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.