How Not to Miss the Point: The Buddha's Wisdom for a Life Well Lived

by Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche

Cut through the noise and explore mind-changing Buddhist teachings from one of the clearest voices from the Tibetan tradition. Written in her direct and personal style, it’s the perfect “first book” for anyone curious about Buddhism, as well as those with experience who will benefit from her powerful message.
We're bombarded with advice about how to live--how to find happiness, how to maintain relationships, how to help the world--and yet has all this advice brought us peace? In How Not to Miss the Point , beloved Buddhist teacher Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche focuses on the Buddha's core teachings--basic principles that are universally true, whether we are Buddhist or not--as a way to cultivate our inner light and work for good, no matter how the world unfolds around us.

Because the simplicity of the Buddha's fundamental teachings--the three basic laws of nature, four noble truths, and eightfold path--can get lost in complexity, Rinpoche goes straight to their heart to convey the Buddha's core If we want this life--our own life, the lives of others, and the life of our planet--to be fulfilling and good, we must accept responsibility for cultivating the best qualities of our human mind and life. To put the how-and-why into practice, Rinpoche guides us through the steps of the Buddha's path.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality, Religion, Buddhism, Audiobook

184 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[David Mcnaughton]

Highly recommended
2 quotes (among many)

While it would be nice if the struggle were about something brilliant, it is basically about three things: the struggle to make what is impermanent permanent, the struggle to turn the interconnectedness of things into separateness, and the struggle to solidify things that by nature are not solid
p. 22

So, work to see things as they really are. Then, instead of saying things like, "Why are others not more kind?" you might ask yourself, "How kind am I?"
p. 130

[Ellen Lebowitz]

There is no one on this planet who won't benefit from reading or listening to this book. And there's no justifiable reason not to do so. Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche is a powerful and unique wisdom teacher who gets to the point- the heart - of the matter.

If you aspire to embody the qualities of awakened, aware living, and dying; if you desire to clear and uproot habitual patterns that impede and veil our natural inherent goodness and joy; if you want to truly benefit others and live well; then this book is for you!

Don't miss the opportunity to connect with this transmission from Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche. It's a profound gift for our time.

[Kevin O'Keefe]

Very general overview of Buddhism. Doesn't delve deeply into any specific sects or concepts but gives a good general overview of impermanence, interdependence and emptyness. Best aspect of this book is that it doesn't adhere to a certain branch of Buddhism but gives perspective on certain topics from all three schools. Well written and easy to digest but lacking a bit in substance.

[Maurice Fitzgerald]

This is a really good book about buddhist thought. It is helpful in that it seems to express the thought of an enlightened person wishing to be helpful.

[David Stanfield]

Helpful