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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Religions of Indic & Oriental origin > Buddhism > Tibetan Buddhism
Many of us dream of exchanging our day-to-day responsibilities for
a heartfelt life full of purpose, but few of us ever get around to
doing something about it. The women featured in Dakini Power are
contemporary teachers of Tibetan Buddhism, both Westerners and
Asians, who teach in the West and are the exception. These twelve
women followed their intuition against all odds, made dramatic and
unusual decisions, and sometimes had to fight for their survival in
order to lead the lives they envisioned. All were criticized for
being too conservative or too rebellious, too feminist or not
feminist enough, yet they pulled through with immense determination
and bravery. Today all are recognized as accomplished practitioners
and brilliant teachers. What can we learn from these women? How do
they handle the cultural differences? How do they deal with the
more controversial aspects of Buddhism? The Westerners among them
risked alienating their families and closest friends by immersing
their lives in a completely foreign culture. Often, this
necessitated radical life changes. What did they find on their
journey? Was the price they paid worth it to them?
This narrative of subsistence on the Tibetan plateau describes the
life-worlds of people in a region traditionally known as Kham who
move with their yaks from pasture to pasture, depending on the milk
production of their herd for sustenance. Gillian Tan's story, based
on her own experience of living through seasonal cycles with the
people of Dora Karmo between 2006 and 2013, examines the
community's powerful relationship with a Buddhist lama and their
interactions with external agents of change. In showing how they
perceive their environment and dwell in their world, Tan conveys a
spare beauty that honors the stillness and rhythms of nomadic life.
In a very intimate, informal setting, Thinley Norbu, one of the most articulate voices of Tibetan Buddhism, gives a no-holds-barred explanation of the challenges Westerners face in authentically learning, practicing, and transmitting Buddhism, highlighting both the obstacles and the way to navigate beyond them.
In colorful, bustling Boudhanath--Buddhism's great pilgrimage site in Nepal--a group of Westerners gathered to speak with Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche about topics both mundane and sublime. This is the record of their lively dialogue. First published in an exclusive private edition some forty years ago, "Echoes" has now returned to reach a larger and broader audience who will be eager to share in this intimate exchange of questions and answers with a revered teacher.
Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Niels Bohr, Einstein. Their insights
shook our perception of who we are and where we stand in the world,
and in their wake have left an uneasy coexistence: science vs.
religion, faith vs. empirical inquiry. Which is the keeper of
truth? Which is the true path to understanding reality?
After forty years of study with some of the greatest scientific
minds, as well as a lifetime of meditative, spiritual, and
philosophic study, the Dalai Lama presents a brilliant analysis of
why all avenues of inquiry--scientific as well as spiritual--must
be pursued in order to arrive at a complete picture of the truth.
Through an examination of Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics
and philosophical insight into the nature of reality, neurobiology
and the study of consciousness, the Dalai Lama draws significant
parallels between contemplative and scientific examinations of
reality.
This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai
Lama's teachers--both of science and spirituality. The legacy of
this book is a vision of the world in which our different
approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe, and one
another can be brought together in the service of humanity.
Tertoen Sogyal was a 19th century visionary saint whose mastery of
meditation led him to become the revered teacher to the 13th Dalai
Lama. Known for his deep spiritual insights and service to the
nation of Tibet, Tertoen Sogyal's ability to harness the power of
the mind was born of his own profound understanding of the Buddha's
teachings while engaging in the world. Tertoen Sogyal's life of
striving for perfection against great odds is an example of
courageous diligence appreciated by spiritual practitioners of all
traditions. And his practical instructions on meditation and
opening one's heart in devotion are as relevant today as they were
during his lifetime. In Fearless in Tibet, Matteo Pistono shares
Tertoen Sogyal's essential teachings and life story; from the
challenges Tertoen Sogyal faced during his early yogic training, to
exploring the mystic's inner world of visions and spiritual
revelations, to how he worked to bring peace and harmony in Tibet
and China. Fearless in Tibet is a journey where the readers will
gain their own insight for today's challenges whether that means
transforming negativity into opportunity, or resting in awareness
of the present moment, or recognizing the awakened state is already
present within.
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