Customer Reviews

Turning the Mind Into an Ally

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2 star:		(1)
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As someone just beginning my meditation practice, this book had everything I was looking for:

-A discussion on why people meditate.

-The benefits of meditating.

-How to meditate (instruction).

-The stages of meditation as you improve & what they feel like.

-Difficulties you will encounter and how to overcome them.

-Teachings of people who know what they're talking about.

-Real life analogies to horse back riding and golf.(very helpful)

-Motivation to get you inspired to start and keep going.

-It does not preach the religion side of Buddhism for those who don't believe in that.

-No tacky cover art (I like books to look good on my shelf! haha).

The book is clearly written for a beginner and goes in-depth for someone experienced, without becoming too long winded. It is never dry, and is somehow uplifting and inspiring to keep me from losing focus. I will be referring back to relevant sections throughout my efforts. I can tell this will be a book I'll read many times. By far, the best non-fiction book I've ever purchased.

Sakyong Mipham has written an excellent A to Z primer on basic meditation techniques. I will keep my copy in an accessible place, because I intend to read it again and again. I recommend this book to both experienced meditation practitioners as well as to those who are interested in exploring the benefits of meditation.

This book was written by the son of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He distills the wisdom of his father in a simple and easy to understand style of writing. After reading a few pages you will realize that the greatest enemy is your mind; the only obstacle that is making you unhappy. This book will show you how to turn your mind into your ally. A good book for anyone pursing peace of mind and harmony with others.

This is a good book for those who are beginning meditators, those looking for information on meditation, or those who have been practicing meditation for some time. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche uses more Western language versus Tibetan or Shambhala language, which makes this easier to read and understand. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche also has expanded the traditional Shambhala meditation practice to include "contemplation" meditation.

Sakyong Mipham is not some easy-answers-miracles-in-a-day guru like all those names that line the self-help section of your local bookstore. No, he centers mostly at "staying with the breath." In other words, meditation. He doesn't claim to have all the answers, solve all your problems, or show you how to put a Mustang convertible in your driveway just by thinking about it. Instead he teaches, through his western upbringing, Buddhist teachings, and eastern culture how to end "samsara," the constant yearning for next big thing, and how to find focus and peace in your own mind.

This book is great for those both brand new to the teachings, and not so new to the teachings. We all get stuck in our practice sometimes, and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche gives very practical advice on how to overcome distractions and get unstuck. It's been a joy for me to share this book with friends totally new to the teachings and learn from it together. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has translated the teachings into the language that Americans speak. The clarity that I have gained from this has been pivotal to my dharma study and practice. This book is a must have for any dharma student.

Written with a mixture of deep wisdom, warmth and humor this book presents a crystal clear way of how to live ones life. How to face, not run from, reality. It is a teaching on the celebration of the adventure of life.

I found this book to be very useful to me as a beginner when it comes to meditation. It is written in language that I can understand. The references to horseback riding where helpful even though I don't personally ride horses (my wife does). I have read all but the last two chapters so far.

for the beginning meditator, it would be difficult to find a better book. clear, deep, concise -- it covers a wide range of issues and will become a reference manual you will read more than once.

I read the Sakyong's book and also attended his program based on this book. I have to say the book was very easy to read. What came across even more strongly in the program was how you must discipline your mind before you can even move on to ANYTHING else. Hearing the Sakyong speak and working with an MI, this point was really driven home. I love CTR's books too as he was so very incredibly clear and insightful and an outstanding teacher, but it never motivated me to learn to meditate. The Sakyong made me want to. Now I have a meditation practice...every day. He is right. You have to do it. He recommends going back to the book when you need help in maintaining motivation for practice. I'm so glad he is teaching at the beginning level!!! If you ever have an opportunity to hear him teach, jump on it!! In between, there's this great book.