Book Description
In nineteenth-century Vienna, a drama of love, fate, and will is played out amid the intellectual ferment that defined the era. Josef Breuer, one of the founding fathers of psychoanalysis, is at the height of his career. Friedrich Nietzsche, Europe's greatest philosopher, is on the brink of suicidal despair, unable to find a cure for the headaches and other ailments that plague him.
When he agrees to treat Nietzsche with his experimental "talking cure," Breuer never expects that he too will find solace in their sessions. Only through facing his own inner demons can the gifted healer begin to help his patient. In
When Nietzsche Wept, Irvin Yalom blends fact and fiction, atmosphere and suspense, to unfold an unforgettable story about the redemptive power of friendship.
Customer Reviews:
A Fine Example of a Modern Philosophical Novel.......2007-07-15
Beautifully written, "When Nietzsche Wept" succeeds both as a novel and as a vehicle for presenting philosophical ideas. The first part of the book focuses primarily on the story itself, one that connects the lives of Freud and Nietzsche with the help of a physician who mentored a young Dr. Freud and treated a neurotic Professor Nietzsche. As this beautifully written tale continued, however, I focused more and more on Yalom's ideas -- the eternal significance of each moment of life, the paradoxical centrality of both fate and free will, and the need for even the most private among us to overcome loneliness.
Prior to reading this book, I had read nearly everything that Nietzsche wrote, and yet "When Nietzsche Wept" helped me appreciate the great philosopher even more. While much of what Yalom says about Nietzsche is obviously fictional, the fiction is realistic (for the most part), and Yalom's Nietzsche truly comes alive.
My hat goes off to Yalom for figuring out a way to write an entertaining and enlightening story that builds on his own professional experience as a practicing psychiatrist. Reading this book, you can't help but appreciate how various strands of the author's life came together to produce a compelling work of literature.
Provocative and thoughtful.......2007-06-30
this is the first novel of yalom's that i have read, and, like his field works, it does not disappoint. this book is appealing in so many ways. first, it's a great fictional read for those of us who read so many professional psychological resources. that is, it's a book that serves as an escape from textbook sort of study but stays enough in the field to maintain your attention and interest. it also encourages you to consider various personal and professional aspects. just reading about two of the greats in a hypothetical yet not too unrealistic setting is enjoyable. the book also provides an interesting--albeit somewhat exaggerated in some instances--metaphor for the therapy relationship. as a therapist, it is a reminder of how much we learn about ourselves both personally and professionally from the work we do and the people with whom we work. yalom's existentialism is certainly in the book, which is always a treat, but he also incorporates other schools of psychological thought and perspective. the book is very thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating with some interesting twists. this is a great book for a book club or other discussion, namely because it invites so many different interpretations and perspectives. my only regret is that freud's character was not more developed. that, however, could be a book unto itself.
Very enjoyable.......2007-04-07
I have recommended this book to numerous people and everyone has loved it. If you like playing with conflicting ideas and thinking about what is important in life, this is recommended.
One of the best novels of ideas that I have ever read.......2007-04-01
When Nietzsche Wept is particularly moving and insightful novel of ideas. It will appeal to anyone interested in asking themselves questions about freedom, responsibility, and change in the format of a lively story, carefully imagined.
oh, please.......2007-02-20
As a practicing psychotherapist I was appalled by this book. The characters were one dimensional, the "therapy" demonstrated was simplistic, narcissitic and arrogant, and the writing just wasn't that good.
Book Description
Second in the sizzling supernatural trilogy from the USA Today bestselling author.
In an adult theme park, the Castle of Dark Dreams is home to three powerful brothers-each with a special gift for the woman bold enough to live out her secret fantasies.
Customer Reviews:
Haven't laughed this hard in a long time=).......2007-04-11
This book is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time! Only down side was I already bought this book when it came out earlier with a different cover...OPPS. It is still worth it because I'm sure when I lend it out one of the copies won't come back, that always happens with the best ones.
cute.......2007-04-10
It wasn't exactly what I expected from Nina Bangs. Normally her novels let off steam as the page turns, but this one was quite innocent and sweet. Of course you have the Trouble Makers attempting to . . .well . . .make trouble. And of course, they are always talking about sex and dressing sexy. Yet, the main character was quite upright and goody-two-shoes. The hero wasn't exactly a let's jump into bed type, either. Neither would you be if you spent the last 500 years screwing every women you spent more than an hour with.
I think Bangs could have done something with the visiting relatives--at least more than she did. The fact that they want to kill everything in sight could have led to some chuckles, instead she makes the visiting sister a nonentity throughout the novel. Overall, I was hoping for better and more.
Wicked Pleasure.......2007-02-08
I was very excited to see this book due out on 2/6/07. It has been so long since the author published a book and I was eager to get on with the trilogy - but - BEWARE!!! This is a RE-RELEASE of the second book in the trilogy which came out in May 2006. It just has a new cover and is in the smaller, more traditional format. It was very disappointing to get the book home and discover this. We have to wait until May 2007 for book 3.
If you haven't yet read it, go for it. It is a great read.
Interesting read.......2006-07-26
This story was interesting. It wasn't the 'page turner'that I had expected. Previous reviews were really great. It wasn't as steamy as other reviews made it out to be. It was too odd for my taste, too. I didn't really enjoy reading about a cosmic trouble maker that owns a candy store, telepathic cats and demon dectectors that have human desires. I'd read this story because there was a Castle of Dark Dreams story in the Men at Work book was really steamy. I had thought that this one would be similar but it didn't live up to my expectations
wicked pleasure.......2006-07-17
I think Nina Bangs is a very creative and interesting author. She has such a wonderful imagination, and gives new meaning to the term "think outside of the box". I believe the reader will either enjoy Nina Bangs writing style, or find it silly. But, one thing for sure is, her characters are fresh and unique and never boring. If you like your paranormal romances more serious, then I would not recommend this book. But, for a light fun read for the weekend, then go for it!
Customer Reviews:
Another great read by Penny!.......2006-03-20
The book is wonderful. I couldn't put it down. The plot keeps you turning pages for hours. I highly recommend it. I've read many of her books, and while some are better than others, this one is among the great ones she's written.
Book Description
Night Elves - Wicked Pleasures By Nelissa Donovan Book 1 in the Night Elves series
Selena DeLaPava is just out for a little fun at her best friend's grad party. But 'fun' can't quite describe how terribly wrong the night goes. One minute she's gyrating in a circle of body-painted ancient history grads, and the next she's flat on her back, buck naked, under a bright summer sun with an equally nude golden god looming over her—commanding her to pleasure herself, and she is compelled to obey.
Serosen Isil-Gan, high prince of the Night Elves, finds her—deliciously naked, and fully enchanted by his licentious cousin. Knowing that it is forbidden to bring humans to Tir na n-Og, Serosen liberates the maid, only to realize too late, that there is much more to the lusty Terran than meets the eye…
Customer Reviews:
Erotic pleasures.......2005-12-27
Ms. Donovan has created a world where the characters come alive and are so vivid, as if you could reach out and touch them. You feel as if you are actually living the story from the hero and heroine's point of view--or at least you wish you were! An erotic read, this one's a keeper.
Book Description
The seven deadly sins have provided gossip, amusement, and the plots of morality plays for nearly fifteen hundred years. In Wicked Pleasures, well-known philosopher, business ethicist, and admitted sinner Robert C. Solomon brings together a varied g
Customer Reviews:
worth it for greed essay alone.......2001-11-18
Most of this book isn't terribly compelling: I think in their (admirable) quests to avoid religiosity, the authors' ideas tend to be pretty thin. But James Ogilvy's essay on greed is really worth reading: a thoughtful way of approaching the place of desire in our lives, which acknowledges that the outer boundaries of desire head into greed.
"You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough", sez Wm. Blake, and that might be a good overview of the point of the essay....
Makes You Think..........2001-09-26
The authors of those passages made me think deeper into the so-called-sins and about the most-probable history that sins were not bad in God's eyes. But merely man-made ideas planted into history to make themselves feel more powerful. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Give it a try.
Wicked Pleasures turned my notions of vice/versa........1999-04-30
I am enjoying some of the seven deadly sins more but questioning what I once thought of as my virtues. Thanks, Robert Solomon, I needed that.
Well written. Well edited. A pleasure to read........1999-04-28
Wicked Pleasures is a collection of well-informed, sometimes irreverant essays that reflect upon the so-called seven deadly sins-- lust, anger, envy, gluttony, greed, pride, sloth-- and in that process explain the hold they have on the moral imagination of Western Christendom for a millennium. Well written. Well edited. A pleasure to read.
Average customer rating:
- It was interesting reading the contrast of two countries.
- A real page turner - could not put it down!
- Excellent
- Fantastic and intriguing
|
Wicked Pleasures
Penny Vincenzi
Manufacturer: Orion Publishing Group, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | British | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Family Saga | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
Old Sins
-
Windfall
-
Another Woman
-
Almost a Crime
-
An Outrageous Affair
ASIN: 1857979982 |
Book Description
A contemporary saga of two dynasties who find themselves helplessly entwined when a brother and two sisters discover that they all have different fathers: none of them Alexander, Earl of Caterham, who was married to their mother for almost twenty years. The discovery of this lie at the heart of the family sets in motion a chain of events which will change their privileged lives forever, bring to the brink of ruin the great family banking business on which their fortunes are based, and awaked some very dangerous and conflicting ambitions...
Customer Reviews:
It was interesting reading the contrast of two countries........1999-04-28
Like all of Penny Vincenzi's books this was another page turner and I love all the twists and turns she injects into her stories. I found this one was one of her best because of the changing storyline that had us following the American Side of the family in One Chapter and then over to the completly different way of life of the English wealthy family. I love the fact she writes nice long novels and this one didn't dissappoint and it was interesting to read about the English side of banking and then compare the American way. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes family sagas and a book with lots of twists and turns. I am looking forward to reading more of Penny!
A real page turner - could not put it down!.......1998-08-24
I found this book in a used book store and I could not put it down once I started it. I cannot find any of here books in the city I live in now. Is she still writing?
Excellent.......1998-06-21
This book combines "edge-of-the-seat" thrilling plotlines (to keep you turning the pages) with brilliant observations on human nature and the worlds of american banking and english aristocratic society. However, it is the superbly shocking revellations suddenly materialising on the pages when you least expect them which prove Penny Vincenzi to be a powerful force in modern literature. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Fantastic and intriguing.......1997-11-27
This book follows one family and their unique twists of fate. A woman who has three children by different man, but in love with her husband, a man so obsessed with his title and home, that he will do anything to protect it..... Rich and privileged, but all haunted by some unhappiness. A really good, if not long, book. I really enjoyed "Wicked Pleasures" and I'll be back for more Penny Vincenzi books.
Book Description
Noble Dreams, Wicked Pleasures explores complex American attitudes toward the Near East--as revealed in collected paintings, interior design, and multiple vernacular forms--at the formative moment of industrialization and the crystallization of a truly mass culture. Published to coincide with the multimedia exhibition that opens at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute and travels to the Walters Art Gallery and the Mint Museum of Art, this catalogue considers how urban, mercantile, Protestant America represented the Islamic world of the Middle East and North Africa in ways that say more about itself than the foreign culture.
This gorgeously illustrated volume first looks at the use of Orientalist stereotypes by some of the country's most important high art painters of the nineteenth century: Frederic Edwin Church's treatment of the exotic terrain through a lens of deep religiosity; a more cosmopolitan reading of the harem girl by John Singer Sargent; the perfumed alternative to industrial capitalism conjured in the landscapes and market scenes of Samuel Colman and Louis Comfort Tiffany; and interpretations of the Orient as emancipatory by Ella Pell, the only major woman Orientalist. The book next traces the popularization of Orientalism in the decorative arts (including a few treasures from Olana, Church's Moorish-style home on the Hudson), on Broadway, and in Hollywood, as well as through advertising that linked consumer products with visual suggestions of exotic sexuality and through cultural objects, such as the Shriners' fez.
The generous color plates show both an innocent romanticization of the Orient and a darker, heavily eroticized version of Oriental "otherness." An excellent chronology and bibliography, in addition to expert essays by both Americanists and Islamicists, give context to absorbing images. Though a perfect companion for visitors to the exhibition, Noble Dreams, Wicked Pleasures is also for anyone seeking an uncommon take on the development of American self-understanding.
Exhibition Schedule:
The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute
Williamstown, Massachusetts
June 11-September 4, 2000
The Walters Art Gallery
Baltimore, Maryland
October 1-December 10, 2000
The Mint Museum of Art
Charlotte, North Carolina
February 3-April 22, 2001
Book Description
Vastly powerful and influential, the Stantons were the pinnacle of New York's high society . . . .
They were the very embodiment of discretion, secrecy, and above all, honor and good manners. And in their midst, golden girl Lara Victoria Stanton grew up lovingly spoiled: indulged and adored by her father and brothers, organized by her mother like a favorite charity to one day assume her role as grande dame of American high society.
But the men who were drawn into her family's powerful orbit would open up a world to Lara of insatiable desires, rapturous ecstasy, and sometimes heartbreaking torment. And the more Lara spent her days posing as a highly respectable daughter, the more she yearned for the coming of night, when forbidden pleasures sated her secret hungers, when her quest to go deeper into her own dark desires could continue. Yet for all her extraordinary lovers, Lara found she was still looking for the one great passion that would fulfill her emotionally, physically, and forever . . . .
Average customer rating:
|
Wicked Pleasures
Penny Vincenzi
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Classics | Comic | Contemporary | Literary
ASIN: B000MJPJA0 |
Average customer rating:
|
Wicked Pleasures (Harlequin Historical Series)
Helen Dickson
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Harlequin Historicals | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0373294735 |
Book Description
Wicked schemes are afoot at Westwood Hall this Christmas. And lovely, innocent Adeline Osbourne will be ensnared by dark, dashing Grant Leighton and a scandalous assignation.…
Betrothed against her will, Adeline had been resigned to a loveless marriage. At the mercy of her father's wishes, she had lost all hope of experiencing what life really had to offer.
But now a scandal has altered her destiny! Adeline secretly thanks the festive season for working its magic—promising pleasures long denied her.…
Average customer rating:
- Excellent Product & Prompt Delivery
- not just fluff
- This is the funniest story I've ever read
- great book
- Giant veggies! Aaah!
|
June 29, 1999
David Wiesner
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Humorous
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Fiction
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Wiesner, David
| ( W )
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General & Reference
| Technology
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
( W )
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
| Wells, Rosemary
| Wick, Walter
| Wilder, Laura Ingalls
| Williams, Garth
| Wood, Audrey & Don
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Humorous
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Fiction
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General & Reference
| Technology
| Science
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Tuesday
-
Sector 7 (Caldecott Honor Book)
-
Free Fall
-
Hurricane
-
Flotsam (Caldecott Medal Book)
ASIN: 0395727677 |
Amazon.com
If you liked David Wiesner's surrealistic 1992 Caldecott Medalist Tuesday, then June 29, 1999 will send your spirits soaring like a frog on a flying lily pad. This wacky Wiesner creation chronicles an astonishing cross-country phenomenon on June 29, 1999. About a month earlier, on May 11, 1999, young Holly Evans launches vegetable seedlings into the sky from her home in Ho-ho-kus, New Jersey--on seed flats with Acme weather balloons. She expects the plants to stay aloft for a few weeks, allowing her to study the effects of extraterrestrial conditions on their growth and development.
On June 29, 1999, curious things start to happen all over America. A hiker in Montana finds giant turnips in the Rocky Mountains. "Cucumbers circle Kalamazoo. Lima beans loom over Levittown. Artichokes advance on Anchorage." TV news channels announce that arugula has covered Ashtabula, which puzzles Holly, because arugula is not part of her experiment. In fact, she is forced to conclude that none of the enlarged specimen sightings are a result of her initial seedling launch. Where did the giant vegetables come from then? Wiesner waits until the last pages to deliver the punch line. Throughout the book, his visual humor interplays perfectly with the sophisticated though minimal text. (A Mount Rushmore-like scene reveals the faces of Reagan, Bush, Nixon, and Carter carved out of giant potatoes with the caption "Potatoland is wisely abandoned.") This beautifully composed ode to absurdity makes us all wish we really could see parsnips over Providence. Awards and other recognition: 1993 ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal Best Books of 1992, Fanfare 1993: Horn Book's Outstanding Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly 50 Best Books of 1992, New York Times Notable Books of the Year 1992. (Ages 5 and older) --Karin Snelson
Book Description
The lively imagination of Caldecott medalist David Wiesner forecasts astounding goings-on for a Tuesday in the not too distant future -- an occurrence of gigantic vegetal proportions.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Product & Prompt Delivery.......2007-09-15
This item was exactly as described in the item description. It was in the original packaging and is in excellent condition. I am very satisfied and I highly recommend this seller and product to everyone. This is an excellent book by an excellent author!
not just fluff.......2007-07-27
David Wiesner books are imaginative and thought provoking. Each of my boys (7 & 4) enjoys them in different ways. We have fun talking about the pictures and making up story lines.
This is the funniest story I've ever read.......2007-05-04
In the story June 29, 1999 Holly experiments with making plants grow in outer space. Then one day she goes to school and shows her class her experiment. The class is speechless. Then on June 29, 1999 a hiker goes on a hike and sees giant turnips. In Ottumwa Tony Kramer thinks he grows the giant lettuce. Then on TV Holly was shocked at what she saw. One night Holly was wondering who sent the giant vegetables down. Do you know who sent the giant vegetables to earth? You might be surprised. I think that the story was great and it was funny at the end once you know who sent the giant vegetables.
great book.......2005-01-13
I have read this book to my son, who is 4 years old, several times. He loved it. The cover of the book was not very appealing for him at first. But, the story was very interesting and he loved the pictures inside the book. I would definetely recommend it to everyone. It is an imaginative and fun book...
Giant veggies! Aaah!.......2002-09-22
This is a great idea for a story that worked quite well. The pictures are lovely to look at too. I loved the ending. There are so many children's books out there of varying quality, so I was pleased to come across this little gem.
Book Description
The 7th and the 8th Asian Logic Conferences belong to the series of logic conferences inaugurated in Singapore in 1981. This meeting is held once every three years and rotates among countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with interests in the broad area of logic, including theoretical computer science. It is now considered a major conference in this field and is regularly sponsored by the Association for Symbolic Logic.
This book contains papers — many of them surveys by leading experts — of both the 7th meeting (in Hsi-Tou, Taiwan) and the 8th (in Chongqing, China). The volume planned for the 7th meeting was interrupted by the earthquake in Taiwan and the decision was made to combine the two proceedings. The 8th conference is also the ICM2002 Satellite Conference on Mathematical Logic.
Average customer rating:
|
Structural Change in the Farming Sectors in Central and Eastern Europe: Lessons for Eu Accession-Second World Bank/Fao Workshop, June 27-29, 1999 (World Bank Technical Paper)
Manufacturer: World Bank Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Policy & Current Events
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Development & Growth
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Economic Policy & Development
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Natural Resources
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Natural Resources
| Nature & Ecology
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Agricultural Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Agricultural Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0821347330 |
Amazon.com
As a primer on living the good life, few books compete with How to Practice, another profound offering from the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Westerners may be confused by the book's title, assuming that it focuses solely on Buddhist meditation and prayer techniques. Though it does address meditation and prayer, at its core this is a book that demonstrates how day-to-day living can be a spiritual practice. There are two ways to create happiness:
The first is external. By obtaining better clothes, better shelter, and better friends we can find a certain measure of happiness and satisfaction. The second is through mental development, which yields inner happiness. However, these two approaches are not equally viable. External happiness cannot last long without its counterpart.... However, if you have peace of mind you can find happiness even under the most difficult circumstances.
As he has in previous books (An Open Heart, The Art of Happiness), the Dalai Lama reminds us that developing peace of mind means paying attention to our daily attitudes and choices as well as taking the time to meditate and be prayerful. The six-part book covers Buddhist meditation techniques and visualization exercises as well as daily thoughts and actions that foster morality and wisdom. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
As human beings, we all share the desire for happiness and meaning in our lives. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the ability to find true fulfillment lies within each of us. In this very special book, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, Nobel Prize winner, and bestselling author helps readers embark upon the path to enlightenment with a stunning illumination of the timeless wisdom and an easy-access reference for daily practice.
Divided into a series of distinct steps that will lead spiritual seekers
toward enlightenment, How to Practice is a constant companion in the quest to practice morality, meditation, and wisdom. This accessible book will guide you toward opening your heart, refraining from doing harm, and maintiaining mentaltranquility as the Dalai Lama shows you how to overcome everyday obstacles, from feelings of anger and mistrust to jealousy, insecurity, and counterproductive thinking. Imbued with His Holiness' vivacious spirit and sense of playfulness, How to Practice offers sage and practical insight into the human psyche and into the deepest aspirations that bind us all together.
Download Description
As human beings, we possess one common desire: the need for happiness and a meaningful life. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the ability to find true fulfillment lies within each of us. Now, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, Nobel Prize winner, and bestselling author helps readers begin the path to enlightenment in a very special book -- an easy-access reference for daily practice as well as stunning illumination of the timeless wisdom of His Holiness. How to Practice will guide you toward opening your heart, refraining from doing harm, maintaining mental tranquility, and more. Divided into a series of distinct steps that will lead spiritual seekers of all faiths toward enlightenment, this accessible book is a constant and daily companion in the quest to practice morality, meditation, and wisdom. The Dalai Lama shows us how to overcome our everyday obstacles, from feelings of anger and mistrust to jealousy, insecurity, and counterproductive thinking. Imbued with His Holiness' vivacious spirit and sense of playfulness, How to Practice offers the Dalai Lama's own sage and very practical insight into the human psyche and what binds us all together.
Customer Reviews:
A Brain Full of Buddhism in a Small Package..........2007-06-30
This book's unimposing lightweight appearance belies its thick conceptual content. A little over 200 pages, it delivers a brain full of Buddhism. Those unfamiliar with the Tibetan flavor of the life philosophy initiated by Siddhartha Gautama, or Shakyamuni, or Buddha, will close the back cover with a clear high-level understanding of this ancient practice. Though it contains some difficult sections, particularly the later chapters, nothing remains insurmountable for the average reader. But there's more. "How To Practice," as the title suggests, contains more than mere theory. Throughout, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, in translation from Tibetan, delineates physical and mental exercises that anyone can apply to their own lives. "It does not matter whether you are Buddhist or Christian, Moslem or Hindu, or whether you practice religion at all," he writes in the introduction. "What matters is your feeling of oneness with humankind." The book attempts just that, to train people towards nurturing this feeling of oneness and compassion with existence, regardless of disposition or background. Avoidance of suffering and increasing of happiness is the intended outcome.
The book's three main sections follow the major steps of practice: Morality, Concentrated Meditation, and Wisdom. Morality involves putting the suffering of others above one's own desires. Also called "Selfish Wisdom," this perspective helps alleviate one's own suffering while alleviating the pains of others. But the focus remains on others. However, what goes around comes around, because if everyone perceives the world this way, then everyone's suffering, including one's own, receives proper attention. Selfish and wise. Adjusting one's life to a moral framework also prepares the practicer for concentrated meditation. This helps focus and sharpen the mind to achieve "calm abiding." In this section, the Dalai Lama discusses his own meditation practices and gives instruction in technique. Lastly, Wisdom comes from comprehending the "emptiness" of all phenomenon. Through this wisdom we come to realize that things do not have inherent existence, thus everything arises out of dependencies. Phenomenon become known as "dependent-arisings." Dependency and "emptiness" go hand in hand. Of all the book's sections, "Practicing Wisdom" remains the most difficult to grasp. It may require multiple readings or brain yoga. The book concludes with a short section on Tantra, including a discussion of its sensual dimension, and an "Overview to the Path of Enlightenment," which summarizes the book's major points. Along the way, The Dalai Lama relates the story of the Buddha, the four noble truths, the ten nonvirtues, karma, rebirth, stories from his own life, and much that defies summary.
Overall, "How to Practice" attempts to rise above theory and demonstrate how people can apply the teachings of The Buddha to their lives. You can live this stuff. Not only that, the Dalai Lama emphasizes that one does not need to take on the full ascetic life of a Buddhist monk to benefit from these ideas. He writes, "Please implement whatever in these pages appears to be helpful. If you follow another religion, please adopt whatever might assist you. If you do not think it would be helpful, just leave it alone." How much suffering could be alleviated in the world if we followed this simple advice: "just leave it alone." Loads, perhaps. Regardless, many readers will doubtless find something useful in the Dalai Lama's crystalline text. Some degree of enlightenment awaits anyone who explores this deceptively small book.
Good info but poorly presented.......2007-04-10
I think the Dalai Lama is a great teacher. However, with this AUDIO BOOK, I think he has made a mistake (or his people have made one) in not hiring a professional reader to read the book. He uses his translator to read it, and this guy could put a room full of speed freaks to sleep! He has no expression, it sounds like he's TRYING to bore us to death!
Other than that, the info is very good for the most part. The first half or so is a kind of introduction to Buddhism, but the last 2 discs or so get very technical, about the meaning of "emptiness" which is a very hard concept to understand, at least to understand its deeper meanings. The Dalai Lama does a pretty good job of presenting this info, but I think any non-Bhuddist will find it too deep and hard to understand. Even I, as an intermediate student, felt it could have been presented better.
That said, you cannot go wrong in listening to this audio book, for it does have a lot of good information.
However there are lots of better things to listen to if you want to learn about Buddhism. I would suggest Thich Nhat Hanh's "Creating True Peace" for example.
This audio book could have been much better had they spent some money and hired a professional reader to read it, someone with some concept of how a book should be read aloud.
on the path.......2007-01-12
i think this is a great book for beginers or people who already have a grasp on boddhism, it is writen by the dalai lama. it is writen so that it is easy to understand but also gives great insight to some deaper concepts. i got this to try and learn some better meditations and mantras, but instead i found myself reviewing things, but in a great way, for the first time i truely got some concepts that have been eluding me. and in the end it helped my meditation too. this is a great book, and whatever type you study this is still a great book
must-read for understanding why we exist and the way to get beyond this mere existence.......2007-01-11
excellent book on giving insights into why we exist and the way to get beyond our existence. You'll see the true experience, if you keep practising what Dalai Lama has suggested in the book. It is the essence of Buddhism, a deep and rich methodology beyond worldly matters.
A practical guide to change for the better.......2006-09-28
Just like the title, "How to Practice" is a gift to humankind to illuminate the right way to act. The goal of being human is to realize the potential within, which is a permanent state of happiness and peace. To achieve this, the beginner cultivates kindness and harmony for all beings.
The Dalai Lama also describes the methods for training and controlling the mind. There is also a brief description of "The Middle Way", which is the way of renunciation, the real way to escape the Wheel of Samsara or suffering. It is the way to liberation. The Middle Way is not possible without practicing "Deity Yoga", which is mentioned towards the end of the book. "Diety Yoga" or the highest form of tantra, is not for everyone, as the practice is exceeding difficult and demanding on the practitioner.
For those who are interested, the Middle Way, including the highest form of tantra is described in detail in Samael Aun Weor's books.... (see www.gnosticteachings.org)
Average customer rating:
|
How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life ('Xiu xing de di yi tang ke', in traditional Chinese, NOT in English)
lai la ma Da
Manufacturer: Xian Jue
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
| Abuse
| Creativity
| Dreams
| Eating Disorders
| General
| Handwriting Analysis
| Happiness
| Hypnosis
| Inner Child
| Journal Writing
| Memory Improvement
| Motivational
| Personal Transformation
| Self-Esteem
| Spiritual
| Stress Management
| Success
| Time Management
Chinese
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Health, Mind & Body
| Chinese
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Nonfiction
| Chinese
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
All Chinese Books
| Chinese
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 9576078636 |
Books:
- When We Were Orphans: A Novel
- White Ghost Girls
- White Teeth: A Novel
- Whose Names Are Unknown: A Novel
- 24: The House Special Subcommittee's Findings at CTU
- A House for Mr.Biswas
- A Private Hotel for Gentle Ladies: A novel
- A Strict Seduction
- A Tale of Love and Darkness
- A Thousand Years of Good Prayers: Stories
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century
- The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot
- Paradise Reclaimed
- Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature
- Open My Eyes, Lord: A Practical Guide to Angelic Visitations and Heavenly Experiences
- Rational Points on Elliptic Curves
- Regression Methods in Biostatistics: Linear, Logistic, Survival, and Repeated Measures Models
- Sea Room: An Island Life in the Hebrides
- Long Journey Towards the Light
- 101 Tax Loopholes for the Middle Class: A Tax Accountant's Guide to Hidden Tax-Saving Strategies
The Schopenhauer Cure: A Novel (P.S.)
Lying on the Couch: A Novel
Love's Executioner: & Other Tales of Psychotherapy (Perennial Classics)
Momma and the Meaning of Life: Tales of Psychotherapy
The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients
