An Awakened Life (Paperback)

~ Christopher Titmuss (Author) "Knowledge and theories about wisdom are like carrying books on the back of a donkey..." (more)
Key Phrases: awakened life, enlightened life, substance view, Eye of Wisdom, Tenth Man, Brad Pitt (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this simple, cogent book, former Buddhist monk Titmuss (Light on Enlightenment) gently explores why the unexamined life is not worth living. Mixing Buddhist principles with the most sensible aphorisms of popular psychology, Titmuss argues that the genuinely awakened person is, first and foremost, self-aware. Titmuss's 76 chapters are extremely brief, encompassing no more than a few pages, making the book accessible as daily meditations. Straightforward, practical advice is often beautifully mixed with Buddhist paradox; when discussing the importance of prudent speech, for example, Titmuss writes that "what is whispered in an ear is often heard a hundred miles away." Although the chapters cover themes as diverse as the sexual revolution and the importance of regular meditative reading, one motif dominates all others: the need to retrench from worldly materialism. Titmuss has harsh words for Western consumer culture, where he says individuals have more wealth and less real happiness than in any other society in history. He advocates the practice of allowing individuals to "drop out" for a while (as the Buddha once did, leaving his family and a world of luxury to seek enlightenment). To counteract the relentless selfishness of consumerism, Titmuss advocates careful self-examination through meditation, communion with nature and healthy relationships with others. (May)

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Everyday life is the theme of this collection of essays. It weaves wisdom and practicality into musings on many topics ranging from love to psychotherapy to projections. Titmuss draws on his experiences as both a teacher and student to express his love for and embodiment of the dharma. He reminds us of the rewards of exploring the internal universe and sprinkles his teachings with bits of humor such as "'my' can be thought of as a shorthand for misery." Each essay shows how the Buddha's teachings can be applied right here and now, without exception. As he notes at the end of the book, "In the depth of being, there is blessedness revealing everything. Just everything."—Inquiring Mind



"Christopher Titmuss knows of what he speaks, for his life and work embodies and articulates with great clarity this simple yet arduous path of wisdom, compassion, and human realization. I consider him to be one of my great and lifelong teachers."—Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Wherever You Go, There You Are

"In showing how the Buddha's teachings can be applied here and now in every aspect of existence, An Awakened Life brings Buddhism down to earth and into the very heart of our being human."—Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism Without Beliefs



"In An Awakened Life, Christopher Titmuss offers his incisive wisdom on a wide range of topics. He weaves together concerns of the world and the spirit in a way that helps us navigate our lives with integrity and skill."—Joseph Goldstein, author of Insight Meditation

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (May 16, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570625646
• ISBN-13: 978-1570625640
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,238,692 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "What is the cost of an unexamined life?", June 10, 2000

By	G. Merritt (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In each of his 76 insightful and, at times, confrontational meditations of AN AWAKENED LIFE, Titmuss encourages us to take "a good, hard look" at our lives, to "know ourselves," to "go deep into ourselves," as we walk "the daily treadmill," so that we may live with clarity.

Titmuss is a former Buddhist monk, and presently serves as an international boardmember of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. He offers us a book with big aspirations, addressing questions including: What is enlightenment? What is an awakened life? What does it mean to live free? What is the cost of an unexamined life? And he suggests that when read "mindfully and slowly on a regular basis" (p. 4), contemplative writing, including this book, "has the capacity to transform us" (p. 140), and to set us on the road to enlightenment.

"We must commit ourselves to living a conscious life," Titmuss writes (p. 12), by examining "the realities of our daily existence" (p. 122), by allowing things "to run deep inside our beings" (p. 140), by taking risks, by confronting suffering and death, by going "beyond our comfort zone" (p. 98), by dropping out, by experiencing a single flower, or a cloud moving through the sky, and by starting today.

I will follow Titmuss's advice, revisiting this book, reading it slowly, mindfully, and regularly.

G. Merritt

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sincere but disappointing, September 8, 2004

By	Dewdrop (Taipei Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This book was obviously written with great sincerity, so I hesitate to pan it. But I don't want people to waste their time and money, so I'll give my honest opinion.

On the positive side, Titmuss has obviously gone very deeply into Buddhist practice and has earned a high degree of spiritual accomplishment. Moreover, the basic concept of the book is good - very short essays about varied topics which express Buddhist ideas in an accessible and practical form.

Unfortunately, I found Titmuss' ideas to be very pedestrian. Few of his observations are very profound or thought provoking. There are so many wonderful books about Buddhism nowadays that there's no reason to waste time on this one. Much as I hate to say so, I would recommend that potential readers keep looking.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The man is amazing, May 21, 2001

By	Sean Hoade (Tuscaloosa, AL United States) - See all my reviews

I thought I had some original thoughts about Buddhism and identity, but in reading this, I see that Titmuss has gone farther, and more eloquently, than I ever could. Read this book and deepen your understanding.