The Opposite of Namaste

by Timber Hawkeye

Mindfulness doesn't make other people less irritating, it makes us less irritable. I understand why you do what you do, because the ego in me sees the ego in you. Each chapter in this book is an episode from the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast, offering food for thought about the non-judgmental benefits of recognizing and acknowledging both the ego and the divinity within us all. It's not about living in a bubble where nobody pushes your buttons, it's about getting to a point where you don't have any buttons that can be pushed.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2022

About the author

To make a long story short...

I sat there in front of the Tibetan Lama, wearing my maroon robes after years of studying Buddhism and said, "With all due respect, I don't believe the Buddha ever intended for his teachings to get THIS complicated!"

My teacher looked around at all the statues of deities with multiple arms and said, "The Buddha didn't do this!" he chuckled, "The Tibetan culture did; this is their way. Why don't you try Zen? I think you'd like it!"

So I bowed-out of the temple, took off my robes, and moved into a Zen monastery far from home. I was determined to find a simpler depiction of the Buddha's valuable teachings.

My teacher was right; Zen was simpler (the walls were blank and I loved it), but the teachings were still filled with all the dogma that sent me running from religion in the first place.

There are many incredible books out there that cover all aspects of religion, philosophy, psychology, and physics, but I was looking for something less "academic", so to speak. I was looking for something inspirational that people today would not only have the attention span to read all the way through, but actually understand and also implement in their daily lives. I pictured a book called "A guide to being a Buddha" with only two words in it: "Be kind."

Some have even claimed that the short chapters in this little book are "too long". So to all of you who want to stop right here, let me leave you with one important message: Be kind.

As for the rest of you soldiers of peace in the army of love, welcome to Buddhist Boot Camp!

Reviews

[Corrina Calderilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve listened to the Buddhist Bootcamp podcasts, then you’ve essentially read this book. It is a curation of information from past episodes. I enjoyed the highlight reel of knowledge, but didn’t discover anything new. Though, I suppose I did hear the information from a different perspective than before. Great for new readers to Timber Hawkeye’s content.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ 4 stars

The Opposite of Namaste is a beautiful collection of Timber Hawkeye's newsletter posts. It is the sort of book that you can read in any order. You can pick it up, open to a page, and you find something thought-provoking.

[Dawn Woodward · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's an awful lot of good stuff in here. Again, wishing I could do 3.5 stars. Pretty much everything Timber says makes perfect sense, even if it is difficult to put into practice for many of us. That's kind of the point, however, to try and nudge us into putting these ideas into practice, and he mostly does a very good job of being encouraging and realistic. However, he is clearly coming at this from the place of someone who is childless and living alone (and presumably also with parents who are healthy and not in need of assistance from family). I'm pretty sure he doesn't even have a pet. Having a family makes some of his suggestions not really doable if we are to balance our needs with those of our family. It's not that I feel he's "wrong", it's just that occasionally his lived experience doesn't resonate with me and I simply couldn't "just do it" with some of his suggestions. But again, that was a small part of the book, and the majority really resonated with me.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a longtime fan of Timber Hawkeye, listening to his podcast and now completing this third book of wisdom. The "Opposite of Namaste" compiles short takes on living that inspire me to live aligned with positive values.

Each chapter is conversational, presenting ideas that are thought-provoking and often counter-intuitive: "Those who challenge us actually teach us more than those who agree with us." Or "Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING), becomes more enjoyable when we let go of the illusions we have about how the world 'should' be and how people 'should' behave."

While reading, I highlight inspiring passages, then review them at the end of each chapter to reinforce my retention. I find periodically sampling and reflecting on the passages in a chapter a helpful spiritual practice.

I recommend the book as a gift, particularly for young adults framing their worldviews.

[Glenys · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ego in me recognised the ego in you.... short transcripts of episodes from Buddist Boot camp podcasts. A variety of topics which apply to everyone to some degree or another. This and other books by Timber Hawkeye are assisting me to live more peacefully, less aggresively and to enjoy life more. Timber has just completed a book tour of Australia and we were fortunate enough to be able to host Timber for a night on his tour. His talk was fantastic and we learnt so much about ourselves and others. Thank You.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I wish everyone in the whole world would read and pay attention to. The world would be a much better place. Timber Hawkeye is really a strange but normal person who is trying to make a difference in this world. It is an easy read with a lot to say. It probably helps that I have already learned a lot of these lessons and I get to live a life content with the life I have been able to live.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to meditate on, thank you!

While reading this book, I found myself stopping multiple times to sit and meditate on the wisdom I found.
As someone who is walking the path of living mindfully, I always find Timber Hawkeyes perspective helpful.
Anyone who is looking to reduce their attachment to the negative things of this world (and their thoughts about it) and find peace and happiness within, read this book. Also, it's a good idea to read his other two books as well!

[Michelle Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book with short one to two page chapters. Each chapter is a simple but deep idea to mediate on. I always enjoy the way Timber Hawkeye breaks down some tricky and intense ideas into something everyone can contemplate and understand. The first book I read by Timber Hawkeye was Buddhist Bootcamp. It has changed my life and I would highly recommend reading anything by Timber.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio earlier in the year but it was so good I bought a physical copy and read it again. There are so many good lessons to learn in this one. One thing I learned with this reading is that I am very rigid in wanting to stick to my routine. I need to work on being more flexible when plans change.

[Alana Hakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully thought provoking book.
I’m a Christian and very happy with my faith, but I loved hearing this perspective and many of the points the author makes, do line up with biblical truth.
I think there’s benefit to keeping an open mind and being willing to learn from people who have different beliefs than you do.

[Kerry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, and so much to think about. Will return to this book often.

[Patrick McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I love all of Timber’s books, and his podcast and social media posts, are all so inspiring. His words have guided me to a be a better person.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good platitudes here, good thoughts, Buddhist flavored.

[Diana Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect bed side table book. You can open it anywhere and find a page full of insights you didn't realize you needed until you read it

[Lesley Iverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read.

I found a lot of things in this book that will sit with me. I needed something exactly like this. Highly recommend.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful daily reflections, based in both reality and spiritualty. A wonderful book to pass on....

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Be thankful for the good, the bad, and the most horrific times in our lives, because we cannot love ourselves if we still hate or resent the experiences that shaped us.”

[Steven L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as always!

Loved it! As usual…very thought provoking and profound. This book would be a help to almost anyone. Check out his other books, they are just as good.