GESTURE OF AWARENESS - CHARLES GENOUD

 

GESTURE OF AWARENESS - CHARLES GENOUD

RATING: B-

This appears to be a book of verse, if glancing through without reading. It turned out to be a strange collection of words assembled more to twist the mind from normal understandings than to teach in a traditional way. I particularly admired the environmental quotation on page 75 & chapters 'Red Sunflower', 'Nagarjuna', and 'Hopi' were meaningful to my current level of comprehension.

I would recommend this book to those interested in philosophical expansion, opening up the mind to new ways of seeing things, and contemplative awareness as well as those seeking a 'different' sort of book to read.

EMOTIONAL AWARENESS - HHDL & PAUL EKMAN

EMOTIONAL AWARENESS - HHDL & PAUL EKMAN

RATING: B-

I related well to HHDL's side of the conversation, probably as I have read so many Buddhist books and have never been in touch with my own Western culture. I can answer the question posed regarding whether or not it is possible to change ones emotional profile - YES! (I did). I enjoyed the analogy on page 68-9 regarding kindergarten/doctorate. I found the mention of emotional resonance and meta attention relatable - in that these are two areas with which I have personal experience. I give the thumbs up to the Darwin quote on page 149. In the section referent to recognition of/avoidance of emotions, I tend to find the hardest part easy and easiest part hard - as usual.

I would recommend the book to those interested in Buddhist psychology, HHDL's views, or understanding emotions.

CHATTY CAT THE FIRST SIX MONTHS - SUZAN COLLINS

CHATTY CAT THE FIRST SIX MONTHS - SUZAN COLLINS

RATING: B-

Taking a break from my usual reading topics of Buddhism, travel and philosophy, I ventured into this book concerning a rescue cat and how it learns to fit into its new home. (I attended the online book launch and won a copy thanks to Chatty Cat selecting me!) The author seems to know her cat's mind as well as I knew those of my pigeon pals back home in Wollongong. The book ends with tips for looking after a cat from both the human and cats' eye view.

This book is dotted with pictures, photos and internet links. My favorite parts are in chapter 4 when the cat first learns about its new abode, chapter 11 as it explores the garden, the burglary in chapter 22 and the video link in the 6th chapter. It is hard to say whether the book should be classed as fiction or non-fiction - in that it is imaginary words coming from a true situation.

I would recommend this book to cat lovers, those interested in how mankind regards the inner mind of feline animals, and those interested in adding a rescue cat to their lives.

HER FATHER'S GARDEN - JAMES VOLLBRACHT

HER FATHER'S GARDEN - JAMES VOLLBRACHT

RATING: C-

Instead of the Tibetan adult book that I was expecting when I put in an order, it turned out to be a Chinese children's book - oh well... The story is similar to a moralistic fairy-tale and ends happily ever after.

I would recommend the book to... children.

HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA infinite compassion for an imperfect world - Watkins Masters of Wisdom

HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA infinite compassion for an imperfect world - Watkins Masters of Wisdom

RATING: B-

A compendium of quotational paragraphs from HHDL relating to various modern matters, sequenced into sections. I particularly related to his Nobel prize speech in chapter 18, where he spoke of turning Tibet into a land of ahimsa, a beautiful idea. Also of specific interest to me personally was the environmental poem on page 156.

I would recommend this book to those wishing to refresh themselves on some of HHDL's stances and attitudes, those interested in a modern Buddhist outlook, and those who want to read everything written by HHDL.