Customer Reviews

Awakening the Buddha Within : Eight Steps to Enlightenment: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World

5 star:		(97)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Lama Surya Das has masterfully written an enlightening introduction to Buddhism, which should prove to be an enduring classic on the subject for years to come. He takes the ancient teachings of Buddhist traditions and wisdom and delivers them succinctly and wholeheartedly to the Western mind.

His astounding work is a source of inspiration and awareness that serves as a "handbook for living" that should be carried with us at all times and used often on our spiritual path. Regardless of the reader's religious or spiritual affiliation, these simple golden rules could change your life.

His introduction to the classic Buddhist teachings of The Four Noble Truths and The Eight-Fold Path are the most comprehensible and understandable that I have yet read. Finally, we are presented with a rich compilation that makes absolute sense and many readers will understand, for the first time, how to integrate this ancient Tibetan wisdom into everyday life.

Often, those of us curious about Buddhist philosophy and practice, find it hard to get beyond the dogma of the many teachings. Lama Surya Das succeeds in bringing the reader the most simple and fundamental ideas and lessons of Buddhism. Throughout the book, he reminds us to be responsible for our own thoughts and actions and to find the kindness, compassion and grace that are inherent in all of us.

For those challenged by meditation, Lama Surya Das strips away all the confusion and mystery around the practice of meditation and brings to the reader a profound understanding and "how to" guide to meditation -- the importance of which must be realized and embraced.

Toward the end of the book, he further reminds us that "We are modern mystics - living in monasteries without walls. The entire planet is our heaven on earth. Instead of being overly dependent on anyone else, we must be leaders and seers." This book teaches us how to lead by example. You do not have to have an interest or belief in Buddhism to enjoy, understand and be moved by this book. It is a book to be read, read and read again.

Lama Surya Das is a Dzogchen lineage holder and founder of the Dzogchen Foundation. I found this to be one of the most complete and easily understood books written on Buddhism, which is often a complex philosophy to understood by the lay reader.

"Awakening the Buddha Within" is similar in nature to the book, "The World of Tibetan Buddhism" a series of essays based on a three-day lecture given in London, England by the Dalai Lama and translated into English. However, if you are a novice to Buddhism, I would strongly recommend you first read, "Awakening the Budda Within". This book is much easier to understand, and the author simplifies the concepts of Buddhism in everyday terms for the western world. Lama Surya Das explains The Three Jewels of Buddhism - the commitment of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha or spiritual community, the Eight-Fold Path to Enlightenment, the Four Noble Truths and the importance of meditation in our lives. If you are searching for a better understanding of Buddhism in the contemporary world, or simply a more peaceful way of life, I highly recommend purchasing the "Awakening the Buddha Within." It is spiritually uplifting, refreshing and inspirational, and definitely one you will want to use as a reference, time and time again.

Lama Surya Das does a good job of introducing the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism to the West. Many people see Buddhism as an exotic Eastern tradition without any relevance to our lives here and now. However, one need not embrace Buddhism to gain much from Buddhist concepts. This book is a little soft on certain concepts (like reincarnation). However, this book is meant for one not already deeply involved in the practice of Buddhism, so maybe it's better that way. I also highly recommend "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom" by Taro Gold. Excellent.

This a fun-to-read introduction to the Buddhist path. Whether you are simply curious about Buddhism or are looking for some spiritual nourishment, this book informs and enlightens.

Lama Surya Das skillfully explains how ancient Buddhist wisdom can help us find peace and meaning in our fast-paced American lives. He conveys the beauty and richness of Tibetan Buddhism without making it so exotic or esoteric that is becomes inapplicable to our Western lives. He also has a warm sense of humor. ("America the Buddhaful" is the title of an essay by Lama Das.).

Das weaves the fundamentals of Buddhism with the story of his own spiritual journey. Find out how a nice Jewish boy from New York (his mom calls him "The Deli Lama") transforms himself into one of the leading teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. For Das, an ex-high school jock, it's a long way from the locker room to the windswept monasteries of the Himalayas!

Lama Surya Das has combined in his book "Awakening the Budda Within", the innate understanding of Tibetan Wisdom teachings with a western mindset sensitivity. While some have voiced concern over the simplicity of the teachings themselves, and their seemingly stripped away message, placed into an American or western hipness of delivery, the jewel that is hidden within is the essence of Vajrayana Buddhism. Dzogchen itself is the awareness that all things are perfect as they are, and that each and every being is then presented innumerable times, with the opportunity to awaken to the innate perfection that is inherent within all...the Buddha Nature. Sometimes, the problem with all of us...is that we look too hard for the answers, that we seek too much, into too little, when all around us, in all things, is manifest the Buddha Fields. Lama Surya Das has presented the fundamental Buddhist teachings, which have transcended through time, from the Buddha himself, and passed through successions of teachers and holy men and women. There in fact is nothing watered down about the teachings themself, for they uphold the Four Noble Truths, and the Eight Fold Path to Enlightenment. The Buddha himself is said to only have taught one thing, suffering, as a samsaric reality, and the path to the alleviation of suffering, or nirvana. In fact Dzogchen strives to show the aspirant that both these dualities only exist in the mind, and that the mind is the key to Awakening the Buddha Within. As the Lama has stated, it takes a whole community to raise a Buddha... and this fact is self evident. Blessed be the World in which a Buddha has been born. Om mani padme hung. Hail the Jewel in the Lotus.

I'm not sure how eloquent my review will be, but I think what I have to say is important. The very best thing about this book is that it is not a downer! What I mean by that are these things:

1. It doesn't have a condescending "you are not living your life right" tone (being a "recovering catholic," that's very important to me).

2. It doesn't paint Buddhism as the pessimistic religion.

3. Everything is presented as attainable. Never once do you find yourself saying "Oh, this is ridiculous! I could NEVER do this."

Quite on the contrary, it is very much life-affirming. Every time I pick it up and read a little more (it's slightly difficult for me to take in a lot at once ... it takes me a while to digest), I come away feeling very positively about my life and its directions. Nearly everything is put into real-life terms. I was afraid I'd get into it and it'd tell me to give away all my posessions, wrap myself in a sheet and walk the earth hoping for divine intervention. Of course, I'm exaggerating to make a point, but I figure if I thought about this, others must have, as well. Rest assured, for the average joe, this book is not a "breeze" to read, but it will leave you feeling very much positive about taking control of your own future.

This is an incredibly good (the best I've come across) introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or Mantrayana). The author has also written the fine sequel "Awakening the Buddhist Heart" as well as "Awakening to the Sacred" (which I didn't like as much as the others. He's also written a book of Buddhist stories or myths entitled, "The Snow Lion's Turquoise Lament" which I didn't find all that impressive. But the book at hand is, IMHO, his best. No wonder it's a best seller Buddhist book. Since the author is a Westerner, he can describe Tibetan Buddhism (and Buddhism in general) in a simple, direct manner without using lots of Tibetan/asian mythology, assumptions, etc. It's relatively easy to pick out such things in other people's religions but not so easy to do your own. Kind of like withdrawing your projections (per both Jung and Mahamudra). Surya Das writes in an easy-to-read, engaging style that's almost sure to please the reader. And, most impressive, he doesn't claim to have all the answers. Thus, my favorite quote from this book:

p. 12 "The French writer Andre Gide once wrote, `believe those who are seeking truth. Doubt those who find it.'"

This was in addition to the Hasidic story of the Baal Shem Tov about his evaluation of a potential son-in-law. He liked that the son-in-law admitted not knowing the answers to the questions. An open mind can learn. A closed mind cannot.
So, keep an open mind about this book. It's great. You can follow it up by reading more Surya Das or by reading some of Pema Chodron's works. She also includes practical activities and meditations to help one along the path of life, whether Buddhist or not.

Like many other reviewers I have found Lama Surya Das' book a wonderful introduction to Buddhism. It gave me the inspiration, motivation and the means to bring a theoretical interest in Buddhist philosophy into my daily life. It showed me how I could give meaning to my desire for growth. In particular how I could integrate spiritual practice into my busy Western lifestyle.

The main thing in reading this book is to understand its role and purpose. It is an introduction, a stepping stone from which those interested in Buddhism can move forward. It demystifies, on a basic level, the complex concepts and ancient language that are inherent in Buddhism. It is not a substitute for more detailed scriptures and analyses, nor is it meant to be. It is certainly not a substitute for direct teachings of a qualified spiritual master, nor would Lama Das claim it to be. As a fully qualified master himself, he knows the difference.

To fully engage with Buddhism you will need instruction and guidance. You will need to develop practice as part of your life. You will need teachings and initiation from a qualified teacher. This book will not give you these things. It will however give you a thirst for these things and will provide a solid foundation for your growing understanding and practice.

It is also a wonderful source of ideas and "informal" practices for those who want to grow spiritually without necessarily taking refuge in the Three Jewels.

No-one expects to become enlightened from reading a single book, and anyone who expects this book to provide that is missing the point. If the book leads to even one person committing themselves to becoming a better person for the sake of all others, then it has done its job. The fact that it has done this for many, many people is good news for all of us.

Awakening the Buddha Within is the absolute perfect book for any one who is seeking to relieve the stress that we bring to ourselves and others by not completely taking the time to notice the world around us. Ideal for any westerner, Awakening the Buddha Within is a balanced blend of meditations, teachings, and stories from Lama Surya Das'past (which are very interesting). You don't have to be a Buddhist or even want to be a Buddhist to read this book, just someone who is looking for love and happiness. This book is a very enjoyable read and I think everyone will walk away from reading this book at least a little more satisfied with life than they were before. I know I did.

I re-read many books every few years because they often have something new to offer to me. This is one of those books that seems to grow and change with the reader. Highly recommended.