Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart : Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism [Hardcover]

Lama Dalai (Author)

Book Description

Series: Path to Enlightenment Series | Publication Date: October 20, 1995

The second volume in the landmark Library of Tibet series, Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart examines the next step of the Path: Compassion. Based on a classic fourteenth-century Tibetan poem famous for its ability to awaken compassion in the human heart, this elegant primer combines the mind training and stages of the path traditions of Tibetan Buddhism with enduring simplicity and illuminating prose.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Enjoy the Dalai Lama's instruction for developing compassion in daily life in a coverage which draws connection between Tibetan Buddhist teachings on compassion and simple meditations about relationships. This is the second volume in a projected series designed to examine the road to spiritual enlightenment as seen by Tibetan Buddhists. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

The second volume by His Holiness the Dali Lama in the Library of Tibet series shows how to awaken compassion for others and motivates us to better our world.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco; 1 edition (October 20, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060616881
• ISBN-13: 978-0060616885
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #636,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in 1935 to a peasant family in northeastern Tibet and was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. The world's foremost Buddhist leader, he travels extensively, speaking eloquently in favor of ecumenical understanding, kindness and compassion, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars words cannot describe the power of this book, November 3, 2002

By 

Furiae (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart : Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)

The title of this book, 'Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart' is, in essence, the core topic of this book. This book is entirely dedicated on teaching us how to awaken our minds and lighten our hearts.

His Holiness's eloquence and understanding of compassion are great and vast as an ocean. I realized this while reading the book. It took me over two months' time to get to page 30, because I was determined on completely understanding and grasping the meanings of each page before I moved onto the next. I was also determined to apply each page's teachings into my life before I'd move onto the next. How wrong I was to think I would finish this book in a timely fashion.

I would read a few pages, then set the book aside and contemplate on the teachings. I'd carry His Holiness's words in my heart and my mind as I went about my day's events. I'd go back to read the book, thinking I'd pick up where I left off. While skimming through the pages I had already read, I'd stop and notice that I realized something about a paragraph. How curious, I had already read it, but suddenly it was as if I were reading it again with fresh eyes, and I'd learn yet something else. Doing this again and again, it took me two months before finishing page 30. Then I'd look back on the past few months and realize I had basically changed into a much more patient and caring person.

I started on this book a long while back, and I'm still discovering and rediscovering truths and revelations in His Holiness's simple words.

The reason I provided the small anecdote is because this book can last you a lifetime if you apply His Holiness's teachings into your life. There is a lifetime's worth of lessons to be learned from the seemingly simple exterior of his teachings.

This book basically starts us at the basics and teaches us the fundamentals of Buddhism. What is suffering? What is the cause of suffering? How do we overcome suffering? The Dalai Lama goes over the Four Noble Truths and the Three Poisons (ignorance, greed, hatred) in such a friendly, warm, simple and engaging manner that we can't help but sit there and listen. I felt as if I were a preschooler listening to my favorite teacher while reading this book, and truly, when reading this book with an open, receptive mind, you'll feel as if you're re-learning all the basics about everything. It's as if we've walked all our lives in a manner that has caused us to trip and fall constantly, and here His Holiness is giving us a guide that teaches us why we were walking incorrectly, why our previous way of walking would cause us to fall, and finally, how to practice walking correctly in a manner that won't cause us to fall and hurt ourselves.

Usually, I review books and items pretty harshly. I'll point out descrepancies, things I didn't like, etc. I'm at a loss with this book. I've been a Buddhist for my entire life and after reading this book, I realized just how far from understanding I was. Don't be fooled by the deceptive simplicity of this book. It's one thing to read something and understand it, but in trying to apply it, this book will provide a lifetime's worth of lessons, knowledge, and understanding. It's as if the closer you come to accepting what the Dalai Lama always teaches -- compassion -- the more understanding you gain from the book that perhaps you never saw there before.

This is a book, I feel, that anybody can read. All it does is offer insight into suffering, what causes us to suffer, and how we overcome suffering. It's not about His Holiness preaching on and on about the Dharma. It's about him taking the best of the Dharma and bringing it to you in a very reader-friendly format, coupled with his own explanations.

I couldn't think of anything better.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle Teachings, June 4, 2000

By 

"sampups" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart : Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)

I have been reading the book each day,it has become so well worn I decided to buy another.The concise step-by-step information appealed to me. The book is well written, illustrating a clear path to enlightenment through wisdom and compassion. The simple steps guide the reader to an easy understanding of the peace and beauty of a compassionate life. I was drawn to discovering more about Tibetan Buddhism after reading "some of the dharma" by Jack Kerouac. In contrast, this book by the Dalai Lama compelling in its advice about the importance of disciplining the mind. Kerouac struggled with these issues, and may have found some measure of comfort had he had this book available to him.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars empowered; plan to read it again, August 23, 1998

By 

Nancy C. Lintner "nlintner" (Oxford, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart : Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)

The teachings and the wisdom written by His Holiness is incredible. I regret not knowing his teachings during childhood. The book is an easy read and quite powerful. I shall meditate each day in hopes of following His teachings. I have passed it along to a good friend and am looking forward to reading it again.