All entries filed under this archive
Primordial Grace by Robert and Rachel Olds – HIGHLIGHT
a book review by Don Beamish In 1997 artists Robert and Rachel Olds felt the call to enter into a meditation retreat that lasted for nine years and changed their lives forever. It is quite clear that they emerged from retreat with profound realization. Primordial Grace: Earth, ... continuePosted July 10, 2020 by alexvangils
Spacious Minds by Sara E. Lewis – HIGHLIGHT
From Cornell University Press Review by Shastri Steve Gleich Have you ever wondered what it would be like to grow up and live in a Buddhist culture? Would you view the truths of the dharma as common sense? One would be indeed fortunate to be part of a ... continuePosted June 16, 2020 by alexvangils
Dakini Power by Michaela Haas – HIGHLIGHT
A review by Christine Heming Michaela Haas has shared with us her “labor of love” by honoring the lives and accomplishments of twelve female pioneers of Buddhism in the West . . . and these are remarkable women. As individuals they are direct, determined, sharp, humorous, courageous ... continuePosted May 4, 2020 by alexvangils
Know Thyself (Or the algorithms will do it for thee) – HIGHLIGHT
A review of the bestseller by Yuval Noah Harari, by Stephen Gleitch What does a brilliant, Israeli, Oxford educated, gay, 42-year old historian who has meditated daily for 20 years, and has written two best-sellers have to teach us about how to live in this age of ... continuePosted March 2, 2020 by alexvangils
McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality – HIGHLIGHT
Christine Heming reviews the book by Ronald E. Purser McMindfulness occurs when mindfulness is used, with intention or unwittingly, for self-serving and ego-enhancing purposes that run counter to both Buddhist and Abrahamic prophetic teachings to let go of ego-attachment and enact skillful compassion for everyone. David Forbes, The ... continuePosted December 22, 2019 by alexvangils
The Great Within – The Transformative Power and Psychology of the Spiritual Path – HIGHLIGHT
Christine Heming reviews the new book by Han F. de Wit, PhD. Han de Wit’s story has a familiar ring – the pursuit of Western psychology in the 1970’s only to find it offered little to those who wanted to study and understand the mind. Fortunately for ... continuePosted October 31, 2019 by alexvangils
Favorite Books: An Invitation to Readers of the Times – HIGHLIGHT
If you haven’t fully embraced the digital age (like me) and enjoy holding a book in your hands, you probably have to keep scouting out more shelf space (me too). Then there is the dilemma of how to organize the increasing treasure trove. I’ll share my ... continuePosted September 10, 2019 by alexvangils
Book Review: In Love With the World – HIGHLIGHT
In Love With the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche with Helen Tworkov Reviewed by Christine Heming If you do not recognize the truth of impermanence, you cannot attain genuine realization. You must allow the illusion of ego to die. ... continuePosted August 20, 2019 by alexvangils
Interconnected, Embracing Life in Our Global Society: a new book by the 17th Karmapa – HIGHLIGHT
A book review by Christine Heming Interconnected, Embracing Life in Our Global Society is a deep dive into the Buddhist teaching on interdependence. His Holiness The Karmapa speaks with a gentle tone, a sharp clarity, and at times, a poetic elegance. His aim is help us “think ... continuePosted July 23, 2019 by alexvangils
Teaching with Bravery: Meditation and Heart Advice for Teachers – HIGHLIGHT
Christine Heming reviews the new book by Acharya Noel McLellan. In the Introduction to Teaching with Bravery, Noel McLellan places his “Heart Advice” within the daunting realities of our time – “ecological crisis, social injustice, economic disparities, and political conflicts.” School is the “place where the forces ... continuePosted June 25, 2019 by alexvangils
Islands of Sanity – HIGHLIGHT
Christine Heming reviews Margaret Wheatley’s new book, Who Do We Choose to Be? Who Do We Choose To Be by Margaret Wheatley “Is it possible to use our influence and power to create islands of sanity in the midst of a raging destructive sea.” I was drawn to Margaret ... continuePosted May 27, 2019 by alexvangils
Book Review: Training in Tenderness – HIGHLIGHT
Training in Tenderness: Buddhist Teachings on Tsewa, The Radical Openness of Heart That Can Change the World By Dzigar Kongtrul Reviewed by Christine Heming “Just give me some tenderness beneath your honesty.” – Paul Simon Some weeks ago, I listened to the testimony of Mr. Michael Cohen before the US ... continuePosted March 31, 2019 by alexvangils
Dharma of ‘The Princess Bride’ – HIGHLIGHT
An excerpt from a new book exploring the dharmic lessons of this favorite modern fairy tale by Ethan Nichtern “Some of my favorite teachers are philosophical masters. Deft, witty, and inconceivably ambidextrous with their material, they are the Dread Pirate Roberts of their given subject. Regardless of the ... continuePosted October 17, 2017 by CGH
Happier at Work – HIGHLIGHT
A review of Gayle Van Gils’ new book by Sarah Lipton “There are a growing number of companies that list love or caring among their explicit management principles,” says Gayle Van Gils in her outstanding new book titled “Happier at Work.” Gayle goes on to explain how and ... continuePosted October 11, 2017 by CGH
Lincoln in the Bardo – HIGHLIGHT
review of a George Saunders novel by Michelle Welch I’m often on the lookout for Buddhist-themed novels, and Lincoln in the Bardo is a new novel that received numerous critical accolades. More recently, Lion’s Roar magazine featured an interview with the author, George Saunders. I was particularly drawn ... continuePosted May 27, 2017 by CGH