Now And at the Hour of Our Death

Product Description

On-the-go Instrction Because your time is valuable... All Audio All on the go! Beginning level instruction is presented in an all-audio format on 4 digitally-recorded CDs. You have the opportunity to learn on the go, taking advantage of time normally wasted. Study in your car, while exercising, doing yard work anywhere you can safely listen to a CD player. No accompanying books are needed to help you complete the lesson activities. Why can t learning be fun? It can! Linguaphone has chosen to present the allTalk series in an entertaining, soap-opera format. No dry old teacher with a monotone voice putting you to sleep, you follow the adventures of a visitor to a Spanish-speaking country as she interacts with individuals in a variety of interesting situations, learning the language and beginning to understand the culture. Actually learn the language Tired of spending money on language courses that don t work? Did you ever think the problem could be with the course and not you? With Linguaphone s unique learning sequence: Listen, Understand, Speak, you will find yourself actually using the language in no time at all! You are presented with a unit of the language, it is then broken down and explained to you, then you put it back together with greater understanding than just repeating what you may not have understood in the first place. . . . and learn it well! The all Talk methodology not only teaches well, but will have you speaking and understanding basic spoken Spanish in no time at all. Other popular all-audio courses require four times the cds, four times the money and four times the time to do what Linguaphone s allTalk Basic does with 4-one hour CDs.

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The best book I've read in a long time
Great Story!
WE'VE SEEN THIS HOUR....SORT OF
Great Book!
Tom Spanbauers worst books beat most author's best

Now Is the Hour
Tom Spanbauer
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0618584218

Book Description

The year is 1967, and Rigby John Klusener, seventeen years old and finally leaving his home and family in Pocatello, Idaho, is on the highway with his thumb out and a flower behind his ear, headed for San Francisco. Now Is the Hour is the wondrous story of how Rigby John got to this point. It traces his gradual emancipation from the repressions of a strictly religious farming family and from the small-minded, bigoted community in which he has grown up, during a time of explosive cultural change. Transforming this familiar journey from American Graffiti to On the Road to something rich and strange and hilarious is the persona of Rigby John himself. Intimately in touch with his fears, hesitantly awakening to his own sexuality, and palpably open to life's mysteries, Rigby John is a protagonist whom readers will fall in love with, root for, and be moved by. Now Is the Hour is a powerful, vastly entertaining story of self-awakening, of the complex bonds of family, and ultimately of America during a period of tremendous upheaval.

Customer Reviews:

The best book I've read in a long time.......2007-09-23

This was my first Spanbauer book and I was entranced from the first sentence.
"Parmesan cheese,it all started with parmesan cheese" Great opening line.
I am a women raised in a city married to Wisconsin dairy farmers son. His life may not have been quite as traumatic as Rigby John,but the book gave me quite a bit more insite in to growing up "on the farm". The voice of Rigby John comes through so true. You feel his pain,his joy,his confusion.
His parents are so stuck in their asigned roles they don't know how to be anything but what they are. That their son escapes is a testement to his inner strengh.
I am now a fan and can not wait to read another book by this wonderful author.

Great Story!.......2007-08-29

This story has grabbed my heart and won't let go, It is probably one of the best books I have read. I rooted for Rigby Jon all the way. Even though it is fiction, I could identify with Rigby Jon in many ways. I will be reading more if Tom Spanbauer's books.

WE'VE SEEN THIS HOUR....SORT OF.......2007-08-26

In NOW IS THE HOUR the time is 1967. The place is Pocatello Idaho. The author (Tom Spanbauer) is one of my favorite writers, so the expectation is high. I wasn't let down,...by the end. The author writes a lovely tale here about a young man that starts to learn of his mysterious feelings in a life filled with religious manipulations, racial bigotry, and forget about sexual freedom. His folks are like so many shut-down, emotionally void people of the mid-west (for me it was like reading about everyone I grew up around, except my parents were not religious) and sloooowly dealing with the embarrassments and pitfalls of coming out amid such adversities was a bit arduous...especially if you `are' a gay man.....have dealt with your own issues, and have read more then 5 gay books in your history; you've probably read a similar tale.
THAT ASIDE: Tom Spanbauer's `voice' is singular, heart-breaking, quirky as usual, and laugh-out-loud funny at times.
His second book and masterpiece The Man Who Fell In Love With The Moon read to me much more like a fable. His first book Faraway Places was a tiny book which just whets the appetite for more. In The City Of Shy Hunters, his third novel was a wild ride thru the lives of friends right at the brink of the AIDS crisis in NYC in the early 80's. This is an over-wrought beauty all it's own.
For NOW IS THE HOUR, TS gives us some styles not all of which I enjoyed. For instance he spent 3 pages screaming out in the voice of an adolescent ALL the various ways to employ the word `F%&K', and this just felt insulting to me. I mean here we have so much beauty, and then to storm off to this place to such an extent was over-kill in a written form. I do understand and relate to the urge to expound like this from my own experience at that age, however, I almost stopped reading at that point. I am not, mind you, opposed to such language, when it is appropriate, in fact I use the word(s) appropriately quite often.
His device of repeating `list-like', certain personal descriptions (ie, his mother's rough red farm wife hands with the nails cut to the quick) seems to be a trade-mark of his that appears in all his works....and this works for me....it feels familiar and comfortable to be reminded of these focal points. TS also finds new ways of bringing us into the mind of our character
(ie, as he deals with his family in various circumstances `in the kitchen' he counts off different colored tiles and each characters placement on which tile as the drama unfolds.....much like a kid that doesn't want to be where he is and will find `anything' to focus on rather than the drama at hand) We meet a whole new wonderful cast of players here and like others in his books we are in love with many of them it seems despite and thru their flaws. TS has that gift, the one that makes us all worthy of love, and what a pleasure it is to know that a gay man is out there dazzling the world with his sensitive narrative. A voice for those that are most often in places like Idaho....or Illinois (in my case)....cast aside. For this we love you Tom Spanbauer.

Great Book!.......2007-07-31

One of the finest books that I have ever read, but not what I thought it would be when I purchased it. The reader truly becomes involved with the characters and shares their journey. A must read!

Tom Spanbauers worst books beat most author's best.......2006-11-02

Okay, if you're already a Spanbauer fan, you should know that much of the material in here echoes that of Faraway Places, especially in the relationship with the father. For newbies, I can say a couple things. If you're a fan of rural fiction, like that of Kent Haruf (Plainsong) or James Galvin (the Meadow) this would be a great book for you. It's as much about small town America as anything. For those of you who found SPanbauer through his protoge, Chuck Palahniuk, I would advise you start with In the City of Shy Hunters as it's more like one of Palahniuk's.

I Never Knew the Knife Man's Name: A nostalgic and humorous look back at the days and hours now long gone, but the seconds and moments that linger forever

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I Never Knew the Knife Man's Name: A nostalgic and humorous look back at the days and hours now long gone, but the seconds and moments that linger forever
Rona Mann
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1420812041

Book Description

"I Never Knew the Knife Man's Name" is a selection of memories from the author's one-woman show of the same name. The show, which is performed for groups throughout the country appeals to men and women from Baby Boomers to Golden Agers. The chapters of the book deal wistfully and humorously about the way life used to be from ice cream parlors with swivel seats and 10 cent cones to home deliveries, having a "colored" cleaning woman, simple food simple times, and simple pleasures. You'11 laugh, you'11 cry, you'11 nod in agreement, you'11 reminisce. Most of all, you'11 enjoy.

Now Is Eternity : Comfort and Wisdom for Difficult Hours

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Now Is Eternity : Comfort and Wisdom for Difficult Hours
Christoph Blumhardt , and Johann Christoph Blumhardt
Manufacturer: Plough Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0874869935

Book Description

A collection of short but striking meditations to battle weariness and despair. Bad days are one thing - everyone has them now and then. But what about the darker clouds that settle over a life for weeks or even months at a time? What about separation and divorce, prolonged illness and hospitalization? What about the loss of a friend or a parent, the absence of a child or a spouse? For the friend or family member who just isn't coping, no matter what you say, the sturdy simplicity of this little volume offers something most well-meaning sympathy cards forget: a gentle insistence that there is still a God who watches over all, and a stubborn faith that the worst trials of life's "difficult hours" will one day be overshadowed by his comfort and peace. In reminding us of the power conferred by hope, Now Is Eternity is a source of daily strength. Given the understated beauty and brevity of its texts, it is one the thirsty reader will surely come back to again and again. Available in English for the very first time, Now is Eternity originally appeared in German in 1947. Contains seventy meditations, one per page, with crimson titling and black text.

Now Is the Hour: Native American Prophecies and Guidance for Earth Changes

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Profiteering from Prophesy...
Most Excellent filled with Ways of Change!

Now Is the Hour: Native American Prophecies and Guidance for Earth Changes
Elisabeth Dietz , and Shirley Jonas
Manufacturer: Blue Dolphin Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Native American | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1577330293

Book Description

There is a general unrest and undercurrent of fear present in the North American population today. Many of the elders say that it is not right to share this knowledge with anyone non-native. I say, we are all the Creator's children, for we have the same Father or Creator in common.

People have injured our Turtle Island (Mother Earth) almost beyond the point of no return, and we are to reap the rewards for our indifference. Mother Earth is angry, for we have injured the soul that was left in our keeping, and this soul will fight back to repair its aura in some terrible ways.

We have much to endure to see our way through the devastation that is to come into our lives.

What would you do if: the power went off for a week or longer during the winter? the grocery stores closed? you had to evacuate your home suddenly because of fire or flood? there was a medical emergency and rescue personnel couldn't reach you?

Customer Reviews:

Profiteering from Prophesy..........2003-04-21

If you are looking for a real discussion about these important prophesies...one with a researched and clear understanding of the prophesies and their *traditional* meanings, then you should avoid this book. If you want to read an uninformed stream of consciousness that is a cross between babble and rant with a lot of airy opinions and unsubstantiated woo-woo thrown in, then this is your book. These two "writers" are profiteering off of sacred teachings and people's fears. They come across as underqualified and overly self-impressed. They should be embarrassed...

Most Excellent filled with Ways of Change!.......2000-08-18

Upon reading this book I was thrown into new thoughts and more culture than the average American neighborhood. Hearing these words of wisdom turned my soul unto a brighter level. I really enjoyed reading this and I think anyone interested in Prophecy would be well tuned to read this book as well. I simply read it in 3 days time in my free time and I find myself wanting to read it over and over. In these times of global warming and the severe heat and fires on the Earth and Political change I found that this was a suitable guide to making change in my personal life and getting in touch with a side that often remains hidden from myself and others. I hope to read more from this Author and I highly recommend it. Thanks. God bless.

Now's the Day and Now's the Hour: Scotland Remembers the Alamo

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Authoratative,interesting and a "good read"!
This is one of the best. . .
A must read
Scots Wha' Hae
Scots at the Alamo

Now's the Day and Now's the Hour: Scotland Remembers the Alamo
Carl Peterson
Manufacturer: Dream Catcher Publishing Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Scotland | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0971218978

Book Description

A unique collection of history and music that connects the spirit and the background of the Alamo defenders to Scotland. From the beginning of Scotland's freedom wars, with Wallace and Bruce, we see the trend carried forward to the Texas and the Alamo. With piper John MacGregor and the fiddler of the Alamo the men's spirits were maintained with the music of Scotland that contained a history of a fighting spirit. These songs were then used as the tunes for ballads and stories written about the Alamo and the Texas Revolution. This Texas freedom fight has its roots in Scotland's freedom wars.

Customer Reviews:

Authoratative,interesting and a "good read"!.......2004-09-30

This is a fantastic little book that packs a punch which belies its size! It was impossible to put down once started.Once again, the contribution of the Scot to the founding of this country is shown without any "soap-box" rhetoric. Carl Peterson's character studies of the Scottish Alamo defenders are skillfully drawn, and bring out hitherto unknown, to me, details about the heroes. The lyrics at the end of the book only add to the otherwise completeness of the volume. This is a "must have" for all lovers of history, Texas history,and Scottish history.

This is one of the best. . ........2004-09-29

This is one of the best short histories of this period of Texas history I have ever seen. Peterson has incorporated the accuracy of a historian with the "tied-togetherness" of a novelist to make a very easy and informative read. He broadjumps the endless minutia of the day and homes-in on the major points. He has created a real & serious snapshot of one of the major events in the forming of our national heritage.

A must read.......2004-09-24

For anyone interested in history and the development of our country, where and how many of it's traditions and culture came from this is a must read. Extremely well researched and written. And a very informative explanation of the Alamo and those who were there.

Scots Wha' Hae.......2004-09-15

This is a noteworthy contribution to the history of the Alamo, the people of Scotland and the powerful American folk music that evolved from the melding of the two. Carl Peterson writes in an easy, conversational manner based on thorough research about the forces that brought the Scots to the New World and shaped their contributions to the growth of the United States. A surprising number of influential Americans were of Scottish ancestry and as a group maintained their cultural identity through language and folk memory. The heroism of William Wallace and King Robert Bruce echoed in the Texian revolt against European tyrrany. The story of the war for Texas independence is also described in the lyrics and music of the time, and the CD to which this book is companion (Scotland Remembers the Alamo)is not only sheer good listening but fascinating it its historic documentation.

Scots at the Alamo.......2004-09-10

I never realized how much the Alamo was influenced by the Scots and their history. This is a really different slant on the Alamo story. Includes a great history of early Scotland that provides an understanding to the rest of the story. Great reading.

Now and at the Hour of Our Death : Instructions Concerning My Death and Funeral

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Starting the hard conversation.

Now and at the Hour of Our Death : Instructions Concerning My Death and Funeral
David A. Lysik , and Peter Gilmour
Manufacturer: Liturgy Training Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1568542860

Customer Reviews:

Starting the hard conversation........2007-09-24

This book, with a title using a phrase from the Roman Catholic Rosary, can be an excellent resource for anyone, Catholic or Protestant, in starting the dreaded "very difficult conversation" with aging family members. This book can assist an "adult child" navigate through the tricky areas of conversation and much needed information from family member so that when the time comes, end of life wishes can be honored. I am a Protestant and have used this book with many in my church who are trying to figure out how to approach a family member about what can be a difficult and upsetting topic.

The complete book of sleeping: Now you can sleep 15, 20, 25 hours--every single day--and still make the most of your waking hours

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The complete book of sleeping: Now you can sleep 15, 20, 25 hours--every single day--and still make the most of your waking hours
Morgan Gendel
Manufacturer: Tribeca Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Physiology | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0943392381

Earth's last hour;: An analysis of the evidences now manifesting themselves everywhere of the nearness of the long-foretold return of Jesus and the establishment of an enduring world government,

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Earth's last hour;: An analysis of the evidences now manifesting themselves everywhere of the nearness of the long-foretold return of Jesus and the establishment of an enduring world government,
Carlyle Boynton Haynes
Manufacturer: Review and Herald Pub. Assn
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Customer Reviews:

Great book for EVERY WOMAN!!.......2007-05-13

This is an AWESOME BOOK for every woman to read!! Easy reading and lots of insights on why we do what we do and how to stop the cycle! It is a MUST read for any woman giong through a divorce or breakup, however, I think anyone could gather wisdom from this book!

The Princess Who Believed in Fairy Tales: A Story for Modern Times.......2007-01-19

This is one of those books that you swear was written by someone who is telling your story. I was very touched and learned a lot. Some elements in the story were a little sappy/cheesy, but I didn't mind at all. I am a professional songwriter and was so inspired by this book that I wrote a song that has now received great reviews and has been used by many different venues. Now that's inspiration!

Best book to females getting themselves out of dream world!.......2005-09-26

I just love this book, and I read it before, but didn't buy it. I was going through a similiar issue, so I just went and bought the book, because this book is a must have for any princess who wants to grow up!

Support yourself or the woman in your life.......2005-03-16

A fairytale depicting women's traditional role as the `pleasing everyone' daughter, wife, woman. Her life changes dramatically as she becomes more and more independent and self supportive. For you if you choose to support yourself or the woman in your life in becoming more whole and happy.

wonderful!.......2004-02-11

This book has touched me in an amazing way. As a recovering co-dependent, I feel that this book was written with me in mind. The author has truly put into words the experiences that some of us have gone through. I could not put this book down!

Book Description

Once David Hero was an ordinary man living in the real world. Now he is trapped in the Dreamlands, cut off from the waking world. David Hero's dreams and nightmares have become his own reality.Swollen, glowing oddly in the gloom of night, the moon hangs lower and lower over the Dreamlands. Its weird, unearthly light transforms beautiful landscapes into twisted nightmares and imperils the sanity of any who walk abroad after sunset.Beams of terrible power stab the unsuspecting earth, destroying the land, shattering buildings, and dragging people into the shrieking sky, straight toward the hellish moon!David Hero, once a man of the waking world, finds himself fighting side by side with his worst enemies--Zura and her zombie armies, the Eidolon Lathi and her termite men--against the slimy, many-tentacled moon monsters.

Customer Reviews:

An epic, ambitious adventure.......2001-03-21

In my opinion, this book gets off to a shaky start. Hero and Eldin are to do battle with a conspiracy of the Dreamland's most evil forces. But rather than set up the situation with a gradual unfolding of events, Lumley shoves his characters right into it, explaining the full background of the conspiracy in a long letter from Randolph Carter. I found this to be somewhat forced and awkward, it was as if Lumley couldn't be bothered to set up the story in a more natural way.

Still, I can forgive him that, because once the weak setup is done, Hero and Eldin are launched into their most sweeping adventure yet.

But it's also the corniest adventure yet. All of the old villians are back and united - it reminds me of a silly Batman plot, with the arch-villians banding together to fight the caped crusader, but spend as much time fighting with themselves. Still, it works, as long as you don't take it too seriously.

This is the first of the Dreamlands books that introduces some Great Old Ones into the action. As usual with Lumley, he shows them as being far more interested in and susceptible to the affairs of men than Lovecraft ever would have. The HPL purists out there will probably be disappointed or offended. I'm not a purist myself, but I did have problems with some of the Nightgaunts starting to act heroic, on their own, being even a little bit human.

Once the action gets started, this is the most ambitious of Lumley's Dreamlands books, with harrowing escapes, battles between large fleets of sky-ships, all the way up to the incredible fate of our heroes at the end of the story. If you're willing to tolerate the absurdity of some of it, and can deal with the liberties Lumley takes with some of HPL's creations, it's a fun ride.

Reunion!.......2000-03-04

Our heroes are back for more adventures! In Mad Moon of Dreams everyone is back. The Hive Queen, Zura, almost every evil and good character we have ever met in this series so far. It leads to a fun reunion. Hero and Eldin however, still have their duties. An ancient god residing on the moon wishes to take over dreamlands. It is up to them to stop it.

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Mad Moon Of Dreams
Brian Lumley
Manufacturer: W. Paul Ganley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NMKJ4C

DREAMLANDS SEQUENCE: Book (1) One: Hero of Dreams; Book (2) Two: Ship of Dreams; Book (3) Three: Mad Moon of Dreams; Book (4) Four: The Clock of Dreams

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DREAMLANDS SEQUENCE: Book (1) One: Hero of Dreams; Book (2) Two: Ship of Dreams; Book (3) Three: Mad Moon of Dreams; Book (4) Four: The Clock of Dreams
Brian Lumley
Manufacturer: Tor Books; Grafton Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NH7RJ2

A MARTIAN ODYSSEY - and Others: Valley of Dreams; The Adaptive Ultimate; The Mad Moon; The Worlds of If; The Ideal; The Point of View; Pygmalion's Spectacles; Parasite Planet; The Lotus Eaters; The Planet of Doubt; The Circle of Zero

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A MARTIAN ODYSSEY - and Others: Valley of Dreams; The Adaptive Ultimate; The Mad Moon; The Worlds of If; The Ideal; The Point of View; Pygmalion's Spectacles; Parasite Planet; The Lotus Eaters; The Planet of Doubt; The Circle of Zero
Stanley G. Weinbaum
Manufacturer: Fantasy Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GVXX52

Average customer rating:

Multi-level Teachings

One of the best concise books on the Vajrayan Dharma.

it is what it says it is

The father of Tibetan Buddhism

This book is wonderful.

Advice from the Lotus-Born: A Collection of Padmasambhava¿s Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Other Close Disciples
Padmasambhava
Manufacturer: North Atlantic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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Dakini Teachings

The Lotus-Born: The Life Story of Padmasambhava

Natural Liberation: Padmasambhava's Teachings on the Six Bardos

Sky Dancer: The Secret Life & Songs of the Lady Yeshe Tsogyel

As It Is Vol. 1 (As It Is)

ASIN: 9627341207
Release Date: 2004-05-24

Book Description

Padmasambhava is the primary master of Vajrayana, the teachings for our time. Out of his great compassion and wisdom, he instructed his main disciple Yeshe Tsogyal to conceal terma treasures to be revealed at the destined time for future practitioners. The profundity of this advice is meant to be personally applied by all individuals in all circumstances. Advice from the Lotus Born is a classic work which contains valid truth for anyone who sincerely wants to follow a spiritual path.

Customer Reviews:

Multi-level Teachings.......2007-09-18

This collection of 12 termas (hidden treasures) from 6 tertons (treasure revealers), p. 9: "companion volume to Dakini Teachings : Padmasambhava's Oral Instructions to Lady Tsogyal (Dragon Editions Ser.)," varies widely in level of teachings. The smaller termas & the early parts of the longer are at an introductory level--possibly due to the supposition that Buddhist practice would have all but died out when hidden texts were discovered (~the Dead Sea Scrolls). But in longer chapters ("A Spur to Spiritual Practice" & esp. "The Treasury of Precious Jewels to Dispel Hindrances"), are subtle & profound Dzogchen teachings--p. 136: "When you realize that all that appears & exists to be your mind, there is no path of enlightenment apart from that...When Samsaric existence is freed in itself, there is no awakened state to accomplish apart form that. Once you realize this, samsara & nirvana are not two." More mid-level--p. 69: Shamatha & Vipashyana; Chod: p. 76: "The demon is your own demon & cutting through it pacifies yourself...Therefore, it is a greater enhancement to confront a single frightening place than to do three years of meditation."

It has two seeming contradictions: p. 30: "If you give with compassion & bodhichitta you achieve hundredfold merit. If you give without bodhichitta resolve, your merit will not increase," since 100 times nothing is nothing! Also, p. 76: "This secret conduct is not only aimed at the thought of demons but also at cutting through contagious diseases such as leprosy & feelings of fear, dread, repulsion, disgust, timidity, cowardice, embarrassment & so forth" vs. p. 90: "You become defiled from...having contact with lepers." But, I assume such instructions were aimed at differing levels of practitioners engaged in different practices per p. 142: "The intelligent person instructed in what is not interesting will remain unsatisfied, which will diminish his faith."

Provocatively, p. 73: "How will my bodhichitta, which is merely platitudes & intellectual idea, accomplish the true meaning?" & p. 120: "Best is when such a master is within reach; if not, it is sad. For whoever has supreme faith and resolve, the Buddha will be present as if in person." My favorite pith advice is: p. 143: "Unless you eradicate your own inner faults the vile zombie of disturbing emotions will rise again, even though you have glimpsed the blissful & clear state of wakefulness." How true!

One of the best concise books on the Vajrayan Dharma........2006-03-13

Padmasambhava as most of you know was completedly enlightened. So, what a blessing it is to have access to material writen and dictated by himself. Under his immedeate counsel.

This book is good for practioners of every level. But, specially for those who are midway their paths. The direct advices will cut straight through the BS still there. And for begginers I think it definitely will inspire them.

This is an absolutely must have.

Hope that this review will drive you to read this book and the merit you'll collect brings us all to perfect liberation.

Rob

it is what it says it is.......2005-05-29

Another important volume, also important to remember that intent is the crux of any action. Inspiring regardless of how much the advice is put into practice, and of course, this lifetime isn't quite over yet.

The father of Tibetan Buddhism.......2004-03-12

Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is credited as being the main person who brought Buddhism to Tibet, and is also understood by Tibetan Buddhists to have been a Buddha himself.

In some contexts, one approaches teachings directly at their source first, and then looks to commentaries, explanations, etc. For example, in Protestant Christianity, one is often encouraged to go straight to the New Testament and read that. Then one reads the works of theologians, biblical scholars, preachers, and so on.

However, in Buddhism the approach is often the opposite. First one goes to a teacher who is a contemporary of yours. Then, having gained some confidence from that teacher, and having put into practice some of the teachings and having seen their effectiveness and practicality, one then turns to some other writings of an introductory nature. After having gained some grounding in those, one may then turn to a commentary on a root text. Then, one may read the root texts oneself. Lastly, one may turn to the sutras and words of the Buddha himself. Trying to start there, however, would not be advised -- as anyone who has tried to read the Tripitaka (the three baskets of teachings of the Buddha) or the tantras can attest!

Similarly in the case of this text -- one should have a good grounding before attempting very difficult texts, and they should in all cases be read while one is studying with a lama. Otherwise, misunderstandings may occur, and these may be worse than not having encountered the text in the first place. But if one does have that grounding, what greater treasure is there than to read such wonderful texts?

I write this review, and give it five stars, in part because I saw that there are already three reviews and even though each one praised the book, for some reason one of the reviews shows up as having no stars (a bug in Amazon's system, I suppose), and so the general rating of this book was only three and a half. Yet, clearly, stars cannot estimate the value of such works...

This book is wonderful........2003-05-26

"Don't mistake mere words to be the meaning of the teachings. Mingle the practice with your own being and attain liberation right now." It really is advice, in plain English.

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