|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 "Be a lamp unto yourself"---Last words of the Buddha Shakyamuni Jul 11, 2010
A previous reviewer says that His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama is the closest thing we have to Buddha on earth. I think his Holiness would disagree, first because he is an exceedingly humble man, and second because he would say, as the Buddha Shakyamuni did, that we are all Buddhas.
HOW TO SEE YOURSELF AS YOU REALLY ARE is a wonderful audiobook filled with wisdom and practical exercises to help us all learn mindfulness and compassion, the two watchwords of Buddhist practice. Six discs in length, HOW TO SEE YOURSELF AS YOU REALLY ARE is a detailed manual of practice. It is read by His Holiness' translator, Jeffrey Hopkins, who manages to work his way through some rather esoteric concepts without losing the thread of the Dalai Lama's lessons. Hopkins is not a theatrical reader, and this is not really an audiobook to be listened to while doing anything else (like driving); it requires VERY active listening.
My only negative criticism revolves around the complex, textbook quality of the material. Numbered lists, chapter subheadings, end of chapter exercises, and meditative reflections really require the student to take notes. There's no question that HOW TO SEE YOURSELF AS YOU REALLY ARE needed to be released with an accompanying paperback and a workbook.
There's a lot of depth here, and you'll be listening to His Holiness' lessons many times over. Don't go into this audiobook thinking that it is going to be a Snooze Along with the Lama lecture.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
enlightening May 10, 2010
obviously i feel that the information given is enlightening and provokes much thought; however, it may be a bit over my head. i will re-read the book and perhaps the second time it will sink in better. but i intend to investigate further and read more into buddhism and His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
 Mindfulness heals Mar 15, 2010
The Dalai Lama is such a down-to-earth person with such compassion for people - something truly refreshing. Here he introduces us to the human struggle between the conditioned world of thoughts, memories and perceptions in which we spend most of our lives, and a totally different way of being as the unconditioned space that contains all. We are not our thoughts or even our emotions although we act as if we were over and over again, and this is the origin of our suffering. It is only through the path of mindfulness and waking up that we can break free from this illusional world of habitual reactivity we call self or ego. I also recommend 'The Path of Mindfulness Meditation' available through Amazon.
4 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Author not best choice for reading Audio Book Jan 15, 2010
With all due respect Jeffrey, Ph.D. Hopkins' voice, tone and delivery detracts from the message. It is monotone and makes an enlightening subject boring by virtue of the delivery. I have three [3] other audio books by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 'Live in a better way', 'The art of Happiness', and 'The art of Happiness at work' and those are more engaging.
An audio book must deliver more than just the spoken word, it should pull the listener in. I wished he had used someone else to deliver the audio book. A hard listen for me despite the subject matter. The absence of the `Tibetan accent' as it were is a factor which could be over looked if Jeffrey, Ph.D. Hopkins' tone had some life; something to feel. ZZZZZzzzzz....
Dalai knows his stuff Dec 06, 2009
I listened to this on cd while driving. Very deep but not incomprehensible. For all of you who want to learn about Buddha psychology/philosophy,(and I know you're out there) you probably won't find a better book. I will definitely get the printed version when I learn how to read.
|
| | |
