Ever since I read Heinrich Harrer's "Seven Years in Tibet" six years, then the later "Return to Tibet" by the same author, I was hooked to Tibet, the Tibetan people, the Tibetan land, the Tibetan mountains, the Tibetan monasteries, everything Tibetan. I have cultivated an unspeakable tie to this unique land and its people. I began screening movies such as Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet. I have imagined and pictured Tibet according to Harrer's lively and mindful description during his residence in Lhasa. "The Spirit of Tibet" graciously allows me, for the very first time, to see Tibet unveiling its mysterious yet solemn beauty. A few other readers have complimented on the artistics and aesthetics of this collection. The collection really touches me because it communicates an unfailing passion. After the Chinese invasion in 1950, it is the Tibetan spirit and passion that sustain and unite the country and its people. When you look through the pictures, try to look into the Tibetans' eyes. Behind these eyes you will free yourself from the ordinary and see their life struggles, one and one, rooted deep in their mind and soul.

As a photographer and teacher of the photo arts it is easy to realize the quality of capturing the humanity of the people in this beautiful book. Alison Wright has done an excellent job. Place this in you home so that the tragedy that has been inflicted on the Tibetan people by the brutal and ruthless government of China is not forgotten.

Additional reads on the subject should include Tears of Blood / A Cry For Tibet by Mary Craig and for those who like their history in the style of Hollywood check out Kun Dun by Martin Scorcese, 7 years in Tibet, and Little Budda.

This book will move you to write your elected officials and ask them to support policies that will get China out of Tibet. You may also want to visit the official website for the Government of Tibet in Exile.

This book is beautifully shot by a truly skilled photographer -- a must have for anyone with an interest in photography or of the people of Tibet.

This book gets you through your day and your life better. May you find your way to enlightenment. Get Buddha in Daily Life.

When I got this book, I thought it a little boring. I like histories, not words of wisdom. But through the days, as I read it, I could see how it would help me. So, every time I am sad, or when I am too nervous, I like to read it and forget everything. It is very beautiful, and coming from a so learned man, it is a promise of a good book. Read it with your eyes closed and even so, you'll feel the power of Dalai Lama's words. (I don't know English so much as that, so please, sorry)

The daily wisdoms of the Dalai Lama have inspired me each morning . The last thing I do before heading out the door is read my wisdom for the day. It has inspired me, made me think before I act and, most important, made me think about how and why others act. This is the first book by the Dalai Lama I have owned. I am so inspired by it that I have given it as gifts to my friends. His Holiness has such insight and is an inspiration to read. I reccommend this book to everyone, religous or not, as I believe we all need a positive thought to begin our day.

This book means so much to me. It has changed my outlook on life, and has given me a lot of comfort. I was raised Baptist and maintain a lot of the Christian values. Mahayana Buddhist values fit quite nicely. I have found a new kind of happiness and learned, or at least I try, to appreciate every experience in my life, whether it is painful or not. I know this sounds cliche, but this book has changed my life, and I think anyone with an open mind will find comfort from the verses within this text.

Although being a good translation of the Bodhicaryavatara, my impression is that this English translation lacks behind the one from Kate Crosby and Andrew Skilton. The reason is that the authors have tried to provide a more poetic version of the text, to the detriment of the accuracy in meaning. Although such an intent is laudable, the result is mitigated. The problem comes from the language with its too different cultural roots, English appears difficult for allowing a poetic translation of a text of this nature. For exanple, the French translation from Louis Finot achieves accuracy and poetry at the same time.

Nevertheless, the translation is still very good, and the comments are sufficiently detailed for the reader to grasp all the substance from this wonderful text.

Shatideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life is a very practical guide for those seeking to actualize the six perfections of Buddhism. It is a book that will reward your study over and over again, and is meant to be read and studied more than once. I have read three different translations of this work. The Shambala edition is the most poetic of the three and what it gains in poetry it slightly looses in meaning. My first choice is the version published by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. That is not to slight the Shambala edition though, for it merely presents another view of an immense landscape. If you have any interest in Buddhism and have some background in basic Buddhist ideas, read this book, and try your best to put it into practice.

Thanks so much for this excellent book. It is one of the best books about the practice of this Way on WHOLE day. I don't practice Dzogchen but it is easy to see that the quality of teachings of this book are superior. One of the best books of practical Buddhism that I have read.

The simple way to expose the deepest matters and the humility and high knowledge shows the great level of practice of the author and the importance of this Tibetan school. Helpful to any Buddha follower. Excellent purchase. Recommended 100%.

This is one of the best books I have ever read on Tibetan culture and religion. It is clear and concise. It is extremely informative, revealing practices that have been kept secret, for some unknown reason, for centuries. A great book!

Recently, in the West, a number of books have appeared on the subject of Dzog Chen. This is the first book to describe the Bon-Po point of view of these high teachings. This pleases me greatly. They are derived from the Zhang Zhung Nyan Gyud, which is the most essential within the Bon-Po Dzog Chen.

Lama Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche has been trained in this lineage since he was fourteen by the Venerable Lopon Sangye Tenzin and the Venerable Lopon Tenzin Namdak. From the early days on, he has shown a special gift when it comes to these meditations.

The book is written in clear and concise English. This is particularly important as the teachings are very elaborate and at times hard to understand. The simple language used clarifies tremendously. The authentic descriptions of Dzog Chen give the serious student ample material to practice Dzog Chen.

This book doesn't include stories; it explains the quintessential aspects of Dzog Chen. In other words, it gets right to the point. Especially the chapters such as the ones on Contemplation and Integration. I highly recommend this book to any serious student of these high teachings.

The title of this book, 'Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart' is, in essence, the core topic of this book. This book is entirely dedicated on teaching us how to awaken our minds and lighten our hearts.

His Holiness's eloquence and understanding of compassion are great and vast as an ocean. I realized this while reading the book. It took me over two months' time to get to page 30, because I was determined on completely understanding and grasping the meanings of each page before I moved onto the next. I was also determined to apply each page's teachings into my life before I'd move onto the next. How wrong I was to think I would finish this book in a timely fashion.

I would read a few pages, then set the book aside and contemplate on the teachings. I'd carry His Holiness's words in my heart and my mind as I went about my day's events. I'd go back to read the book, thinking I'd pick up where I left off. While skimming through the pages I had already read, I'd stop and notice that I realized something about a paragraph. How curious, I had already read it, but suddenly it was as if I were reading it again with fresh eyes, and I'd learn yet something else. Doing this again and again, it took me two months before finishing page 30. Then I'd look back on the past few months and realize I had basically changed into a much more patient and caring person.

I started on this book a long while back, and I'm still discovering and rediscovering truths and revelations in His Holiness's simple words.

The reason I provided the small anecdote is because this book can last you a lifetime if you apply His Holiness's teachings into your life. There is a lifetime's worth of lessons to be learned from the seemingly simple exterior of his teachings.

This book basically starts us at the basics and teaches us the fundamentals of Buddhism. What is suffering? What is the cause of suffering? How do we overcome suffering? The Dalai Lama goes over the Four Noble Truths and the Three Poisons (ignorance, greed, hatred) in such a friendly, warm, simple and engaging manner that we can't help but sit there and listen. I felt as if I were a preschooler listening to my favorite teacher while reading this book, and truly, when reading this book with an open, receptive mind, you'll feel as if you're re-learning all the basics about everything. It's as if we've walked all our lives in a manner that has caused us to trip and fall constantly, and here His Holiness is giving us a guide that teaches us why we were walking incorrectly, why our previous way of walking would cause us to fall, and finally, how to practice walking correctly in a manner that won't cause us to fall and hurt ourselves.

Usually, I review books and items pretty harshly. I'll point out descrepancies, things I didn't like, etc. I'm at a loss with this book. I've been a Buddhist for my entire life and after reading this book, I realized just how far from understanding I was. Don't be fooled by the deceptive simplicity of this book. It's one thing to read something and understand it, but in trying to apply it, this book will provide a lifetime's worth of lessons, knowledge, and understanding. It's as if the closer you come to accepting what the Dalai Lama always teaches -- compassion -- the more understanding you gain from the book that perhaps you never saw there before.

This is a book, I feel, that anybody can read. All it does is offer insight into suffering, what causes us to suffer, and how we overcome suffering. It's not about His Holiness preaching on and on about the Dharma. It's about him taking the best of the Dharma and bringing it to you in a very reader-friendly format, coupled with his own explanations.

I couldn't think of anything better.

I have been reading the book each day,it has become so well worn I decided to buy another.The concise step-by-step information appealed to me. The book is well written, illustrating a clear path to enlightenment through wisdom and compassion. The simple steps guide the reader to an easy understanding of the peace and beauty of a compassionate life. I was drawn to discovering more about Tibetan Buddhism after reading "some of the dharma" by Jack Kerouac. In contrast, this book by the Dalai Lama compelling in its advice about the importance of disciplining the mind. Kerouac struggled with these issues, and may have found some measure of comfort had he had this book available to him.

The teachings and the wisdom written by His Holiness is incredible. I regret not knowing his teachings during childhood. The book is an easy read and quite powerful. I shall meditate each day in hopes of following His teachings. I have passed it along to a good friend and am looking forward to reading it again.

I have so enjoyed this book! The author gives a clear description of basic Buddhist philosophy in the first 5 chapters, including an inspired interpretation of a natal chart for the Buddha. Then he describes each of the 12 Houses and gives lively descriptions of the meaning associated with the moon, sun and planets. I took out my own chart to learn more about my own natal chart. The only negative criticism I have is that the book nowhere gives the symbols for the planets so I had difficulty reading my chart.
The book ends with a delightful biography of the author who, though born a Canadian, became a Buddhist monk , lived in Dharmsala,was taught by the Dalai Lama,did a 3 year retreat in a mountian cave and after 13 years was given permission by the Dalai Lama to give up his ordination and teach Buddhism in the West. His description of this life is fascinating.
There is a glossary of Buddhist terms,a bibliography.and an index - all things a good book needs!

The introduction to Buddhist thought and philosophy is worth the price of this book. The astrological interpretations, given from this Buddhist perspective, offer peace and tranquility in the face of stormy life-situations and inner turmoil. The message which permeates these pages is: you are not mortal; your true being is one with life, not at odds with life. Buddhist Astrology--the book and the approach--pierces through the veil of an illusional mortality. Astrological consultations, whether through a personal astrologer or through a well-written book, ought to bring hope, peace, comfort to the seeker. These things are to be found here.

This interpretation of astrology chart readings from a Buddhist point of view is very interesting and insightful. Buddhist philosophy and application to daily living and understanding how the underlying influences of astrology affect us was most thought provoking. I really enjoyed this book and felt that I learned practical applications from it to use in my own attitude towards self, others and understanding samsara.

Everyone I've recommended this book to has loved it. It will either be an introduction of new ideas that are pleasant to think about or a conformation of thoughts the reader already has worded in a way that makes them more accessable. The list of writers contains many sparkling souls. Anyone can read this without being offended, and everyone should read it at least once.

The book's premise is that buddhism is the perfect religion for an eco-centric based society & culture. It does very well in proving the compatibility and similarities between buddhism & ecology. The section on shifting views of perception is highly enlightening. The variety in this book is amazing, there are over 30 contributors. Books like this one, in which the book is merely a collection of essays on the same topic are great because you can read it in one sitting, or read an essay at a time. As you finish the last essay of the book, you will never see Smokey the Bear in the same light again, now there's a teaser!. But seriously folks, this book is great.

Dharma Gaia is a collection of essays offering different perspectives on human/Gaia interaction. These perspectives tie in with Buddhist philosophies to offer readers a sane and well reasoned spiritual approach to ecology. Short introduction by the Dalai Lama, essays and some poetry.

I'm amazed this book is out of print!! I agree with comments of other readers. A wonderful book, with an abundance of simple techniques to help in developing focus, discipline, serenity. My copy is also dog-eared and I find myself re-reading chapters to ingrain messages. The Levey's are more accessible to me than some other authors in this genre (eg. Dyer, Williamson). Just a great book!!! Thank you, Joel and Michelle.

Not being a "new-age" type of person, I was cautious when I first heard about Joel and Michelle's work -- then I was fortunate enough to get to work with them personally. Wow. They approach everything from a scientific perspective, explaining the effects breathing has on the body, how meditation affects brainwaves (and how you can control them!), and demonstrating techniques on expanding awareness that really work. Some of the Leveys' teachings seem so obvious in retrospect that one has to wonder how we move about daily without tripping on them. I recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their awareness (and thus, choices and control) of their own lives, manage stress, expand their potential, and live in a more balanced manner with the crazy world around us.

I too found this to be a great book and, after reading a library copy, bought it for myself. After losing nearly all of my family, I was undergoing counseling for stress, anxiety and depression and trying to select a future direction for my life. In just the first few chapters, the Leveys showed me that even though I thought I no longer had any support in my life, I am actually blessed with a wonderful, supportive network of friends and business associates -- and then went on to show me how to improve the supportive relationships which are already in my life and gain new ones. This book has brought me peace and comfort. If life's stresses have caused you to temporarily lose your way, this book can guide you back and bring your life back into balance.