A lógica da fé: uma abordagem budista para encontrar certeza além de crença e dúvida

by Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, Thupten Jinpa (Foreword), Dzigar Kongtrül III (Preface)

Fé é um assunto espinhoso, atualmente. É fácil descartar o tema por causa das expressões negativas, mas Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel nos leva a reconsiderar esse impulso, uma vez que fé não é nada além de nossa tendência natural a buscar certeza em um mundo onde a certeza é inviável. Se olharmos com cuidado, descobriremos que o impulso da fé não é separado da razão — fé e lógica, na verdade, andam juntas em uma relação dinâmica que revela uma verdade profunda, uma verdade além dos limites de “é” ou de “não é”.
Usando ensinamentos budistas tradicionais sobre surgimento dependente, Elizabeth nos leva em uma jornada para descobrir a interdependência de tudo — e por meio dessa descoberta emocionante, descobrir também como nos abrimos para a vasta dimensão da maravilhosa experiência humana.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2019

Reviews

[Sonya Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Logic of Faith is an in-depth exploration of a logic called Madhyamaka in which Buddhist practitioners are asked to look for singular discrete entities—including the self—and not find them as a way to become comfortable with our state, which is one of interdependence, and to increase our ability to bear the uncertainty of life with grace. I am particularly touched by Elizabeth's teachings, which are personal and universal, full of awe for the wisdom offered by Buddhist insights. This book clarifies an intricate and essential element of Buddhist thinking.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the author is Buddhist, she offers an inclusive look into the nature of coemergent arising, or open dimensionality, reminding us all things lean, so there is really no "all things must end." Through this openness, we are reminded, we live lives of humbleness and curiosity. Life becomes play, an experiment, an adventure, and faith remains alive as a living experience, not a closed system of dogma ~ 'dogma' can refer to any clinging to thought, be it scientific, spiritual, religious, political, ... Ironically, anyway, since all things lean together, the idea of closed system is a contradiction, for nothing and no one can be closed to all else.

We each, as all in nature seen and unseen, live in contexts within contexts infinitely and intimately. Thoughts and systems of thought participate in this openness, also. So, being closed is a way of speaking of resisting what cannot but be open. Namgyel clarifies we may close-down, ironically, to this natural openness for we find the brilliance of life simply too powerful and beautiful to remain receptive to. We, then, choose appearance ~ how we interpret life ~ over life.

Namgyel shows the place of form, including ritual both common and religious, in inspiring our relationship within this mutuality of life. She exposes the fundamentalist nature of the opposition to religious ritual, as form is a means, religious and otherwise, that we relate to the mystery of life and seek alignment with it.

Namgyel offers us an insightful look into grace and faith, grace being when we are in alignment with open dimensionality and faith, which she most often refers to as faithing, being the joining of insight and direct experience into our unfathomable place in this unfathomable universe. Faithing, Namgyel relates, protects us against closing down around concepts, which is the nature of belief.

I recommend this work for Buddhists and other persons of religious faith, or not. The book is both insightful and well-written, and one does not need to have an indepth understanding of Buddhism to relate with the teachings.

[Jessica Naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rocks! I am so impressed by Elizabeth's capacity to share the Buddha's teachings in a clear and illuminating way. A must read for us Western Buddhists....and the whole world round.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visão desse livro sobre espiritualidade é linda. Recomendado!

[Jim Kinkaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh and modern approach to discovering the truth and beauty of one of the Buddha’s most important teachings, that of Dependent Arising; that is, everything comes about due to causes and conditions, or as the Buddha taught: "if this exists, that exists; if this ceases to exist, that also ceases to exist". Elizabeth Mattis Namgyal presents these teachings in a way that is clear and concise, punctuating her writing along the way with guided meditations which help open one’s fixed mind to be more receptive to understanding this idea.

Lastly, one does not have to be a Buddhist to receive the benefits of this book, dependent arising is not just a Buddhist concept, it is a basic truth of the universe; all of science and nature operates on its principal. When one truly realizes this the world in all its interconnectedness unfolds before us and we realize that everything affects everything else; so our words and actions matter more greatly than we know.

[Osmar Neto · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to say something when you have so much wisdom spilled on the pages of a book, and when you can't even fully understand.
I humbly want to register that I liked it a lot, and that the teachings and reflections are really valuable.

[Mary Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been anxiously awaiting a new book from Elizabeth since reading her first title, “The Power of an Open Question: The Buddha’s Path to Freedom”, in 2011. (and, a must read!)

In Elizabeth’s new offering, “The Logic of Faith: A Buddhist Approach to Finding Certainty Beyond Belief and Doubt”, she provides a template to navigate your life and this world. Pratityasamutpada, or dependent origination, a seemingly heady concept to wrap one’s head around, is communicated with an elegance and clarity rarely found with this type of material. Terms such as emptiness, impermanence, and dependent arising are given a breath of fresh air with Elizabeth’s ability to make these ancient teachings available and timely. Make sure to listen to the audio versions of the “analytical meditations” she guides you through (available at the publisher’s website). They are a central part of this book.

Elizabeth puts heart into the word logic and proposes we take another look at our understanding of faith from a much broader view. She asks us to experience faith as a verb, “faithing” and to feel the depths of these “analytical” investigations, aside from an intellectual pursuit. I can’t recommend this book enough! Filled with her passion and care of the Buddha’s teachings and the Middle Way, this is a book to be read and savored again and again.

My deepest gratitude for Elizabeth continuing to inspire me to stay open and curious and seek out the magic that is available by simply making the time, and looking!

[Christine Racine · Rating 5 out of 5]

While lively and playful, "The Logic of Faith" is not a quick read. It requires your full engagement with the questions and ideas Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel presents with warmth and clarity. At least one sentence on every page would take my breath away, spark off a cascade of ideas, and/or enable the loosening of some part of my mind I hadn't even realized was tight. Sometimes I'd sit down intending to finish whatever section I was in, only to spend the next twenty minutes sitting with a single sentence, letting its layers of meaning sink into my awareness. I may never be truly finished with this book in this lifetime.

This book is an invitation to investigate your assumptions, and explore the interdependence of everything. Rooted in a profound understanding of the Middle Way teachings of Buddhism, its insights are equally applicable to all wisdom traditions. No dogmatic proclamations of "capital T Truth" here.

I honestly cannot recommend "The Logic of Faith" highly enough. It will comfort you, challenge you, and help you grow your wisdom.

[Padma Phurba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not yet finished the book, but a work that deals with faith and belief with such naturality, while pointing it's paramount importance in our existence: "Cows have faith in grass", and we have faith in plenty of things, that we will live another day, that we will continue to have a job, etc... (even though our current western world for some foolish reason deny it or refuse to acknowledge it) deserves the proper attention! Elizabeth's style is clear and simple to follow, yet it has depth and beauty.
The author seeks to investigate what it means "to know", and how can we relate to life and its certainties and uncertainties in a very different and genuine way. As written in the first pages: "I wrote this book as an inquiry, and so it will require some participation and curiosity on your part", so be aware, this book is an expedition!

[Christine Morro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel's new book "THE LOGIC OF FAITH, A Buddhist Approach to Finding Certainty Beyond Belief and Doubt". I appreciate the generous teachings that are offered in a clear lively way. I am inspired to make faithing (engaging in the world with openness and humility) a part of my practice. Much gratitude for this slender illuminating book.

[Neel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindly, and compassionately revolutionized the way I view faith. Incredible.

[Sam Albala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle way / nothingness is a lie / interconnected / quote