RATING: A-
Number 15 - "to find one serious Buddhist in a hundred is difficult" I have found this to be true also - People say I have understood so much so soon, and some of my friends call me 'nun in a house' as a teasing on my preoccupation with Buddhist study and practice - and when I talk to others who practice, I find many who JUST meditate or chant and do not actually grow and learn from their study and practice. In one way I am glad i do not attend a temple or Buddhist Center - as I would find it hard to introduce myself, as I cannot explain my status.
Number 35 - ‘diligence is my royal precious horse, which bears the kleshas to non-ego land.’ I find this very beautiful wording. It is something written at my level in an interesting way.
I also find number 50 helpful - ‘keeping watch’ on trouble-starting moments and recalling NOT to act wrongly is something I need to do more often and recalling their illusory nature may be one clue as to how to make it easier to do so.
Numbers 54 and 59 are two my favorites.
I like reading different takes on the same topics - as this helps my own practice, so reading Milarepa‘s words helps me fine-tune my life.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Thursday, 12 August 2010
RAPID PROGRESS VISUALLY YOGA BY MARAN GRAPHICS
RATING: D+
A lot of 'basic' Yoga stuff - but nothing new for me. I had read all of this stuff before and was not very impressed with anything other than the Asanas covered. Several of these were new to me and gave me blogging material for www.yogatap.com.
If you are new to Yoga, this is a book I would highly reccommend - it covers all the basics for the western world student. It is a great reference for Asanas and introduction to the other aspects of Yoga practice - however, I prefer something more complex and challenging - texts, details on a specific style, or instruction from a specific teacher, for eg.
A lot of 'basic' Yoga stuff - but nothing new for me. I had read all of this stuff before and was not very impressed with anything other than the Asanas covered. Several of these were new to me and gave me blogging material for www.yogatap.com.
If you are new to Yoga, this is a book I would highly reccommend - it covers all the basics for the western world student. It is a great reference for Asanas and introduction to the other aspects of Yoga practice - however, I prefer something more complex and challenging - texts, details on a specific style, or instruction from a specific teacher, for eg.
GOING BUDDHIST by PETER J CONRADI
RATING: D+
Despite being a messy mess of a book - not exactly about Buddhism nor an autobiography but a combination of the two - yet neither really - there were several key points discussed that gave me material to consider and differing views on facts I already knew.
There is no real storyline, nor do the chapters progress very sensibly, but it was a book I had not yet read slightly connected to Buddhism. I was not really left impressed, but prefer to have read it than not. I would reccommend it to someone loosely interested in Buddhism and people who follow Buddhism - but not for those wanting to progress their own studies and delve into the texts and serious hard work of a personal practice.
Despite being a messy mess of a book - not exactly about Buddhism nor an autobiography but a combination of the two - yet neither really - there were several key points discussed that gave me material to consider and differing views on facts I already knew.
There is no real storyline, nor do the chapters progress very sensibly, but it was a book I had not yet read slightly connected to Buddhism. I was not really left impressed, but prefer to have read it than not. I would reccommend it to someone loosely interested in Buddhism and people who follow Buddhism - but not for those wanting to progress their own studies and delve into the texts and serious hard work of a personal practice.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
WIDENING THE CIRCLE OF LOVE - DALAI LAMA
RATING: B
I have read multiple books written by HHDL, some of which have been extremely helpful to my progression and understanding of Buddhism, whilst others explain teachings and facts in a different way and so concrete what is a bit mushy.
This book reads either as a course of practice to follow or as a collection of helpful ideas. Having read the book on loan from the lbirary, I am using it for the latter - if I ever got myself a copy, I would use it as an actual study course to practice from.
Some of the information in the book was helpful to me at this precise time, as it gave me ideas of ways to approach problems that are arising for my father - but I have yet to encourage him to read the book himself, or to let me read some of it to him - which I know would benefit him in his current concerns. I have just taken some ideas and explained them in the same way as HHDL. I hope to reread this book sometime in the futurte, when I have more time, and practice in full - raher than in pieces, as I currently seem to be started on several of the steps rather than fully competent at any.
I have read multiple books written by HHDL, some of which have been extremely helpful to my progression and understanding of Buddhism, whilst others explain teachings and facts in a different way and so concrete what is a bit mushy.
This book reads either as a course of practice to follow or as a collection of helpful ideas. Having read the book on loan from the lbirary, I am using it for the latter - if I ever got myself a copy, I would use it as an actual study course to practice from.
Some of the information in the book was helpful to me at this precise time, as it gave me ideas of ways to approach problems that are arising for my father - but I have yet to encourage him to read the book himself, or to let me read some of it to him - which I know would benefit him in his current concerns. I have just taken some ideas and explained them in the same way as HHDL. I hope to reread this book sometime in the futurte, when I have more time, and practice in full - raher than in pieces, as I currently seem to be started on several of the steps rather than fully competent at any.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Buddha - Deepak Chopra
RATING: B-
The first book that I have completed since starting my blog was one I was unsure about reading to begin with. Due to popping into a different library whilst visiting my hospitalized father recently, I collected an armful of books to read as I now had plenty of time free in which to read and a lot of new stock from which to select.
Leaving this one til the last, I proceded to read through the rest of my stock and then picked it up.My hesitation was due to the fact that it was not a non-fiction book and was a novel version of the story. Despite my reluctance, I did enjoy reading the book and although I would question some of the content on its truth, many points were brought to the surface that I had not formerly considered.
I have read multiple accounts of the life story of the Buddha, of which this is just one of two that come under the fiction genre. Although I generally prefer pure fact, I found the ideas lying behind the text explained a different viewpoint of the Buddha's life that I found both interesting and helpful.
The first book that I have completed since starting my blog was one I was unsure about reading to begin with. Due to popping into a different library whilst visiting my hospitalized father recently, I collected an armful of books to read as I now had plenty of time free in which to read and a lot of new stock from which to select.
Leaving this one til the last, I proceded to read through the rest of my stock and then picked it up.My hesitation was due to the fact that it was not a non-fiction book and was a novel version of the story. Despite my reluctance, I did enjoy reading the book and although I would question some of the content on its truth, many points were brought to the surface that I had not formerly considered.
I have read multiple accounts of the life story of the Buddha, of which this is just one of two that come under the fiction genre. Although I generally prefer pure fact, I found the ideas lying behind the text explained a different viewpoint of the Buddha's life that I found both interesting and helpful.
Monday, 2 August 2010
Introduction
I have been trying to find a webspace where I can share the books that I read with friends and the general public - but continually come up against small problems. At my website forum, I am limited to a certain amount of titles I can discuss for example, whilst at 'We Read' they cannot find half the books that I read on their 'Amazon only' list. I therefore decided to create a new blog...
I have read since youth, passing through various interests to my current habits. These days, I generally read 75% Buddhism, 20% Yoga, and 5% other non-fiction. I may dabble in a few of the less-chunky classics, read through books I myself have written, pick up the odd library book on travel and read the occasional oddity from my teenage bookshelves, though.
I am hoping to write the title, author, my opinion or rating and a brief description of what I liked or disliked about each book, which books I found to be helpful or boring, etc. I am also hoping to hold general discussions with friends and members of the public who have read a book if anyone wishes via comments.
I have read since youth, passing through various interests to my current habits. These days, I generally read 75% Buddhism, 20% Yoga, and 5% other non-fiction. I may dabble in a few of the less-chunky classics, read through books I myself have written, pick up the odd library book on travel and read the occasional oddity from my teenage bookshelves, though.
I am hoping to write the title, author, my opinion or rating and a brief description of what I liked or disliked about each book, which books I found to be helpful or boring, etc. I am also hoping to hold general discussions with friends and members of the public who have read a book if anyone wishes via comments.
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