Customer Reviews

Understanding the Mind: An Explanation of the Nature and Functions of the Mind

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a book for those unafraid to look into their minds, those who seek to know what is unknowable for most people. If it isn't unknowable then it is surely never contemplated. The"mind" is shown for what it is with such clarity. Not a single nuance is overlooked...Western psychology is light years behind as it heals the splits, soothes the rips and mends the tears of existence. One sees everything one is, was and can be in the text of this compact "Wisdom" teaching.

Tremendous insight and understanding of the mind, our thoughts and how they produce the world we experience. Tedious for those who won't explore their minds and enlightening for those who will!

Understanding the Mind by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso provides spiritual practioners with an accessible, insightful, detailed "manual to the mind" where different types of minds are broken down and dissected helping the reader determine what minds are beneficial to possess and what minds are harmful.
The second half of the book is particularly helpful in showing us how to nurture positive states of mind such as faith, love, effort, and patience that are of immense benefit to ourselves and others.

Understanding the Mind is a truly wonderful book that I refer to again and again for inspiration and insight into the inner workings of the mind.

"Understanding the Mind" shows clearly the different functions and aspects of the mind. For one seeking liberation or enlightenment this book is like a treasure.

I am extremely thankful to have found this book.

This book offers an understanding about what is known in Tibetan Buddhism as Lorig - the teachings on the mind and its function.

The author in general follows the classic Tibetan Buddhist teachings on this subject although in some points he differs, and it is not clear who is the author - what is the origin Buddhist source - of the given definitions or if the definitions were made by the author himself. Especially the definition on 'faith' or 'non-faith' are rather fuzzy and not very practical. Therefore other texts should be consulted to deepen one's understanding, to verify or to refine what the author states.

The book is - like all of the author's books are - highly self-referential. This means the author suggests always his own books for further English readings and there is no bibliography of works by other authors than himself nor is there any suggestion or reference to a translated origin Buddhist text on this subject of mind and its function.

The author offers also some of his personal views which form the basis of the religious and study approach within his own organisation the New Kadampa Tradition - IKBU (also advertised nowadays by him as 'Kadampa Buddhism'). Kelsang Gyatso states on page 162:

"The practices taught by one Teacher will differ from those taught by another, and if we try to combine them we shall become confused, develop doubts, and lose direction. If we try to create a synthesis of different traditions we shall destroy the special power of each and be left only with a mishmash of our own making that will be a source of confusion and doubt. Having chosen our tradition and our daily practices we should rely upon them single-pointedly, never allowing dissatisfaction to arise. At the same time as cherishing our own tradition we should respect all other traditions and the right of each individual to follow the tradition of their choosing. This approach leads to harmony and tolerance. It is mixing different religious traditions that causes sectarianism. This is why it is said that studying non-religious subjects is less of an obstacle to our spiritual progress than studying religions of different traditions."

That "mixing different religious traditions causes sectarianism" is not tenable and the complete passage should be understood with respect to what he urges his followers to do: not to read books by other authors than him and to keep his personal school of thought 'pure' by not 'mixing' it with views or practices by other authors, not even from his own school the Gelugpas.

Books I can recommend without hesitation on that subject of mind and its function (Lorig) include:

- Mind in Buddhist Psycology: Neklace of Clear Understanding by Yeshe Gyaltsen (Tibetan Translation Series) by Yeshe Gyaltsen (Tibetan Translation Series), translated by Herbert V. Guenther
- Cutting Through Appearances by Geshe Lhundup Sopa
- Mind in Tibetan Buddhism by Lati Rinbochay
- The Mind and Its Functions by Geshe Rabten, translated by Stephen Batchelor

Although I use all of them my favourite is Mind in Buddhist Psycology: Neklace of Clear Understanding by Yeshe Gyaltsen (Ye-shes rgyal-mtshan') because it is one of the most clear and precise presentation I read and it is based on the Abhidharma, the teachings of Asanga, and Je Tsongkhapa and includes proper referenced citations, as well as charts, tables of reference, terms, index to sources cited, and general index. This book is also much used at different universities.

If you are interested in the details of the dharmic perspective of the mind and that path to enlightenment then this is a well detailed and thoroughly documented definition for any person to follow.

On a personal note:
I am currently going through this book, but one thing that sticks out is that there is no mention of the spirit. Now I have to admit that I have been born into and followed a path that has lead me to believe in the abrahamic (christian specifically) perspective, thus mind/body/spirit. So I am having a hard time incorporating the concepts in this book being that a third of my philosophy is missing, in dharma there seems to be only mind/body.

Thus, anytime I come to a point where I see the spirit involved and not accounted for, I hit a block in the content.

But notwithstanding my own personal bias, the book is well written, fairly dense and a wonderful tool to use to define the processes of the mind, so that we can regain control of the tool that is the mind.

Understanding the Mind is incredibly clear and precise. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso breaks down each mind we could possibly have, defines what it is, what its function is, and whether the mind is beneficial or not as we pursuit happiness and a spiritual path. There is no other book out there that describes in-depth the nature and function of the mind. I use it as a reference all the time because it is so helpful and inspiring. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a serious interest in learning about the inner workings of the mind from a spiritual perspective.

This section has gotten a little off topic - which was the book. I disagree that the other books listed by another reviewer are more accessible or easier than the book in question. I have tried them all, as well as FPMT courses and courses by Geshe Michael Roach (Course 13). Specific to this topic I have found the book in question to be the most approachable. If one compares it to the FPMT class the outline is the same, the presentation comes in the same order, and the words are translated into the same English words. The work by Lati Rinpoche is nearly incomprehensible for the new comer, while the book in question presents the same material from the same root text. Therefore, this book is the most accessible. As for all of the politics involved - not my concern.

What more can I say? If you want to understand how your mind creates your world as Buddha taught then this is your book. There is no clearer book on Buddhist psychology in a western language anywhere.