Awakening Kindness: Finding Joy Through Compassion for Others

by Nawang Khechog, Dalai Lama XIV (Foreword)

Learn how to nurture and cultivate kindness, compassion, and love in ourselves and others in this “very joyous and deeply spiritual” (Betty Williams, Noble Peace Laureate) guidebook from the “dedicated student of the Dalai Lama” (Archbishop Desmond Tutu), Tibetan freedom fighter, and Grammy-nominated musician.

In Nawang Khechog’s view, one of the wonders of being human is that we can choose to nurture and cultivate kindness, compassion, and love. These precious values are the foundation of true happiness and are at the core of humanity’s possibility of peaceful coexistence with one another and with our environment.

Based on his years as a monk studying Buddhist philosophy and meditation with the Dalai Lama, as well as his own highly regarded kindness workshops, Awakening Kindness details the many ways we can enrich our lives by simply being kind to each other and ourselves. Nawang shares a range of simple meditations, mantras, and practices that are easy to incorporate even into the busiest of lives.

Covering the underlying philosophies of many cultures and religions, and touching on everything from human nature as it’s portrayed in film to scientific support of our limitless capacity for love and compassion, Awakening Kindness takes you on a life-changing journey that shows that we all can take part in creating a culture of kindness. “Anyone who picks up this book and is receptive to its message will immediately enjoy the many benefits of living in this simple and sacred way” (Richard J. Davidson, professor of psychology and psychiatry at University of Wisconsin-Madison).

Genres: Nonfiction, Buddhism

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Nawang Khechog (Tibetan: ངག་དབང་མཁས་མཆོག་, Wylie: Nga-dbang Mkhas-mchog; also known as Nawang Khechong) is a master of the Tibetan bamboo flute, composer, and former monk. He was the first Tibetan Grammy Nominee.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose I prefer people in my culture translating Buddhism to the west, but this isn't horrible, and I always think it's good to keep things in mind by reading a book about a subject. Metta is so important. I got a review copy for my blog, and it's been a kind of burden to get through this book, but that's my own mishegoss. It's not a bad book, there aren't that many books on metta, can always read another one.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice review book. Simply written (more lay than academic) by a world renowned Tibetan musician who was also a monk for 11 years who walks the walks and talks the talk. Brief overviews of important Buddhist practices (8 verses for training the mind are included, etc.); includes meditation practices along with biographies of people who model this behavior. Glossary and tools sections at end.

[Richard Propes · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Awakening Kindness" is such an incredibly promising book, though mostly the book affirms why Grammy nominated flutist Nawang Khechog ended his commitment as a monk after 11 years and detoured toward a more media-based spirituality.

Ego.

"Awakening Kindness" is filled to the brim with Khechog's ego, from his repeated references to his own music to stories about studying under the Dalai Lama and endorsements by Richard Gere and others. While there's certainly valuable spiritual information in "Awakening Kindness," and I particularly appreciated the book's practical meditation tools and glossary of terms, the truth is that Khechog's self-absorption was constantly intruding into any sense of enlightenment.

At one point, he lays claim to having come up with the phrase "May all be kind to each other."

Seriously, dude. You're a talented flutist and a failed monk. Get over yourself.

[Sande Waybill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted to find the 8-verses practices I currently work with listed on page 62. I have the same attitude on outward appearances described on pages 86-7.I noted that Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT are listed in the thank yous.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 3 out of 5]

This easy to read book is based on Khechog’s Kindness workshops and his years as a Buddhist monk. It weaves his life story, folklore, the quotes of other visionaries, Buddhist thought and meditation into one accessible read. It shouldn’t be a surprise that by showing kindness your own life might improve but that kindness doesn’t always come easy to everyone. While not ground breaking by any means, it is at least an interesting read.

[Spider Goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

None of this information is particularly new, but the author sets it out in such a way that the reader cannot help but empathize and enjoy it. There are also a number of consciousness meditations/exercises that can help the reader become more aware of their actions and how they affect others. Beautiful book.

[Mai · Rating 3 out of 5]

To much self plugging for his music and gains quite a bit of his identity from his holiness lacking uniqueness that would have created a more engaging book... If he described his experiences more in depth.