The mind is mightier than the sword

English language

Published Jan. 25, 2009 by Doubleday.

ISBN:: 978-0-7679-1864-0
OCLC Number:: 276338750

(1 review)

From bestselling author and beloved teacher Lama Surya Das comes a thorough, engaging, and user-friendly guide to the teachings of Buddhism. Lama Surya Das is one of the most well-regarded Buddhist teachers and scholars in America today. His books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and his seminars and retreats are continually in demand. In part, it is his straightforward, accessible, and humorous approach that audiences react so strongly to--and in The Mind Is Mightier Than the Sword, Surya brings that unique approach to a comprehensive guide to the most essential Buddhist teachings.For beginners and experienced practitioners alike, Lama Surya Das outlines his Six Building Blocks of Spiritual Practice and offers insight and advice not only on how to find and develop a spiritual center, but how to integrate it into your daily life. From daily meditation and yoga to creative work, journaling, volunteering in your community, and finding …

From bestselling author and beloved teacher Lama Surya Das comes a thorough, engaging, and user-friendly guide to the teachings of Buddhism. Lama Surya Das is one of the most well-regarded Buddhist teachers and scholars in America today. His books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and his seminars and retreats are continually in demand. In part, it is his straightforward, accessible, and humorous approach that audiences react so strongly to--and in The Mind Is Mightier Than the Sword, Surya brings that unique approach to a comprehensive guide to the most essential Buddhist teachings.For beginners and experienced practitioners alike, Lama Surya Das outlines his Six Building Blocks of Spiritual Practice and offers insight and advice not only on how to find and develop a spiritual center, but how to integrate it into your daily life. From daily meditation and yoga to creative work, journaling, volunteering in your community, and finding teachers in unexpected places, Buddhist practice can and should be part of everything you do. The Mind Is Mightier Than the Sword is a practical guide to using the teachings of Buddhism to live a happier, healthier, more enlightened life.From the Trade Paperback edition.

2 editions

horiaconstantin reviewed The mind is mightier than the sword by Surya Das Lama

Review of 'The mind is mightier than the sword' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

This seemed like an interesting book to read, considering the high profile of the author. However, I didn't manage to get past the first two chapters.
There might be some value in the book, but the writing style is hard to follow to say the least: the author throws in buddhist names and jargon indiscriminately and makes up these convoluted word groups that mean everything and nothing.
It's supposed to be a user-friendly book about buddhist teachings, right? Then why not write the ideas with a clear and simple language?
Why can't a "single moment of incandescent awareness" be just "a moment"?
"... Many of which I visited on my six around-the-world journeys..." - I thought Buddhism was about being humble and modest. Why does the reader care of the authors journeys?
The book mentions the story of Alexander the Great being asked by Socrates to "stand out of the …

This seemed like an interesting book to read, considering the high profile of the author. However, I didn't manage to get past the first two chapters.
There might be some value in the book, but the writing style is hard to follow to say the least: the author throws in buddhist names and jargon indiscriminately and makes up these convoluted word groups that mean everything and nothing.
It's supposed to be a user-friendly book about buddhist teachings, right? Then why not write the ideas with a clear and simple language?
Why can't a "single moment of incandescent awareness" be just "a moment"?
"... Many of which I visited on my six around-the-world journeys..." - I thought Buddhism was about being humble and modest. Why does the reader care of the authors journeys?
The book mentions the story of Alexander the Great being asked by Socrates to "stand out of the sun". Except the correct story involves Diogenes and Alexander.
And I can find issues on almost every page. My mind is entirely made up. This book is not worth its salt. There are better books on Buddhism out there.

Subjects

Spiritual life -- Buddhism