Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

by Ken I McLeod

Reflections on Silver River consists of a new translation of Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva and a verse-by verse commentary. In just thirty-seven verses, Tokme Zongpo summarizes the bodhisattva path. While this revered and loved text from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition has been translated many times, Ken McLeod's plain and simple English beautifully reflects the simplicity and directness of the original Tibetan. McLeod's commentary is full of striking images, provocative questions and inspiring descriptions of what it means to be awake and present in your life. Practical instruction, brief and to the point, is found in each of the verse commentaries, providing straightforward responses to the question, "How do I practice this?" McLeod is clearly writing from his own experience. Yet, instead of anecdotes and personal history, he challenges the reader to engage various scenarios, and consider for ourselves how compassion, clarity, presence and balance could take expression in his or her life. This masterful translation and commentary shine the light of wisdom on the challenges of contemporary life and illuminate a path the modern reader can tread to freedom, peace and understanding. Reflections on Silver River has three parts. The first is an informative introduction to the text and to Tokme Zongpo. The introduction is followed by the translation of Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva. The third section is the main part of the book, a traditional verse-by-verse commentary. At less than 200 pages, Reflections on Silver River is a highly accessible introduction to Tibetan Buddhist practice as well as a valuable resource for the experienced practitioner, regardless of his or her tradition of training. McLeod himself is a teacher, translator, author and business consultant. He pioneered one-on-one meditation instruction, has taught numerous retreats and classes, published a highly regarded translation of Mahayana mind-training under the title The Great Path of Awakening, wrote an encyclopedic treatment of meditation practice in Wake Up to Your Life, and composed a poetic and evocative commentary on the Heart Sutra in An Arrow to the Heart."

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation, Spirituality, Philosophy, Religion

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2014

Reviews

[John Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I am reading this book, it's slowly changing my view of the things around me.

Verse 31 was the biggest lesson for me.
"Do not use the practice to change the situation, use the situation as part your practice"

When I read this, my body naturally opens up to the present situation, that I am in. Thank you.

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

I love Ken McLeod.

For me, this book has been transformative in a way I can’t completely understand, let alone explain.

I don’t have much more to say about this at present.

Other than.

It’s certainly not for everyone.

Maybe not for almost anyone.

But for me.

It felt like Ken McLeod was whispering directly into my brain.

I intend to read it again.

Soon.

And if I do.

And I certainly hope I do.

I will try to write in more detail about it.

Until then.

5/5 ⭐️

[Blaine Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ken McLeod's translation and commentary of Tokme Zongpo's 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva... Ken does a fine job translating, interpreting, contextualizing, and helping us apply these 37 pithy and, in many cases, highly challenging teachings. Thank you bodhisattva Ken.

[Jill Salahub · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I'll come back to, again and again.

[John Stepper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading books like this makes me think of Doctor Strange in some ancient library, unearthing secrets from long ago.

I came across a reference to this book while reading Pema Chödrön, and I’m glad I did. The verses and the commentary seem simple at first, even repetitive. But slowly, gradually the messages sink in. I found myself reading just one section at a time (2-3 pages) and savoring what was said.

This is a book I will come back to, and I imagine each reading will yield new insights for me.

[Mariah Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read on the subject of Buddhism and the practice of Tonglen

[Jim Lavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Reflections on Silver River: Tokmé Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva" offers a profound journey into the essence of mindfulness and compassion. With its new translation of Tokmé Zongpo's timeless guide and an insightful verse-by-verse commentary, this book serves as a valuable companion for those seeking solace and clarity amidst the complexities of life.

In a world filled with the noise of modern existence, this book becomes a gentle yet powerful tool for quieting the tumultuous thoughts that often obscure our human experience. The teachings of Tokmé Zongpo, though sometimes challenging, offer a roadmap for redirecting our attention to what truly matters.

The book's verse-by-verse commentary acts as a lantern, illuminating the path set forth by Tokmé Zongpo, allowing readers to delve deeper into the meanings and applications of each practice. The prose seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding, making the teachings accessible and applicable to our present lives.

"Reflections on Silver River" is not merely a book; it's an invitation to embark on a transformative journey. It extends a compassionate hand to guide us through the mazes of our own minds, helping us uncover the purity and wisdom that lie beneath the layers of distraction. For anyone seeking a respite from the cacophony of the modern world and an opportunity to center themselves in mindfulness and altruism, this book stands as a profound and valuable resource.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't begin to describe how dear this book is to me. After being introduced to it and having extracts read to me in my yoga teacher training, I bought it afterwards and had my breath taken away by some of the most beautiful, simple prose and some quite frankly radical ideas for our modern lives.

It's a book to be savoured, and has the most impact when only a few pages are read at a time. Definitely one I will come back to, time and time again.

[Evan Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a difficult task to simplify something that is complex. It is almost an impossible task to take something brief, spiritual, and in a different language and turn that into something accessible for anyone.

Ken does this and he does it well. I would recommend this book to anyone starting a spiritual journey as a home base to build off of regardless of what faith or meaning you are searching for in your practice.

[Jessica O · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't agree with all of the author's conclusions in this book, based on my understanding of Buddhism thus far (my 3 years to his decades of experience), but I take some comfort in that. No religion or philosophy should be believed blindly.

This was a challenging book, but very worth my time and effort.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply fantastic

Recommended to anyone on, our thinking of starting on, the path. I've read a lot of Buddhist books and this one is deceivingly short however the content is timeless and invaluable. Certainly one that I'll be referring back to quite often!

[Sam Potasznik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is A FIERCE dharma book. It cuts to the heart with wisdom, and it is already shaping how I think about and do practice. It is more challenging than almost any other I've read.

Read it if you'd like to deepen your practice of awareness and compassion 🙏🏻❤️

[Linus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible guide to the life of a Bodhisattva, explained used clear, precise and modern language, without diluting the traditional teachings it is based upon. Highly recommended to any serious Mahayana practitioner out there!

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great interpretation of the 37 practices - with practical applications for daily life.

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to guide you through life.

[Lawrence Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! The world would be a better place if everyone read and abided by the 37 practices and Mcleod's intrepration is brilliant. Can't recommend it highly enough.

[Brian Chenault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suspect I will be returning to this book again and again.

[Lily Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the experience of reading this book, and it's one I'd definitely return to so I could read the individual short chapters regularly, depending on my needs or interests at the time.

[Vicki Scullion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent teaching and commentary on 37 Bodhisattva practices. Very well written to help Western thinkers understand these Buddhist concepts.

[John Stockton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Pema Chodren's favourite writers and translators. Powerful read and I would give it a 6 if I could!

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

"this is a book on how to have really bad boundaries" -Michael Taft and idk if he's joking or not

[Lachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure. An incredible, plain language distillation of Tibetan Buddhist teaching.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what to say about this book...

I loved Wake Up to Your Life and I frequently go back to it, though my own practice and certainty of intention is a joke compared to the standard that Ken lays out. This work is quite different in the sense that it's based on devotional practices (Tokmé Zongpo's favored practice was Tonglen, taking-and-sending) and not more common practices like the four immeasurables or more esoteric practices like the five dakinis. It's not a manual like Wake Up to Your Life, instead it's a pith guide that points out the spirit you need to follow the path of a bodhisattva and how one should regard various obstacles that come up in anybody's life, or even much more egregious obstacles (like being publicly shamed).

I often have the feeling after reading his texts (or listening to his podcasts on Unfettered Mind) as if I'm viewing a bamboo house on stilts over the ocean, somewhere in Oceania, and I watch from a middle distance as an anvil larger than the house falls from the sky and smashes the house flat into the ocean in an exploding shower of timbers and water.

I also often feel perplexed by the teachings...like, how could I possibly dedicate such strenuous effort to something which won't benefit me at all? How can I have motivation to meditate and to do all of these practices, and yet not expect a single thing from all of that? How can I experience everything that I'm stuck with in life, and yet not frantically try to get myself unstuck, and not even want to try? Such issues arise for me both in the context of Ken's teachings and outside of them in mainstream Buddhist teachings, and I can never tell if I should regard Buddhism as a red herring in my own life. Very intriguing, very true, and very perplexing.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the 37 Practices before, though I have to confess it is because I have an app with that content on my smartphone. McLeod's book is, to say the least, a significant enhancement over an app on a smartphone. I was most struck by the clarity of his commentary on each practice, expressed in a way that made the ideas accessible to a householder in the Western culture. I turned around at the end and began it again, because it seemed the right thing to do, that I had missed enough of value in the first read to merit an immediate second reading. I rarely do that, so I think that speaks to the usefulness of McLeod's work.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational commentary and translation of these ancient practices of a bodhisattva.