Religion Books

If you ever need to read a self-help book, you only need to read this one.

Its amazing that all of these books say the same thing the Bible says but people would rather trust a human for advice than their maker. I give this book 4 stars because it does follow the Bible. It may sound off the wall to some but that would depend on their desperation.

I Had previously read the book and I loved it so much that I bought it from Amazon.com. It is an excellent book to have on your night table and a tool to implement good things into your life. Certainly brings you enlightment and help to improve your life!

International best-seller, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" is a short fable or story about a high powered lawyer who suffers a personal loss and embarks on a life of workaholism, materialism and emptiness. When he suffers a life threatening heart attack he determines to put the essential luxuries of purpose, peace and happiness back into his life. He travels to the Himalayas and spends time with the Sivana monks, who teach him wisdom of life.

This book is chock full of simple habits and rituals to include in one's life to nurture your body, mind and spirit. The advice within is compellingly framed and concise, making use of symbolism to remember the key concepts.

Picture the following sequence. What can this mean?

You are sitting in a wondrous, beautiful flower garden. In the middle there is a red, six story lighthouse. Suddenly, there is a creaking from the base of the lighthouse and out comes a 290lb Japanese sumo wrestler. He is wearing a simple, pink wire cable sheath. The sumo wrestler spots a shiny stopwatch. He picks it up and immediately falls to the ground. It appears that he has taken his last breath, when suddenly he comes back to life. He then gets up and looks over at a beautiful group of yellow roses nearby. Finally, he exits the garden by a path of beautiful diamonds...

How can you draw upon your deep reservoir of mental fortitude and inner strength that you possess? As most accomplished people know, never stop learning and actively expand your wisdom about life. As many great leaders do each and every day, take time out for reflection, including self-reflection. To not do so is akin to being too busy driving to put gas in your (beautiful) car (you). Awaken with the sun and cultivate a positive mindset and an attitude of gratefulness. Savor the present. Make music an integral part of your life. Build your character by taking specific actions. Simplify your life as much as you can for enhanced peace of mind. Thus, you will leave time for the things that matter most. Specifically, those things that will make the most difference in the long run. Always cultivate your virtues of industry, compassion, humility, patience, honesty and last but not least, courage.

This little gem of a book is inexpensive. It's entertaining. It's a quick read. It will be three hours of your valuable time very well spent. You might learn nothing new. Or, perhaps you will see your life more clearly than ever before. Perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised and this book will unexpectedly improve the quality of your life.

I enjoyed this book, with reservations. It's an odd blend of (mostly) Buddhist philosophy with the sort of self-help pep talk preferred by corporate go-getters. At times it reminded me of reading the Dalai Lama, at others, a Franklin-Covey leadership session.

The parable is a little facile, and the dialog naive-- but the overall thrust benign and even helpful. It may well be a doorway to a better path for many who read it. If you've never encountered Eastern philosophy before but are already a fan of corporate pep talks, you may find this a real treat.

This is a very informative book which helped me to see that the church has evolved throughout history. I now have a better understanding of why the church has had to change to meet the needs of the younger generation. This book met a real need by suggesting that the two generations should have a dialog to get a better understanding of each other's needs.

What a great way to show the face of the changing church in America today. I know we've struggled with many of these issues in my church. Reading this book has also given me a new perspective on what our pastors and staff are up against. Who Stole My Church was a great illustration of what CAN be done if people are willing to put aside (some of) their pride and work together for the greater good of the church and the glory of God. The format of the book makes you WANT to continue reading. It's uplifting, thoughtful, and sweet. I highly recommend it!

It's a magnificent reminder that the church belongs to God -- not man. It is a really good resource for churches experiencing growing pains. It's an admonishment that growth doesn't mean that you have to root older members out, but that they can and should be integral parts of the growth process. It's also a kick in the pants reminder of who true Christians are to minister to -- the lost.

My husband & I have recently launched a ministry working with and through midlife-plus adults. This book came at a perfect time. We thoroughly appreciated the story. With the demographics of our nation shifting to an older population - Who Stole My Church? - shows the value of being intergenerational in ministry focus. And let's hear it for Pastors who are willing to listen to concerns & frustrations of older adults, and through prayer and love, link the generations! So grateful this book was recommended to us.

The first 20 pages hits the nail on the head on what my feelings are about my church. I do not like the new "praise music" with the praise band (7/11 songs~seven words sung over and over eleven times); the plaid shirt & Dockers my minister has now chosen to wear for Sunday worship; the enthusiastic traditional hymns I love are gone (occasionally a traditional song is sung but to a different tempo with guitar accompaniment); the choir sings to canned music while the big organ & grand piano sit silent; no longer do we have a Sunday evening service or a mid-week Bible Study/Prayer Meeting. All these things are clearly stated by the factious group of seniors in the book. Then the pastor gathers this small group of seniors together for a series of meetings to "solve" their concerns & frustrations. He kindly tells them they are "has beens", they will all be gone in about 15 years & it's time for the younger generations to assume responsibility~~get use to how things are~~times have changed. The needs of the older generation are of very little concern; they have been life long church leaders, prayer warriors, they have lived a full life walking with the Lord but now it's time for change at their expense. He gives excuses for the changes & attempts to lay a guilt trip on the hurting seniors for not joyously embracing the new changes. I want to leave church on Sunday feeling like I have contributed to the worship service plus feel like I have been fed/nourished/rejoiced but instead I feel empty/frustrated/hurt. I'm sure I'm not alone, this change is occuring all across America in just about every denomination. I know, "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be", but in the meantime I'm still here on earth feeling empty when I leave church on Sunday morning.

Excellant for the beginner. I am new to Bible study and this has been wonderful. Have also been able to see the dvd tools that go with it and they are great and very motivational.

It was too much and dissapointing that we really couldn't do it without the DVD's and they are too expensive, so it turned out to be a waste of money.

Awesome bible study. Our group watched the video one week, then the following week went over the book so there was some accountability. =) There is no certain "level" that a person has to be spiritually to get into this study. It will increase the faith of anyone who wants to believe what God says not just believe in Him.

This is an excellent source for studying Biblical faith and how to deepen and activate your faith. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about Bible study.

Fabulous book! Beth Moore has such a gift. I felt as though it was written just for me.

If Christian Conservatives are really in control, then why are there so many attacks on Christians and the ommissions of Christianity from all areas of our culture. Things don't add up...I'm not questioning the main premise of the book, however...this dog don't seem to hunt...

There are numerous instances where it sounds like the author isn't objecting to the unaccountable power of these fundamentalists as much as he objects to them favoring lower taxes vs. higher ones, and if the fundamentalists in question were Good Liberals using the same undemocratic (small 'd'), controlling, manipulative methods toward higher taxes and labor union power, he'd be OK with it.

if you hate Christians, you'll love this book....me...i threw my copy in the garbage, which seemed appropriate to me.

And the meek shall inherit the earth, that's right this is the meek they were talking about. As these mortal men rationalize their immortal world, the world as we know it (civilization) is falling apart, I'm not surprised. What I think is amazing is, how mostly everyone else is so blinded by the status quo (conditioning is everything) , that something as important as this is invisible. There is a reason for the saying "Divide and Conquer" and while truth seems to be only relevant for most of us, for what future generations there will be, I hope we can find a part of us that can more often share a sincerely honest common sense absolute truth. I gave the book three stars because of the awkward writing style and graduate level language. The Author seems to either be trying to impress someone or perhaps himself, also this is a extremely assumptive book: He does not directly say it but, "you know about that", "you get my gist". Look, I was not looking for tabloid style writing, but there is WAY too much of the story missing here. In conclusion, my comments are also gist oriented, so just in case, you don't get it, well lets just say John has Sara on a very short leash (sit doggy, sit!).

... that something's lurking, just beyond your grasp, is there, alive and affecting your life in ways you could only in your darkest fears imagine.

This is theocracy, the true enemy of American democracy. This is not the Bible-thumping shennanigans of the mostly ignorant mass of true believers. This threat is more insidious and powerful and it just might bring this nation to ultimate ruin.

Read the book. Steel yourself. Do something to help stop it.

Yeah... It really is that bad.

yet another textbook found and purchased at a price cheaper than the school offered. thanks.

This is the foremost book on Buddhism recommended for it's simplicity, authenticity, completeness, and scholastic rigor. If you want to know what Buddhism is really about, rather than what some popular crackpot or charlatan is trying to re-brand as Buddhism these days, this is the book to read. It is written with non-Buddhists curious about Buddhism in mind, and is suitable for use in college-level courses. Even if you're a Buddhist, this is worth reading just to see if you have any misconceptions about Buddhism.

This book is simple and down to earth in its presentation of Buddhism. So much so, in fact, that I am almost embarrassed by my books on Tibetan, Zen, Theravadan and all the other sectarian accounts of the Buddha's teachings. Reading Rahula, I have to ask: when did Buddhism get so complicated? And why? From his presentation, the additions to the teachings by later traditions seem superfluous indeed.

By far the most infomative book on buddhism, avoiding over simplification and really getting to the heart of this philosophy.

A book that will give you a clear, easy to understand introduction to Buddhism. Will help make hard to grasp aspects of Buddhism clear to the reader.

Investigates Missional DNA (mDNA) and Apostolic Genius. Excellent insight into how the early Church flourished in spite of pressures to kill the Jesus Movement. This is not light reading ... you STUDY this one! Highly recommend!

Hirsch introduces us to mDNA, the missional DNA of a church or ministry body. This is an extremely useful book to help an existing congregation revision itself and reform itself into a missional community.

Alan's written a great reminder: The Truth of the Word is increasingly being hidden from view by the organized church. Unintentionally perhaps, but it's the net effect.

Additionally, the not-yet-Christians have gotten an increasingly distorted view of who Jesus is and what He said. Alan also presents and consistently reinforces a great reminder that it's not a pastor's job to tell others about Jesus - this responsibility belongs to all believers. He reminds us that if The Word is actually READ and taken seriously, we will all be on the mission that Jesus intended.

The primary "Forgotten Way" is that we need to go into the world (not expect them to come to us), in the same way that Jesus came into the world. (He did say "go", he didn't say, "build new tabernacles everywhere...")

One concept Alan discusses is "cultural distance". He suggests that "attractional model" used by most churches is (unfortunately) becoming incresingly irrelevant as an effective form of outreach. He shows - and footnotes with stats - that the slice of the population that COULD be interested in visiting a church is decreasing at an alarming rate.

TO BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR: There isn't a complete dismissal or full condemnation of the organized church (although in my opinion some may be due), it's part of the overall equation if our intended outcome is to reach all people. In the book there is a lot of discussion about how (and for how long) the attractional model alone is insufficient to get the job done.

This is a must read for all followers of Jesus. This is not a book that you should consider a "for pastors and seminary students" book. It's for you - especially if you grew up in the church or have been in one for a long time. Read it with an open mind and have your Bible handy for references. It's a great way to review your own motivations - and contrast them with what Jesus said he wanted us to do. The book is VERY well footnoted - something I found quite refreshing.

Hirsch's work does a good job of helping us rediscover mission and how the role/gift/whatever of the apostle is something that we have placed off into the corner of the church should be renewed. I appreciated his passion for how the apostle as a missional and theological source is needed, but I felt that his book lacked examples of how this is really being worked out. I think his thoughts are grand, but I wonder if the book is out a bit too early and if we'd be better serve by a book that works out some of the implications of his thoughts.

Tom Griner said...
I hear a desire similar to what I heard years before from the church growth folks...a desire to reach the world for Jesus by retooling Christianity. And they have had some success yet as Hirsch says, Christianity in the west continues a downward spiral. So now we have a new generation who also wants to retool Christianity. The thought is, if only we can be real and get down to where people really are... if only we can be free from the old baggage and have a new view, we can recover the declination. Yet, I believe this new analyses is just more of the same. It too will leave the church empty and void. So what is the answer to this intuitive since that something is wrong? Without sounding to simplistic, I do not believe it is a new view of relevance that is needed; I believe we simply need to be real Christians. What I mean by real Christian is not one who is a Christian in name or who attends church religiously. I mean one who is born of God and who is filled with the very Spirit of God. I mean one who is incarnating Christ. There is a problem, but it is not with how we relate to society. The problem is what we are. Much of Christianity is plastic and religious. Only a Christianity that is an expression of the Word of God in power will be a Christianity that changes the world. And when that kind of Church arises, there is always persecution. If the Church continues to try and find some new prescription that will make it fulfill its great calling, it will continue to go around the mountain. When the Apostle Peter came out of the upper room, he and his fellow brethren turned their world upside down within thirty years. When they preached, thousands were converted, when they prayed the place was shaken, when they laid hands on the sick they recovered. This is the kind of Christianity that is the source of the hunger that people are searching for but don't know what it is. This is the missing link. And this is were risk and faith turn a dull Christianity into a living and breathing expression of God that is worth living and dying for. This kind of Church cannot be engineered by some new set of tools or paradigm. Only a Church filled with God will answer the need of the hour. This is the true Apostolic Genius given by God. Tom Griner

I just finished reading Humility and it one of the rare books that I am sad to finish. It was a deeply challenging book that I wish every Christian would read and I am certain that every Christian would benefit from.

Mahaney defines Humility as "honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness." I found that definition to be powerful. It was a humbling experience to be forced to realize that because of my sinfulness I deserve death and hell, that is what I deserve yet God has chosen to show me grace and mercy through the Cross of His Son. So when I look at all the good in my life I am forced to confess that I can take credit for none of it. It is all simply an opportunity to praise the goodness of my great God.

Two of Mahaney's strengths shine in this book; he is always a gracious and is open about his own struggles. The book is not written as a learned treatise from a man who portrays himself as a paradigm of humility, rather as a shared education from a proud man pursuing humility urging us to join him in that pursuit.

Mahaney is also intensely practical. Throughout the book there is guidance on how to cultivate the attitude of humility. I found especially helpful his guidance on how to start the day and I am already benefiting from it. He advises that we should begin each day acknowledging our dependence on God and expressing gratefulness to Him. There is a great deal of practical guidance of this nature throughout the book. But starting the day in this fashion has changed the nature of how I face the obstacles of the day, how I approach the appointments and duties of each day, they are no longer seen as opportunities to work or to accomplish things or even simply to do what must be done; but rather as opportunities to rest in God's strength and to see Him at work.

I commend this book to you and all the work of C. J. Mahaney. May God Bless him and preserve him so that he can continue to be a conduit of blessing to the church.

The book is a swift and easy read, the first time through. Once you put it down you have to pick it back up and then study it, in depth, and try to soak its truths deep into your heart. The shadow a true Christian should cast is one of real love and humility and C.J. Mahaney teaches one the importance of it, how Jesus IS humility, and how we need to live like Him.
Loved it, and am busy trying to pursue Humility, True Greatness.

this is a great study of what I am not... ie humble... Yes, I agree with the entire premise, but I still would have preferred being comfortably ignorant of my arrogance and spiritual pride... yes, the cross is the only solution, and the disciplines suggested are simple, but to do them means that I would have to actually change...

I guess that was the point...

or the other point that it is not actually about me.

Humility is not a bestselling topic. In a world that celebrates pride, achievement, and the success and glory of individuals, it is difficult to convince many that greatness lies in reverence. In his book, "Humility, True Greatness," C.J. Mahanney gives us hope that humility still has its value. He makes clear in his introduction his qualifications for writing this book.

"I'm a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God. I don't write as an authority on humility. I write as a fellow pilgrim walking with you on the path set before us by our humble savior."

This book is very practical. Mahanney starts out writing of the dangers of pride and the blessings of living humbly. He then describes how not only the Bible but also the examples of corporate America show that it is most often driven leaders that "were self-effacing and modest" who rose to the top. Even more rewarding is the concept that "humility draws down the gaze of [...] God," but that it takes God to practice genuine humility.

In the second half of this book, Mahanney suggests to the reader how to practice this journey to pursue humility. Chapters include "As Each Day Begins," "As Each Day Ends," "Identifying Evidences of Grace," and "Encouraging Others," and each gives great stories and examples to cultivate a life of humility and more vivid understanding of its presence in daily living.

Mahanney finishes the book describing the legacy of greatness left behind after a life of humility, and gives us a list of suggestions to reference as we seek to apply these ideas to our lives.

After listening to a pastor give an address to his congregation on the topic of "Finding Joy in Humility" (Pastor Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Seattle), I remembered his reference of Mahanney's book, and used the power of Amazon.com to acquire my own copy right away. The book has a lot to offer to anyone who might open up their heart to the principle that is guaranteed to lead to true greatness.

Short, consise, well-versed, advice on living a life of humility, not as the world sees it (weakness, shyness), but as seen through the eyes of God. True greatness is achieved through true humility.
And C.J. Mahaney systematically lays out a blueprint for God's plan for our life. God's plan; not our plan. This is the key to understanding true humility; understanding that we must be servants, as Christ demonstrated, in order to remain on the path that God has chosen for us.
Are you willing to lay all at the foot of God in order to let him transform you in to a creature that is successful; at home, at work, at play. God wants success for his people, but he desires humility.
A continual reference to one key point in this book is that God gives grace to the humble. Well, as we all know, God's grace is all we have to begin with because we are nothing without him, but now we see that there is something that we can do to draw God's gaze and bring grace to our lives. What a true relief. Through true biblical humility, we can attract God's gaze, draw his attention and receive blessings beyond which we have already, through grace, received. How humbling, how encouraging, how exciting!
I have suffered many setbacks in my life, inlcuding 10 years in darkness after I turned my back on God, but this book, the first that I read when I truly dedicated my life to the Lord, has led to such a great understanding of what God has for us, for me.
C.J. Mahaney uses real-life analogies and stories to relate the message that is repeated throughout God's word, and he backs all of that up with scripture.
I cannot more highly recommend a life changing book, especially for a new Christian; this book will provide the foundation for all future endeavors in your life in God's will. This book helped me to understand that I was self-centered, egocentric and selfish; even with my wife and daughters who I love and thought I would do anything for. It helped me to find the places, deep inside, that I needed to change in order to effectively humble myself in every facet of my life.
I still suffer trials, to be honest, I feel that I suffer more since I became a true Christian, but I see them as a blessing, a gift, an opportunity for me to, as it says in James, grow in faith. James 1:2-3 (not referenced in the book, but so very valid here) states; "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (NIV). What an encouragement! What a blessing! GRACE!!!
Please, read this book. The chapters are short enough for a devotional period and the results, if you are receptive to God's word, are remarkable.
Humility, despite what the world believes, is the key to happiness both here and in the hereafter.

It seems like the majority of Deathly Hallows critique and analysis has focused on what Rowling got wrong -- the opportunities she missed, the issues left unresolved, etc. Mr. Granger's book of essays/lectures points out what Rowling got right and makes a very persuasive argument that Deathly Hallows is the artistic capstone of the series, and not just a cop-out. Mr. Granger's arguments are written in a clear and entertaining way that makes them accessible to casual readers. But there is also a lot of meat to his ideas -- enough to intrigue even jaded lit majors such as myself. Mr. Granger makes a wonderful analogy between the game of Quidditch and literary analysis and invites us to become seekers. His book is a demonstration of the riches that await someone willing to delve deeper beyond the storyline into the symbols and structures that underly the story and that give the story its emotional and moral impact. Mr. Granger's book is also helpful for anyone wishing to cut through the kerfuffle regarding Christianity and occultism in Harry Potter and the debate as to whether Harry Potter has literary merit. His discussions of these issues are thoughtful and balanced. I definitely have a greater appreciation of Deathly Hallows having read Mr. Granger's book and I am newly inspired to keep seeking to find new treasures in Mr. Rowling's work. Thanks to Mr. Granger, Dante on my short list of works to re-read.

You don't have to be an authority on Dante, C.S.Lewis, or William Shakespeare to get your head around John Granger's latest book, *The Deathly Hallows Lectures*. The purpose of DHL is to introduce and enlighten the reader as to the many layers of symbolism in Harry Potter's journey/defeat over Lord Voldemort.

The HogWarts Professor writes in an easy-to-read style that combines his quirky humor with the intricacies of literary analysis. John doesn't talk down to his reader. On the contrary, his tone is quite personable. I felt as if I was sitting in an upper-level lit class led by an instructor more interested in making sure I was "getting" the information instead of telling me how much he knew. A word of caution: you may want to keep a dictionary close at hand during the meatier/deeper discussion points!

Bottom line, *The Deathly Hallows Lectures* is a wonderful tool for unlocking the many layers of J K Rowling's work. Serious readers will no doubt recognize the many literary traditions John references throughout. Novices (like myself) will be introduced to new ways of reading and examining the deeper meanings beneath the storylines. I heartily recommend *The Deathly Hallows Lectures* to the serious and interested-in-becoming-serious reader.

Having read all of John Granger's books, I was not surprised to find that this latest one, "The Deathly Hallows Lectures" is full of even more insights into the depth of the Harry Potter books. This book is not only fun to read, taking the reader back through all the books, and tying up the series with Deathly Hallows, but also points to the rich tradition of literature that inspired J. K. Rowling. Granger's book also shows how Rowling answered her Christian critics throughout the series, by pointing the obvious Christian imagery throughout the books, and especially in the last one, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".

Because of this book, as well as John's previous ones, I've been delving back into Austen, Dickens, Lewis, Shakespeare and many others. And now, I've added Dante to my list.

"The Deathly Hallows Lectures" by John Granger sheds light on the symbolic writing of Rowling in a way that enhances every re-reading of the Harry Potter books, making them even more enjoyable than they were on my first reading.

Well, most people are. THis book is great for those of us who have forgotten that EVERYBODY in high school thinks they are wierd.

I have read many of Ortberg's books but overlooked this one until now. Wow, what a great book. I have been quoting this book on a daily basis. The advice, which seems aimed at Men due to the fact that we have trouble with "fellowship" and opening up, is very helpful. Once again Mr Ortberg has made me search my soul, strengthen my faith, and laugh out loud. Very insightful and highly recommended for anyone.

My cousin thought it would be a book I liked. I am planning on reading it soon.

But I am reminded immediately why I have every John Ortberg book on my wish list.

He is an amazing writer. Funny, intelligent, insightful. I hightly recommend his "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat"

It was truly life changing.

Inciteful discussion of barriers to community building and fellowship. Helpful consideration of practical elements such as conflict management. Unique and entertaining perspective including extensive applicable Scriptural references and illustrations. Well written. An entertaining read and valuable reference work. Each chapter includes questions for reflection and discussion. Effective for group study and discussion.

This book is inspiring. Kornfield makes many important points, the most central being: does your path have a heart? I understand this to mean: reflect on what is most valuable to you in life. Read about the experiences of people near death and what they consider to be the best parts of their lives. Then ask yourself: is your path leading you to this valuable center of living?

Jack is excellent at describing the perils of spiritual striving: the ways that by striving to attain some fixed notion of "spirituality" that we actually increase our self-divisions and compartmentalization. I agree with him that working closely with a healer (which could be a psychotherapist, or could be someone with a different title) is necessary to resolve stuck family karma and to see into our blind spots.

For some reason psychotherapy and Buddhism mixed together seem to create joyless writers. This is no exception.

Here is a lawyer joke. Lawyer tells his client, "I can write a 10 page opinion for 2 thousand dollars or a 2 page opinion for 10 thousand dollars. Which do you want?" We have the 10 page version.

Beware of authors who use their own quotes to begin each chapter. We are not talking modest. Why in the world would I want to read a quote as the kickoff of each chapter taken from the chapter itself? Perhaps the next edition will come underlined by the author.

There are many other books that cover the same ground with more wit, more depth and fewer words. Seek them out.

I found this book to be very helpful in approaching Buddhism generally and Buddhist meditation specifically. I learned a lot about what to expect out of any Buddhist practice as well as pitfalls. So why not 5 stars? Well, as an atheist I find certain things a little difficult to accept: rebirth and karma as an example.

I have MANY books on spirituality,buddhism,science and Yoga,and this book was a purchase required for my Yoga teacher training. However once I started reading it I was really happy to continue reading!it just is filled with everthing nessisary in helping you along your lifes path.Based on Buddhim at it's core,however it is not about Buddhism or teaching you about it's phylosophy. The author uses his knowledge and understanding and life experiences to help you along your path. The book leaves nothing un turned, it deals with everything! i have many books and there was still many things in the book that touched and moved me dearly.
I would certainly recomend this book to ANYONE,it is a great book for anyone regardless of their beliefs.Try it and you will feel thankful you did!

While it is very 'pragmatic', I think this will be it's downfall. All the mystery is replaced with how 'meditation' will be such an aid in making one righteous. EMPTINESS and NO-SELF (rather wondrous buddhist teachings) are treated, in my opinion, to a very one-sided interpretation. Only those taken with 'sitting' will find this book inspiring.

Here's a sample:
'As our development of self grows and our heart becomes less entangled, we begin to discover a deeper truth about self. We do not have to improve ourselves; we just have to let go or what blocks our heart.' (pg. 209)

This sounds rather too psychological for me. If its psychology we're advocating (very pragmatic) then lets call a spade a spade. Aren't we merely using 'meditation' to work on ourselves? Oh, and all those 'paradoxical' buddhist terms really are nothing more then the way Easterners talk about what we call psychology, only they use 'meditation' instead of a couch! It's ok if one feels that way, however, that may obscure things that don't fit that profile. The real danger here.


"Wishing to get out of birth and death, wishing to attain release, you try to become unified; but one does not attain unification after becoming homogenized. If you try to make yourself unified, you will certainly not attain unification." Chan Master Foyan (1067-1120)