LemuriaBooks

Light Comes Through

Buddhist Teachings on Awakening to Our Natural Intelligence

By Dzigar Kongtrul

Shambala (July 2008)

 

Last year, or so, I enjoyed DK’s other book Its Up To You in a large scale way. Excited about his 2^nd book, I dived in ASAP. Learning how to work on our emotional selves is so interesting and it seems as constant as breathing, eating, sleeping and just seeing the world around us.

 

I believe, putting it simply, all of us want to love more, see our internal and external worlds as clearly as possible. We want to stay fully healthy while expressing insights and interpreting our lives. LCT is very clearly written, adaptively arranged for the reader, essay length chapters make DK’s knowledge and understanding accessible for us to study and grasp. Light is an excellent satisfying extension of Its Up to You.

 

Some fine endorsements:

 

“LCT shimmers with frank advice on becoming more intelligent about our emotions. DK offers a practical path to clarify and peace.” –Daniel Goldman

 

“This is a wonderful fresh look at the amazing potential of our human mind. DK continues to challenge and encourage us.” –Pema Chodron

 

“LCT is a wonderful guidebook for living a very different kind of life.” – Sharon Salzberg

The Selected Poems

By Li Po (701-762)

Translated by David Hinton

New Directions (1996)

 

About 4 years ago, I read this collection and last month I decided to reread Li Po, one of my favorite Chinese poets.

Li Po was called the “Banished Immortal,” an exiled spirit moving through this world with an unearthly ease and freedom from attachment. He is free from the attachments to self, however he profoundly belongs to mother earth. Li Po’s life was full of travel, big time pleasure drinking and a disdain of décor and authority. His meditative poems reflect his unfolding of being, rooted in non-being stillness.

I find Li Po easy to read, and that his poems lean from reading to self-reflection. Contemplative, yet, fun, profound they exist, somehow, from within the writer so long ago to within the reader of the present. Timeless so to say.

In wanting to share a poem, I just opened to a turned down page, and this was the poem:

9/9,  Out drinking on Dragon Mountain

I’m an exile among yellow blossoms smiling

 

Soon drunk, I watch my cap tumble in the wind,

Dance in love—A guest the moon invites.

 

Li Po, ended his life out drunk in a boat, fell into the river and drowned trying to embrace the moon.

Work as a Spiritual Practice:
A Practical Buddhist Approach to Inner Growth
and Satisfaction on the Job

By Lewis Richmond
Broadway (1999)


Around twenty years ago, I studied Paul Hawken’s book, Growing a Business.
Billy Neville, a clothing pal and fellow retailer told me about it, and
he was right.  Hawken’s book still remains a must read for small business
people.

Lewis Richmond, ex-Vice President for Smith-Hawken, wrote this book about
10 years ago.  I missed it then, but had recently discovered it in a
particular reference and went back to get it.  Work is an excellent follow
up to Hawken’s book and for fans of Michael Carroll’s book about work. 
Now that it is out of print, I had to find it on the used market.  This
one should not be out of print.

Richmond, a Buddhist teacher and entrepreneur, explores ways to be
fulfilled with the pleasures of good, hard work.  He deals with the daily
issues we face and offers insight into the rewards of proper coping.

Work breaks down the issues of conflict, stagnation, inspiration and
accomplishment.  It deals with subjects such as: boredom, failure,
discouragement, quitting, money and time, control, power, gratitude and
etc.  Addressing the aforementioned, daily issues that we face in work
allow us to see our own attitudes about these issues.  By examining our
“work selves” within, we are able to address our strengths and weaknesses
in a more constructive way…should we make the choice to do so.

The Wise Heart:

A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology

By Jack Kornfield

Bantam Dell (April 29, 2008)

 

Jack Kornfield is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist practice in the west.  Graduation from Dartmouth in 1967, Kornfield has been institutional in bringing Buddhist psychology into western day by day mainstream living.  An understanding of both mindsets that few can express as he can.  He is able to make self-adaptation understandable, practical and helpful. 

 

Wise Heart, is too much of a book to talk about in a few words.  The major focal points are:  Addressing who you really are; application of the good Psy-health practice of mindfulness; the understanding of self and of others; finding personal freedom and personal practice.

 

Just released, this is a wonderful book for the present.  I have been living with Wise Heart for 2 months now, and have enjoyed it.  Reading Wise Heart has increased my understanding of how to incorporate Eastern Psychology into modern life.

Fans of Jack Kornfield’s A Path with Heart and After the Ecstasy, The Laundry will not be disappointed as this story is continued.

Ho (whose name means “Spring Essence”) was an 18th century Vietnamese concubine. Writing as a male, she followed this Confucian tradition. Many of her poems are double entendres: each has hidden within another poem, with sexual meaning revealing itself as a pun. No other poet dared this as sex, is a forbidden topic in this literary tradition. Her excellence as a poet allowed her to get away with irreverence. Her exquisite cleverness and skill in composing 2 poems at once, one hidden allowed her to capture audiences and survive.


A favorite:

“The Well Spring”

A narrow path descends through brush
To the bright water of your wondrous pool.

Under a footbridge’s pale twin planks
The pure spring shunts in shimmering rills.

Tufts of sedge surround its mouth.
A golden carp glides midstream.

Finding this well, so virginal and clear,
Who would put a catfish here?


This most enjoyable poem—absorbed slowly—yields pleasure-reaping moments and many smiles. Spring Essence concludes my simultaneous 3-female poet reading project.

An Evening of Kirtan (Sacred Chanting) with Shantala 

(Benjy and Heather Wertheimer)

Tuesday, April 15 at 7 PM 

LemuriaBooks.com Building, 4506 Office Park Dr., Jackson, MS

(next to Banner Hall)

$15 in advance, $20 day of show, Kids under 12 are free

Advance Tickets at Lemuria, Butterfly Yoga, 3025 N. State St. or online at www.butterflyyoga.net 

For more info call 601.594.2313

CD's are available in advance at Lemuria or purchase them from our website, Lemuriabooks.com... 

WHAT MAKES YOU NOT A BUDDHIST

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

Shambala (2007)

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse was born in Bhutan in 1961. He is the head of the Dzongsar monastery and college, through which he is responsible for 1600 monks living in six monasteries. Why then, one may ask, would he write a book about not being a Buddhist?

Not a Buddhist is enjoyable, thought provoking, and not difficult reading. Encased in one of the best dust jackets seen on books released last year, DJK uses Siddhartha’s life to explain certain aspects of practicing Buddhism. By following Siddhartha’s path, the reader explores the concepts of impermanence, pain and suffering, illusion, and release from delusion. Five packed chapters trace these ideas and enable us to incorporate techniques into our own awareness and understanding. Each individual chapter stands alone as an excellent section on reading, learning, and awareness.

Over 35 years ago, I recall reading Hesse’s Siddhartha, and being intoxicated with its magic, I devoured most of Hesse’s work. Having just finished Not a Buddhist this past week, I look back and reflect on those eye-opening times .

Through this wonderful short book, DJK explains Buddhism clearly and simply, as well as helping the reader grasp what is, in fact, not practicing Buddhism.

"The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are the moments when we touch one another." -Jack Kornfield, Offerings: Buddhist Wisdom for Everyday

Business and the Buddha:
Doing Well by Doing Good
by Lloyd Field
Forward by the Dalia Lama
Wisdom Publications (2007)

Over the years of being in small business, improving my work and my store is the attitude I approach when I read business books.

I believe we work hoping to do well and be successful. We hope our good work is meaningful to those we engage in the workplace and those we help by our services rendered. Being in business solely for profit seems to shortchange us. Real business worth, sharing human values and understanding realities about our contribution to others and our planet are helpful and rewarding.

I find continuously imprinting the quality of my life's labor a serious and rewarding project. Field's book gives insight to help the reader address their life work choice with awareness. He presents helpful ideas of alternative concepts dealing from profit to ecology, from global economics to personal self value, from business ethics to creating a healthy workplace, etc.

This is not a difficult dry business book, but one read with an open attitude could give the reader new ideas of how to gain work pleasure and reward; controlling the desire for wealth within an ethical attitude.

The Best Buddhist Writing:2007
Edited by Melvin McLeod
Shambala (2007)

If you enjoy learning about whats happening right now in Buddhist thought, lifestyle, religion and psychology, this series is for you. I've read 2004, 2005, 2006, finding many new authors to explore and books to read. Each volume is filled with ideas to think about and new people to read.

Melvin McLeod is a good editor and it is interesting to read these pieces in chronological order knowing they are arranged with reason and judgement, intent on leading the reader.

2007 is spectacular. One section that stands out to me includes the Dalai Lama, followed by Thich Nhat Hanh pieces, then followed by Matthiew Richard from his very fine book, Happiness.

I have really enjoyed this series, it is hard to explain the surprises you encounter in the variance of styles, thoughts and situations. ex. Alice Walker followed by Pema Chodron or Gary Snyder followed by Bell Hooks.

I'm thankful for Melvin McLeod's cleaver, thoughtful and hopeful work. Try this series and I guarantee, if you are stuck looking for new books, you won't be looking for long.

Here's a quote for this beautiful Sunday morning, from the book, Offerings: Buddhist Wisdom for Every Day, a collection of daily meditations: 

We can awaken to basic goodness, our birthright. -Pema Chodron

The Moon Lit Pond

Korean Classical Poems In Chinese

Translated by Jung-IL Lee

This major anthology is the first of its kind in english.  Two hundred poems spanning a thousand years of Korean poets writing in classic Chinese style.  I could comment more, but i believe the examples here of this poetry speak better than my mere interpretation.  Some favorites are:

"Life in Leisure" by Kil Jae(1353-1419)

Living alone in leisure in a hut by a stream,

I enjoy more than my share of moon and wind.

Though no one comes to visit, birds sing to me.

I move my cot near the bamboo grove, and lie down to read.

"Recluse Life" by Kim Koeng-P'il(1454-1504)

Living alone in leisure where no one comes to visit, 

rejoice only at the moon shining on my solitary hut.

Do not ask, friend, what I wish to make of my life;

An endless wave of fog spreads far over mountain peaks.

From: The Peak-Blossom Pavilion by SHin Cham(1491-1554)

Visiting the site of my past pleasure only grieves my heart.

In the yard, the pear tree still blossoms,

But those who sang and danced are gone.

From: Wilting of the Flowers by an Anonymous Barmaid (19th century)

Life is like the spring that no sooner comes than goes:

I had hardly seen flowers bloom when I saw them wilt.

I hope you feel as you read, that this book of poetry shares

the greatness thats within us all.

Left Out In The Rain

Gary Snyder

Shoemaker Hoard (2005)

After reading two Gary's, a beginning and a late, I thought I would read this anthology spanning 1947-1984.

The title Left Out in the Rain, was taken from the behavior of Native Americans up north.  Choosing to go naked in the cold and rain, choosing to do their outdoor livelihood work (hunting,fishing,etc.) naked to keep their good clothing dry.  They wore sorta clothes from nature; bark, leaves, etc; completely unaddressed.

Unadorned can apply sometimes as a point in art and music.  Some poems in this collection are pushed  to a point of plainness.

I enjoyed IN RAIN and found tracking style change over 37 years interesting.  I felt I begin to see this poets art change and mature.  I didn't find this collection as full of zingers as Danger.  However, much caught my eye and mind.

From Plum Petals Falling:

"Drinking wine

In the garden

The land lady comes out

In twilight

and beats a rug"

My favorite poem in RAIN was "Alabaster," it talked to me.

Riprap and Cold Mountain Poems

by Gary Snyder

After reading Danger on Peaks, I was inclined to reread Cold Mountain Poems, republished with Riprap, Snyder's first poetry book in 1959.

Riprap is a cobblestone laid on steep sick rock to make trail  horses in mountains.  These poems written before I was 9, didn't talk to me too much, however, certain lines of beauty showed signs of insight into what was yet to come from their enduring author.

From Kyoto: March

"High at the end of night-

meditation.  The dove cry

twangs the bow"

Cold Mountain poems are simple, especially after reading Red Pines marvelous study of E.M.  However, I found rereading them was better for me.  Gary picked up some good stuff 50 years ago.

1)  "Body asking shadow,how do you keep up"

11)  "Moonlight on Cold Mountain is white

          silent knowledge- the spirit is enlightened of itself"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

19)  " Taking whatever comes, like a drifting boat"

I ask myself "how far will Gary's boat drift?"

Thanks Gary for opening eyes, offering ideas for us to think about and helping us all see more in ourselves.

Danger On Peaks: Poems

Gary Snyder

Shoemaker-Howard(2004)

In a best buddhist writing, I read a few poems from Danger. Their quality motivated me to read Danger In Peaks, Gary Snyders first collection of new poems in twenty years.

Danger Poems, begin on the Atomic Dawn of 1945, Hiroshima and as Nagasaki Snyder ascends Mt. St. Helens for the first time.  In poetic grace, the eruption of Mt. St. Helens is linked in time with the Atomic Dawn.  Beautiful words from the authors soul, as Gary graces the dead, the mountain and mother nature in a heartfelt way.

Bleak as this may sound, this collection is beautiful and picturesque.  Words and  paint pictures.

I could hear, from Glacier Ghosts:

"you can never hear enough 

sound of wind in pines"

I could taste, from Winter Almond:

"eat black bread with smoked oysters"

9/11/2001: poetic impermanence closes danger.

Psychotherapy without the Self:

A Buddhist Perspective

by Mark Epstein

Mark Epstein has been on the forefront of the effort to introduce Buddhist psychology to the west. This collection of essays span more than 20 years.

Epstein studies Buddha, Freud and Winnicott to explain different relationships of the mind. I especially enjoyed commentaries on creativity and unintegration: Focusing on “good enough ego coverage” when urges are relaxed and the mind and heart are open. Thinking about associating the relaxation experiences after intercourse or the unburdened mind of the artist or musician while creating opened me up to understanding unintegration as the foundation of creativity. These ideas thought about in the context of new base core narcissistic drives was eye opening for me.

By associating Buddha’s egolessness teaching and Freud’s oceanic feeling concept, I began to grasp how these two great thinkers are alike. And how there understandings can help me be more creative in everyday life.

This essay collection is thought provoking and eye opening. I found reading an one essay in a sitting was enough and rereading at times before moving onward was equally satisfying.

The Mindful Leader

Ten Principle For Bringing Out the Best in Ourselves and Others.

by Michael Carroll

A couple of years ago, Michael visited Lemuria for his book Awake at Work to a packed house presentation. Awake at Work is helpful reading for anyone wanting to get more out of their day’s labor; especially in every aspect of contribution to self, business, and job.

October 2007, Mindful Leader followers, expressing thoughts on leadership and bringing out our best. Inspiring the best in ourselves brings out the talents of leadership, bring a fullness of mindfulness to our job and through practice and exercise make business work for all best interests.

Mindful Leader is written more for the corporate job structure I believe. However, I got ideas, and challenges, and inspiration on how to make Lemuria and better bookstore.

A quote among many I notated from a chapter on Authenticity Leadership:

“ If we are going to synchronize with our world and be at home, we will have to trust ourselves to lead with our heart without scripts, deals and preparation. In fact. our gentleness is how we step in over our head and take on life’s problems and joys, challenges and passions…such tenderness is precisely the courage we hope to inspire in others.”

Two of my hopes from reading Michael’s new one:

1. He will visit Lemuria again.
2. He will write a book not just on good work or good leadership. But add good small business to his canon.

It’s Up to You:

The Practice of Self Reflection on the Buddhist Path

by

Dzigar Kongtrul

Reading It’s Up to You, was important to me. These essays, short, however packed with the wisdom of understanding individual insight and realization. A chapter reading, per sitting was about enough to think about.

I’m inclined to not say too much about this wonderfully presented practical book.

With a forward by Pemd Chodron, and a preface by Mattieu Ricard, not much else needs to be said about how fortunate we are to have the content of It’s Up to You.

I feel certain I will do this book again and perhaps again and again….