Customer Reviews

Transforming the Mind

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This book is based upon a series of lectures given by H.H. the Dali Lama in London in 1999. The theme of the book is the attainment of human happiness through self-understanding, introspection and, as the title states, "Trasnforming the Mind."

The theme of this book is similar to a book called "The Art of Happiness" that recounts an American psychiatrist's conversations with the Dali Lama. The analysis in this book, however, is deeper and more difficult. The Dali Lama discusses Buddhist beliefs amd doctrines as well as Tibetan texts. He presents a considerable treatment of a difficult, and fundamental Buddhist principle called "Dependent Origination." He discusses the nature of human selfhood and compares differences in various schools on this difficult topic.

The purpose of the book is humanistic and pragmatic at its core: it is to encourage the reader on a path to overcome suffering through self-understanding and reflection. He offers two broad, interlocked paths towards inner transformation: altruism, or the attempt to bring benefits and good to other people rather than thinking solely of oneself and insight into the nature of reality, to be gained by introspection.

The means by which the Dali Lama presents his teaching are at least as significant as the substance of his message. Difficult teachings are presented with the simplicity that comes only from knowledge. The Dali Lama is candid and self-effacing: he reiterates many times that he has himself no personal experience of the state of emptiness that that constitutes full realization of insight meditation. Again and again he points out that religious people of whatever denomination can find their way to peace through following their own traditions. Futher, those individuals with a secular outlook can also find peace by understanding themselves. One of the most interesting parts of the book is the question and answer sessions where the Dali Lama offers succinct and insightful answers to good questions.

I enjoyed learning about the different schools of thought within Mahayana Buddhism. The Dali Lama discusses early Buddhist thinkers of the Mahayana school, particularly Nagarjuna and Shantideva and I was pleased to learn something of what he had to say about specifically Buddhist thinkers. Also, the book includes a short Tibetan text called "Eight Verses on Transforming the Mind" and a commentary by the Dali Lama.

Some of this book is presented in a deceptively simple manner. The Dali Lama observes that "personal experience" (p.24) rather than mere book reading is required to understand the nature of consciousness and of awareness. He also encourages the reader to press on, not to become discouraged and to realize that the growth of wisdom takes lifetimes to develop, not minutes, hours, or months.

I found this book valuable both for its teachings on Buddhism and for its more general advice on attaining peace and happiness in one's life. There is much in the book of healing and hope, for secular people, for followers of non-Buddhist religions, and for people who are students of the Buddha.

If you've never read a book by the Dali Lama this is certainly an exceptional book to introduce you to the man and to the Buddhist philosophy of life. In this book the Dali Lama shares with you the writings that were most influential and inspirational in forming his philosophy of life. The book has changed how I look at, and live, my life. I highly recommend this book to both people new to Buddhist philosophy, and those seeking a deeper understanding of how to improve their lives through living a more spiritual life.

The most inspiring book by the Dalai Lama that I've read. The Dalai Lama is at his best when he talks about transforming ourselves through altruism, and the importance of following a spiritual teaching because of one's own personal investigation and analysis rather than simply following because a person is famous (blind faith). The most wonderful section was his discussion on having compassion for others and for ourselves - and his analogy that human beings (like seeds) need a lot of nurturing to truly transform.

I absolutely love this book! There is also a little companion book called "The Book of Transformation," which breaks "Transforming the Mind" down to its most integral ideas. I keep the little one at work (it's a blessing there) and the other at home.

The Dalai Lama is so completely clear in his ideas here, it is impossible not to come away with something after reading this book. He talks about learning how to generate compassion, which he feels is absolutely necessary to leading a happy life. <sigh> If only the entire world could see this wisdom and put it into action. What an amazing place this would be. HH does it again (and again, and again, and again...)

Although I am not a Buddhist, I highly recommend this for anyone interested in cultivating a deeper understanding of the power of compassion. My favorite section was the discussion of altruism -- a powerful concept for people of all faiths.

This is probably the most useful and moving book I own. The lessons are direct and easy to understand, but extraordinarily difficult to do - one of those progressive "walk the talk" kind of things where you have to face yourself and your actions with bold honesty to truly change your own mind. This is about learning to cultivate wisdom and compassion in every part of our daily lives. The word cultivate is important here -- these are things that must be fostered, weeded and tended to - a constant effort that has as its reward true peace of mind. If you buy no other "instruction" book on Buddhism, buy this one.

The Dalai Lama gives us words of wisdom:

Rely on the message not the person.
Rely on the meaning not the words.
Rely on your wisdom mind.
Rely on your deep experience.

True wisdom comes from within each one of us. We have to trust the process and be firmly grounded. This will bring us to "Nirvana" spiritual freedom.

Other books for your consideration:
Meister Eckhart, from Whom God Hid Nothing: Sermons, Writings, and Sayings by Meister Eckhart.
Compassion and Self Hate: An Alternative to Despair by Theodore I. Rubin
The Dance of Life: Weaving Sorrows And Blessings into One Joyful Step by Henri J. M. Nouwen
Heart of the Enlightened by Anthony De Mello

The teachings in this book are timeless. The Dalai Lama has a wonderfully peaceful way of sharing this wisdom and reminding us how we can free ourselves from the suffering we create with our attachments. Whether you are Buddhist, or not, the information and wisdom teachings in this book transcend religion -- all humans with a mind would benefit from reading this book. I'm not a Buddhist; but I greatly admire and deeply appreciate the wisdom, compassion, and peace at the core of these teachings.

The examples and remedies provided in this book are applicable in most lives; and the advice for transforming your mind by transforming your thoughts is critical to any path of self-realization or self-actualization. It is always refreshing to hear wise words; and this is another one of those books you can open to any page for as much wisdom as you can stand...

This is a great book for anyone who wants to look inside the heart and mind of Tibetan Buddhism as it teaches compassion and release from suffering.