VENTURESOME VEGAN COOKING - JM & MICHELLE HIRSCH

RATING: C

Although there are more recipes in this book than the last few I have read, once again, there are very few that personally appeal. Predominantly, I find a lot of white flour, whereas I ONLY use wholemeal organic or gram flours, and many recipes call for tofu or canned beans - whereas I prefer not to use tofu/soy products very often and only to use real beans rather than canned.

I was hoping for some vegan ideas, but there are only a couple recipes I might adapt. I would recommend the book to anyone starting out to explore vegan recipes - but would add that if you don't eat canned foods or soy/tofu, it might be better to try another book.

HOW TO BE COMPASSIONATE – HHDL

RATING: B+

This is one of HHDL's helpful books. Whether you are curious as to what Buddhism might offer, or a current practitioner seeking further guidance, it can be useful to read such books as this one. Chapter 9 was especially helpful to me, reminding me of what I already knew and had worked with and taking me 'one step further' into what I had already learned and practiced. Page 71 especially stood out.

I would recommend this book to everyone that wants to improve both their own life and that of others and to receive guidance and help with doing so.

QUICK AND EASY INDIAN SIMPLE VEGETARIAN - EDITOR: NEETA JATTA

RATING: C-

Another not-so-good Indian recipe book. There are only a few recipes in here, and once again, most contain ingredients I either do not eat or cannot obtain.

Another book I would recommend to those wanting to try out a few Indian recipes - before indulging in a larger book if enjoyed - providing you do not have any heavy dietary preferences.

TO A MOUNTAIN IN TIBET - COLIN THUBRON

RATING: B-

Even in the Himalayas they have rock pigeons! I enjoyed this relaxing read about a travel experience with several notes on birds. Whilst it mentions a multitude of religions, it is based mainly on the geography and culture of the area and people encountered. It is a trip I might have wanted to do myself, had the situation in Tibet been other than it currently is. (Until Tibet is known again as Tibet, rather than as Chinese stolen property, I will not go there.)

This book should appeal to those who have an interest in pilgrimages, mountains, and Himalayan travel.

HINDU SOUL RECIPES - PUSHPESH PANT

RATING: C-

I decided to buy a few recipe books recently - whilst several were on offer. Alas, this one did not contain much that I will be able to make myself. Most recipes contain either ingredients I do not use or cooking methods I find hard to use.

I would recommend this book to someone taking a look at Indian cookery, but only if they have no personal dietary choices already in place and are flexible with methods of cooking.

ACROSS MANY MOUNTAINS - YANGZOM BRAUEN

RATING: A-

I can relate well to the calm peace that accompanies death in old Tibet. I have found this to be the case in my own experience and it is nice to know that I am not the only person with this attitude towards death, which often seems to be the case for me. I can also relate to accepting that anyone - from a friend to a bug - may once have been a close relative or lover. This too I have found to be the case from personal experience. In fact, I appear to have far much more in common with Tibetan attitudes than those of the places I was born and have lived.

The ability to be at peace with dying - rather than desperately struggling to keep the body alive by medical interventions I can also relate to. I have no intention of forcing my body to outlast my all with pill-popping, etc. When it is ready to expire, I will await my next birth.

I found this book to be a beautiful story of value both to those seeking entertainment and those seeking to learn more of the Tibetan culture. It taught me that many things I had believed in but not found alive in my own were present in the Tibetan culture.

BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO YOGA - HOWARD KENT & CLAIRE HAYLER

RATING: C-

Although I am no longer a beginner, I decided to buy this book at the reduced cost of $2. It is a good basic guide, although I personally prefer something leaning more towards a specific Indian version than Yoga in general. The book does cover the whole eight limbs of Patanjali's Yoga sutras, although as usual the asanas, meditation, and pranayama get pride of place.

Of specific interest were some of the unnamed bends and stretches - I think these may be useful to slip in on days when I do two short sessions rather than one long practice. I find that reading Yoga books brings about a positive attitude and replaces the encouragement of a teacher that might be present were I not a home practitioner.

PASSAGE THROUGH INDIA - GARY SNYDER

RATING: C+

A retro travel journal complete with pictures.

If you are interested in how and where a couple of Westerners traveled a few decades ago, photos of various places in India, or the past of Allen Ginsberg, this would be of interest to you. I enjoyed learning how far places are from each other and what travel methods were around back then - in case I ever am lucky enough to visit for myself. Many of the places mentioned in the book would be places that I too would like to see, someday....

LETTING GO OF THE PERSON YOU USED TO BE - LAMA SURYA DAS

RATING: B

I found the references on karma and omniscience interesting in the first chapter. I agree that the more we learn from the bad bits of life the better - we should get rid of it asap rather than have it come back again and again until we do learn and correct ourselves!!Gradually learning what needs to be learned - rather than failing over and over can only be progressive.

The 'Ham-so' breathing exercise reminded me of the deity breathing I have been working on - the breath goes in and out different places though...

It was interesting to observe how far I had got in accepting loss already, compared to the old me. Unlike a Buddha, who recognizes ALL, I can only see SOME of the origins of my own karma - however, since taking he ACI course on karma and personal investigations a few years ago, I can find the origin of several things that crop up in my life - and people I formerly knew give me vision-memories of former lives I have shared with them from time to time.

It was interesting to read the chapter relative to the Medicine Buddha - as this has been something I have been working with over the past months. Again, the section referent to mindfulness meditation was also useful as this I also something I have worked with a LOT in the past. I am going to work on one of the exercises given in this book as a refresher. I was also interested to read the references to birds and nature towards the close of the book.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT HAPPINESS, LIFE AND LIVING - HHDL/RAJIV MEHROTRA

RATING:B-

I would note that the dream state mentioned on page 8 can be attained with more ease while awake. I was interested to chart my progress over recent years on the 3-reliefs from suffering on page 16. The chapter on reincarnation was especially interesting. I enjoyed the mixture of simplicity and complexity throughout the entire book.

The book is basically a categorized grouping of Q&A between the author and HHDL. I would recommend the book to those interested in learning from HHDL and those wanting to re-read some of his pet topics.

THE BOOK OF YOGA - LUCY LIDELL

RATING: B

This book is far from new to me, as I have had a copy in my possession - on and off - for circa a decade. I first purchased a copy second hand at a library sale in NSW, hoping to teach my son Yoga as part of his home schooling studies. However, he preferred walking and gardening as activities and the book sat round on the shelf - til my best friend Ralph encouraged me when I was toying with the idea of taking up Yoga in order to help my arthritic back.

My 'incurable' (according to Western medicine) back was cured and multiple additional benefits began to appear as I got more and more involved in Yoga... When I moved to England in 2009, I only bought 3 books with me and could not cram my copy of this book in my suitcase. It has only been recently that I picked up a second second hand copy online and have slowly re-read it. I have used the Sivananda style of Yoga mostly, although I have also practiced Tibetan Heart Yoga when I had a full half hour spare.

I would recommend this book to those seeking a companion to home Yoga, beginners looking to practice safely in their own home or have a guideline to out-of-class top ups, and the more experienced practitioner hoping to add something to - or as in my case - review and renew their practice.

TALES OF THE TURQUOISE - CORNEILLE JEST

RATING: C

A cross between details of a Nepalese Buddhist pilgrimage and a pile of Tibetan style folk-tales. Another 'easy-read' while my duties include keeping one ear open at all times rather than being able to put in total concentration. 

I have not got much to say other than that about this book - I would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple read, keeping to Buddhist subjects - but not in a situation to study and progress dramatically, or one interested in Tibetan culture.

THE POCKET BUDDHA READER - ANNE BANCROFT

RATING: A-

The chapter on clarity stood out as especially useful in the way of personal advancement, though overall this book is a reminder of the basics in a simple format. I had been reading complex commentaries for some time. I have had to change to short passages or less complicated text, due to having no time for deeper concentration currently. (At any moment, my father is likely to call out and break me from my studies.)

This is a good book for those searching to cement the basics in their mind, for those looking for basic instructions to start from, or those who are interested but have not read any of the Buddha's teachings yet.

MY SPIRITUAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY - HHDL

RATING: B-

Within the first 100 pages, there is mention of practice being of 24/7 nature, not five minutes here & half an hour there. This is something that stands firm in my own life - sometimes I have time to spend praying, reading, learning, studying - and sometimes I do not. In the times that I do not however, I remain practicing - I use mindfulness meditation or lessons I have learned to live by and from.

There is material on page 111 that makes me think. I am learning about the contents of page 112 due to my father's situation. I agree with page 113 - bugs and birds do behave better than humans, even if they have less intelligence. This point has been what I have been hung up on when trying to understand the Buddhist perspective of humanity being a better life than that of an animal - it is hard for me to accept this, seeing as it is the human species that has so ruined the planet we all share. Aryadeva's advice is well taken. The poem starting on page 145 is lovely - I relate well to the respect of nature. There is much more written concerning pro-nature further on.

I would recommend this book to other Buddhists who may be short of time when reading yet not short of life for practicing, and for those seeking an easy yet helpful read.

EXPLORER NEW YORK - AA MAP & GUIDE PACK

RATING - D

Despite not yet being able to visit the city, I retain a mild interest. Two or three times I have almost visited, including an attempt for the 99-00 millennium. I have a curiosity about the city as I expect to be reborn there in my next life, and therefore wish to read up on the place to key myself in.

I find the book much the same as any holiday guide in book format, with the usual chunks on history, maps, guides to stuff that most other people except me are interested in, etc. Page 179 mentioned a Tibetan art center that sounds interesting, though. I read everything except for the hotel & restaurant listings.

This book took over a year to read as I only read a couple of pages at a time. I recently finished it as I had to read something I could pick up and put down without too much concentration due to my father calling out every few minutes.

DREAMING YOURSELF AWAKE - B ALAN WALLACE

RATING: B

I relate better to non-Western ideas and techniques, myself. I have already had a little experience with the two 'WILD' options listed in chapter two and find what they term 'hypnagogic imagery' very easy to work with - probably due to my experiences using it as a starting point for multi-sensual telepathy - which becomes near-essential if you plan on maintaining a long-term long-distance relationship. Therefore, the second two chunks were of more assistance than the first section personally.

Chapter 7 especially appealed due to my own interests. I feel the sectors in chapter 8 would be easier to attain progress with work in visualizations within the spiritual zone than working on dreams, though. It is the same level of mentality, yet easier to retain control. The last few pages were of great interest to me, particularly the piece that talked of the importance of recognizing future lives, rather than just this current one.

I would recommend the book to those interested in beginning or improving lucid dreaming with a Buddhist emphasis.

NOBLE FREINDSHIP - TRAVELS OF A BUDDHIST MONK - KHANTIPALO

RATING:B-

Interesting tale of the travels of a monk at the early stages of the Western world's discovery of Buddhism. I particularly tuned in to the Bodh Gaya information. On page 95, it gave a quote from an author I admire concerning the 'TV, radio, newspaper, speakers' now appearing in city monasteries. Well, I do not live in a monastery, but I do not use three of those four!

I was smiling to hear of familiar places to me near the end of the book - Stanmore being a railway station I have often been thru and the Blue Mountains being where my son and I took our last shared vacation together.

THE BODHISATTVA VOWS – (LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE) FPMT

RATING – B

A short book listing prayers, the vows, and notes on each vow. I purchased this as a reminder, having studied the Bodhisattva vows in full through ACI in one of the 7.5 courses I have so far studied with them via download.

Useful for those contemplating taking the vows as well as those who have made the 'start' and want a handy guide to use as reference/reminder.

BUDDHA STANDARD TIME - LAMA SURYA DAS

RATING - B-

The left-right comparison in chapter 3 was of especial interest to me. I visualize the left side of my mind as being plugged into karma and the right to dharma. I agree - no alarm clock needed by me! I didn't find it all to be the case for me, though. When I worked from 1am thru 10am, I was fitter, slimmer, alerter than I am now that I work 5am thru 8/9pm. (I believe this to be because I 'use' another person's natural hours vibe rather than my own.)

Page 96 reminds me of my friend's website - HERE The reference to women having a thicker corpus callosum on page 99 made me wonder if this has changed throughout the centuries - or might do in future ones - as the female role changes? The brain vibration frequencies on page 119 are interesting - I have noticed change of energy when living under a headache rather than in it, and how resting energy itself can assist in calming thoughts. I also appreciated reading of many references to nature and birdlife.

Perhaps more oriented to the average everyday human than the serious Buddhist student, it nevertheless provided adequate opportunity to contemplate.

MEDICINE BUDDHA TEACHINGS - KHENCHEN THRANGU RINPOCHE

RATING - A-

This book was purchased as 'suggested reading material' due to my recently commencing practice of the Medicine Buddha Sadhana.

Page 100 has an extra-short version that looks possible to practice on days when Dad is likely to interrupt a long session before I finish, which will be helpful. I was interested to find that there was a Manjushri connection mentioned in the base text. I have not yet used mudras in my own practice - but I think I would need to see rather than read about them before doing so. I seem to be the reverse of note 55! I am also glad to read that it does not harm another if you introduce them to MB and they take opposition - this could be quite useful when dealing with animals and birds and might therefore be a preferable practice to my current one.

Good reading if you are new/intermediate at the practice.

THE MEANING OF LIFE - HHDL

RATING - B

HH gives a detailed analysis of the Wheel of Cyclic Life. It is a picture/topic I have come across on many occasions, due to my incessant reading habit. Despite having put a little effort into study myself, it is good to have a thorough investigation by an expert to read through.

Specific points I found of personal interest include the top chunk of page 114 - which explains why I can read a complex book that is a level ahead of my comprehension, and then drift beyond a muddle of multiple questions - into sudden understanding and awareness of what it was on about. I find this specific way of learning productive and enjoyable. Now, I know how it is done!

I additionally enjoyed the 'GB-Sanskrit-Tibetan' mini vocab section at the end. I was surprised to find how many Sanskrit words I knew. I must have picked them all up during the past 6 years of reading, as i knew no Sanskrit at all until I began to read Buddhist books!

NATURAL GREAT PERFECTION - DZOGCHEN TEACHINGS & VAJRA SONGS - NYOSHUL KHENPO & LAMA SURYA DAS

RATING - B+

I related well to Chapter 7, finding it helpful. The picture on page 135 of the tiny show pigeon reminded me of my Australian wild-pets - the pigeons that lived in the yard/city and chose our yard as their daytime living zone. That definitely caught my interest. The penultimate verse on page 145 in chapter 11 also stood out. Page 162's lineage was useful.

I found the book overall to be a very effective read in the way of opening the mind to understand things already partly comprehended & confirming things that 'seemed' to be...

THE RH FACTOR - RICK HUTCHINS

RATING - B-

The first few and last few stories in this multi-story collective stood out as the strongest. While they all contained well-written material, a few were somewhat gruesome or fantastically unreal. Luckily, the worst of the gruesome ones do come with warnings - and allow the reader to skip the worst sentances and then get back into the storyline.

Definitely some material for thought provocation, several ideas worth further consideration hidden behind the fiction. I am not personally a fan of fiction, and rarely read it these days, but I would reccommend this collection to those who are interested in fiction. Rick-fans may be dissappointed to find only ONE reference to honysuckle in this collective....

MAGIC DANCE - THE DISPLAY OF THE SELF-NATURE OF THE FIVE WISDOM DAKINIS - THINLEY NORBU

RATING: B+

This reccommended-to-me book expanded my current understanding. The death-life sequence on pages 9-10 is very useful. The poem on page 61 contains much to explore and investigate. Exploring the subject of tradition leads me to believe that I was not born into one that I could belong to, but an alien tradition in comparison to former lives.

This book is at the right level to make me fall deeper into know-mind, but cannot be read in a hurry as there is too much to contemplate and analyze en route.

HOW TO PRACTICE - THE WAY TO A MEANINGFUL LIFE - HHDL

RATING: B-

In this book, HHDL details the path of learning the Buddhist teachings of any tradition from square one through to completion. I have read this book before, as a library loan, but now I have my own copy.

The list on page 53 is helpful for a short daily practice in preparation for death. I find the latter chapters to be the most informative - along with the complete set of practices 'in order' - so one can jump in where one feels comfortable.

This is a good book to read if you are uncertain of what stage you are already at due to having made some progress in past lives, or if you are a beginner looking for a step by step guide.

HINTING AT DZOGCHEN-A COMPENDIUM OF TEACHINGS BY TSOKNYI RINPOCHE - LOTSAWA TONY DUFF

RATING: A-

After a slow and tough start to the book, part 1.2 began to become much more helpful, leading to huge chunks of new views on old topics throughout the remainder of the book. It seemed right for my level, being informative on what I half/three-quarters know. Page 109's flower passage became a temporary meditation practice for me. In the latter half of the book, there was a lot of information that helped clarify certain topics I was a bit hazy on or 'almost' sure about - but needed to double check. There was also a new view on emptiness for me to work with.

This is the first of two books of Tsoknyi Rinpoche teachings that I bought late last year - the other still sits in my pile of circa 25-30 'yet-to-reads' and will be read hopefully by the close of 2012. I would reccommend this book to Mahayana practitioners searching for a different approach, who benefit from observing familiar subjects from as many aspects as possible to clarify their own understanding.

LARGE IN TIME - RICK HUTCHINS

RATING: B

SURPRISE! I actually read a poetry book, rather than a Buddhist studies/philosophy book or a travel guide! My idea has been to indulge in a few books that various friends of mine have written from time to time, and I recently selected a couple of Rick's to 'try out'. This is the first.

There is definitely a wide selection both in style and subject matter. I could not help but notice the word 'honeysuckle' popping up in several of the poems. My favorite verses include 'Take Your Medicine', 'Especially Valerie', and a few of the untitled ones.

I would recommend Rick's poetry book to those interested in looking out for a new poet of the 21st century - one who that appears to adore honeysuckle - which is not a bad thing.

DEAR LAMA ZOPA - LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE

RATING: A

Many things discussed in this book demonstrate the methods that I myself am learning and practicing. It serves as a reminder of how I should be dealing with the many disruptions to simple, peaceful living. The cure of aids and cancer through spiritual means rather than medical, assisting creatures by circumambulation around images and stupas, talking to bugs, etc, all stand out as 'right'.

I myself reject Western medicine and rely entirely upon herbal remedies, Ayurvedic/Tibetan medicine suggestions, and spiritual means to keep myself fit and get well again if ill, for example. It is great to read of another person who treats bugs and animals with respect and courtesy - as I am much laughed at for talking to birds and bugs and recognizing them as having certain rights. This book backs me up and shows me I am right rather than crazy to do what I can for those small creatures - especially seeing the mess we humans are making of the planet we all share.

The mention of a pigeon certainly caught my attention - one of my favored subjects and teachers. Many beings killed for each meal of food, even if we eat only vegetarian/vegan, is a reminder not to eat more than we need. This is something that perhaps I should pay attention to - for although I only eat 1.5 meals a day, my 2-3 courses are generally very large serves and I eat far more than is needed. Page 171 talks about spiritual harm - something I have been through courtesy of my ex and his family and that my son may still be going through due to the same source. It is something I must remain wary of for the rest of my current life.

I would reccommend this book to those with everyday modern problems that are willing to accept advice that works, even if it is not conventional.

MARPA - HERITAGE CLASSICS

RATING: B

This is one of a couple of books I purchased last year on the great masters. They concern people whose names crop up frequently, though little has yet been learnt by me about them. I aim to try to read up on several of the great masters in between bouts of serious study reading and Tibetan escapee autobiographies.

The poetic verses on page 29-30, 105-7, along with song 9 all stand out strongly to me. I was fascinated to hear of the physical struggles of gold collecting and traveling involved. Also, the way Marpa traveled to various teachers rather than basing himself upon a single guru as is more often done these days stood out.

I would reccommend the book to those seeking a basic biography of Marpa - those who have heard the name, but know little about him.

PATIPADA - ACARIYA MAHA BOOWA NANASAMPANNO

RATING - B+

Having found a great deal of assistance for my understanding and meditation in Acariya Mun's biography, I have attempted to get my hands on a copy on this book ever since. Finally, having done so, despite not being a Buddhist of the Theravada style, I was able to relax into reading at a much slower pace than I would be if borrowing and rushing through from a library, or reading on a computer screen while my eyes hurt. In fact, it has taken me multiple months to read - as I have read it piece by piece.

I also appreciate reading about the connectedness between monks and animals, as I have found connections to birds and bugs myself, since practicing. The deva communication topic on page 185-6 was also of specific interest to me. The emphasis on mindfulness is helpful, and I also found chapter 13 to be of particular help in regard to meditation. This book has - as has Acariya Mun's bio - helped clear up a lot of questions from my pre-Buddhist understanding and contemplations, leading to a clearer understanding of Buddhism of any style.

I would reccommend this book to anyone interested in understanding meditation that might have begun solo without instruction, as well as those interested in Thai Dhutanga practices.

FROM THE SPRING OF FALL - SAND-DEE ROSE WAYBILL

RATING - well, I should not rate my own work, perhaps!

This is an autobiographical book that I wrote and self-published back in 2005/6. I re-read it at intervals to remind myself of how I used to feel, live, be, and how I had changed over the first 40 years of my life. I recently checked in with the old me, as the new me seems to have evolved so much lately.

The book covers both my physical life from 0-40 and my spiritual awareness as it began to fade then re-grow over the same period of my life. Much has since changed in both aspects, so I reminded myself of who I once was by reading my own book.