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The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path Hardcover – April 21, 2015

by Ethan Nichtern (Author), Sharon Salzberg (Foreword)

48 customer reviews

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A lively exploration of contemporary Buddhism from one of its most admired teachers

Do you feel at home right now? Or do you sense a hovering anxiety or uncertainty, an underlying unease that makes you feel just a bit uncomfortable, a bit distracted and disconnected from those around you?
In The Road Home, Ethan Nichtern, a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, investigates the journey each of us takes to find where we belong. Drawing from contemporary research on meditation and mindfulness and his experience as a Buddhist teacher and practitioner, Nichtern describes in fresh and deeply resonant terms the basic existential experience that gives rise to spiritual seeking―and also to its potentially dangerous counterpart, spiritual materialism. He reveals how our individual quests for self-awareness ripple forward into relationships, communities, and society at large. And he explains exactly how, by turning our awareness to what's happening around us and inside us, we become able to enhance our sense of connection with others and, at the same time, change for the better our individual and collective patterns of greed, apathy, and inattention.
In this wise and witty invitation to Buddhist meditation, Nichtern shows how, in order to create a truly compassionate and enlightened society, we must start with ourselves. And this means beginning by working with our own minds―in whatever state we find them in.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Ethan is the future of Buddhism.” ―Sharon Salzberg (from the foreword)

“Grounded in compassion, Nichtern's teaching offers a profound, lucid, and complex education in self-awareness, interdependence, and enlightenment.” ―Publishers Weekly

“A wise, humane, and deeply sympathetic introduction to the practice of Buddhism . . . Those wondering what Buddhism is all about will find plenty to think about in these pages, which make for a gentle and user-friendly invitation to explore further . . . Thoughtful and helpful alike.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Makes ancient Buddhist teachings and texts approachable, contemporary, and relevant . . . Valuable for readers looking for an introduction to Buddhist teachings as they relate to meditation practice or for those searching for ways to live their lives in the here and now.” ―Library Journal (Starred Review)

“A beautiful guide and invitation to a sane life. Refreshingly straightforward, accessible, skillful and kind.” ―Jack Kornfield, author of The Wise Heart

“Ethan Nichtern is as gifted and compassionate a teacher in writing as he is in person. In The Road Home, he proposes that we move past our destructive repetitive patterns not by shellacking over sadness or anger or fear with some sort of enlightened-guru positivity but by accepting them, in all their contours, as an inevitable part of what makes us human. I've dog-eared my copy so thoroughly, it's swollen to twice its normal size.” ―Maud Newton

“The Road Home potently takes traditional Buddhism and makes it beautifully accessible and relevant for today's spiritual seeker and skeptic alike. This book has the power to cure apathy in today's society, and I think the world of it.” ―Lodro Rinzler, author of The Buddha Walks into a Bar…

About the Author

Ethan Nichtern is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition and the author of One City: A Declaration of Interdependence. He is also the founder of the Interdependence Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to secular Buddhist study as it applies to transformational activism, mindful arts and media projects, and Western psychology. Nichtern has taught meditation and Buddhist studies classes and retreats across the United States since 2002. He is based in New York City.

Product details

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: North Point Press (April 21, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0374251932
ISBN-13: 978-0374251932
Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 48 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #343,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1465 in Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts (Books)
- #1860 in Buddhism (Books)

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A Great Bridge Between Old and New

August 8, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is a well written book that attempts to harmonize (and is mostly successful) traditional Buddhism with modern life, from the perspective of a Shambhala Buddhist. Nichtern uses a "commuter" metaphor to describe a sentient beings path along samsara towards enlightenment. He clearly explains and relates fundamental Buddhist concepts such as "Emptiness" and "afflictions" to modern urban relationships. The book also goes further in describing Shambhala concepts such as "windhorse"-the positive energy of emotions and "drala"-the energy of places. At times, the attempt to modernize Buddhist concepts goes a little too far.

With the five precepts, Nichtern alters the prohibition on killing to "promoting life" and the prohibition on using "intoxicating substances" to responsible use. While Nichtern's rationale is that the prohibitions are too negative and they need to portrayed in a positive light, to me, it just goes a little too Episcopalian or Presbyterian on Buddhism. The main goal of Buddhism is to promote a path by which all sentient beings can be liberated from suffering and find happiness. A major part of that is to meaningfully reflect upon the consequences of our actions. The rewording of the precepts, in my opinion, dilutes the seriousness of their significance.

However, overall, this is an excellent book and helps to bridge the gap between theory and meaningful practice. I highly recommend this book.

7 people found this helpful

Comment

March 14, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I'm not one to write many reviews on books, though I am quite the bibliophile. My reason is simply because I never feel I have the correct literary vocabulary to get my thoughts across to those who read the reviews. However, this book deserves my getting over that and letting anyone know that might be the least bit interest in this book's subject matter, to jump in with both feet. This is a joy to read. This author doesn't suffer like I do from the lack of the right words to convey his ideas and feelings and knowledge of Buddhism. I have read many, many books on the Buddha and Buddhism and all its branches and I can say that this ranks on my Top 5 list. It is comprehensive, humorous, thought-provoking, entertaining and never, ever, dry and overly academic. it is a real person writing about a marvelous philosophy for living, in real people's language. Try it. you'll like it!!

13 people found this helpful

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Jennifer Munson

A great mid-level introduction to Core Buddhist concepts.

August 4, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I teach an introduction to Buddhism class and we tried this out as the text for our class. I found that while this is not the ideal text for Someone who is coming into Buddhism and learning about it for the first time this is an outstanding book that I highly recommend to anyone. Some of the more esoteric concepts of Buddhism are explained clearly and functionally in this book. I also appreciate the care the author takes with respecting individuals who are going to explor Buddhism on a more secular versus religious basis. This book balances the needs of those who are looking for a good early mid-level introduction to core Buddhist concepts. I hope you enjoy this book. In Gassho, Jenn

5 people found this helpful

Comment

Fredrik Lyhagen

A book with the power to change your life

July 26, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Over the last 15 years I’ve discovered three books that have profoundly changed my perception of the world and how I interact with it. ‘The road home’ is the fourth. It’s an eloquent book taking the reader on an exploration of the path to inner peace and how that’s a prerequisite for sustainable and inclusive development of society.

“It’s a mark of great spiritual laziness to take the world we inherit as a given."

Ethan explains the inner road home in a contemporary context using Buddhist philosophy as a backdrop to provide terminology, depth and tools for individual and community exploration.

It’s by far the best book on Buddhism I’ve read and an excellent introduction for those new to Buddhism.

As I write this I’m hesitant to stress ‘Buddhism' to not alienate anybody not familiar with Buddhism and may perceiving Buddhism as a religious esotericism. But as Ethan writes Buddhism is the science of the mind and this book is a must read for anybody curious in understanding and harnessing the power of their mind.

Btw, the first three books are:
The User Illusion by Norretranders http://amzn.to/1U0PYK7
Confessions of an Economic Hitman by Perkins http://amzn.to/1MuLdHh
Life Inc by Rushkoff http://amzn.to/1D3j6vK

10 people found this helpful

Comment

An original, thoughtful, engaging book

July 10, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

An original, thoughtful, and engaging presentation of Buddhist wisdom in everyday language. Through the book's central metaphor of traveling "the road home," Nichtern leads us to discover what being at "home" with ourselves really means. People often ask me to recommend a book that gives them a thorough overview of the Buddhist path and is written in everyday language they can actually understand. This is that book.

4 people found this helpful

Comment

Claudia Skelton

Great potention for learning in a new area

October 7, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I am an interested novice in learning about the legacy and teachings of Buddhist leaders as I begin meditation and mindfulness practices. I found this book very engaging and inspiring, especially the personal examples from the author's life. Because the names, the terms used and some phrases were unfamiliar to me, there were parts that went slowly. In fact, I am inclined to either read it again - or perhaps listen to an audible audio edition as I believe I will gain a great deal from hearing the author's narration. I almost gave the book 4 stars because I feel that on my first reading I didn't capture all the learning. However, the potential of this book of very high. All new quality learning takes attention and sometimes multiple reads. 5 stars is because the book is worth reading and studying more. I am on the road home, with great pleasure.

2 people found this helpful

Comment

My therapist recommended this book to me

March 10, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

My therapist recommended this book to me. It's easy to read, and I find it very thought-provoking. It's exactly what I need during this transitional period of my life as I look inward for more answers. I definitely recommend it to anyone trying to simplify their outlook and increase their emotional well being.

4 people found this helpful

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