RATING:AThis is the prayer booklet I got when attending HHDL’s teachings last December - I recently re-read it. Each time I read the text, I find new matters to explore. It is also a useful source for prayers, as well as giving Nagarjuna’s text itself. I would recommend reading the free material given when attending HHDL’s teachings, as they not only remind you of a special event but the text you need to focus on and review.
RATING: C-A very different approach to cancer than I would take if it came into my body! Firstly, there is nothing and noone on this planet that could persuade me to agree to chemotherapy & I would only accept natural cures. Secondly, I would make greater use of the time-out from life and not worry at all in regard to trying to hold a career. Finally, with my personal view, I would be more concentrative on preparing for my next life than retaining this one. However, as this is the ‘normal’ way of dealing with cancer, and my way is not, I would recommend it as reading material to someone suffering.Whatta lotta Sandys! (No Sandes or Sand-dees though!)
RATING: C+This book would have been much more helpful at the start of my Buddhism practice - 4 years ago. Currently, I have found short cuts and easy routes for a number of the ‘you must do it this way’ structured formats, so would not follow it correctly.I object to being told that ‘everyone’ and ‘all minds’ work/think in a certain way - mine doesn’t work/think the way they ‘all‘ do…! However, for a starter or a ‘regular’ western-minded person, this would be a very good 5-week course to follow.
RATING: B+One of two Western Buddhist writers I remain unsure of - I read one book that meant very little to me, but here comes a second that I can understand very well. With me, I prefer Buddhist books that can expand my understanding somewhat, whilst clarifying matters I have already half-learned - and this book does just that!I especially noted page 37-8, these writings are something I can relate to. In fact, as a whole, Buddhist psychology is far more comprehensible than western world psychology - it actually makes sense! (Maybe I was born with Buddhist brains!)I found the words of page 68 especially wise, and starting at page 103 reads good. Page 119 was also helpful to me. As I progressed -slowly - through the book, I found a lot of helpful matter - either to consider or reconsider. I found a new practice to follow described in the elemental analysis, and I found pages 301-2 to contain a useful practice. Another useful item is the jnana listing on page 320.Some beautiful words on the last few pages stand out for me to focus on over the next few days - “May I/you learn to see the arising and passing of all things with equanimity and balanceMay I/you be open and balanced and peaceful
