Customer Reviews

Why Lazarus Laughed: The Essential Doctrine, Zen--Advaita--Tantra

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

 

 

"Man is a river...never the same for two consecutive seconds" says Wei Wu Wei in this collection of enlightening essays. Packed with insights and encouragement, every page of this book has something to offer. Why Lazarus Laughed focuses on what Zen, Advaita, and Tantra have in common; what essential doctrines they share. This focus provides a refreshing look at the common questions that we all share as human beings and gives us the inspiration we need to continue on our own personal journey of understanding. Wei Wu Wei helps us come to terms with and accept the inherent uncertainty in our uncertain world. Anyone needing inspiration on their search towards self-discovery should be sure to read this book at least twice!

Cut to the quick! Read this and you won't need to read further. Doesn't matter whether or not you think of yourself as a student of Zen. Wei Wu Wei goes to the heart and throws it in your face so clearly that the only way you won't "get it" is if you resist. If that is the case then stop reading all together. Save your money and buy insurance. A brilliant classic!

This book is another gem from Wei Wu Wei. It is a fine collection of Zen Advaita and Tantra. It is a must have for anyone interested in the nature of THAT beyond the words or concepts.

This book is by no means for the beginner. It's a tough, somewhat dry read which goes into detailed aspects of metaphysics; however and thankfully, it isn't a technical manual which would've overshot the purpose of this book. Personally, I found Unworldly Wise a more efficient book for a beginner as this one seems more useful for the occasional dive into more detailed perspectives.

This book, "Why Lazarus Laughed," along with its sister, "Ask The Awakened," are both highly recommended to those who are seriously on the "Path" toward Self-Discovery, leading to "Enlightenment." "Enlightenment," in the sense used by WEI WU WEI, is our natural state, hidden behind an "Ego," and which is obscured by the objectification of the "I"-thought. When "you" quieten the activities of a "split-mind," that is, mind dichotomized into subject and its objects, "you" will discover "Whole Mind," (the universal sense of Presence sans the "I"-thought, which is the "Buddha-Mind," the "Original Face," the non-verbal "Beingness/non-Beingness," state, "True Nature," etc., etc.). These are synonomous terms for the "Awakened" state that W.W.W. describes so beautifully and vividly in these books. They are most commendable! Nirguna.

Not nearly as interesting as I expected. A good reading of the Tao would have led to the same insights with fewer words.