The Best Buddhist Writing 2010

The Best Buddhist Writing

by Melvin McLeod (Editor)

Here is this year’s installment in the series Publishers Weekly says “does a great service by highlighting views and themes as they modulate with each passing year.” The Best Buddhist Writing 2010 is an eclectic, inspiring collection of writings from the Buddhist perspective. Selected by the editors of the Shambhala Sun , North America’s leading Buddhist-inspired magazine, the essays, articles, and interviews in this anthology offer an entertaining mix of writing styles and reflect on a wide range of issues.

The Best Buddhist Writing 2010

   • A question and answer session between children and Thich Nhat Hanh
   • Stan Goldberg on becoming a hospice volunteer, shortly after his own diagnosis of prostate cancer

   • Buddhist author and death-row inmate Jarvis Jay Masters on experiencing a few unexpected hours of freedom

   • Jan Chozen Bays on eating mindfully

   • Norman Fischer contemplates the death of his best friend

   • Meditation instructions from Tibetan teacher Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche

   • Sylvia Boorstein on the deep human connection that emerges when we engage with the joy and suffering of others

   • Carolyn Rose Gimian on the late Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s advice to “smile at fear”

   • Gaylon Ferguson on recognizing our natural wakefulness

   • Pema Chödrön on being open to the opportunities that arise when we experience pain and discomfort in our lives

   • Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on finding joy in the midst of life’s difficulties

   • Steve Silberman’s account of love, prejudice, Buddhism, and marriage

   • Mary Pipher on moving past despair

   • Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche on meditation that directs our thoughts and intentions in a positive direction

   • Jaimal Yogis on his misguided attempt to use Zen to improve his surfing

   • Lauren Fraser on the Zen-inspired cooks who have influenced the way we cook and eat

   • And much more

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2010

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually ended up dnfing this about 2/3s or 3/4s of the way through. This book is a sampling of the best of the writings on Buddhism in 2010 and I had found that I had actually read a number of books the samples were pulled from. Some of the writing was compelling and some not very which is why I dnfed. My favourite of the book was the chapter by Laura Fraser on the Joy of Mindful Cooking and another by Stan Goldberg called Lessons for the Living about his experience working as a hospice volunteer.

[Jim Razinha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always fascinated with, and reading about religions...even non-theistic religions. I've read some of Daniel Dennett and Pascal Boyer and reluctantly concede that religious belief is hardwired into our genome, so I read to try to find out why, thus this book.

People have recommended Buddhism several times in my life. They haven't figured out yet that the fundamentals of Buddhism are so alien that it is impossible for me to take it seriously. Pursuing emptiness? Suffering is necessary? Loss of self? And those koans! If the only way to "answer" them is without intellect, then I have no use for any of this...intellect is prime. Abandonment of reason and intellect is a moral crime.

But that's me. For the most part, these stories are benign. A few are "out there" but most could have found their way into another collection easily.

[Karen Jett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book sitting on top of the bookshelf at the library and it called to me. This is a compendium of essays from multiple authors on Buddhism. The stories were mostly peaceful, occasionally sad, and frequently insightful.

The only reason I didn't rate it higher was that some of the essays were less interesting to me and were very long. I would definitely read another book for another year.

[Jack Oughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A selection of various stories and articles from all sorts of people and all sorts of backgrounds. Some really searing and stirring stuff in here.

I like to think of myself as a keen student of the human experience, and I got a lot (vicariously, of course) through the things I read in this book...

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely collection of intense Buddhist writing.

[Bohemian Bluestocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. My morning read. Made me feel much centered. I have my favorites, but all were enjoyable.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best. Really.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some delightful stuff in here. Stories that anyone who wishes to understand themselves a bit better or be a bit more compassionate would appreciate--several helped me feel peaceful or gave me a new way to look at how I move through the world.

Joyful Wisdom especially nice. Feeling everything is the human experience. No need to shy away from what is uncomfortable; sit and notice.