof Thurman for a while now and am very grateful. This humble book has a great life changing potential.
I have been reading the works of Prof Thurman for a while now and am very grateful. This humble book has a great life changing potential.
April 24, 2021
I enjoyed this book so much, I immediately started to read it again. I've really enjoyed Professor Thruman's lectures and writing finding them interesting and very informative. I really deepened my understandings which I am in much gratitude for. Many thanks.
September 23, 2023
Very insightful book about Tibetan Buddhism, it's culture and history, as well as Thurman just going off and writing shit like if Tibet didn't exist the Renaissance would never have happened. Go off king 👑
September 20, 2020
Enlightened action plan
October 25, 2020
The doyen of popularized American Buddhism writes a slightly fluffy account of the appeal Tibetan Buddhism.
December 24, 2013
An inspiring introduction to Tibetan Buddhism written by the first westerner (Uma Thurman's father, interestingly) to become an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk. Inner Revolution presents the history, philosophy, and practice of Buddhism in a way that westerners can easily digest while retaining a deep and powerful impact. It does not aim to convert -- instead it shows how Buddhism can be practiced along side your existing religious beliefs (or lack thereof), and gives practical ways of integrating this philosophy into your daily life -- such as daily meditation and breathing exercises.
Whether you plan to practice Buddhism or not, this book will open your mind to new ways of understanding your identity and how it might fit into greater realms of existence, be they physical or spiritual. It will force you to question your habitual beliefs of self and other, and can help you change your behavior in ways that truly benefit your family, friends, and a stranger on the street.
I have studied the Bible through the lens of religion (Catholicism) as well as that of literary criticism, and I can say that this book has had a greater impact on my life in my practical view of my existence and 'soul' or self. You should read this if for no other reason than to gain insight into the thinking of a couple billion of your fellow humans.
Whether you plan to practice Buddhism or not, this book will open your mind to new ways of understanding your identity and how it might fit into greater realms of existence, be they physical or spiritual. It will force you to question your habitual beliefs of self and other, and can help you change your behavior in ways that truly benefit your family, friends, and a stranger on the street.
I have studied the Bible through the lens of religion (Catholicism) as well as that of literary criticism, and I can say that this book has had a greater impact on my life in my practical view of my existence and 'soul' or self. You should read this if for no other reason than to gain insight into the thinking of a couple billion of your fellow humans.
January 23, 2009
Coming from a judeo-christian background and attending catholic elementary-high school, I did not have much exposure to other religions. When I entered college, I was exposed to many different ways of thinking. I started this book because I was curious about Buddhism. I was looking for a book to explain the concepts more clearly. My impression is that buddhists are seeking "enlightenment". I am still unclear how a regular person can achieve this "enlightenment" without going into complete isolation in meditation. It seems like they focus on strengthening the individual to strengthen the society. I gather that each individual should be pursuing "enlightenment". How you do it... I don't know.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews