5 stars (A Wonderful Convergence) - There are many wonders to be explored in the parallels between Buddhism and scientific inquiry into the nature of reality, life and consciousness. As you read this book, your thoughts ride a rocket of insight into the contentious and often disappointing debate between scientific theory and spirituality that seems to be paralyzing our society today. And yet the text never flaunts a particular conceit or takes on the aggressive, often brutal nature of the debate. While the parallels explored are startling and inspiring, most wonderful of all is the critical mind, engaging personality and boundless curiousity of the Dalai Lama himself, as these qualities radiate from the text. Reflecting on his theme, the Dalai Lama illuminates at least a view if not a way through the contention and confusion. He writes: "There is more to human existence and to reality itself than current science can ever give us access to.... By the same token, spirituality must be tempered by the insights and discoveries of science. If as spiritual practitioners we ignore the discoveries of science, our practice is also impoverished, as this mind-set can lead to fundamentalism." It is truly revealing that a man at the heart of a very traditional spiritual philosophy and practice can shed the burden of dogmatic thought for an open dialogue and the exciting and affirming human capacity to seek truth. Between science and spirituality, between the knowable and the unknowable, the critical thinking and spiritual insight of the Dalai Lama inspires the belief that open minds and open dialogue are not beyond either our scientific thought or our spiritual belief. This book is one of the most spiritual testaments while coincidentally being a highly accessible exploration of great scientific advances and current research. It is a book I will return to again and again. 5 stars (Science is not contra Religion and vice versa) - It is so nice to see religious leaders ... Morgan Road Books :: Religion And Science :: Religion - World Religions :: Religion & Science :: Religion :: Buddhism and science :: Buddhism - Tibetan :: Buddhism :: Bstan-dzin-rgya-mt :: The Universe in a Single Atom - The Convergence of Science and Spirituality
4 stars (Skilled Overview Of Tibetan Principles But Doesn't Make Death Any Less A Thing Of Horror To My Western Mind) - This is a well-researched book that covers its topic with a professional thoroughness. I admire the author's devotion to a subject that makes most of us, especially in the twenty-first century United States, cringe. I have nothing negative to say about his Buddhist slant here and think he describes the Book of the Dead and its passages well. "In the Occident, where death is much feared, the art of dying is little practiced." How very true. All that said, despite Gaffney's seeming love of death (not just acceptance, but real embracing love) the state of biological conclusion seems horrific to me. Were I a believer in an afterlife, if I could just have faith, or better yet, proof, then I might subscribe to his "death is an opportunity to evolve" view, but all I can see in death is an ending filled with pain, the cause of grief, the separation of loved ones. I tried to wrap my mind around the views herein and I do find interest in contemplating another cosmology's take on the ending of a physical (chapter in) life, but to me, death remains a concept steeped in horror no matter how deeply I have tried to grasp for a way to hope that we might be reborn, either on this earth or in another plane, the bardo, Heaven...anyplace. This book ought to become the edition of choice for those who seek an accomodating starting point for one of religion's greatest texts. My lack of feeling for its tenets in no way means I do not regard this as a fine book that might help many people study Tibetan viewpoints or find peace in the inescapable fact that is death. Pace. 4 stars (Sogal is a fine teacher) - the mayor problems with the "unenlighned" is, that there mind is not clear. They mix "moral" with "neurotic thoughts" , actually the mix evertything and the unenlighned females are mixing it more. That is one of the mayor messages of Sogal. Finally the "great spiri... HarperSanFrancisco :: Self-Help & Death :: Grief :: Bereavement :: Tibet :: Self-Help :: Religious life :: Religious aspects :: Religion - World Religions :: Philosophy :: Doctrines :: Death :: :: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying- The Spiritual Classic - International Bestseller- Revised and
Join Award winning photographer Daniel Shear in an up-close and personal journey though Tibet, one of the most exotic and remote area of the world. Feel the rugged yet beautiful living conditions that helped develop this spiritually based country and experience these captivating people, where love and acceptance permeate the country. As Shear says "Looking into their eyes is like looking into God"... Focal Point :: tibet :: screen :: saver :: focal :: point :: desktop :: enhancements :: screensavers :: tibetscreensaver :: Tibet Screen Saver