|
|
|
|
| Artists, Architects, Photographers |
|
|
HomeShop at BookSurgeBiography & AutobiographyArtists, Architects, PhotographersThe Backwards Buddhist: My Introduction to Dzogchen |
|
|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 5 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 A GREAT READ FOR SPIRITUAL SEEKERS OF ANY ILK Nov 23, 2009
By Zenza
OK, so if I could I would give it 4.5 stars, but since Amazon requires full stars, it's a definite five. I'd subtract a half star because of the amount of specific Buddhist/Tibetan/Dzogchen vocabulary, but others who, like me, do not ascribe to that particular philosophy, will doubtless find it easy enough to move past that.
Barbara's spiritual journey, while unique to her own persona, is nonetheless one to which all seekers will relate and from which they can learn. In part a fascinating memoir of ongoing growth, in other ways a primer on the basic tenets and practices of Buddhism in general and Dzogchen in particular, this book will both educate and challenge the reader to examine her own practices and path.
Perhaps the theme for the book comes in an important aside Barbara gives when relating one of her early experiences at retreat, working with a renowned teacher. After writing him a note thanking him for teaching her tonglen, a Dzogchen practice, she realizes that he was actually teaching something else - she had missed the point! She then summarizes what she has learned, and will doubtless continue to appreciate:
"First, the good news - even if you miss the point, you may learn something truly life changing. Secondly, if you don't get it the first time, you will hear it again if you hang around the teachings and listen..."
May we all retain such an attitude of beginner's mind!
The descriptions of retreat give a wonderful view into that experience which may encourage some to partake and, if not, let others gain a better sense of what occurs there. The author is open about her own failings (or should we say "learning opportunities"), giving any reader the sense that they, too, can start on the path right now,and some practices with which to do so.
Interestingly enough it seemed that the actual deep practices which Barbara describes as so powerful are in fact quite simple (if not easy) and are shared by other lineages of Buddhism and in the core by many other religious/philosophical systems as well. Different lessons may seem to have the greatest stress in different sects - no doubt appealing to those with different needs - but in the end - ah! how much better the world will be as all the varied practitioners walk their talk :)
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Very poor formatting of the e-book Aug 14, 2011
By Cristiano Richers
This review is not about the content of the book. Only about the formatting of the e-book. It's one of the worst in this aspect I've downloaded so far, which makes it very unpleasant to read.
Publishers should spend more effort when creating an e-book version of their books. Just dumping the text into an e-book format without any editing is totally unacceptable. It's lazy and sloppy and a bad way tot treat their customers.
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
A Good Book for Those Wishing to Learn about Dzogchen Jan 15, 2010
By Sherry Ellis
The Backwards Buddhist is a book about author, Barbara Fleming's experiences in learning about Dzogchen, one of the most intense paths in achieving enlightenment in the Buddhist tradition. Ms. Fleming begins by giving the reader a brief history of her background. She is a westerner who was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition. Her need to find comfort in the face of the impermanance of life, led her to explore the teachings of Buddhism. She recounts her experiences and her thoughts as she learns the path of Dzogchen. Along the way, Ms. Fleming experiences changes in her thinking and perceptions of people and events which she shares with the reader.
Ms. Flemming is very open in sharing her thoughts and experiences with the reader. She is even able to laugh at some of the less fortunate events that befell her (a bout with poison ivy made it difficult to meditate at one retreat.).
The glossary in the back of the book is very useful for defining unfamiliar Tibetan terms as is the list of suggested readings for those wishing to learn more about Buddhism.
The Backwards Buddhist is a book that would appeal to those wishing to learn a little about Buddhism and to those wishing to read about someone else's experience in pursuing one of the paths of Buddhism.
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
A story of a journey to Buddhism Nov 22, 2009
By bluestocking
This is the story of the author's spiritual journey which led her to Buddhism (and Dzogchen in particular), starting with an unexpected emotional reaction to the death of a celebrity she had never known personally. Already disenchanted with the Catholicism she grew up with, this event was the catalyst for her to begin reading about and start exploring other spiritual paths.
Through a series of serendipitous events and occasional missteps (including becoming infected with a raging case of poison ivy while on her first meditation retreat) she finds a spiritual home in the Dzogchen tradition. Interwoven with the author's story are explanations of some of the basics of Buddhism (such as the four mind changers) as well as practical suggestions on how to find a spiritual path for oneself.
This is an enjoyable, serious yet lighthearted spiritual memoir (there were some bits that made me laugh out loud). If you like reading personal stories about spiritual searches, are looking for some inspiration on finding your own spiritual path, or are interested in learning about Buddhism and Dzogchen from a meditator's personal perspective, I highly recommend this book.
The Backwards Buddhist - a must read for beginners and long-time practioners Nov 19, 2011
By Sherab
If you haven't read The Backwards Buddhist, you should. It is well written, straight to the point and describes many Buddhist principles in easy, but accurate, prose. Had I read this book earlier it would have been on the required reading list for my undergraduate course called Buddha Brain/Buddha Mind, as it is, it became recommended reading for my students and gifts for friends on the path, regardless of whether they have just begun or are long time practioners.
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
