If you are too clever, you could miss the point completely... Patrul Rinpoche Taken from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

I have just finished reading this book whilst on holiday. I found it a wonderful insight into the Dali Lama and Buddhism. It's written by a psychiatrist who has interviewed the Dalai Lama many times. The book is a combination of narrative by the author and extended quotes of the Dalai Lama's answers. The simplicity of many of his answers was so refreshing, and keeping life simple is key. His kindness and compassion to all philosophy is simple but effective. Forgiveness is also included ... I read this on my kindle and highlighted many things. I do not think you have to be religious or a Buddhist to enjoy this book, I would highly recommend this read, especially to those of us that sometimes need reminding to "keep it simple"

Im reading this wonderful book " Comfortable with uncertainty 108 teachings" by Pema Chodron. In the past few weeks many things have happened that have have turned things upside down for me... A friend decided he could no longer deal with this world and took his own life.  My brother in law was given four months to live because of an in operable brain tumour.  I was presented with a "huge" financial bill.  My son was randomly attacked by a group, hit over the head with a bottle and kicked to the floor, as people walked on by and did nothing. To say I have felt angry with the resent events would be an understatement-but it is what to do with this anger, and the feelings of uncertainty that is key...   This book has been really helpful ( along with talking to some trusted friends)and taking "time out" to meditate to  quieten the mind. I am not a  Buddhist,  but I  find these  Buddhist  te...

It's getting crowded on the road to enlightment...  This is the title of third item in three weeks that the Times has written about yoga and "enlightenment". This is obviously a good selling tactic at the moment, but it might be useful if they got their story straight. In the first item they wrote "how wonderful yoga is for you". Item two said the opposite "yoga is not good for you". Item three mixes up yoga, Buddhism and Kabbalah and how many people are rushing off to India in search of enlightenment, and how much it's all costing us gullible Westerners. The item then goes on to say Julia Roberts converted to Hinduism after appearing in Eat, Pray, Love;  Demi Moore, Britney Spears and Madonna are all followers of Kabbalah; Tiger Woods said his Buddhist Faith would help him recover from sex scandals;  Steven Segal announced in 1997 that he was the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama... Is the Times therefore using the above statements to reassur...