From Publishers Weekly
In this simple, cogent book, former Buddhist monk Titmuss (Light on Enlightenment) gently explores why the unexamined life is not worth living. Mixing Buddhist principles with the most sensible aphorisms of popular psychology, Titmuss argues that the genuinely awakened person is, first and foremost, self-aware. Titmuss's 76 chapters are extremely brief, encompassing no more than a few pages, making the book accessible as daily meditations. Straightforward, practical advice is often beautifully mixed with Buddhist paradox; when discussing the importance of prudent speech, for example, Titmuss writes that "what is whispered in an ear is often heard a hundred miles away." Although the chapters cover themes as diverse as the sexual revolution and the importance of regular meditative reading, one motif dominates all others: the need to retrench from worldly materialism. Titmuss has harsh words for Western consumer culture, where he says individuals have more wealth and less real happiness than in any other society in history. He advocates the practice of allowing individuals to "drop out" for a while (as the Buddha once did, leaving his family and a world of luxury to seek enlightenment). To counteract the relentless selfishness of consumerism, Titmuss advocates careful self-examination through meditation, communion with nature and healthy relationships with others. (May)
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Review
"Everyday life is the theme of this collection of essays. It weaves wisdom and practicality into musings on many topics ranging from love to psychotherapy to projections. Titmuss draws on his experiences as both a teacher and student to express his love for and embodiment of the dharma. He reminds us of the rewards of exploring the internal universe and sprinkles his teachings with bits of humor such as "'my' can be thought of as a shorthand for misery." Each essay shows how the Buddha's teachings can be applied right here and now, without exception. As he notes at the end of the book, "In the depth of being, there is blessedness revealing everything. Just everything."—Inquiring Mind
"Christopher Titmuss knows of what he speaks, for his life and work embodies and articulates with great clarity this simple yet arduous path of wisdom, compassion, and human realization. I consider him to be one of my great and lifelong teachers."—Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are
"In showing how the Buddha's teachings can be applied here and now in every aspect of existence, An Awakened Life brings Buddhism down to earth and into the very heart of our being human."—Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism Without Beliefs
"In An Awakened Life, Christopher Titmuss offers his incisive wisdom on a wide range of topics. He weaves together concerns of the world and the spirit in a way that helps us navigate our lives with integrity and skill."—Joseph Goldstein, author of Insight Meditation
