Book Description
Referred to as the "Grand Prix of epidemiology" by The New York Times, this study examines more than 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in more than 2,500 counties across China and Taiwan, and conclusively demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. While revealing that proper nutrition can have a dramatic effect on reducing and reversing these ailments as well as curbing obesity, this text calls into question the practices of many of the current dietary programs, such as the Atkins diet, that are widely popular in the West. The politics of nutrition and the impact of special interest groups in the creation and dissemination of public information are also discussed.
Customer Reviews:
An American Must Read.......2007-10-18
This book is very informative. Every American needs to pick this book up and read it. Read the Introduction that Amazon shows before you buy and you'll agree that it's a must read. America is the richest and yet one of the most poorly nourished nations in the world. The only way to change that is to pass on the data and information like in this book.
China Study Review.......2007-10-18
This is definitely the best book on nutrition I've read and I've gone through ton's of 'diet' books.
This book seems to have finally gotten to the 'truth' about state of the art nutrition. Refreshing, excellent, and... it's about time! Thank you Colin Campbell, PhD, for finally giving the public an honest, forthright look at the field, the research and for guidance on applying the research results. I'm also sure many of those making money off our dietary misery will not like this book or the changes suggested by current valid research.
I thought following the advice gleaned from the scientific studies would be hard but actually, it was easy and I found I didn't crave my 'old' diet at all. The food I ate even tasted better; something I thought only happened with smokers who quit. I feel much better now on all fronts and don't seem to have a problem keeping the weight off even though I'm often eating more than before.
The 'inside' look that the author gives of the research establishment, government and the food industry were enlightening and give me a better footing to evaluating their 'advice' in the future. It also explains a lot about things I've read about in other diets and about nutrition guidelines in general.
Required Reading! Especially for health care providers..........2007-10-17
I have wanted to create a vegetarian household for years; however, my husband has been a staunch meat-eater. This book and a trip to the doctor to discover he has developed an auto-immune condition and he's agreed to a 12-week vegetarian trial. I know the power of not eating animal products and am excited to get my husband on board. If it weren't for the common sense, scientific, non-biased results expressed in this book, I never would have been able to convince my optometrist husband that diet is likely the culprit. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Surprising statistics!.......2007-10-13
The data and information were very convincing. They back up the claims made by Joel Fuhrman in his book "Eat to Live". I am rapidly losing my desire for meat and animal protein of any kind.
The China Study.......2007-10-07
Great book. Have read a few pages and am very interested. Seems like it's going to be a book that many people should read. It was recommended to me by someone in my Sunday School class.
Amazon.com
In 1927, Walter Evans-Wentz published his translation of an obscure Tibetan Nyingma text and called it the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Popular Tibetan teacher Sogyal Rinpoche has transformed that ancient text, conveying a perennial philosophy that is at once religious, scientific, and practical. Through extraordinary anecdotes and stories from religious traditions East and West, Rinpoche introduces the reader to the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism, moving gradually to the topics of death and dying. Death turns out to be less of a crisis and more of an opportunity. Concepts such as reincarnation, karma, and bardo and practices such as meditation, tonglen, and phowa teach us how to face death constructively. As a result, life becomes much richer. Like Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Sogyal Rinpoche opens the door to a full experience of death. It is up to the reader to walk through. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
This acclaimed spiritual masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the most complete and authoritative presentations of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings ever written. A manual for life and death and a magnificent source of sacred inspiration from the heart of the Tibetan tradition, The Tibetan Book Of Living and Dying provides a lucid and inspiring introduction to the practice of meditation, to the nature of mind, to karma and rebirth, to compassionate love and care for the dying, and to the trials and rewards of the spiritual path.
Customer Reviews:
An extraordinary book........2007-10-04
"Just as if you put your finger into water, it will get wet, and if you put it into fire, it will burn, so if you invest your mind in the wisdom mind of the Buddha, it will transform into their wisdom nature."
Considered by many to be the most astute interpretation for Western culture of the Tibetan Book of the Dead and the Tibetan Book of the Living, this contemporary classic by Sogyal Rinpoche blends ancient ideas of Tibetan Buddhism with a fresh perspective from a master who has spent a good deal of time teaching and lecturing in the West.
It is most moving to read his prologue especially, in which he deals with the death of his master, for which he was present. The great spiritual process of learning to die, before dying, as the secret to life, is explored in this section. Much of what is now being reflected upon in the new spirituality of Echart Tolle and others is covered here with clarity and a certain depth not found in other western spiritual classics.
On a personal note, I revisited this book after dealing with a lost love and found it to be the pure water of the dharma that I needed in order to overcome the horrors of such a loss. I would encourage anyone to read this amazing book, but especially those who are in a place of pain, hopelessness, or suffering in this very moment. Strike while the iron is hot! The terrible, clear light of grief is in fact a step into profound self-awareness. It was an honor to read Rinpoche and to be touched by his sincerity and clear mastery of the practice.
First most lifechanging book I've ever read.......2007-10-02
I reviewed the second most life changing book I've ever read, so I figured I should come back and review the first most life changing book I've ever read, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. After my husband died, I wanted to know what happened after you died. He was my one and only true love. When I read this book, I realized that Sogyal Rinpoche had some knowledge of what he was talking about, and this book had all the answers to the mystery of life and death for those with the wisdom to recognize it, and the determination to study and practice it. I read the book 3 times in a row right away right after I bought it.
A few years later after reading the book I joined Rigpa and took the classes they offered. After few years of practice, the cube farm way of life no longer made sense to me. So, much to the chagrin of all my relatives, I ditched my 6 figure Silicon Valley job to go work on a horse ranch by the beach!
Maybe the book should come with a warning label. Warning, this book could be hazardous to your income! Don't feel bad for me tho because I have a sweet IRA which I invest myself so I'm all set for retirement. You can feel jealous instead :-)
Actually, after some years of Buddhist practice, my clarity of mind has improved so I think if I ever had to go back to my old work, I would get all those enterprise-wide IT projects done better, faster, and everyone would have a lot more fun along the way.
Understandable at Last.......2007-08-23
This book makes a complex Buddhist belief understandable for most. The author illustrates principals with examples from his own life. Interspersed with poetry and songs, it is an insightful study on a most important subject.
Nice book.......2007-05-21
A well written book by an author who understands the Tibetan teachings of impermanence. This book is an easy read for the novice student of Budhism, but I wouldn't recommend picking it up as a complete beginner. The book is best suited for early students who are at the least familiar with Tibetan teachings and philosophies.
It is an excellent companion to the Tibetan Book of the dead as it will help clear up some of the things explained in that text in an easy to read and understand fashion. The author makes good use of personal stories, and conventional teachings, and helps to simplify a very demanding aspect of Buddhist study.
the tibetan book of living and dying.......2007-05-14
I find it hard to fully express how important this book is.
The subject may seem morbid but the contra is true, like the bardol thodol it stands alone in spiritual writings.
Customer Reviews:
Changing China.......2007-07-30
The book is good and is full of factual info but its quickly becoming outdated when dealing with the younger Chinese people.
Very helpful but some things have changed... .......2006-07-30
Having just taught in two major Chinese universities, I found this book very helpful. But based on my conversations with numbers of students (at undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level), in today's competitive China some things appear to have changed. E.g. granted the diversity of a vast country like China, in those cities that have been more impacted by Western consumer culture there is much more individualism especially among youth. At the more prestiguous universities intense competition means that fewer students are as willing to assist their colleagues as their more traditional counerparts might have once been. Highly recommended (even for tourists) but do be aware of the increasing impact of Western culture.
Encountering the Chinese : A guide for Americans.......2006-03-24
I found this book interesting however, if you plan to just visit China and not live there it is probably not that helpful. If you are an American and do plan to live there for some period of time it would probably be quite helpful.
This book is worth the encounter.......2005-10-11
This book is primarily directed at Americans involved with China but much of what it refers to is also valid for other English speaking westerners. In fact, it is the best book I have read in terms of explaining Chinese culture as x, y, z. It is said that everything you hear about China is true, but not necessarily where you are. This book includes valuable information that is true in most locations in China, not only the coastal cities, nor just Beijing, nor only in academic circles. The book is broken into two sections. The first half of the book contains general culture information about Chinese people which should be applicable to Chinese in general, no matter where they live in the world. The second half contains information specific to Mainland China and situations you may find yourself in there.
A poignant example would be the fact that when Chinese people are visiting you and decide it is time to leave they do just that, leave. There is no extended time of talk after an initial, "I need to go soon," rather they just stand up and say goodbye. This surprised me the first time it happened with some students but I quickly became used to it. I have read other books which recommend against reading books like this because they will only cause more harm than good. However, almost everything in this book was relevant to my time in China and if I had read it before I went my learning curve would have been shallower.
I would hope that they will come out with a third edition of this valuable book. A few items are dated and China is changing so rapidly that some details are sure to be very different in the future.
an experience leading to a Must read and better understandin.......2005-04-13
I have just finished the book, twice; Encountering the Chinese; A Guide for Americans. by Hu Wenzhong & Cornelius L. Grove.
This is a great book for help in making cross cultural or intercultural communication between Chinese and Americans more rewarding while trying to avoid abrasiveness regarding deep fundamental differences.
Before reading this book I did not know that Chinese culture is one of collectivism, I had thought that everyone is individulistic in the world, I had never known anything different. It was hard for me to understand Chinese life until I got some help from these two authors. It explained many of my questions and concerns for why Chinese do some of the things they do and act in such ways in response to things I do. Why i was treated the way I was, for the way I acted, which I had no idea, was only a response of a disliking of my fundamental character and individualistic personality, one of American born and raised in the Heartland U.S.A..
It showed me the reason, for alot of my confusion and why I received the response I did for my actions.
I acted like an individual and showed anger, which I read to the Chinese are two of the worst ways to act. This difference in fundamentals between myself and the Chinese culture may have led to the misunderstanding and consequential accusations, and or just the overall way of bringing anxiety and frustrations to the surface in my life here in China.
I recommend this book to anyone who would like to know the difference between collectivism and individualism, the predominate theory or doctrines of China & The United States, for better relations between these two ways of thinking for more harmony on both sides for neither one is right or wrong for without education the other has no idea of the inherited fundamental differences each have.
It has helped me see the Chinese way of thinking and acting in response to my way of thinking and acting in my daily life, something that rarely do Americans need to or have to think about. I will forever before instinctly acting on my own individualistically trained nature to see how such acts would be seen from the perspective of one of collectivistic. Like I would never complain aloud in anger about poor pay, nor openly criticize a Chinese person, nor think only of the betterment of myself in matters of personal likes and dislikes. I would also refrain from wearing expensive, name brand, clothing while in the presence of less educated and fashion sensitive people who may feel I am just a selfish American taking advantage of being able to travel the world freely as I my country has given to its citizens. The sometimes I really feel that it is not about cultural differences but something we all have subltely within us, something very known which we all can recognize; jealousy, envy, concite, revenge, hate, and many others that if one is not careful, and educated can appear very similiar to the other as a possible excuse as to say that we have named it a fundamental difference in cultural perspective one of the friction between individualism and collectivism.
>> also if you don't have an idea yet why this book is so important>> a letter to a friend, referring this book and what I had learned from it>
Dear Professor xxxx,
I am not quite sure how to thank you and Prof.xxxx, except to acquire the utmost from this gracious learning opportunity.
Before receiving your email, I had just finished one of the required readings, Encountering the Chinese; A Guide for Americans. By Hu & Grove
How true it really is, I am probably not the first nor the last to say that, but wow I was both amazed and glad that I had read it, to confirm what I had questioned repeatedly and already dealt with and deal with every day. True to it that Americans are fundamentally individualistic, I at least understand that as I was raised by my hard working, blue collar, U.S. Veteran and father, to be self sufficient and self promoting in work and daily affairs, that my survival muchly depended on myself, and that to act in way to promote myself and my priorities is what will make success for myself and family. To depend on another was and is looked down upon, as an American, as one needs to become a compitant providor both to society and his/her family. Such a phrase for this I remember being told as I was growing up, "you need to make a life for yourself, no one else is going to do it for you."
On the other hand, or at the other end of the "continuum," the orientation of the Chinese, collectivism.
Like I had said before, my wife is Chinese, though we are both young and she is somewhat even younger then myself, I have indeed and will continue to make observations on this fundamental orientation in the difference between individualism and collectivism, which if not observed and prepared for will indeed as I have experienced many times, surely cause faux pas, conflicts, and downright hard to explain your way out of -misunderstandings, for it is hard to teach that we both are right from our own orientation, though each of us find from our own conditioning and orientation that the other is wrong. In the moment of such misunderstanding it is not common and hard to say, "ohh, our conflict is one which stems from fundamental differences," instead it is best to be informed beforehand, to be eguipped, and that is exactly why I feel that this course and this book of which is a required text, is of very high importance and benfit.
I am indebt to you for allowing me to expand my knowledge, not only academically but also the practical knowledge that will allow for me to put into practice, at once within my immediate family and that of my surroundings.
Thanks,
-An American Citizen (born & raised on U.S. soil)
-Married interculturally w/ a Chinese Citizen born and raised in one of the two systems one country,-HK
-living with an all Chinese Family, except myself
Amazon.com
Pema Chodron is a Buddhist nun for regular folks. Having raised a family of her own, she doesn't shy away from persistent troubles and the basic meatiness of life. In fact, in Start Where You Are, Chodron tries to get us to see that the faults and foibles in each of us now are the perfect ingredients for creating a better life. No need to wait for a quieter time or a more settled mind. The trick Chodron says is to repattern ourselves, to transform bad habits into good by first opening ourselves to the groundlessness of existence. When the cliff dissolves beneath our feet, fear has a way of actually lessening. Fearlessness opens the way to recognizing our pushy egos and that rather than being cursed with original sin, we are blessed with an original soft spot--the squishy feeling inside that we all have, that is the seat of true compassion, and that we all do our best to armor over. Chodron is the kind of teacher who has seen it all and keeps pushing us back into ourselves until there's no one left to wrestle with but a certain recalcitrant image in the mirror. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Start Where You Are is an indispensable handbook for cultivating fearlessness and awakening a compassionate heart. With insight and humor, Pema Chödrön presents down-to-earth guidance on how we can "start where we are"—embracing rather than denying the painful aspects of our lives. Pema Chödrön frames her teachings on compassion around fifty-nine traditional Tibetan Buddhist maxims, or slogans, such as: "Always apply only a joyful state of mind," "Don't seek others' pain as the limbs of your own happiness," and "Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment." Working with these slogans and through the practice of meditation, Start Where You Are shows how we can all develop the courage to work with our inner pain and discover joy, well-being, and confidence.
Customer Reviews:
Being Versus Analysis.......2006-10-13
Compassion is born of the heart and served by a disciplined mind. What heals our dense energies and emotions is the capacity to embrace in our cells a sense of the seven virtues ... such as compassion. Now compassion is not allowing someone to hurt us constantly but rather it is seeing the pain in the other that provokes them to act out. And by that one can see and perceive beyond our ego's filter and into what really is going on. Often when someone hurts us it is because of their own hurt and corresponding vindictiveness to extend the pain. The Buddha once said that hate never begets hate ...only love begets hate. Detached love is still love in the agape sense ... and compassion is the key to opening the heart once more to allow this remedy to flow. It is a gift to yourself ... when you release yourself from the attachment of what you want a situation to result in. Self-love is your birthright and it is in self-love that you can experience compassion along side strong boundaries.
Absolutely Inspirational and Down to Earth.......2006-05-14
I loved this book. A friend recommended it to me when I said i was interested in meditation. Pema Chodron has a wonderfully practical down-to-Earth way of putting things, and she has a delightful sense of humor. If interested in Buddhism, meditation, or simply learning to live more fully in the present, with all of life's trials and beauty, you will find much to inspire you in this lovely book.
Couldn't put the book down.......2006-02-17
My girlfriend bought me this book over the holidays, and I blew it off but finally had a chance read it from start to finish in a matter of 2 days. Pema Chodron wrote this book with clarity for everyone to understand her beliefs. I've read numerous other books pertaining to Buddhism and this one is by the far the easiest one to understand and comprehend. This book is based around the idea of being compassionate to yourself which in turn will penetrate others around you to develop some level of compassion. Chodron does an excellent job of motivating oneself to clear their mind and avoid unnecessary feelings of anger, aggression, pleasure, etc. Not only does Chodron explain the necessary steps to clear your mind, but she compliments this explanation with examples from her personal experience with students and teachers. The verbage outlined in this book is very easy to comprehend versus other Buddhist books I picked up and read. I've noticed in the past I've had to re-read certain passages quite a few times to fully understand it's meaning, but not with this book. This book motivates me to "start" working on myself, and in doing so it will encourage me to open my eyes to everyone and everything in this world.
An important book.......2005-09-07
This book presents Buddhist ideas and practice based around the idea that your current situation, however good or bad, is the perfect starting point for your journey toward spiritual wellness. I found the book to be very compelling. Ive read it numerous times, and each time it has an impact me. Pema Chodron has a very down-to-earth, casual and genuine writing style that I think a lot of people would respond well to. I highly recommend this book. Especially to those who constantly feel they are 'waiting' for woes and challenges to pass before tackling inner obstacles.
Not pleased.......2005-06-28
I found "The Buddha In Your Mirror" to be a much better book on effective Buddhist practice.
Book Description
The China Study offers conclusive evidence that a change of diet can dramatically reduce the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The book is based on the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted, a 20-year joint project between Cornell University, Oxford University, and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine. The study surveyed the eating habits of 6,500 adults from all over China and Taiwan and found a direct correlation between diet and disease. Author T. Colin Campbell, the study’s project director, provides an intelligent, well-documented analysis of the study’s results, an analysis that explodes the most common American dietary myths. In addressing the dietary sources of the most common diseases, including cancer, Campbell unleashes a no-holds-barred attack on the commercial interests that profit by selling the American public unhealthy food. He also shows how readers can use the study’s results to change their diets and improve their health.
Customer Reviews:
Great Audio.......2007-09-06
I use audiobooks when I take long trips and this was certainly worth it. It is abridged but I don't think I would have been interested in the unabridged version (too much information). The detail was great and I can feel confident discussing this issue with my patients based on what I learned from this audiobook. I would recommend it to anyone.
ESSENTIAL READING.......2007-08-26
The essential key arguments in this book stand unrefuted.
The explanation on US food politics works was invaluable.
Hope to see the day when food labels are less deceptive.
All foods needs plain word macronutriet fat percentages.
E.g. "3.5%" milk = 55% fat. Eggs = 66% fat.... Etcetera.
Authors do a good job in explaining our current labels.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK OR READ THE BOOK.......2007-08-16
Everyone needs to have this information. People have to save themselves and stop relying on the medical industry to do it. We all have the power to make better food choices that will improve our health and vitality. The information presented gives so many compelling reasons to wake up and smell the manure (stop eating animal based foods)! I wish I would have been open to this information when I was younger, but at least I can steer my 6 year old in the right direction.
We are transitioning to a whole food plant based diet and incorporating more physical activity into our lifestyles.
J. Dey.......2007-08-03
I am so pleased to have such solid information on the diet and lifestyle connection to health, and to various diseases that plaque so many. I like that this is sicentificly supported, rather than just another diet book. I find it helpful that it is explained so clearly that anyone can understand how the results of the studies are done, and that it is so clearly related to our daily choices of the food we eat. I finished reading the book last week, and yesterday (8/02/07) I received my copy of the audio version of the China Study. I have just begun listening to it, after loading it into a playlist on my ipod. I'm near the end of CD 1 of 6 in all. It is very good so far. I like that I can listen while doing other things, and hear the information again, there is so much info that is worthy of hearing more than once. The reinforcement of this type of information, helps me in my commitment to a healthier diet.
I look forward to hearing T. Colin Campbell in person speaking next month at Dr. John A. McDougall's advanced study weekend in Santa Rosa, CA. It is the very lifestyle he is refering to in his book/audio book.
Compelling Must Read about Nutrition and Diet: Reverses our Assumptions on Diet and Nutrition!!.......2007-07-26
This book changed my life -- I am a Breast Cancer Survivor. The science and data behind the conclusions are some of the best information available to dispell basic knowledge and assumptions about nutrition. We have a serious nutrition and food supply issue in the US and this book explains the link between this problem and our high rates of disease and cancer. The better results in foreign countries are compelling. This book was recommended to me by an MD cancer survivor who manages cancer clinical trials. I hope this book is the beginning of fundamental re-thinking of nutrition in the US, it should be!!
Average customer rating:
- Take it from one who knows
- This is the beginning of a wonderful JOURNEY!!
- Great exercises to unblock stuck energy!
- Worthwhile in Spite of the Hype
- Great book!
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The Secret Art of Seamm Jasani: 58 Movements for Eternal Youth from Ancient Tibet
Asanaro
Manufacturer: Tarcher
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ASIN: 158542241X
Release Date: 2003-06-19 |
Book Description
Seamm-Jasani, an ancient Tibetan movement system, teaches us how to look and feel younger than our biological age, to increase health and decrease illness, and to find inner peace, calm, and relaxation.
More than 10,000 years ago in the ancient Himalayan Mountains, an ancestral civilization committed itself to the study and development of the Science and Art for Eternal Youth. A form kept in close secrecy for millennia is now revealed for the first time in this practical and dynamic guidebook. The teachings focus on cultivating the powers of the individual's mind, the harmony of movements, and the discovery of internal potentialities as the ultimate force of self-healing to extend one's lifetime.
Comparable to a cross between yoga and tai chi, this ancient Tibetan system is designed to increase vitality, balance, and Inner Energy. The Secret Art consists of slow and fluid movements that improve coordination and strengthen equilibrium between body and mind through various breathing and movement techniques. In particular, Seamm-Jasani is known for its combination of relaxation, active motion, and breathing exercises.
Customer Reviews:
Take it from one who knows.......2007-09-27
Having practiced various martial arts, tai-chi, chi-gung, yoga and pilates for over 40 years this is by far the most effective and practical exercise I have encountered. By far. The book is excellent, the art of Seamm-Jasani is amazing.
First, I was able to actually learn it from the book. I read some reviews that call the author pompous and such but I did not get that from the book at all. He is blunt and unapologetic about preferring this gentler and less violent method of exercise to say karate or weight lifting or marathon training etc. Some others observed that this is simply chi-gung revisited. Apparently these people have not had any exposure to chi-gung other than by reading books. It is not warmed over chi-gung. There are some similarities but did it ever occur to those so-called critics that this art precedes chi-gung by millennia. Chi-gung is like Seamm-Jasani not the other way around. Besides, so the genesis of the art or even the author may be in question...the results are not.
My experience: I bought the book and practiced and learned many of the moves. I saw results very quickly and without any pain. I felt better, slept better and thought better after I started Seamm-Jasani. Mark me completely satisfied at that point.
Then I found out that Asanaro (the author) was conducting a weekend class at the Boston Baobom School in Brookline Ma. I live in Texas on modest means but I cashed in some miles and rewards points, signed up for the session and enjoyed the best training days of my life. It turns out that the book instructions were very good and I was doing most of the movements approximately right. But the weekend transcended the practice of Seamm-Jasani. Every member of the school staff and to my pleasant surprise, each participant were simply wonderful people.
As for the author himself, it would be hard to describe the humble, kind, almost monk-like Asanaro. The man exudes love, contentment and friendship. To say he is unique I would be guilty of vast understatement. He would patiently answer every question of every student until there were no more. He was such an amazing teacher that even people who had not read the book learned all the movements easily during the weekend's five mini workshops. His only request was not to practice the art in front of anyone because doing so would show ego and not be true to the energy of the art, which is after all, eternal youth and vitality. On that note I must add that upon my returning my friends and colleagues and co-workers could not stop talking about how much better I looked after my weekend trip.
Let me clear up some confusion about the so-called secret part of the art of Seamm-Jasani. Each student is shown and taught all the appropriate information for their level. Each level, provides more of the art but is given as the student demonstrates the commitment to the art. There were many questions I had about things during the session and many went politely unanswered. This did not bother me, as I knew that I was simply a beginner. Some people might have a problem with that, though I can hardly imagine why. The whole process, in fact the whole art, has tremendous integrity.
Great book, excellent instruction, easy to use and most of all it truly works. You may want to find and visit the Baobom website and see when they will repeat the course. It is priced incredibly low and no where near the value it provides for a lifetime.
This is the beginning of a wonderful JOURNEY!!.......2007-04-10
I am a former professional athlete and currently a martial arts practitioner for 10 years. I have been practicing this art for 3 months and I have read the book 3 times. Each practice session is a new journey. What makes this art unbelievable is that you do not have to practice each day to feel the benefits. The movements add benefit to everything you do. I would suggest this to all former athletes who want to feel the thrill of the energy of their playing days. I would also suggest to continue to read this book as it is full of clues to unlock personal limitations.
Many compliments to Asanaro for providing the road map to Discipline!!!
Great exercises to unblock stuck energy! .......2007-02-17
This book is fantastic and has just captivated me. I found it searching for simple and effective body-mind-spirit techniques to increase my healing power, stamina and body wisdom. Illness and emotional problems happen when our energy is blocked, but we all have inside the power to heal ourselves, and I have verified that these exercises are excellent to unblock stuck energy.
Most of the times we are so absorbed in what we are doing that we forget to move or even to breathe, with serious consequences to our health until we realize we need to change our habits.
The book explains through clear and easy to follow drawings and instructions 58 simple and effective exercises of breathing and movements, which now I know are essential for the free flow of energy through the body, producing immediate balance, health and well-being; of course that you need to be constant and follow the program given by the author.
I'm so happy to have discovered it! The practices have worked very good for me, proving once again that living a positive lifestyle can make a difference. Besides, the author has a corky sense of humor that really made me laugh.
I've become vital and healthy through these simple but powerful exercises, and they have absolutely given me a boost. An incredible energy practice!
Worthwhile in Spite of the Hype.......2005-12-09
I've done various exercise systems over the years and I'd say this one is far beyond all others in terms of giving a workout to the fingers and wrists, major sources of stress in the computer age. It is also a very methodical system, going step by step; for example, one exercise involves the legs, the next adds arm movements, and then another integrates breathing and visualization.
It seems to me that there are several key questions when trying to learn exercises from a book:
1. Are the exercises beneficial?
2. Are they explained clearly enough thru static images and words?
3. Are they presented in a way that encourages the learner to continue practicing them regularly?
I just completed the 12-week program in the Chart of Pedagogy and enthusiastically answer YES to all three questions. The system provides a thorough workout, carefully and compassionately filled with reminders not to push oneself. I found the reminders helpful because my initial stance was nowhere nearly as wide as that shown in the cover photo, but it increased as time went on. I should mention here that I'm over 50 years old.
The book has only a few minor flaws:
a. typo on page 68 (exercise 28 was already introduced in Week 3, so Week 4 should refer to exercise 35 instead)
b. exercise 11 on page 98 would be clearer if the arrow arc on the left side was swapped with the one on the right side
c. exercise 33 on page 126 has impossible arrows, which would make sense if the left and right ones were switched.
But the exercises constitute only about 100 pages of this 200-page book. If it focused exclusively on them, I'd rate it a 4 plus.
Before reaching the experiential part, the reader must wade thru more than 60 pages of background info, including an Introduction in which Asanaro portrays himself as a rebellious Prometheus who decided to teach against the advice of his guide. There is also the hype about Eternal Youth and the Art being 10,000 years old, as well as repetition of the urban legend that humans only use 10% of our brains. All this theory and preparation is chatty, but smooth narrative flow is not sufficient evidence of truth.
I suppose that having a school of meditation compels a teacher to explain how the exercises fit into broader goals, but Asanaro comes across as merely teasing: first hinting about advanced practices, then saying "That part of the art is secret and can't be taught through books." Then why mention it? In my opinion, keeping the book focused on the exercises would have been a clearer and cleaner approach, exuding the confident recognition that those who want more info will ask for it.
By the way, has anyone noticed a strong correlation in the feedback from fellow customers regarding whether a review is "helpful"? It seems that a review that gives this book 4 or 5 stars will get 90% "helpful" votes but any review that gives the book less than 4 stars gets under 50% "helpful" votes and is rebutted in a subsequent review. If someone feels disturbed by the few critical remarks I've made here, perhaps he or she should read my review of Halevi's book School of the Soul.
Great book! .......2005-11-11
I will reccomend this book to anyone! This is one of the best books!
Book Description
If you have always dreamed of living in China and are ready to take that step of moving there, Moon Living Abroad in China delivers what you need to know about your move in a smart and organized manner. Stuart and Barbara Strother are a husband-and-wife author team with extensive experience working, traveling, and living in China. With their expertise, you'll receive the information you need including essential information on setting up your daily life, including visas, finances, employment, education, and health care; practical advice on how to rent or find a home that fits your needs; and firsthand insight into navigating the language and culture.
Moon Living Abroad in China is a resource for tourists, business people, adventurers, high school and college students, teachers, professionals, families, couples and retirees looking to live in China. The book includes color and black and white photos, illustrations, and maps.
Customer Reviews:
Enjoyable and practical.......2007-09-27
I was impressed by the positive comments and the honest description of what life is really like for a foreigner in China. I'm reading the book with a highlighter and I'm sure I'll be able to put many of the suggestions into practice. It even helped me understand more about Chinatowns in my own country. I can't wait to go to China!
Moon Living Abroad in China.......2007-08-04
Enjoyed reading this book due to his openness and the flow of the writing. Jam packed with practical information and presented in a positive way. It is a definite keeper which I'm sure I will go back to again and again.
We're ready for our move to China!.......2007-07-19
After reading almost every book available on the topic of China and living in China, this was by far one of the very best. I really appreciated how the Strother's candor and personal experiences added to the book. The book is so interesting, I was actually able to read this book cover to cover in about a weekend. All the tips and pointers allowed my husband and I to feel more prepared for our visit to China prior to our actual move. While visiting China, we met with expatriates currently living there and their comments echoed what I read in this book, making me feel much more comfortable about being prepared for the move. This book is a must have for anyone considering a move to China!
Excellent Information.......2007-05-13
This book gives information that I wanted to know about everyday life in the new moved-in city, as well as lots of info about the preparation.
Really what I needed.
very helpful information.......2006-12-12
this book contains extremely helpful information that is presented clearly and consisely. The strothers have taken great care to create a book that is useful and practical for anyone interested in living in China. They have covered every topic imaginable and have sought to provide everything one might need.
Amazon.com
Studying Tibetan Buddhism can be like entering a maelstrom of deities, rituals, and scriptures. In a new introduction to the history, the religion, and the philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism, Reginald Ray calms the storm and provides a compass for exploration. A professor and seasoned practitioner, Ray walks the line between objective historian and caring adviser. With spare precision and rich detail, he tells the story of Buddhism in Tibet, from its great progenitors in India to the larger than life transmitters to the series of schools that developed over the centuries. Ray makes no pretense at secularizing Tibetan Buddhism or diminishing its magical elements. He begins with the multifarious Tibetan cosmos but also covers the major tenets of Buddhism, emphasizing the living practices and their results. Capping the book, Ray devotes a section to the development of Buddhist philosophy, again displaying a knack for putting complex issues debated over centuries into just a few easy-to-understand paragraphs. It would be no exaggeration to say that indestructible truth is the best all-around introduction to Tibetan Buddhism you're likely to find. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Indestructible Truth is one of the most thorough introductions to the Tibetan Buddhist world view ever published; at the same time it is also one of the most accessible. The author presents complex and sophisticated teachings and practices in nontechnical language, using engaging stories and personal anecdotes to illustrate his points. Indestructible Truth presents Tibetan Buddhism in its traditional form but also shows how the Tibetan traditions are applicable to the problems and challenges of modern life in the West. In Indestructible Truth, Tibetan Buddhism is introduced not as an exotic religion, but rather as an expression of human spirituality that is having a profound impact on the modern world. In addition, it presents the point of view of meditation and the practice of the spiritual life, paying special attention to contemplative practice and meditation as taught in the Kagyu and Nyingma schools.
Customer Reviews:
Everything you wanted to know about Tibetan Buddhism - without taking vows.......2007-04-09
This two-volume introduction to Tibetan Buddhism was written primarily for the author's students at the University of Colorado and at Naropa University (North America's only accredited Buddhist university). Across both books professor Reginald A Ray provides what is perhaps the most thorough modern grounding in the history, philosophy and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.
The first volume, Indestructible Truth, begins with a rather dry recitation of the principle names, dates, and trends in the history of Buddhism as it came from India to Tibet and as it developed in the latter over the past two millennia. A more lively middle section covers assumptions common to all schools of Buddhism, warmly and wittily illustrated with anecdotes from the lives of Buddhist saints as well as the author's personal and professional life. The book closes with a rushed overview of Buddhist philosophy that is often more confusing than enlightening.
This is partly made up for in the second volume, Secrets of the Vajra World, with more detailed explanations and examples, but besides the sorely needed review of philosophy there is also a 100-page summary of concepts that don't require recapitulation unless perhaps you've missed Indestructible Truth. The second volume is much heavier reading than the first, if only because Ray has a wider canvas in Indestructible Truth. In Secrets he has to plod through the minutiae of Mahamudra and Dzokchen, the two primary schools of Tibetan meditation, elaborate and multifaceted practices. The volume concludes with chapters on the lives of tulkus, the reincarnated Buddhist masters, and a riveting recounting of the miraculous passing of one such master in an American hospital.
Despite the title of the second volume, very few "secrets" are revealed. Besides being a well-read scholar, Ray is also a committed Buddhist and mediation instructor and is unwilling to disclose secret meditation methods. Unfortunately, he also seems unwilling to challenge any of the assumptions he so carefully explains for his students and readers. To his credit, Ray acknowledges the difficulties western practitioners and students have with ideas such as reincarnation, the worship of deities, the guru-student relationship, and karma and free will. He often provides alternative ways of viewing some of these concepts, such as the Six Realms of Existence (in the Wheel of Life) as psychological states, but never once challenges them. And in that sense, while Ray is to be admired as a great preserver and presenter of tradition, he never impresses as an original thinker.
Read these books to know what has come before. To see where Buddhism is headed, including Tibetan Buddhism in North America, you might like to sample the three volumes of Shambala Sun's series, Best Buddhist Writing, or have a look at Stephen Batchelor's Buddhism without Beliefs.
#
Scholarly work and reference, not good for beginners.......2006-05-25
This is volume one of a two part work on Tibetan Buddhism by Reginald Ray. It is well-written, extremely comprehensive and thoroughly researched. There is an overwhelming amount of detail for most beginners, however.
If you are looking for a detailed scholarly work or a good reference to contextualize other reading, this will meet your needs. However, you may want to try an "Introduction to Tantra" by Lama Yeshe for a more accessible introduction to Vajrayana.
If you are completely new to Buddhism, then I would recommend Huston Smith's "The World's Religions" for an excellent, but short overview. If you purchase this book, you will have added the bonus of being able to read a similar introduction to Hinduism which I think is important for understanding Buddhist thought in a similar way that grasping the essentials of Judaism are important for a full understanding of the origin and development of Christianity.
It is very difficult to "get" Tibetan Buddhism without understanding the unfolding of the Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. While this volume does an excellent job of doing this, it is also HUGE. The disadvantage of some of the short books on Tibetan Buddhism is that they sometimes don't do a great job of contextualizing the various Buddhist traditions and how they unfolded in time and/or geographically.
If you merely want a taste of Tibetan Buddhist thought, then you may want to look at the book "The Art of Happiness" by Howard Cutler and the Dalai Lama. This presents some Tibetan ideas on everyday issues along with some commentary by a western psychiatrist. This book is not an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism as such, however.
If you click on my name, you can read my reviews for the books I mentioned above or scroll down to them if you look up the books. There are also other books on these topics listed under my profile, but I haven't assembled a listmania list yet.
An accessible, but not suger-coated introduction.......2005-05-02
Ray does a good job providing the Tibetan context of the Buddha dharma in a way that is not pointedly obscure nor completely suger-coated and psychologized. The history of the schools and the acknowledgements of the political and social problems that those schools had in developing are very helpful to understanding Tibetan buddhism in a more complete way. His history of the Ri-me and the Gelugpa are particularly helpful in understand the modern context of Tibetan Buddhism just before the diaspora. Although, his Kaygu bais is acknowledge, it is subtle, but is most obvious when discussing the Gelugpa.
His discussions of the Tibetan view of Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana is very helpful to those who learned the concepts from differing schools of Buddhism.
Overall, particularly paired with the second volume on Vajrayana and Tantra, these are very helpful books. As Vajrayana grows in popularity in the West--particularly in its Tibetan as opposed to its Japanese (Shingon) form--such knowledge is very, very helpful.
Solid place to start serious study.......2001-06-15
Ray offers an accessible introduction to the origins, cosmos and cultural context of Tibetan Buddhism. Easier to follow than other intros (like Thurman's Essential Tibetan Buddhism), but doesn't ignore important details. Especially good delineation of the four principal schools. If Ray included a discussion of the important role of the indigenous Bon religion in shaping modern Tibetan Buddhism, I missed it. Focused more directly on the knowledge component of wisdom than on experience. Still Ray's explanations burned through the fog of my confusion
An ancient path through the modern world........2001-04-22
"By reconnecting with the wisdom, sanity and warmth that . . . characterize our most basic nature," Tibetan Buddhism offers us a way to address the suffering and alienation in our lives, Reginald Ray writes (p. 449). Professor Ray teaches Buddhism at both Naropa University and the University of Colorado in Boulder. Focusing on Tibetan Buddhism, his 495-page book is among the best introductions to Buddhist history, teachings, and meditation practice that I have ever read. Ray's goal is to demonstrate that Tibetan Buddhism offers us a "living truth" powerful enough to lead "us ever more deeply into the unknown territory of what our life is" (p. 1). "Beneath the surface of our modern speed, ambition, and self-importance," he writes, Tibetan Buddhism provides "an ancient path" and a "way back" to a more meaningful experience of human life than the scientific and materialistic one evolving today (pp. 2; 57).
Ray approaches his often esoteric subject matter in terms readily accessible to those of us without his scholarly background in Tibetan Buddhism. His book unfolds in four parts. Part One, "The Sacred Environment" (pp. 15-63), presents the traditional Tibetan view of "the sacred cosmos, with its living elements, forces, and beings and the critical role of ritual as a means for communicating with the unseen world" (pp. 3, 450). In Part Two, "Tibet's Story" (pp. 65-225), Ray travels to "wild and remote places" (p. 173) to describe the Buddhist history of Tibet beginning in India, and examines practitioners including Naropa (pp. 154-159), Marpa (pp. 159-164) and Milarepa (pp. 165-172), whose struggles enabled the lineage of Buddhist dharma to be transmitted from generation to generation (p. 450). In Part Three, "Core Teachings" (pp. 227-360), he describes the sophisticated teachings, practices, and results of the Buddhist path in nontechnical terms, frequently using personal anecdotes to illuminate his points. Part Four, "Buddhist Philosophy" (pp. 361-449) discusses Tibetan Buddhist perspectives of "the three turnings of the wheel of dharma" (pp. 450-51).
For anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism, its history, culture, teachings or practices, or for anyone curious about how simply "sitting down to explore one's own mind" (p. 450)is relevant to our modern world "with its unprecedented levels of technology, information, and materialism" (p. 449), this book should not be missed.
G. Merritt
Book Description
New from the bestselling author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying--365 thought-provoking meditations on life, death, doubt, mindfulness, compassion, wisdom, work, and more!
Customer Reviews:
Leaning - Thinking - Meditating.......2005-07-20
Every morning at breakfast, I read a page from this book. It has 365 reflections - one for every day of the year - and 12 calligraphies - one for every month. I take this reflection with me throughout the day and try to understand it with my deluded mind. I try to look at it from different angles and at the end of the day, I will draw a conclusion. Will that be the same conclusion I will draw a year from now, when I study this same page again?
If you are a student of Sogyal Rinpoche, a lot of reflections will sound familiar to you. This book will then be a reminder of the teachings, a source of contemplation. If you are not, there will be a lot of valuable information in there for you to think about. And perhaps, you get more and more curious about this Tibetan wisdom!
This is a keeper.......2004-06-12
I have been reading this book for 4 years and it has changed my life. A truly beneficial tool for deepening spiritual practice.
Subtly effective.......1999-12-01
I try to read the glimpse each day when I get up (and sometimes the night before), and have found the experience helpful. I have yet to develop strong discipline in my practice, and find it easy to get caught up in life for days or weeks at a time. Reading a couple paragraphs (the glimpse for one day) has been like a bell calling me back to myself. I wouldn't be surprised to be reading this book for the next 20 years as my understanding deepens.
Temporal nature of existence and perspective.......1998-11-20
Thought provoking and shattering insights to break you free from limiting thoughts. This is a wonderful collection of Tibetan "koans" to free our thinking. I found it shook the foundations of my limited perspectives and made me question the true reason for my human existence. Rinpoche opens our mind to the temporal nature of existence and inspires to prepare for our next existence.
Book Description
The Chinese are fond of using four-character phrases, known as cheng yu, to improve their writing style. The Chinese characters on the cover spell out one such idiom: pao zhuan yin yu. Translated literally, this would be "throw bricks attract jade." It can also express the idea of throwing out something of little value to induce a potential business partner to offer something more valuable. The authors of Turning Bricks into Jade, a more idiomatic rendering of pao zhuan yin yu, like to think of each critical incident in this collection as a brick, which, when combined with similar bricks, good sense and effort, can be used to construct relationships more valuable even than jade. A critical incident is a story about cross-cultural conflict or misunderstanding. Many of the forty-one incidents are based on actual events that involved one or more of the authors or their acquaintances. Some are a composite of several authors' experiences. You choose one of four or five possible alternatives that explain the misunderstanding. Following each incident is a discussion of possible solutions, based on the authors' experiences and grounded in current research. Misunderstandings between Chinese and American interactants are complicated; there is almost never just one thing going on. One result of this complexity is that many of the incidents have more than one correct explanation. Forty-one Americans and Chinese with considerable experience in both cultures read the collection of incidents for validation. As you work through the incidents, you may feel the need for a more detailed explanation or definition of certain recurring themes. A section on key theoretical concepts in Chinese-American interactions provides such detail. Included are individualism and collectivism, guanxi (interpersonal connections), hierarchies, gender relations in the workplace, regulations, deference to authority, work incentives and ownership. The Index of Incidents According to Themes and Concepts is also helpful.
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