Looking to connect and get reading suggestions from people who are into Buddhism.

Thanks!!

Stacy Walker

Hi, I'm a newbie Buddhist.  Have you checked out the book recs at E-sangha?  I have found the book lists there to be extremely helpful!  http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index.php

Namaste!

I just finished reading The Joy of Living http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780307346254-The+Joy+of+Living+Unlocking+the+Secret+and+Science+of+Happiness

 and this: www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780316989794-An+Open+Heart+Practicing+Compassion+in+Everyday+Life

 and recommend either/both.

Stacy, while not specifically "marketed" as a Buddhist book, Alan Watt's The Wisdom of Insecurity is a wonderful book.  There is also a popular book out now called something like Buddhism for Beginners, or something like that (I forget the name!)  If you search best-sellers it should pop up.

Good luck!

While I am not technically Buddhist, I identify with many Buddhist ideologies. :)  There is just so many wonderful things to think about. :)

There is just so many wonderful things to think about. :)  ditto.  I'll get back with my booklist...

I'm just now reading Alan Watt's The Wisdom of Insecurity - it's pretty good so far.  It's not Buddhist per se, but so far all the concepts are in line with Buddhist thought.   

I guess there aren't many Buddhists here, or Buddhists who come to this subforum.  Oh well. *shrugs*

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.....I am new to Buddhism, but after learning more, I have realized that I have lived my life like a Buddhist all along. 

I am sure there are more Buddhists here, but for whatever reason not many are posting.  I am happy to have found the few of you that have posted!  Thanks!!

Stacy in Indiana

Though not a Buddhist, I'm intrigued by the teachings.  Belief.net has articles from Buddhists from time to time.

Has anyone read Sylvia Boorstein's "It's Easier than you think"?  I really like her writing and she makes Buddhism very approachable.

I just finished reading  Sylvia Boorstein's It's Easier Than You Think a couple weeks ago.  LOVED IT!  I'm now about halfway through Walpola Rahula's What The Buddha Taught and I am finding it to be the clearest, most no-b.s. coverage of the Buddha's teachings I've read.  His style is slightly antiquated at times (not surprising given when it was first written) but it's not obscure at all.  He has a very clean, concise style.  I highly recommend the book! 

The most surprising thing I've learned since re-acquainting myself on this path is the many different schools of Buddhism and how divergent they can be.  Some of them are so covered in cultural accretions that it's barely recognizable as Buddhism.  I imagine this happens in all religions - the other 2 major religions (Islam & Christianity) can certainly give many examples of that. 

Anyway, I would love to hear what other Buddhism (and related) books people are reading currently or have read and cherished in the past.  :-)

What are you interested in about Buddhism?  Historic overview?  Meditation? 

Buddha by Karen Armstrong.  Ex Catholic nun is good with religion overview.  See also Huston Smith.

Thich Nhat Hanh is Vietnamese and comes to U.S. from France where he lives and teaches.  He is clear and does not feel buddhists need to be cloistered off to be engaged.  Speaks and directs teaching to westerners.

Pema Chodron is from the more complex and ceremonial Tibet traditions.  She is a westerner and they are very involved in U.S.  See also magazine Shambala Sun.

Kelly, it's a wonderful book!  I like Sylvia Boorstein's approach.  She seems like an average person and she makes the principles of Buddhism easy to understand and relate to.

"Kelly, it's a wonderful book!  I like Sylvia Boorstein's approach.  She seems like an average person and she makes the principles of Buddhism easy to understand and relate to."

I agree!  Her writing style and persona make her explanations of things very accessible and engaging.  She just comes across as a very sweet, down-to-earth type.  There were a couple concepts that I just wasn't "getting" until I read her take on them and then I was like "Ohhhhh, that's so simple!  Why didn't I see it?"  LOL  She's also not afraid to admit to flaws and failures, and that's very encouraging!  It's funny to read her stories about incidents when she was acting/thinking in a less-than-enlightened way and see a little of my behavior and thought patterns in it. 

I've also heard great things about Pema Chodron's books, but I haven't been able to get my hands on any yet.  There are so many books I want to get to... a fine example of attachment and clinging.  LOL

I'm interested in meditation. Suggestions for books on that topic?

Meditation and yoga both interest me, even though I'm not religious.

Honestly, I got more from meditation groups and classes than I have from any books.  Even just a guided group meditation is wonderful. :)

Mindfulness in Plain English is a very good book, and there are many good books covering the various meditation styles, but once you have read about the basics, you really just have to do it.  It's just something that you practice and continue to practice, and while books may give tips and basic info, you will get much more from just doing it.  It's also helpful to find a group and instructor, but don't be surprised if it takes some time to find a group and/or instructor that is a good fit for you.

A wonderful book called "a still forest pool" offers some wonderful teachings on "insight meditation"  taught by Achaan Chah, written by Jack Kornfield. I have found the teachings and wisdom instrumental in enriching my prayer life by allowing me to reach deeper inside to my very soul where God dwells and it also has aided me in understanding and disposing of my "false self"

             peace and blessings on your path

                                          bill

Hey all, I just wanted to give an update on something I'd mentioned earlier.  I said that I had heard good things about Pema Chodron's books and wanted to read them.  Well, so far I've read "When Things Fall Apart" and "Practicing Peace in Times of War" and I've been very disappointed in both.  I will probably still read "Start Where You Are", but if that one is on par with these two, I'm giving up on that author.  I have finished a few other books as well and highly recommed "The Miracle of Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hahn.  It's a small book, but his style is very concise and precise, so it doesn't seem sparse or lacking at all.  I got it from the library, but I'm definitely getting a copy for keeps!

Not a Buddhist, but I got this book Zen Shorts for my kids a while back and I love it!  I read it to my husband.  Very deep stuff for a kid's book...I was impressed.

If you go to dalailama.com, there is a page of suggested readings on Tibetan Buddhism there.