This must be one of the most important books I've ever read, one of the simplest and most effective expositions of Buddhist teachings freely availableThis must be one of the most important books I've ever read, one of the simplest and most effective expositions of Buddhist teachings freely available in the world at this moment. It would be helpful for a reader to have a basic grounding in Buddhist philosophy before picking this up, but is at any rate full of insights into modern-day applications of the four seals in Buddhism....more
It seems like Lama Anagarika Govinda managed to do the impossible - write a work that is part travelogue, part journal, part memoir, without at any poIt seems like Lama Anagarika Govinda managed to do the impossible - write a work that is part travelogue, part journal, part memoir, without at any point taking himself too seriously. For a work so reverential and lofty, it is Anagarika's fundamental good humour and lighthanded narration that keeps the reader from ever being bored. An altogether precious foray into 1930s Tibet and an introduction to the stories and tenets of Tibetan Buddhism. I listened to over 13 hours in a week - what's the aural equivalent of 'unputdownable'? This lama was obviously entirely my kind of person. Since it's a little late to hang out with him, I guess one can at least hope to be more like him - adventurous, curious, wise, with an infectious clarity of thought. An all-time great read around the themes of journeying, Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism, and relentless self-exploration....more
There can be no 'review' as such of the story of a fishmonger's daughter from London who has relentlessly pursued self-realisation with a commitment mThere can be no 'review' as such of the story of a fishmonger's daughter from London who has relentlessly pursued self-realisation with a commitment most of us can scarcely imagine. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is a beacon signalling THAT unparalleled bravery and ultimate freedom that a human lifetime can be used to access. While the most obviously 'impressive' part of the story is her 12 years living alone in a Himalayan cave, meditating 12 hours a day, sleeping in a sitting position (for 12 years - yes - right in her meditation box) and eating largely dal, rice and turnips, her overarching commitment to finding freedom right from her late teens is what stands out even more for me. To make a choice as a young woman that truth and freedom come before pleasure and ease, and to go after that doggedly. It's so very difficult, and yet we are fortunate enough to have beings like Tenzin Palmo among us to show us it can be done. Defying scriptures that consider birth as a male to be highly advantageous in pursuing spiritual progress, here is a very special being who, horrified at the sexism even within spiritual practice, has taken a solemn vow to attain enlightenment in the female form. To be read, re-read, and meditated upon as often as possible....more
Looking at some of the other reviews I am so glad I did not read this book for the first time as an adult, but as a starry-eyed 11-year-old who was inLooking at some of the other reviews I am so glad I did not read this book for the first time as an adult, but as a starry-eyed 11-year-old who was instantly transported into a magical land of talking animals and beautiful rolling hills. Of course from a political correctness perspective this book has not aged well (the same would be said of such classic authors as Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie) - but as a brown person in whose country men actually do wear Calormene-style shoes with upturned toes, my vote lands on "not offended." Oddly, despite the cruel Tarkaans and verbose poetic prose of the people, my childhood self found Calormen to be a wonderful place, with beautiful lakeside houses and orange trees and ladies of leisure like Lasaraleen Tarkheena. Equally beautiful of course were Archenland and Narnia, with their promises of freedom and egalitarianism and every happy fantasy come to life. Shasta and Aravis as protagonists are etched into my mind - all I ever wanted was to grow up to be Aravis. I reread this book in 2020, after a gap of decades, and it left me emotional and happy all over again, and also a little fearful of the kind of reviews I'd find for it online (I see the racism as clearly as anyone else, but since I associate this book with the magic of childhood I am more inclined to let it go given the relative 'unwokeness' of the time in which it was first written)....more
Superb. Ted Chiang does not disappoint, after the very high expectations set by Stories of Your Life - this new collection of stories is full of ideasSuperb. Ted Chiang does not disappoint, after the very high expectations set by Stories of Your Life - this new collection of stories is full of ideas that haven't been thought of before, told in Chiang's unique crisp-but-captivating style. It helps that he is quite evidently a polymath with the ability to comprehend and correlate a vast number of subjects with equal depth. My only grouse with the book is that it, well, ended. A bright gem in the galaxy of science fiction....more
I wish I had read this during my painful years in BigLaw. If you are a (corporate) lawyer or know someone who is, this is a fascinating, funny, honestI wish I had read this during my painful years in BigLaw. If you are a (corporate) lawyer or know someone who is, this is a fascinating, funny, honest, empathetic work by a lawyer-turned-psychotherapist on the afflictions of the legal profession. ...more
So grand in its scope, so simple in its style. I would rank this as a more important how-to on meditation than even Shunryu Suzuki or the Dalai Lama, So grand in its scope, so simple in its style. I would rank this as a more important how-to on meditation than even Shunryu Suzuki or the Dalai Lama, because of how eminently accessible and implementable it is. No jargon, no esoteric references, just the idea of being awake and aware in daily life. I used the Headspace app alongside this book to implement the teachings and loved it....more
Gosh, how I love Liz Gilbert. Not only does her writing flow beautifully, but she's also eminently relatable, real and pragmatic. This is not a trite Gosh, how I love Liz Gilbert. Not only does her writing flow beautifully, but she's also eminently relatable, real and pragmatic. This is not a trite book about abandoning your life and job and running away to Tahiti to find your inner artist. It's far bigger than that sort of thing - far more sustainable, far more meaningful - enjoying your creativity while still appreciating and respecting your everyday life. And that sounds boring, but with Gilbert, nothing's ever boring. Everything is light and funny and possible. It's not always happy - it's just never heavy-handed. This is a book to revisit every six months to remind yourself of your own infinite possibilities. ...more
I should be embarrassed by how much I like this book (but I'm not). If you lack imagination, certainly Marie Kondo's attribution of consciousness and I should be embarrassed by how much I like this book (but I'm not). If you lack imagination, certainly Marie Kondo's attribution of consciousness and feelings to everyday objects will seem like lunacy - but really, that's not the point of this book. I follow several of her methods and they've helped me, a lazy and clutter-happy person, keep my spaces better organised and my possessions better-maintained and pared-down. The satisfaction of living among things that are exclusively useful and/or beautiful is real!...more
A great book leaves its reader in some manner changed - and this beautifully written book by de Botton has done just that for me. I will view buildingA great book leaves its reader in some manner changed - and this beautifully written book by de Botton has done just that for me. I will view buildings, nature and even human beings differently now. A fantastic exposition on ideas of beauty, symmetry, and self-knowledge ("What do I personally find beautiful and why?"), highly recommended to anyone interested in these themes. Already looking forward to returning for a re-read....more
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