Customer Reviews

Buddhism for Busy People: Finding Happiness in an Uncertain World

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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!

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!

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.

Certainly wish that this book had been around when first introduced to Buddhism. A great introduction for any interested in the principles of Buddhism. The author has a softness, a clarity and engages one during his personal journey. A book for the pocket for quietening those busy times and helping to make sense of the real world. It really helps to imbue a sense of calm and peace in a busy world full of busy people. Certainly a book to be read at this point in our world's history. A great book I would recommend to anyone who may look for some sense of spirit in a world that is rushing too fast!

Ok, not bad, but there are much better books on this topic (for example, The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness). Although there was definitely some good stuff in this book, frankly I got a bit tired of hearing about the author's life story a few chapters into it. This seemed to be a bit more of an autobiography peppered with a slight bit of self promotion rather than what the title suggests. But, that's just my take on it, not all may agree with this assessment.

Buddhism for Busy People is a wonderful introduction into the world of Buddhism. I can't speak highly enough of this book. It is a gentle and easy introduction into buddhism. David takes you on a life changing journey. It changed my life and it is my bible. I don't mind lending most books to people but I can't part with my copy of buddhism for busy people. It is a little gem. Thank you David. I am eternally grateful to you for writing this book.

David Michie's BUDDHISM FOR BUSY PEOPLE: FINDING HAPPINESS IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD provides an easy handbook which links Tibetan Buddhism teachings to daily life, beginning with the owner's own efforts. Chapters show how life goals can be linked to spiritual exploration and cover everything from cultivating compassion to understanding memory and rebirth experiences. A top pick for both new age collections and general-interest libraries interested in accessible, easy Tibetan Buddhism texts.