Awakening Through Love: Unveiling Your Deepest Goodness

by John Makransky, Surya Das (Foreword), Philip Osgood (Editor)

Mother Theresa. The Dalai Lama. Nelson Mandela. Gandhi. Some admire such figures from afar and think, "How special they are; I could never be like that." But, as John Makransky has learned, the power of real and enduring love lies within every one of us. Awakening Through Love is his guide to finding it.

In Awakening Through Love , he pioneers new ways of making Tibetan meditations of compassion and wisdom accessible to people of all backgrounds and faiths. Drawing from Tibetan teachings of compassion and the Dzogchen teachings of innate wisdom, and using plain, practical instruction, he helps readers uncover the unity of wisdom and love in the very nature of their minds. Then Lama John describes how to actualize those qualities in every aspect of family life, work, service and social action.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help

280 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2007

About the author

John Makransky is an author, spiritual teacher, and academic, combining a career as a professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology at Boston College with his role as a lama in the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

He has pioneered new ways of making Tibetan meditations of compassion and wisdom accessible to people of all backgrounds and faiths, while also helping experienced Buddhists revitalize their spiritual lives.

John's recent book, Awakening Through Love , includes a guided meditation in each chapter, powerful Tibetan techniques to commune with sources of inspiration and blessing that Makransky has adapted into a practicable form for Westerners. It also describes how to actualize those qualities in every aspect of our lives, with particular focus on family and work relationships, service, and social action.

John has studied and practiced Tibetan Buddhism since 1978 under the guidance of revered teachers. He is a guiding teacher with Lama Surya Das of Dzogchen Center. He is also senior faculty advisor for Chokyi Nyima Rinpoches Center for Buddhist Studies in Kathmandu University, Nepal where he regularly lectures.

He lives outside Boston with his wife, two sons, and dog."

Reviews

[Linda Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former Peace Corps volunteer John Makransky went on to spend over 30 years with Tibetan lamas in Nepal, India, and America, as well as working as a professor, Buddhist scholar, and family man in the sectarian world. He is well grounded in sharing his wisdom of love, compassion, and awareness with anyone interested in becoming more aware of the love and wisdom in themselves. He shares practices and exercises that help anyone, not only Tibetan Buddhists, not only Buddhists, but anyone anywhere how to allow these qualities to transform the world in which they live, to positively affect every aspect of their lives. And in this book he does it with grace and depth. I have begun the exercises and will take my time practicing them while I re-read this wonderful book.

[Aidan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Love and the Human Condition with Prof. Robinette. I was lucky enough to take a course with John Makransky on Buddhist Ethics as a sophomore at BC. Awesome experience. Was a really cool experience to read this and hear his voice come through the book. Tons of great practices and practical lessons.

[Bob Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for anyone who wants to live and love and awaken to their full potential. Presented beautifully by one of my own beloved Buddhist teachers, this is the heart essence of Tibetan Buddhist wisdom made powerfully accessible through very natural yet profound meditations. Immensely helpful for anyone of any religious faith or no faith at all. If you read no other book on Dharma, this would be complete.

[Sonal Apte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The meditations in this book are an excellent reminder that we all start off as love and somewhere along the way, we forget that. What a beautiful reminder and excellent wake up call to return to the worthiness within.

[Diane Dreher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful guide on the spiritual journey, offering valuable Buddhist teachings with new insights and inspirational practices of gratitude and compassion.

[David Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book -- truly unique and powerful approach to spirituality based on Buddhism that does not water Buddhism down in the least. You could practice what's in here for a long time and not exhaust it -- or let it whet your appetite for going even farther.

I have heard Makransky speak a couple of times, and he makes it clear that, although his approach is somewhat adapted to modern sensibilities, it represents the authentic essence and principles of Buddhism, as confirmed by his own teachers. It therefore promises far more than the current mindfulness rage, the most popular form of which was intended as "Buddhist meditation without the Buddhism". Makransky's approach, however, gets to the core of Buddhism, but in such an accessible way that you may not even realize it.

[Johnny Galt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more technical of Buddhist texts that I have read and so it was kind of difficult to get excited for but halfway through it really got my mind going. I found it to be parts instructional, theological, and philosophical all at the same time. That was quite invigorating for my curiosity. He also drew some really interesting examples from stories and real life which enriched the reading experience.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read this book while on retreat with Lama John Makransky - it's a very good explanation of the Buddhist love and compassion meditation practices, and for both Buddhist and non-Buddhists alike. Reading this book for the first time while on retreat was a really beneficial thing to do! Very good! :-)

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a syncretic approach to spirituality, a "we are all just trying to do the same thing" approach that includes Christianity, spirituality is love. He articulates from a Buddhist (Dzogchen) perspective and articulates the ways in which heart meditation can work on one. He proposes a Mahayana lay movement to be good parents and workers. I look for such support and found it here.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get the CD with guided meditations to go with this. It really helps with the practice. It's a great meditation practice... soothing, peaceful, and wonderful connections to people in your past and present.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ⓒ 2007. Third reading for me. I understood it even better this time than last time. This Buddhist teacher, in addition to meditation practice, is teaching ethical values compatible w/ most other religions/philosophies, too. I highly recommend it.

[Rebecca]

Copy obtained at 2007 Summer Retreat with Lama John, and signed by him.

[Kate]

wonderful practice manual

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as it gets from a practical wisdom book. He studied with the best living Tibetan masters and translates their teaching in a secular, accessible ways. Its a gem.