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Happiness Beyond Thought: A Practical Guide to Awakening
Praise for Happiness Beyond Thought"Husband, father, scientist, military officer, and senior executive in industry and academia, Gary Weber has led a full and successful worldly life. Throughout all of this, Gary has relentlessly pursued a path of practice and inquiry in order to understand life and achieve enlightenment. It is rare to find one who has reached this goal, and rarer still to find such a one who has been so immersed in worldly life.With this book, Gary has successfully integrated his profound realization with traditional non-dualistic teachings, as well as insights from Zen Buddhism and modern brain research, into a practical path that uses Yoga's time-tested practices of asana, pranayama, chanting and meditation to illumine a path to enlightenment for the modern reader." -Gary Kraftsow, author of Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation "Gary Weber offers a treasure chest of practices for the serious practitioner seeking liberation. On your own journey towards awakening, savor these simple, easy to follow practices culled from Weber's study with his primary teacher Ramana Maharshi, his on-going exploration of Zen meditation practice, and the life-enhancing results of his experiments on the laboratory floor of his yoga mat." -Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga for Depression
172 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2007
119 people are currently reading
1551 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 30, 2018
A few months ago I started a meditation practise following the instructions in The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science. I read a few general books on Buddhism to try to find my bearings - there's a huge range of Buddhist sects very different from each other in style and technique.
Now I'm trying to read around dharma, enlightenment, and how to get there.
Happiness Beyond Thought could not be more different from Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book, the last book I read. MCTB is frankly a bit scary, with mind-boggling description of the technical details of enlightenment, terrifying depictions of the Dark Night of the Soul, misery and disgust that one cycles through along the path to enlightenment, and huge neon sign blaring 'caveat emptor' when it comes to finding some guidance on the path.
HBT, on the other hand, describes the gentle process of the self slowly evaporating, until one day it just pops out of existence and you're free! Seems like a much happier, gentler approach! It's very unlike what I've read of the Buddhist approaches (which I think, as I'm starting to orient myself, have mostly been Theravada-based). Most of the Buddhist practises I've read place heavy emphasis on meditation and mindfulness. In this more Hindu approach, there's more emphasis placed on yoga, chanting, and enquiry. I certainly like the idea of yoga and it seems very common-sensical to me that movement effects how we think and feel.
There is a saying that if you want to draw water, you need to dig one deep well, not hundreds of shallow ones. On the spiritual path that means find a practise and stick to it - don't fanny about trying a little of this and a little of that! For that reason, I'll probably stick with TMI for the forseeable future. But I also found that, although the Advaita Vedenta feels beautiful and gentle, Happiness Beyond Thought is rather vague compared to TMI. One of the great things about TMI is the amazing density of information. There's just so much precise instruction and signposting that one can feel quite confident about staying on track. Although, I do think that all of these books about serious spiritual diligence require frequent re-reading.
One thing that will stick with me from HBT is the devotional path to enlightenment. In TMI and MCTB, it's very much just you, your mind, and your attention drilling down to enlightenment. Here, you have the option of just giving up all your attachments, and letting some higher power take them away, be that a god, spirit, guru or even the sun. I like that, the idea of taking all my pride and shame and desire and aversion and just throwing it all right into the heart of the sun. Which will, after all, swallow us all up one day.
Now I'm trying to read around dharma, enlightenment, and how to get there.
Happiness Beyond Thought could not be more different from Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book, the last book I read. MCTB is frankly a bit scary, with mind-boggling description of the technical details of enlightenment, terrifying depictions of the Dark Night of the Soul, misery and disgust that one cycles through along the path to enlightenment, and huge neon sign blaring 'caveat emptor' when it comes to finding some guidance on the path.
HBT, on the other hand, describes the gentle process of the self slowly evaporating, until one day it just pops out of existence and you're free! Seems like a much happier, gentler approach! It's very unlike what I've read of the Buddhist approaches (which I think, as I'm starting to orient myself, have mostly been Theravada-based). Most of the Buddhist practises I've read place heavy emphasis on meditation and mindfulness. In this more Hindu approach, there's more emphasis placed on yoga, chanting, and enquiry. I certainly like the idea of yoga and it seems very common-sensical to me that movement effects how we think and feel.
There is a saying that if you want to draw water, you need to dig one deep well, not hundreds of shallow ones. On the spiritual path that means find a practise and stick to it - don't fanny about trying a little of this and a little of that! For that reason, I'll probably stick with TMI for the forseeable future. But I also found that, although the Advaita Vedenta feels beautiful and gentle, Happiness Beyond Thought is rather vague compared to TMI. One of the great things about TMI is the amazing density of information. There's just so much precise instruction and signposting that one can feel quite confident about staying on track. Although, I do think that all of these books about serious spiritual diligence require frequent re-reading.
One thing that will stick with me from HBT is the devotional path to enlightenment. In TMI and MCTB, it's very much just you, your mind, and your attention drilling down to enlightenment. Here, you have the option of just giving up all your attachments, and letting some higher power take them away, be that a god, spirit, guru or even the sun. I like that, the idea of taking all my pride and shame and desire and aversion and just throwing it all right into the heart of the sun. Which will, after all, swallow us all up one day.
November 15, 2020
I have been interested in spirituality since I went to my first 10 day retreat and have since then meditated in the vipassana tradition. This buddhist tradition emphasizes the "annicca" aspect of buddhism - that is to say that everything is always changing. Once you notice that nothing is rock solid you are free to realize that the "I" is an illusion which by itself allows you to let go of your craving.
This insight could however take a really long time to reach which was the main reasons I started looking for alternatives. Why can't one start by looking for the "I" and thereby seeing its illusory nature? Wouldn't that be a quicker way to enlightenment? Non-duality (or advaita vedanta) is the view that there are not two things, but that everything is One. Everything is part of consciousness. (A perspective frightfully close to solipsism).
Gary Weber is a spiritual teacher in the non-duelist tradition. He has a scientific background which helps to provide some more objective legitimacy for the subjective nature of this tradition. I was glad to read that most people who have become enlightened have had some method before arriving at there (which is something many gurus in this tradition deny as there is ONLY NOW). Mr. Weber goes through different ways to practice like singing and thought exercises (one of which I use daily).
I still have my doubts about the tradition as I find it difficult to convince myself that there are no objects in the world and that everything is a part of me. Buddhism, on the other hand, doesn't state that the world is an illusion but rather emphasizes emptiness of concepts. Of the "I". This means that concepts in themselves have no essence and that you therefore shouldn't take them too seriously. "You are real. (But you're not really real)" as one Buddhist teacher put it.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a more serious interest in spirituality.
This insight could however take a really long time to reach which was the main reasons I started looking for alternatives. Why can't one start by looking for the "I" and thereby seeing its illusory nature? Wouldn't that be a quicker way to enlightenment? Non-duality (or advaita vedanta) is the view that there are not two things, but that everything is One. Everything is part of consciousness. (A perspective frightfully close to solipsism).
Gary Weber is a spiritual teacher in the non-duelist tradition. He has a scientific background which helps to provide some more objective legitimacy for the subjective nature of this tradition. I was glad to read that most people who have become enlightened have had some method before arriving at there (which is something many gurus in this tradition deny as there is ONLY NOW). Mr. Weber goes through different ways to practice like singing and thought exercises (one of which I use daily).
I still have my doubts about the tradition as I find it difficult to convince myself that there are no objects in the world and that everything is a part of me. Buddhism, on the other hand, doesn't state that the world is an illusion but rather emphasizes emptiness of concepts. Of the "I". This means that concepts in themselves have no essence and that you therefore shouldn't take them too seriously. "You are real. (But you're not really real)" as one Buddhist teacher put it.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a more serious interest in spirituality.
August 6, 2018
A very practical guide and conversations related to nonduality, advaita and direct enquiry. The author also supplements with teachings from some respected people like Ramana Maharshi, and texts from the Ribhu Gita, Bhagavad Gita, etc.
Could be useful for those still straddling the idea of 'how' to approach the whole area of nonduality or direct enquiry, and need some guidance in practical pick-up-n-go form.
The reader may or may not require some help from a guide in order to actually implement the work and started with enquiry, though. Others may just take an enquiry and run with it until 'the end' is seen.
On a side note, Gary is a very approachable, helpful and wonderful teacher in his own right, with lots of pupils worldwide. His blog posts and videos can be very useful and practical as well, along with giving a balanced view of the path in terms of practice, and modern concerns along with science.
Could be useful for those still straddling the idea of 'how' to approach the whole area of nonduality or direct enquiry, and need some guidance in practical pick-up-n-go form.
The reader may or may not require some help from a guide in order to actually implement the work and started with enquiry, though. Others may just take an enquiry and run with it until 'the end' is seen.
On a side note, Gary is a very approachable, helpful and wonderful teacher in his own right, with lots of pupils worldwide. His blog posts and videos can be very useful and practical as well, along with giving a balanced view of the path in terms of practice, and modern concerns along with science.
May 7, 2013
One of the best books I've read on enlightenment. Being a doctor and lecturer, his articulation and delivery of the information is clear and concise. He firsts states that there is confusion when it comes to enlightenment. Most spiritual teachers say that there is nothing to do to attain enlightenment yet these teachers themselves engage or engaged in a spiritual practise prior or after awakening.
The book is then divided into sections. One section is about the practises and self inquiry you can do. Another section is a transcript of his question and answer sessions.
Rather than just being all theoretical, this is a very practical book.
A definite read if you're on the spiritual path.
He has good youtube clips if you want to check him out there first.
This was difficult to find in ebook format but finally found it at: http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/978...
The book is then divided into sections. One section is about the practises and self inquiry you can do. Another section is a transcript of his question and answer sessions.
Rather than just being all theoretical, this is a very practical book.
A definite read if you're on the spiritual path.
He has good youtube clips if you want to check him out there first.
This was difficult to find in ebook format but finally found it at: http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/978...
February 27, 2020
1) Everything is perfect just as it is.
2) The ultimate outcome of actions is determined by the laws of the Universe. How can you hope to produce awakening by your actions? Finally, however, whatever you decide will be the right decision as it can’t come out any other way. Your decisions are only apparent. You have become wise to the point of knowing that it is all out of your hands, always has been, always will be. Whatever unfolds is just as it should be, always perfect. You cannot be other than awareness, no matter how hard you try.
2) The ultimate outcome of actions is determined by the laws of the Universe. How can you hope to produce awakening by your actions? Finally, however, whatever you decide will be the right decision as it can’t come out any other way. Your decisions are only apparent. You have become wise to the point of knowing that it is all out of your hands, always has been, always will be. Whatever unfolds is just as it should be, always perfect. You cannot be other than awareness, no matter how hard you try.
September 5, 2020
Different book. Reading Weber gave me a new perspective on being in mental silence. Maybe because he mixed to points of view: scientifically and Hinduism, proving that being in full awareness means being fully conscious of your thoughts and actions.
One of the coolest things about this book is the way he teaches breathing, yoga, and meditation as a tool to awakening from the illusion. But, is disappointing the way he emphasis chants to Brahman, Shiva, and Vishnu for enlightenment.
This is not a book for everyone. Especially when there are a lot of things related to Hinduism. If you want to practice mindfulness in a way that is nothing close to a religious point of view. I would recommend something more related to Buddhism practice, where they believe that no god creates this universe, which is more appropriate for scientific people.
One of the coolest things about this book is the way he teaches breathing, yoga, and meditation as a tool to awakening from the illusion. But, is disappointing the way he emphasis chants to Brahman, Shiva, and Vishnu for enlightenment.
This is not a book for everyone. Especially when there are a lot of things related to Hinduism. If you want to practice mindfulness in a way that is nothing close to a religious point of view. I would recommend something more related to Buddhism practice, where they believe that no god creates this universe, which is more appropriate for scientific people.
August 30, 2018
I suspect Gary Weber is right to emphasize "direct inquiry" as the most straightforward, practical path to nondual awakening.
April 2, 2018
I did not find this book as helpful as I had hoped. The concepts in this book need to be "Americanized." I had trouble understanding and internalizing many of the ideas in this book because they are explained from a Hindu perspective. The chants were especially challenging. Maybe I was unrealistically expecting a quick fix? I would love for someone to undertake the task of rewriting this book from a Western perspective. Maybe I will do it?
July 1, 2023
disappointing
A person who is writing about disengagement of ego, and the "I", but always referring about her own experiences as a fact or "the truth" is completely incongruent. The text is a mix of practices and bits of mysticism without any sense. Lack of substance and not very deep. Skip the book. There a lot better.
A person who is writing about disengagement of ego, and the "I", but always referring about her own experiences as a fact or "the truth" is completely incongruent. The text is a mix of practices and bits of mysticism without any sense. Lack of substance and not very deep. Skip the book. There a lot better.
December 15, 2024
Gary Weber brings Buddhism to you in a secular and practical way. The book is filled with inquiries that will question your intuitive sense of who you are. Nonetheless, there are some skippable pseudo-religious sections.
November 11, 2024
Really practical and deep. Must read. Quite a bit of it is about what it feels like when you are an 'awakened' one.
March 6, 2017
Mr Gary Weber, the author said about his book:
…“There is much in the book on how “normal” life continues w/work, family, etc. you can look @ my bio on my website to get a sense of that, as it lists “before” and “after”. I found that being “awakened” w/o a self-referential narrative, fears and desires, actually enhanced my performance as “manager, husband, father, etc.” …
The root budh, from which both bodhi and Buddha are derived, means "to wake up" or "to recover consciousness". And awakening or enlightenment is one of the top three traditional Budhism pattern. The two crucial aspects of the Buddha's Awakening are the WHAT and the HOW: what he awakened to and how he did it. His awakening is special in that the two aspects come together. He awakened to the fact that there is an undying happiness, and that it can be attained through human effort. The human effort involved in this process ultimately focuses on the question of understanding the nature of human effort itself what its powers and limitations are, and what kind of right effort can take one beyond its limitations and bring one to the threshold of the Deathless.
He courage’s people to get involved w/the many study programs for meditation and awakening by talking about Relationships, Attachments, Not Knowing, and Levels, Social Media, Thought Types, Reality, Devotion, Self Inquiry Questions, Mindfulness, Work and Attachments, Psychology, improve, no control, downsides to non-duality, Anxiety, Sex, Chanting, Surrender, Uncaused happiness, self compassion, sweet stillness, Dealing with Thoughts and desire for awakening.
You may read free on:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B10V...
…“There is much in the book on how “normal” life continues w/work, family, etc. you can look @ my bio on my website to get a sense of that, as it lists “before” and “after”. I found that being “awakened” w/o a self-referential narrative, fears and desires, actually enhanced my performance as “manager, husband, father, etc.” …
The root budh, from which both bodhi and Buddha are derived, means "to wake up" or "to recover consciousness". And awakening or enlightenment is one of the top three traditional Budhism pattern. The two crucial aspects of the Buddha's Awakening are the WHAT and the HOW: what he awakened to and how he did it. His awakening is special in that the two aspects come together. He awakened to the fact that there is an undying happiness, and that it can be attained through human effort. The human effort involved in this process ultimately focuses on the question of understanding the nature of human effort itself what its powers and limitations are, and what kind of right effort can take one beyond its limitations and bring one to the threshold of the Deathless.
He courage’s people to get involved w/the many study programs for meditation and awakening by talking about Relationships, Attachments, Not Knowing, and Levels, Social Media, Thought Types, Reality, Devotion, Self Inquiry Questions, Mindfulness, Work and Attachments, Psychology, improve, no control, downsides to non-duality, Anxiety, Sex, Chanting, Surrender, Uncaused happiness, self compassion, sweet stillness, Dealing with Thoughts and desire for awakening.
You may read free on:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B10V...
April 4, 2018
“Most folk spend virtually all of their lives in their thoughts, in the past and future. You are almost never in the mystery and wonder of what is really unfolding just as it is, NOW. When you are eating, you are thinking about work. When you are at work, you are dreaming of seeing your friends at a party. When you are at the party with your friends, you are thinking about talking to someone else, what you’re going to say next, what you just said that was wrong or brilliant, or being at a better party.
Recognizing that you live a second-hand life can be an important realization.
Seeing that thoughts rob you of your life, of your inherent happiness and awareness can open the way to letting go of them. Can you see that this fascination and fixation with your thoughts means that you are always somewhere else in some other time?”
Recognizing that you live a second-hand life can be an important realization.
Seeing that thoughts rob you of your life, of your inherent happiness and awareness can open the way to letting go of them. Can you see that this fascination and fixation with your thoughts means that you are always somewhere else in some other time?”
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August 20, 2010I'm not sure that I'm really "done" with this, but I've certainly read all of the pages >= 2 times.
Great book; I've found the practices very helpful. My sense of this book is not unlike reading Griffith's elementary particle textbook—it is a map to understanding things the way practitioners do, but at the same time, much of the underlying mechanism is unknown, unclear, or too technical to burden the beginner.
Great book; I've found the practices very helpful. My sense of this book is not unlike reading Griffith's elementary particle textbook—it is a map to understanding things the way practitioners do, but at the same time, much of the underlying mechanism is unknown, unclear, or too technical to burden the beginner.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews