In this landmark book, esteemed Buddhist teacher Sylvia Boorstein addresses this incisive question in a warm, delightful and personal way. With the same down-to-earth charm and wit that have endeared her to her many students and readers, Boorstein shows how one can be both an observant Jew and a passionately committed Buddhist.
That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Boorstein is an accomplished and respected teacher of Buddhist Insight Meditation and has also remained an observant Jew. Here she thoughtfully and clearly discusses how she resolved these two aspects of her life in a fulfilling and complementary way. (LJ 2/1/97)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Boorstein, author of It's Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness (1995), is a wonderfully commonsensical Buddhist teacher and an observant Jew. This combination of faiths is not uncommon; in fact, so many Jews are drawn to Buddhism, it is becoming a genuine spiritual movement. Rodger Kamenetz examined this phenomena in The Jew and the Lotus (1994), and now Boorstein devotes her newest book to answering the question, "How is it possible to be both a Jew and a Buddhist?" Warm and direct, she expresses her gratitude for knowing "two vocabularies" of faith: Buddhism is her "voice of understanding," and Judaism is the voice of her heart. Uneasy, at first, about this unsought "dual citizenship," Boorstein slowly realized that she became a more observant Jew because she has a meditation practice, that meditation brought her closer to her spiritual essence, which is, by birth, Jewish. Boorstein's mindful elucidation of her balance of faiths is inspiring and enriching. When it comes to spirituality, more is more. Donna Seaman
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A significant number of Westerners practicing Buddhism are Jews. What is the attraction of Buddhism? In this book, Boorstein shares how her experience of twenty years of meditation practice deepened and enriched her Judaism. Using her own story she shows how mindfulness meditation can lead to the appreciation of every moment, which imbues any religion with renewed meaning. I also recommend "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom" by Taro Gold - another great Jewish/Buddhist teacher.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The book was an enjoying, light read, but at the end of the day, I came away with the impression that the author was trying very hard to "make" Buddhist precepts fit into her Jewish spiritual practice. I found her discussion of how the "Godhead" concept gibes with Buddhist precepts somewhat confusing; there are some surface similarities between things like "Buddha-mind" and "Ayn Sof" but also doctrinal differences; truth be told Judaism in its mystical form may have more parallels with certain Hindu concepts, especially with respect to the idea of the universal and eternal soul.
I think for folks with just a passing background in Budddhist or Jewish academics or philosophy the book may present a picture of how to harmonize two belief systems in a complimentary way. But for those who scratch the surface a bit deeper, her book seems to lead to more questions than answers, and seems a bit schizophrenic at times. But as far as personal memoir goes, not bad.
For more in depth discussions of this topic, I recommend Rodger Kamenetz's books "Jew In the Lotus" or "Stalking Elijah". "Zen Rabbi" Alan Lew's book "One God Clapping" is also interesting and a bit clearer in its conclusions In addition, although he is a Catholic by birth, Dinty W. Moore's book "The Accidental Buddhist" is a very decent, funny read and probes the issues concerning religious syncretism/harmonization more thoroughly, while at the same time providing helpful info regarding his own experiences.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must say, this is a great book. Its a bit of serendipity as I read it with cynical curiosity.
Boorstein uses her own story and insights to illustrate her experience with how spiritual traditions can play off of one another and for some people become more meaningful together than either one could do for those individuals.
By recalling her memories for the reader she gives an honest and factual explication of the subject. She approaches topics with no hidden agenda. What's more her writing style - which is humorous and very readable - combines with some great tidbits from her past to make this books quite entertaining.
I hardly put this book down from the moment I began reading it. I believe, and hope, almost anyone will probably like it as much as I have.
Boorstein uses her own story and insights to illustrate her experience with how spiritual traditions can play off of one another and for some people become more meaningful together than either one could do for those individuals.
By recalling her memories for the reader she gives an honest and factual explication of the subject. She approaches topics with no hidden agenda. What's more her writing style - which is humorous and very readable - combines with some great tidbits from her past to make this books quite entertaining.
I hardly put this book down from the moment I began reading it. I believe, and hope, almost anyone will probably like it as much as I have.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
AN LSD DILETTANTE?
HER MEMORIES AND REFLECTIONS MAKE ME THINK SHE TOOK LSD AT ONE TIME AND NOW GETTING FLASHBACKS....DO YOU REMEMBER A MEETING AT A PLACE IN SOME LAKE AREA AND WHAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT TO... Read more
Published 22 days ago by shanadad
4.0 out of 5 stars
That's Funny, You are Serious
Whenever you search for categories like non-dual Judaism, Sylvia Boorstein's That's Funny, You Don't Look Jewish, keeps coming up. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Eric Maroney
2.0 out of 5 stars
Jewish Budah
Never finished it. From the bit I read it seemed rather superficial and silly. Her observations were often redundant. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Edward Olsen, M.D.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Working Too Hard To Make Buddhism and Judaism Appear Compatible
Sylvia Boorstein was raised Jewish in a loving home, in a Jewish neighborhood, in a family that was mostly non-religious. From those roots, Dr. Read more
Published on December 16, 2007 by Leonard Moskowitz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interfaith understanding appreciated
I am not a religiously observant person, but Sylvia Boorstein's negotiation of two religious paths is appreciated as a welcome example of interfaith practice. Read more
Published on September 25, 2006 by Robert L. Rose
3.0 out of 5 stars
A very personal point of combining Buddhism and Judaism
The writer tels us in her own intimacy and personal honest way how Buddhism is intergated with her born religous - Judaism and even may sometimes strengthens each other.
Published on March 25, 2006 by Yehonatan Greenberg
1.0 out of 5 stars
I learned nothing
The author does a good job expressing her difficulty in being a Jew and a Buddhist, and then tries to squeeze in a few ideas that try to bring the two together. Read more
Published on February 10, 2005 by JuDude
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good read but problematic
It's a good book in many ways but does require a certain familiarity with both religions, which can understandably put off some readers. Read more
Published on September 28, 2004 by thoughtful reader
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, deeply felt, but not very useful to me.
I both enjoyed, and was frustrated by this book. Clearly, the author has experienced a new phase in her practice by incorporating Jewish prayer elements, and by returning to... Read more
Published on June 30, 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
simple and pleasing
This was a gentle and satisfying read for me, with a good connection of the commonalities of two ancient religions. Read more
Published on January 15, 2003
Citations (learn more)
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- St.John (R.V.) by Stephen Neill on page 41
- Beyond Words: Reading and Writing in a Visual Age by John Ruszkiewicz on page 52
- It's Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness by Sylvia Boorstein in Front Matter
- Westward Dharma: Buddhism beyond Asia by Charles S. Prebish on page 177, page 302, and page 318
- Buddhism in America by Richard Hughes Seager on page 229, and Back Matter
- Buddhism in America by Richard Hughes Seager on page 229, and Back Matter
- The Buddhist Guide to New York: Where to Go, What to Do, and How to Make the Most of the Fantastic Resources in the Tri-State Area by Jeff Wilson on page 16
- Sacred Voices: Essential Women's Wisdom Through the Ages by Mary Ford-Grabowsky on page 232
See all 17 books citing this book
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