Preview

An Open Heart Dalai Lama Summary

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
476 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
An Open Heart Dalai Lama Summary
BOOK REVIEW

AN OPEN HEART

BY-THE DALAI LAMA

Introduction

The book I picked up for review is “An Open Heart” by The Dalai Lama. The title of the book indicates how one can actually become compassionate towards others, how can one transform from self centered heart to generous heart .The book depicts the Buddhist psychology and their way of living that can be adopted by anyone of any faith. Author has discussed various meditation techniques .This book will help to break free the reader from mental blocks set by him and will make him think about his role in making world a more loving and peaceful place.

Summary

The author begins with highlighting the advantages of virtuous life and moves on to practices that can transform impulsive and destructive emotions into calm abiding one. Gradually, the book introduce more challenging and sustained meditation practises. These meditation practises will lead the reader to the most profound and deepest insights of buddhist practice.These practices help us to work on our weaknesses rather than focusing on what other people see and how they act.Through this book, one is able to start a shift from the way he thinks to the way he interacts. It guides a person to open new pathways in seeing the world and all creation as something unique yet …show more content…
I was captivated by positive energy when I read first few pages but after a certain point as I do not have current interest in meditation ,the book lost steam for me as the later part of the book discuss more about meditation techniques.What I really liked about this book were the ways explained to calm yourself and how the dalai lama lives his life on that high of a spiritual level all the time. Some things I did dislike about the book was how they went over the background of where it originated and how it spread, i was expecting more of a read directed towards finding the
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Book Summary: I Am A Seal Team Six Warrior
    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Book Summary: I Am A Seal Team Six Warrior

    good and influencing book, and taught me a lot of things I should take out of…

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Dalai Lama
    • 340 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Comparing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Dalai Lama

    Upon comparing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dalai Lama it becomes apparent that the two share many similar doctrines and beliefs. Although they come from two totally different backgrounds it seems as though their overall goals and dreams coincide. The most striking similarity is that both men advocated/advocate for peace and nonviolent solutions to problems. While they may have approached matters differently the goal was the same. Analyzing both men one begins to see that they are admired by so many people because of their philosophies.…

    • 340 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Reaction To Malcolm Gladwell's 'Blink'
    • 1073 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Reaction To Malcolm Gladwell's 'Blink'

    I had an overall good reaction to this book. My first thought when looking at the cover was that it was going to be boring but as I began reading it, I realized that not only is it not boring, it's actually rather interesting, but it could also help me in my life as well. I have a tendency to over think even the simplest things and when I do make a quick decision, I always second guess myself. "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell is a book that really makes you think about the way you react to things and why you react that way. It shows that the decisions we make quickly are just as good as the ones that require a lot of thought. It explains to us why we should trust our instincts, however, sometimes it's not good to follow…

    • 1073 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Mediation Worksheet
    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Mediation Worksheet

    | |well-being. There is not required training to be able to |Deepak shows two different simple ways to meditate. One |…

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Buddism Worksheet
    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Buddism Worksheet

    In the Buddhist teachings there are three marks of reality impermanence, insubstantiality, and frustration. Impermanence is everything that is conditioned changes. Insubstantiality (or no self) means the denial of the teaching that there is an atta (Pali) or atman (Sanskrit), which roughly translated means a soul. Frustration means what sense our unenlightened experience of the world is one of suffering, frustration, or un-satisfactoriness. There are four noble truths which are there is suffering which is common to all. Cause of suffering we are the cause of our suffering. End of suffering stop doing what causes suffering. Path to end suffering everyone can be enlightened. The noble eightfold paths are, Right View the right way to think about life. Right Thought, We are what we think. Right Speech, By speaking kind and helpful words, we are respected and trusted by everyone. Right Conduct, No matter what we say, others know us from the way we behave. Right Livelihood, This means choosing a job that does not hurt others. Right Effort, A worthwhile life means doing our best at all times and having good will toward others. Right Mindfulness, This means being aware of our thoughts, words, and deeds. Right Concentration, Focus on one thought or object at a time. By doing this, we can be quiet and attain true peace of mind.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    REL 133 Zen Buddhism
    • 984 Words
    • 3 Pages

    REL 133 Zen Buddhism

    Buddhism has grown from the flowing of a single man in his path to nirvana to a religion that spans the globe and has shaped many cultures. This paper will first present the history of Buddhism and the life of the man known as Buddha. Then, the fundamental teachings of Buddhism will be discussed. Finally, the unique aspects of Zen Buddhism will be examined.…

    • 984 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Daoism Research Paper
    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Daoism Research Paper

    The focal benchmarks of this conviction framework are karma, recovery, and impermanence. Buddhists expect that life is stacked with torment, however that agony can be overcome by accomplishing light. Nirvana (a condition of perfect satisfaction) can be gotten by section far from (material) affiliations and sterilizing the brain. Regardless, unmistakable statutes fluctuate on the practices and courses took after to do in that limit. Thought fills in as a colossal part in honing Buddhism. This quieting and working of the mind helps Buddhists endeavor to contort up unmistakably more serene and positive, while making understanding through managing standard issues. The opposite mental states that are endeavored to be overcome are called "dreams", while the valuable mental states are called "quiet characters". Another idea perceptible in the Buddhist conviction framework is the Eight-Overlay Way. The Eight-Wrinkle Way is the fourth of the Four Respectable Truths, which is said to be the standard Buddha's lessons. It stresses spaces in life that can be investigated and practice, for example, right talk and right…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Personal Narrative: The Dalai Lama
    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Personal Narrative: The Dalai Lama

    The rate at which our world is deteriorating is quite frightening. Therefore, the notion of the human race having to settle a new world is not all that crazy. If I was to be one of the first pioneers of the newest frontier, I would have a difficult time deciding who I would choose to settle with me. For instance, to satisfy my own happiness, I would hastily assemble a group based upon my own emotions. But, to better the world and ensure future generations' self-sufficiency, I would ultimately choose to convene a sophisticated, qualified unit composed of a peaceful leader, a gifted doctor, and a brilliant environmentalist.…

    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Higher Life Summary
    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Higher Life Summary

    The article “The Higher Life” featured in The New Yorker, by Lizzie Widdicombe, confers the ideas of mindfulness and meditation. Buddhism derived the idea of mindfulness and the act of meditation. In today’s society, the concept of mindfulness is prominent. Andy Puddicombe, a Buddhist monk, and other meditation enthusiasts initiated the spread of their beliefs and abilities through the creation of iPhone apps, various courses, and guided lessons. These creations have made understanding and experimenting with meditation easily accessible. The Buddhist idea of mindfulness, the array of apps, courses, and lessons offered, even the pure idea of stress relief makes not feeling intrigued impossible.…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Breakdown of Choosing Civility
    • 1531 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Breakdown of Choosing Civility

    Three conceptual pillars of civility, respect, restraint and responsibility in place the foundation for achieving a beneficial meditational experience is essentially achievable; from everyday life experiences we can confidently state, everyone has moment of incivility but placing stabilization on your actions can directly affect the growth in your meditation experience. Forni begins to support this by stating, “As an art, civility has rules one can learn and facility with these rules can improve with practice. This is good news. The bad news is that often we are unable to imagine the benefits of that learning and practice. We thus leave untapped a resource that would prove invaluable in increasing the quality of our lives” (M., 2002, p.34). The unstoppable presence of incivility will always be a bump in our proverbial road of life; the ability to remain in a state, a state of civility, is a chance to improve your quality of life and those around you. Meditation as a stepping stone in these situations provides a great learning point and gives one the ability to grow, and keep improving.…

    • 1531 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Dont Sweat the Small Stuff and Its All Small Stuff
    • 346 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Dont Sweat the Small Stuff and Its All Small Stuff

    The book made me realize with all the different things it talked about that there were several things that I had to start changing and that this instantly would make me a better person. Not only would other people realize but you to. I criticize a lot and people get uncomfortable with that, sometimes one’s to blind to realize, I’m trying to let people be. Expressing my feeling it’s also hard, but sometimes no matter what the situation is I just have to do it for my own spirit. Just by doing this and more things that I’m going to mention later, my relationship with my dad and brother could be better because I haven’t been good with them because of our…

    • 346 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Platform Sutra
    • 1838 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The Platform Sutra

    Thich Nhat Hanh. (1995). Zen Keys: A Guide to Zen Practice (3rd ed.). New York,…

    • 1838 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Reflection of When Things Fall Apart
    • 1224 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Reflection of When Things Fall Apart

    Pema Chodron should be considered a spiritual teacher for anyone. Whether they are aspiring to have one, they already have one or don’t desire one at all. In her book, When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron exposes the overwhelming potential for happiness, wisdom and courage. She explains how one can experience all of these even during the most painful of circumstances. She introduces us to the face that there is an ultimate opportunity for the right of happiness that is right within our reach and she explains how we usually miss the opportunity for that happiness. She conveys to us that we miss that opportunity for happiness because we are all caught up in the attempts to escape the pain, fear and suffering in our lives. Her stellar story, which should and probably does guide many lives, demonstrates to us how we can utilize all of our painful emotions and develop them into compassion and courage, wisdom and understanding, and ways of communication that open up to more opportunities for openness and true interaction with others. She gives us practices for reversing our negative everyday habits and methods for operating with stressful chaotic situations. She shows us ways to develop our painful and fearful emotions into compassionate and energetic feelings that manifest themselves into social action. She worked for 20 years to develop the practices that she preaches as a Tibetan Buddhist nun, while drawing in from her earlier years of experience and feelings as an everyday housewife and mother. She gives whole-hearted and thoughtful advice and wisdom that drew from all of her experience in her life. Her deep-seated and kind hearted advice establishes the grounds for what to do when lings begin to fall apart in our live and go against the normalcy in our environments and expectations. The instruction and assistance that she gives us is meant to offer us comfort and is meant to challenge our actions in our daily lives to live deeply, whole-heartedly and contribute to…

    • 1224 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Explanatory Synthesis Essay
    • 1271 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Explanatory Synthesis Essay

    The ability to put others before oneself is a concept that a large majority of the world’s population cannot yet comprehend. Selflessness comes with a great deal of discipline and awareness of others. Buddhists, as well as a few other similar religions, have made it one of their highest priorities to relinquish their selfish desires. The ability to be aware of oneself, as well as others, is a skill that takes an excessive amount of time. It is not something that can be learned overnight; in fact, it takes a lifetime of dedication and education to release any egotistical emotions and habits. Any people of all faiths can partake on the journey towards enlightenment. The path to enlightenment does not discriminate against creed, color, or beliefs. But what does it mean to be “selfless”? How does one begin to embark on the journey toward “self-enlightenment”? Karen Armstrong, author of “Homo religiosus,” and Robert Thurman, author of “Wisdom,” both reflect on the realization of such unselfishness and the importance of consideration for others—as the Buddhist religion studies—in their articles.…

    • 1271 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Tuesdays With Morrie Aphorism Analysis
    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Tuesdays With Morrie Aphorism Analysis

    He had a lot of life lessons that really caught my attention but I did narrowed it down to three of them so I was able to write about them. To conclude, this book really brought out the inner self in me because it made think about life in a different way I’ve never imagined…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics