Customer Reviews

Navajo and Tibetan Sacred Wisdom: The Circle of the Spirit

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4 star:		(3)
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This book is a somewhat difficult but enlightening comparison of navaho and tibetan world views. Mr. Gold bounces back and forth between these two views and gives a taste but does not always deliver the whole dish. His desire to unite these two worldviews frequently does not do justice to his navaho material and ends up a times confusing. I did enjoy the book for its appendices, often finding them more informative than the text. I would like to see this author write a more through book on navaho worldview. He appears to know more and understand more than he shares in this book.

Anyone who has noted the curious similarity of symbols and the unique ritual of sand paintings practiced by both Tibetan Buddhists and the Navajo people will welcome this ambitious book by Peter Gold. Going into the "nuts and bolts" detail of both religious systems, Gold scoops up copious facts, quotes, maps, photos, diagrams and drawings from both cultures and loosely organizes them into four sections: Awakening, Balancing, Centering and Becoming. Not a dry academic study, nor a new age self-help book, The Circle of the Spirit hits home the non-dualistic nature of both systems. What is lacking, or what I dearly missed, was a synthesis or summing up of why these sister cultures could or would be so much in synch despite the time and miles between them.

a must read and reread for anyone interested in Navajo and or Tibetan religious practices. A fascinating study well illustrated and the photographs add just the right grounding

An original subject and a passionating adventure through these both cultures, so far away geographically and so close spiritually. A great work with real understanding and knowledge of both spiritualities.

This book compares the similarities between Tibetian and Navaho wisdom. Interesting and compelling, and somewhat challenging to follow in a few places. Well made case!