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Part of what makes this book so accessible is Kornfield's use of everyday metaphors to describe the elusive lessons of spiritual transformation. For example, he opens with "the one seat" lesson taught to him by his esteemed teacher. Literally it means sitting in the center of a room and not being swayed or moved by all the people and dramas happening around you. On a spiritual level it means sticking "with one practice and teacher among all of the possibilities," writes Kornfield; "inwardly it means having the determination to stick with that practice through whatever difficulties and doubts arise until you have come to true clarity and understanding." The same could be said for this "one book." Among all the spiritual self-help books, this is a classic worth sticking with and returning to--a highly approachable teacher that can only lead to greater clarity and understanding. --Gail Hudson
Review
In the summer of 1972 I returned to the home of my parents in Washington, D.C., head shaved and robed as a Buddhist monk, after my first five-year study in Asia. Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Introduction,
By
This review is from: A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life (Paperback)
Jack Kornfield's "A Path With Heart" is both an introduction to Buddhism and a spiritual workbook, since chapters examining Buddhist principles are followed by specific meditation practices. I read a chapter a day, which I recommend to people new to Buddhism because it allowed the information to sink in. Some information --like sections on karma, chakras, and lovingkindness meditation-- will be familiar to a general audience (it's interesting how many of these concepts have permeated the New Age and mainstream culture, e.g. Gary Zukav's "Seat of the Soul"--- read by Oprah's audience-- covers the same karma concepts.) Other parts -- like a section on mind altered states-- may surprise some. It doesn't surprise me that Buddhism has become popular in the States, particularly in the Western States... it is a de-institutionalized religion with a practical approach to problem solving. Its emphasis on individual power and responsibility aligns with the rugged individualism that informs much of the American character. A gracefully written book, well worth a look.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you only buy one book on Buddhism . . .,
. . . let it be "A Path With Heart!" With wise and skillful words, Jack Kornfield is a master of teaching Buddhist practices including insight meditation (known as vipassanna) to Western students for over 20 years. Being a former Buddhist monk with a PHD in psychology, as well as a husband and father, he is able to communicate the practice of Buddhism in everyday life in a way that makes sense to Western minds. Kornfield embraces the stuggles and hindrances that are common to the spiritual path as well as offering timely and useful meditations for awakening, opening the heart and clear and humorous insight into basic Buddhist principles such as the 5 precepts, the Buddhist view of self (or lack thereof) and karma. With open arms and a deep understanding of the Western psyche and it's tangles, Kornfield delivers a book that is a love song, a workout and a survival manual for anyone committed to the spiritual path.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
get the tapes instead,
By A Customer
This review is from: A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life (Paperback)
Jack Kornfield is responsible for inspiring me to start my daily practice 8 years ago. I got a set of tapes, I think it was _The Inner Art of Meditation_ from the library and found myself rushing home at the end of the day because I /got to/ listen to the tapes and meditate. I've gone to sittings with J.K. at Spirit Rock in Woodacre, CA & have always come away inspired and with renewed commitment to my practice. I'm afriad this book hasn't caught my attention. I've picked it up and put it down many times over the past year and a half, finding it dense and far from the esence I am seeking. I highly recommend the tapes, I highly recommend Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation (Shambhala Classics) (Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield). I also recommend _After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path_ (also J.K.) J.K. is a great teacher. His other works have spoken to me much more clearly than this one. May all beings everywhere know peace.
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