Customer Reviews

It's Easier Than You Think

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are interested in exploring the primary teachings of Buddhism, and you don't want to get scared away, then this is the book for you! It's easy to imagine Ms. Boorstein, going about her day, and thinking about life in the spiritual context. She is very approachable, very "real", and in a series of short chapters, she is able to impart some of the truths that makes the study of Buddhism so wonderful. I chose 4 instead of 5 stars, because there is a bit of the "self-help" stuff going on here, that just wasn't particularly what I was looking for. The writing is right on though, and it is an easy read extraordinaire. This was my first Boorstein book, and I will definitely look for another. So that's the final verdict, don't you think?

I'm not "into" Buddhism, per se, but what I've read about the
subject has piqued my interest . . . so did IT'S EASIER THAN YOU
THINK by Slyvia Boorstein, subtitled "The
Buddhist Way to Happiness."

It presents a very readable introduction to the basic tenets of
Buddhism . . . the author's use of stories from everyday
experience greatly help to demystify basic teachings and
make them easily comprehensible.

Boorstein--also a practicing psychotherapist--has done a
masterful job of putting together a guide that is full of
humor, memorable insight and perhaps most importantly, love.

There were several memorable passages; among them:
Going through changes was what Alta was very good at, and, in that
ability, she was my role model. We became good friends and spent
many rainy winter days in her sewing room making clothing, usually
for me. I would talk about my family, and she would talk about
hers-the kind of conversations women have when they sew together.

I was often relieved to see that what I was fretting over as a problem
didn't appear to her to be a big deal, and I noticed she could tell me
about a difficulty in her family that seemed to me to be huge while
she kept right on sewing, not missing a stitch. I knew she was sad, but
she appeared at ease. "Aren't you upset?" I would ask. "I've done
all I could about it," she would say, "so there is no point in being upset."

Here is an exercise in advance Right Speech. Starting tomorrow when you
wake up, don't gossip. See what happens if you just give up making
comments about anyone not present. Listen carefully to the voice in your
mind as it is getting ready to make a comment, and think to yourself, "Why
am I saying this?" Awareness of intention is the best clue for knowing
whether the remark you are about to make is Right Speech. Is your
intention wholesome, a desire to help? Or to show off? Or to denigrate?

I have become more passionate, not less. When I am delighted, which
is often, I am ecstatic. When I am sad, I cry easily. Nothing is a big deal.
It's whatever it is, and then it's something else.

This book is amazing. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to have a great day, every day. The book flows well and reads easy. It is not complicated. I was nervous because I was interested in learning about Buddhist thinking, but was not ready for pure philosophy. This book really makes you think about what is important in life. I loved this book and have lent it to many who have also enjoyed it.

All I want to say is I love this book. I will read it again and again. I also plan on buying copies for friends

I loved this book. Sylvia offers great advice for daily struggles, whether being angry that someone took your seat or upset at terrible news of a friend who has fallen ill. Sylvia reminds us that anyone can be peaceful and happy, the mind is naturally that way. There is nothing mystical or difficult about it. This gave me a new and valuable perspective on how to deal with the stress and struggles in my life.

I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and understand. Sylvia has a great way about how she tells stories. It's Buddhism & Spirituality Americanized and Modernized.

This is a great book for people who turn to buddhism to help them cope with life. I have found comfort and have often pulled my head out of my "you know where" due to this book more so than I have found in many years of therapy. I suffer from depression at times and while I'm sure there is a physical reason I'm prone to depression, I'm even more sure that my outlook on life contributes to it more than any other single factor. The teachings of Buddha are to me, more a philosophy rather than a religion. Life is DIFFICULT. For EVERYONE. Accept it and learn not to cling to things, people and dreams. A mind free of wants will be a peaceful mind.
If you are interested in learning about buddhism as a means of learning to survive happily in this world, this is the book for you. It is light, easy to understand and makes a lot of sense.

Sylvia Boorstein's "It's Easier Than You Think" is a lovely little book about a Western approach to Buddhism -- an examination of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to Happiness through the lens of an American new to the belief system. The chapters are just a few pages, and the language is simple and graceful. Like Natalie Goldberg and Jack Kornfield, Boorstein writes about her own journey to Buddhism, and has many anecdotes about how it has made her perspective more peaceful and loving. All three writers have a lovely light touch -- the spirituality has clearly affected their writing style. I enjoyed the book, and will read her other books.

I should qualify that title. I'm a novice when it comes to Buddhism, per se. I'm quite familiar with the ideas in this book. I happened to find the book-on-tape in the library, so it was a surprise to me.

I've really enjoyed it. It's another discourse on the idea of pain being inevitable, but suffering, optional.

The book on tape strikes me like having a conversation with someone who has gathered their thoughts about what's important in life and come up with some good answers. Boorstein comes off as wise and worth listening to. I'm happy to spend time with her.

My wife and I both read this and found it very worthwhile. I have read a great deal of "heavier" Buddhist material and almost think the word "Buddhist" in the title is unfortunate because it may drive away some readers who would profit from this book. It is really more "common sense" than "Buddhist," and even a Bible-thumping fundamentalist would enjoy it. The author's points are very similar to those of another American Buddhist sage, Charlotte Joko Beck (check out her books as well). The beauty of this book is it's brevity and simplicity. The author basically takes you through her life experiences in short chapters that flow quickly and make their points without preaching. My wife, who has approximately zero interest in the teachings of Buddha, nevertheless found this to be one of the most enjoyable and practical books she has read in a long time. I can't imagine anyone thinking that the couple of hours it takes to read this was time wasted.