How Would Buddha Think?: 1,501 Right-Intention Teachings for Cultivating a Peaceful Mind

by Barbara Ann Kipfer

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.”
—The Buddha Every word and every action begins with a thought. Negative thoughts based in jealousy, greed, or hatred may seem harmless on the surface. After all, they’re only thoughts, right? But while thoughts are only in our head, they often betray our intentions, and can directly shape our actions. So, how can you overcome internal negativity and live more consciously? In How Would Buddha Think? , best-selling author of 14,000 Things to Be Happy About , Barbara Ann Kipfer offers an insightful, modern take on the ancient teaching of Right Intention—an important tenet of the Buddhist Eightfold Path focused on the belief that our intentions drive our actions. With this book as your guide, you’ll learn how to move past negative thoughts or ill will toward others and instead focus on altruism, purpose, and self-actualization—qualities needed to help you live a truly happy life.

Genres: Spirituality, Self Help, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2016

About the author

Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer (born in 1954) is a lexicographer,as well as an archaeologist. She has written more than 60 books, including 14,000 Things to be Happy About (Workman), which has more than a million copies in print and has given rise to many Page-a-Day calendars. The 25th anniversary edition of the book was published in October 2014. She is the editor of Roget's International Thesaurus.

Kipfer is Chief Lexicographer of the company Temnos. She has worked for such companies as Google, Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com, Answers.com, Ask Jeeves, Bellcore/Telcordia, Federated Media Publishing, General Electric Research, IBM Research, idealab, Knowledge Adventure, Textdigger, The Chicago Tribune, and WolframAlpha. Barbara holds a PhD and MPhil in Linguistics (University of Exeter), a PhD in Archaeology (Greenwich University), an MA and a PhD in Buddhist Studies (Akamai University), and a BS in Physical Education (Valparaiso University).

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[MKF]

This book is actually divided into three parts teaching, essays, and meditations. Teachings wasn't my favorite and I noticed a few repeats though worded differently. The essays seemed like she took the ideas from the teaching section and expanded what they said. The section on meditations was the best part though not as long as the other sections. This book could of been half the size it is and still would of gotten the point across.

[Kira]

Free physical copy, review is my own.

Divided into three parts I think this was the perfect time for me to read this. With the new year right around the corner and goal setting happening I was able to take the teachings and come to the core of what I want for the new year and how to better reach that.

[Shugo Hirai]

How Would Buddha Think? was a very easy book to read because of its 1,501 bite-sized entries, each one encouraging readers to be more mindful of their thoughts and reactions throughout the day. At times, the book can feel repetitive, but it helped me become more aware of the way I think and more calm and intentional with my actions.

[Cherie]

Lots of great prompts to help think more mindfully/Buddhist-like. Good for meditation activities or yoga teachers.

[Alan Eyre]

Choc full of good tips n insights

[RW (Reading Wine)]

Not my favourite meditation/mindfulness read, felt redundant but still nice to take 10-15mins out of you day to read about this topic

[Lauren Morgan]

Good

[Courtney]

"In loving and being loved, we become most truly ourselves."

I received this as a GR ARC giveaway. I normally wouldn't have chosen to read this, but I'm glad I did. I find other religions very interesting. Barbara Ann Kipfer is very well researched. Page 7-156 is written as bullet points, so it's easy to pick up and read as you're needing some extra positivity. I especially liked the last section, mediations. I will keep this on my coffee table for visitors to skim and hopefully think how Buddha would.

[Gina]

I received this book as a First Read. It was ok but not the best book on Buddhist thinking or zen. It would've been better with more exposition rather than being a straight list of tips. It was, however, nice that they modernized the tenets to be relatable to today's world.

[Maria Almaguer]

Inspiring and calming, this is a book designed to help you realize what's most important in life. But you have to be ready to read it.