Buddhism for Busy People: Finding Happiness in an Uncertain World [Paperback]

David Michie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2008

What does it take to be happy? We've all asked ourselves this question at some point, but few of us have found the path to lasting fulfillment. David Michie thought he had achieved his life's goals--the high-level job, the expensive city apartment, the luxury car, the great vacations--but a small voice was telling him he wasn't really happy. A chance remark from a naturopath sent him to his local Buddhist center. There he began the most important journey of his life. In this simple but beautifully written book, David Michie opens the door to the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. With wry, self-deprecating humor, he shows us now he began to incorporate Buddhist practices into his daily life. He explains how he came to understand the difference between the temporary pleasures of ordinary life and the profound sense of well-being and heartfelt serenity that comes from connecting with our inner nature. Every once in a while you come across an extraordinary book with the power to change your life. Buddhism for Busy People is one such book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...sincere, accessible introduction...Michie employs storytelling and humor without being falsely enthusiastic or superficial." -- Shambhala Sun

"David Michie...describes [the Tibetan Buddhist] inner path to a more peaceful and rounded life." -- Spirituality and Practice

"...enjoyably practical advice on transforming our everyday thoughts and actions into a spiritual adventure." -- Venerable Tenzin Palmo, author of Reflections on a Mountain Lake

"It is an immensely readable book filled with wry, self-deprecating humor." -- Australia Post

"Michie demystifies the ancient teachings of Buddha, and writes about them with easy style. -- Australia Sunday Mail

"This guide offers the personal story of one man's journey into a more spiritual and focused life through both philosophy and action...profound." --Eastern Horizon

"An immensely easy read. Author David Michie explains Buddhist concepts and teachings in a way that is interesting and easy to digest. Michie walks the reader through difficult concepts. He skillfully distills Buddhist concepts without detracting from the essence of Buddhist texts. Buddhist stories, anecdotes, and even the author's own tips and insights are infused throughout the book. Books on religion, by and large, can be quite boring. But Buddhism for Busy People: Finding Happiness in an Uncertain World is definitely not so .... A good guidepost for those searching for meaning and happiness outside the realms of modern society." - Suite 101.com --Suite 101.com

Review

"This is an 'unashamedly personal account,' and who can resist a good confession? Poignant but entertaining, informative but not pedantic--these were among the fastest 200+ pages I ever read. If Buddhism is a 'mirror,' then Michie kindly holds it up for the reader. Here's the essence of Buddhism, and better--why it matters and how to access it."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications (May 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559392983
• ISBN-13: 978-1559392983
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Michie is the Australian-based best-selling author of 'Buddhism for Busy People' and 'Hurry Up and Meditate'. 'Buddhism for Busy People' describes David's encounter with Tibetan Buddhism, weaving an autobiographic narrative through a presentation of core concepts. In Australia it is the third most popular book on Buddhism after 'The Art of Happiness' and 'The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying'.

David's subsequent book, 'Hurry Up and Meditate', an introduction to the benefits and main types of meditation practice, is also a national best-seller. Both books have been published internationally and are being translated into a growing number of languages.

David's latest novel, 'The Magician of Lhasa', brings the profoundly life-enhancing perspectives of Tibetan Buddhism to a wider audience. The book has recently been acquired by US publisher Trapdoor Books. Previous to this he wrote three thrillers published by Time Warner Book Group UK.

David was born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, educated at Rhodes University, South Africa, and lived in London for ten years.

Visit David on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Michie/308276665884246

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be kind to all life, June 22, 2008

By 

Reader from Japan (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buddhism for Busy People: Finding Happiness in an Uncertain World (Paperback)

In "Buddhism for busy people" David Michie shares with a reader his very personal emotional experience of finding the everyday support in Buddhism teaching and meditation. The book is written in an easy to read, entertaining and such a friendly way that you can feel the author's care and honest desire to tell something very valuable that he discovered in Buddhist practices, tried for himself and found that it really works in a daily life of a busy person.

In the beginning of 20th century, the Russian philosopher G.I. Gurdjieff (as well as number of other western psychologists, including cognitive neuroscientist John Cutting for example)taught that the average person consists of many "I's". Each of them relatively unaware of the others and competing for attention.According to Mr. Gurdjieff, people are asleep, fully mechanical and their repetitive patterns rob them of the free will. For the western psychology and philosophy oriented reader it will be very interesting to read how the author addresses this "second Person "I" and the question of awakening with the help of Buddhist teaching that has been available for centuries.

Mr. Michie in his book will walk you through the hard learned Buddha's lessons and the price of success, details of meditation practices, applicable to the modern daily life of a busy individual, the law of Karma and why the bad things happen to good people. You will read author's slightly unorthodox, but very practical view on Buddhism as the box of tools that you can use to fix things in your daily life and all of this you will learn the same way as if you just sit and talk with your best friend in time you need his support.

The English language readers from the Buddhist Far East countries will be refreshed to read about the experience of a western person on his way of discovering the value of the teaching and the impact it has on his life. It is going to be awakening experience of re-valuing well-known ideas that unfortunately too often are taken for granted in the modern East. For those readers I would like to remind the words of Odaishisama in his Hannya Shingyo Hiken- "How pitiful, the children long asleep, how miserable, how painful, the mad, intoxicated people. The suffering mad ones laugh at those who are not drunk. The cruel sleepers mock the awakened. Never asking the King of Medicine for the cure, when will they see Dainichi Nyorai's light?"

The greatest value of the book I see in author's kind way of talking to you very personally on daily madness of our busy life and offering help through the Buddhist practices. The book does not speak on "levels of mind", "ultimate Dharma body", "layers of Delusion" or "stages of Samadhi" It rather gives you a hand of support from a friend to go through your daily life and feel better. Much better!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book - ignore low rated reviews, December 14, 2009

By 

Nils Victor Montan "Nils Victor Montan" (Santa Fe, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Buddhism for Busy People: Finding Happiness in an Uncertain World (Paperback)

Hi gang. I have been a practicing buddhist for nearly 30 years and I think this is a fantastic book. If I had a friend who was interested in Buddhism or who wanted to read an introductory book I would not hesitate to recommend David Michie's wonderful story. Please ignore those who gave it a low rating as I think they are coming from spaces that the average reader really won't care about. Indeed, it is exactly the interweaving of David's biography with the fundamental tenents of buddhism that make this an interresting and worthwhile read. If your high-powered or low-powered life seems unsatisfactory to you - please give this book a try!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, January 4, 2009

By 

E. Douglas (London, England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Buddhism for Busy People: Finding Happiness in an Uncertain World (Paperback)

This is a wonderfully written, humorous and thoroughly accessible book. If you would like to find out more about Buddhism and also broaden your perspective of life, Buddhism for Busy People is just the ticket.
David Michie has warmth, great energy and humanity. One of my favourite parts is his description of interdependence - before we have even got out of bed in the morning, we can be thankful for many relationships: the person who made the bolts in the bed, the person who sewed the sheets, the driver who delivered the mattress. It's a reassuring thought (we are all connected!) and a reminder to be grateful.