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Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha's Wheel of Life
Hell realms, gods, and hungry ghosts—these are just a few of the images on the Buddhist wheel of life. In Awakening from the Daydream , discover how these ancient symbols are still relevant to our modern life.
In Awakening from the Daydream , meditation teacher David Nichtern reimagines the ancient Buddhist allegory of the Wheel of Life. Famously painted at the entryway to Buddhist monasteries, the Wheel of Life encapsulates the entirety of the human situation. In the image of the Wheel we find a teaching about how to make sense of life and how to find peace within an uncertain world.
Nichtern writes with clarity and humor, speaking to our contemporary society and its concerns and providing simple practical steps for building a mindful, compassionate, and liberating approach to living.
In Awakening from the Daydream , meditation teacher David Nichtern reimagines the ancient Buddhist allegory of the Wheel of Life. Famously painted at the entryway to Buddhist monasteries, the Wheel of Life encapsulates the entirety of the human situation. In the image of the Wheel we find a teaching about how to make sense of life and how to find peace within an uncertain world.
Nichtern writes with clarity and humor, speaking to our contemporary society and its concerns and providing simple practical steps for building a mindful, compassionate, and liberating approach to living.
160 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2016
132 people are currently reading
978 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 27, 2018
Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha's Wheel of Life is an accessible and modern reworking of the Buddhist Wheel of Life.
I took a course on Buddhism in college (seems like a million years ago now) and I remember being deeply affected by this picture then- the original version.
For thousands of years, Buddhist practitioners have been studying the mind, how it perceives the world, and how it creates a perpetual cycle of suffering. The original Wheel captures this in extraordinary detail. David Nichtern's re-imagining of it is brilliant.
I think that this could be very helpful for many people. It's similar to artists updating and customizing Tarot decks. Sometimes, new images spark new ways of looking at situations and new solutions arise.
Nichtern is clearly an expert on this topic but he never ventures beyond the basics of the teaching into spaces that beginners can't grasp. His philosophic writing is understandable and relatable. I appreciated that because not all Buddhists texts are simple reads.
"Tradition says that the Buddha directed the creation of the original Wheel painting, which he commissioned as a gift to teach Dharma to an Indian king. When the king who received the painting contemplated it and fully understood its meaning, he attained enlightenment- he brought the suffering caused by unconscious habitual patterns to an end."
Nichtern reminds us in this book that Buddha gave the painting to a king not a monk. This shows that we can live in the world and also transcend it. These teachings are for everyone.
Nichtern discusses the Buddhas contained in each part of the picture- in the suffering areas and outside of it: "There is also usually a Buddha standing outside of the Wheel, representing transcending the six realms altogether. Such people are said to be free from imprisonment in the six realms- free of karma- and only appear in the six realms in order to teach and liberate the beings within the realms out of compassion. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to meet people who remind us of this kind of possibility." People, I would say, like Nichtern himself.
How to find opportunity in the midst of suffering: "The abject misery that we experience in the hell realm mindset offers us the opportunity to relate to the suffering of others... This isn't to say that we simply forgive the harmful behavior of others. Instead, we can use our own intense experiences of hatred or depression to realize a deeper truth about all of us living beings in general: none of us are immune from this." None of us.
Nichtern offers meditation practices for beginners or more experienced folks: "...it is good to help manage people's expectations. Meditation can include boredom, irritation, discomfort, frustration, grasping, aggression, a discursive waterfall of thoughts and emotions coming and going, and perhaps occasionally a sense of peace and acceptance of things as they are. In a nutshell, it can and will include all the aspects of who we are and of what our lives are actually made." He also offers concrete suggestions on how to find instructors.
I recommend Awakening from the Daydream for anyone interested in Buddhism, at all levels of knowledge, but this would probably be most helpful for beginners to intermediate practitioners.
Some books that cover similar topics that you may want to check out: You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment, Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill, or The Buddha Walks into the Office: A Guide to Livelihood for a New Generation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wisdom Publications for a free digital copy of this book and thank you for reading!
I took a course on Buddhism in college (seems like a million years ago now) and I remember being deeply affected by this picture then- the original version.
For thousands of years, Buddhist practitioners have been studying the mind, how it perceives the world, and how it creates a perpetual cycle of suffering. The original Wheel captures this in extraordinary detail. David Nichtern's re-imagining of it is brilliant.
I think that this could be very helpful for many people. It's similar to artists updating and customizing Tarot decks. Sometimes, new images spark new ways of looking at situations and new solutions arise.
Nichtern is clearly an expert on this topic but he never ventures beyond the basics of the teaching into spaces that beginners can't grasp. His philosophic writing is understandable and relatable. I appreciated that because not all Buddhists texts are simple reads.
"Tradition says that the Buddha directed the creation of the original Wheel painting, which he commissioned as a gift to teach Dharma to an Indian king. When the king who received the painting contemplated it and fully understood its meaning, he attained enlightenment- he brought the suffering caused by unconscious habitual patterns to an end."
Nichtern reminds us in this book that Buddha gave the painting to a king not a monk. This shows that we can live in the world and also transcend it. These teachings are for everyone.
Nichtern discusses the Buddhas contained in each part of the picture- in the suffering areas and outside of it: "There is also usually a Buddha standing outside of the Wheel, representing transcending the six realms altogether. Such people are said to be free from imprisonment in the six realms- free of karma- and only appear in the six realms in order to teach and liberate the beings within the realms out of compassion. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to meet people who remind us of this kind of possibility." People, I would say, like Nichtern himself.
How to find opportunity in the midst of suffering: "The abject misery that we experience in the hell realm mindset offers us the opportunity to relate to the suffering of others... This isn't to say that we simply forgive the harmful behavior of others. Instead, we can use our own intense experiences of hatred or depression to realize a deeper truth about all of us living beings in general: none of us are immune from this." None of us.
Nichtern offers meditation practices for beginners or more experienced folks: "...it is good to help manage people's expectations. Meditation can include boredom, irritation, discomfort, frustration, grasping, aggression, a discursive waterfall of thoughts and emotions coming and going, and perhaps occasionally a sense of peace and acceptance of things as they are. In a nutshell, it can and will include all the aspects of who we are and of what our lives are actually made." He also offers concrete suggestions on how to find instructors.
I recommend Awakening from the Daydream for anyone interested in Buddhism, at all levels of knowledge, but this would probably be most helpful for beginners to intermediate practitioners.
Some books that cover similar topics that you may want to check out: You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment, Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill, or The Buddha Walks into the Office: A Guide to Livelihood for a New Generation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wisdom Publications for a free digital copy of this book and thank you for reading!
August 14, 2016
In Awakening from the Daydream, I've been surprised as how the concepts and ideas are easy and clear to understand.
It has giving me a lot of food for my brain.
The explanations of the 6 realms are comprehensible and make you think of your own behaviours. It's perfect if you want to take a look at yourself and to change.
A really good book ! I've been amazed at its clarity and all the great thoughts it has awakened in me.
Very happy to have read it!
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
It has giving me a lot of food for my brain.
The explanations of the 6 realms are comprehensible and make you think of your own behaviours. It's perfect if you want to take a look at yourself and to change.
A really good book ! I've been amazed at its clarity and all the great thoughts it has awakened in me.
Very happy to have read it!
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
January 19, 2024
Reallyyyy good applicable practices, kinda hard to stay engaged
February 18, 2022
Teacher David Nichtern brings illumination to the Six Realms of Existence within the Buddhist concept of the Wheel of Life. Sound a little mystifying? It kinda is. One thing that challenges me with my Buddhist practice is the sheer number of numbers we have: The Eightfold Path, the Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths, the Three Vehicles, the Three Virtues, the Five Skandhas...
We love our lists, but no matter how one breaks down the teachings, it's an awful lot to keep with. Enter David Nichtern, who removes the challenge associated with at least one of these lists. Here, he sheds some historical and modern light on the Six Realms of Existence (Hell Realm, Hungry Ghost Realm, Animal Realm, Human Realm, Jealous God realm, God Realm, for those of you scoring at home). Listening to this as an audiobook made even his relatable explanations a bit dense, causing me to go back and relisten to passages. I still believe I'd benefit from a second listening, or perhaps ordering a copy of the physical book or Kindle edition to supplement.
David also shares various forms of meditation - Metta (lovingkindness meditation), contemplative, Tonglen, insight meditation, and others. There's also a brief chapter at the end of the book offering guidelines for continuing the path by finding a teacher, a common practice for Buddhists who are serious about the path.
I look forward to diving into this again soon, but for now, I'm grateful to have found this book and recommend it for anyone hoping to better understand how we create our various forms of suffering and how we can work with them to help ourselves and others.
We love our lists, but no matter how one breaks down the teachings, it's an awful lot to keep with. Enter David Nichtern, who removes the challenge associated with at least one of these lists. Here, he sheds some historical and modern light on the Six Realms of Existence (Hell Realm, Hungry Ghost Realm, Animal Realm, Human Realm, Jealous God realm, God Realm, for those of you scoring at home). Listening to this as an audiobook made even his relatable explanations a bit dense, causing me to go back and relisten to passages. I still believe I'd benefit from a second listening, or perhaps ordering a copy of the physical book or Kindle edition to supplement.
David also shares various forms of meditation - Metta (lovingkindness meditation), contemplative, Tonglen, insight meditation, and others. There's also a brief chapter at the end of the book offering guidelines for continuing the path by finding a teacher, a common practice for Buddhists who are serious about the path.
I look forward to diving into this again soon, but for now, I'm grateful to have found this book and recommend it for anyone hoping to better understand how we create our various forms of suffering and how we can work with them to help ourselves and others.
January 12, 2024
a great book about the wheel of time, and how to awaken from the daydream of our everyday lives and work to escape samsara and end our collecting karma. there is SO much information condensed into this book, i feel like i could read it every year for a decade and still find new things to think about. hearing about the different realms, i was struck by just how relatable they were and i could see which realms myself and others were inhabiting. illuminating and thought provoking.
“…we are each responsible for our own situation, whether we care to admit it or not. we are all active participants in the creation of our own karma. we all have the capacity to determine our future paths.”
“…we are each responsible for our own situation, whether we care to admit it or not. we are all active participants in the creation of our own karma. we all have the capacity to determine our future paths.”
September 30, 2021
(4.5 stars)
April 1, 2025
the most accessible text on Buddhism i have ever read lol
April 4, 2025
An exploration of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's teachings on Karma and the 12 Nidanas as psychological states and processes, with some additional insights and commentary. Ultimately not a new presentation but potent and beneficial nonetheless.
I finished reading this, coincidentally, on the 38th anniversary of Trungpa Rinpoche's Parinirvana.
E Ma Ho
See also:
Glimpses of Abidharma by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
The Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination by Kenchen Thrangu
I finished reading this, coincidentally, on the 38th anniversary of Trungpa Rinpoche's Parinirvana.
E Ma Ho
See also:
Glimpses of Abidharma by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
The Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination by Kenchen Thrangu
December 6, 2017
A good introduction to the Wheel of Life told in the context of human experiences. The author uses the realms to show how we can actually be experience any of the six realms in our everyday lives depending on what we imagine what we are going through. He offers solutions to combating the negative aspects of each realm through the use of meditation and other practices. A decent book if you are just starting to learn about this subject.
February 10, 2019
Tho completed, this is one of those books you keep handy on your shelf....self reflection, personal growth. Love Nichtern
May 3, 2021
Got this book after watching The Midnight Gospel - if you're not the reading type of person, definitely check out this show because it will blow you away.
So if you've always wondered about Buddhism, but are a bit too Western like me to understand it from their point of view, this is the perfect book for you. David translates these concepts eloquently, comparing suffering and the six spokes in The Wheel of Life to how people experience ice cream. Yes, ice cream! It's funny, reads easily and doesn't even try to push itself on you.
The book is constructed in such a way that you are first introduced to the basic parts the wheel is made of before exploring the wheel, starting from the center and gradually moving its way outward. The six motions that make the wheel spin are illustrated with real life examples just in case you wouldn't be able to come up with some of your own, ranging from showbiz culture to addiction and the infamous Black Friday. There is also an illustration of the wheel on the front cover, which I thought was really nice since it's pretty rare to read a book where you'll be flipping back to see an illustration without messing up the pages because it's either on some page you forgot, or all the way in the front or somewhere in the back. No hassles to flip the cover. Why didn't anyone think of this earlier?
David also gives some advice to recognize when you are trapped in a motion of the wheel, how it might actually benefit residing within this motion and how you can learn to either relax (detach) or enhance (grasp) the motion you are experiencing, so that with some practice you will accomplish a certain influence on detaching from the wheel.
After describing the Wheel of Life, David takes some time to deconstruct certain misconceptions floating around about Buddhism, like how meditation is supposed to empty your mind, how you're supposed to reach Nirvana through meditation, exposition of duality as righteous, and how the wheel is supposed to be cyclical. Rather, these motions exist as separate realms that we can mediate and are often mediated towards by experience, and how Buddhism strives not to eliminate suffering, but to take the wheel and drive more consciously, which is good advice with crashing Tesla's on the horizon.
So if you've always wondered about Buddhism, but are a bit too Western like me to understand it from their point of view, this is the perfect book for you. David translates these concepts eloquently, comparing suffering and the six spokes in The Wheel of Life to how people experience ice cream. Yes, ice cream! It's funny, reads easily and doesn't even try to push itself on you.
The book is constructed in such a way that you are first introduced to the basic parts the wheel is made of before exploring the wheel, starting from the center and gradually moving its way outward. The six motions that make the wheel spin are illustrated with real life examples just in case you wouldn't be able to come up with some of your own, ranging from showbiz culture to addiction and the infamous Black Friday. There is also an illustration of the wheel on the front cover, which I thought was really nice since it's pretty rare to read a book where you'll be flipping back to see an illustration without messing up the pages because it's either on some page you forgot, or all the way in the front or somewhere in the back. No hassles to flip the cover. Why didn't anyone think of this earlier?
David also gives some advice to recognize when you are trapped in a motion of the wheel, how it might actually benefit residing within this motion and how you can learn to either relax (detach) or enhance (grasp) the motion you are experiencing, so that with some practice you will accomplish a certain influence on detaching from the wheel.
After describing the Wheel of Life, David takes some time to deconstruct certain misconceptions floating around about Buddhism, like how meditation is supposed to empty your mind, how you're supposed to reach Nirvana through meditation, exposition of duality as righteous, and how the wheel is supposed to be cyclical. Rather, these motions exist as separate realms that we can mediate and are often mediated towards by experience, and how Buddhism strives not to eliminate suffering, but to take the wheel and drive more consciously, which is good advice with crashing Tesla's on the horizon.
October 8, 2025
Awakening from the Daydream is an exploration of the Buddhist concept of the bhavachakra, the Wheel of Life. Its primary concern is the third ring of the wheel, the six realms of samsara.
Metaphor and iconography play a big role in my fledgling spiritual practice. I don't believe in the supernatural. I do believe in whimsy, in wonder, and in the drive for higher thought. This book does a great job of separating the metaphor from the mystical, serving as a platform for insight into how our day-to-day actions affect on own mindset.
So much of eastern spiritual philosophy can be boiled down to, "Be present and accept." This is no different. Where I found it useful was in the exploration of how even when we achieve what we consider a perfect outcome, that happiness can disguise traps on our path, and that even when we are at our lowest, there is still opportunity and mobility. Nothing is permanent, save impermanence.
While not revolutionary for folks that are familiar with this kind of material, the practical thought exercises here are useful, and the insights are relatable.
Metaphor and iconography play a big role in my fledgling spiritual practice. I don't believe in the supernatural. I do believe in whimsy, in wonder, and in the drive for higher thought. This book does a great job of separating the metaphor from the mystical, serving as a platform for insight into how our day-to-day actions affect on own mindset.
So much of eastern spiritual philosophy can be boiled down to, "Be present and accept." This is no different. Where I found it useful was in the exploration of how even when we achieve what we consider a perfect outcome, that happiness can disguise traps on our path, and that even when we are at our lowest, there is still opportunity and mobility. Nothing is permanent, save impermanence.
While not revolutionary for folks that are familiar with this kind of material, the practical thought exercises here are useful, and the insights are relatable.
July 27, 2023
Fantastically straightforward & modernized interpretation of the wisdom we glean from the Wheel of Samsara. This book discusses each of the realms of consciousness presented in this ancient symbol in bite-sized, to-the-point episodic overviews with practical takeaways to help alleviate some of the unnecessary suffering that our minds plague ourselves. Great intro & entry point into meditation & Buddhism, while also novel in its approach with a focus on the Wheel. I will be keeping this for reference.
September 2, 2024
DNF at 66% This well-written book clearly explains the iconography, meaning, and practices within the Wheel of Life. I feel far more knowledgeable, but unfortunately, it's so clear and understandable that I've realized I do not resonate with these beliefs.
Points docked poor writing itself: in-paragraph redundancy that doesn't further clarify anything, sentence construction/grammar/etc. Our guy is definitely not a writer, but I won't go hard on him when he has helped me understand another belief system better. 5-stars for opening my eyes, so giving it an all-around 3.
Points docked poor writing itself: in-paragraph redundancy that doesn't further clarify anything, sentence construction/grammar/etc. Our guy is definitely not a writer, but I won't go hard on him when he has helped me understand another belief system better. 5-stars for opening my eyes, so giving it an all-around 3.
February 10, 2023
This book changed my perspective on life. It's my number 1 recommendation to anyone wanting to explore their spirituality. Anyone from any background could gain from Nichtern perspective on Buddha's Wheel of Life. David Nichtern gives insight into life from both angles of happiness and grief. One isn't real without the other, yet being stuck in either mindset is limiting perspective and your soul. Might re-read it soon!
June 17, 2024
David Niichtern has a way of explaining some pretty complicated esoteric Tibetan teachings, and making them palatable to anyone in the West wishing to dive into Buddhist teachings. This is definitely a book that I will be revisiting again and again in order to further apply the Wheel of Life to my own understanding of life and suffering, and the path to less suffering. I highly recommend this book - short yet incredibly applicable to anyone grappling with the path and finding meaning.
January 8, 2025
Concise and digestible. A great introduction to the wheel of life, the author easily conveys the ways in which our mind dips in and out of the realms. New to most meditation techniques, I found the techniques prescribed to each realm an unexpected and welcomed gift. I would recommend this book to any seeker, most especially those interested in traditional iconography and what it can mean to their lives.
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December 31, 2021Clear and concise explanation of the Buddhist wheel of life, written in a way that is easily digestible for anyone from a Western upbringing. Definitely informative and got the concept across well, but was not altogether too engaging or exciting to read. If you are looking to be educated, this a good option.
October 26, 2016
A good, if overly basic, reading of the Buddhist Wheel of Life and its significance. Not profound, deep, or even casually engaging, but a useful point of departure.
Mild Recommendation
3 out of 5 stars
Mild Recommendation
3 out of 5 stars
November 24, 2017
3.5 stars. A solid introduction to the Buddhist Wheel of Life. I found it quite accessible and it has whet my appetite for additional future study. I personally found the descriptions of the meditations for each realm to be illuminating on how to break out of the realm.
March 22, 2018
Beautiful, from Cover to About the Author. David Nichtern is a wonderful teacher, inspired musician and compelling author. My curiosity about Buddha's Wheel of Life could have become convoluted, but it is with clarity and profound simplicity Nichtern offers up these teachings.
May 10, 2018
A very accessible and well written book on the Buddah's Wheel of Life and how to use this knowledge in your meditation practice. My sister has taken a meditation workshop from the author and she thought he was an excellent teacher. I can see this based on his writing.
Want to read
February 18, 2022Didn't get far enough into the book to properly rate it. I love books on psychology, religion, spirituality.., but this one isn't grabbing me. I stopped around chapter 2. I will try and give this another chance in the future.
September 17, 2017
A great introduction to the wheel of life, with practical meditation suggestions.
March 22, 2020
Loved this book. Beautifully written and easy to understand.
October 4, 2020
The Everyman's Guide to Heaven and Hell
March 1, 2021
A fine, clear little dharma book. The cover alone is worth the price!
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December 11, 2021Kindle
July 25, 2022
this book is one of my favorite books and something I constantly refer back to
November 10, 2022
Amazing for those curious about Buddhism
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews