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.