Customer Reviews
AMAZING BOOK - By: , 25 Jan 2005 
I am not religious at all but I do believein beingin harmony with the world & each other. This book makes so much sence & is very inspiring. I would recommend it to everyone it makes you think & maybe if we can all take just something away from reading this book then the world will be a better place.
It really IS so good - By: , 09 Nov 2003 Although it seems redundant to add another voice to this chorus of praise I cannot resist doing it: this book really IS so good. It does not promote sensational new ideas for universal ethics, it just shows with unprecedented clarity that the basic principles we need are quite simple & make common sense, & it IS possible to overcome negative habits & learn virtues. The author as a person is strongly presentin the text & makes it credible. He lives what he preaches, & he sounds like his smile: vital, joyful & with a heartwarming sense of humour, never moralistic, never boring. You don't have to be holy to enjoy this book, & you don't have to be a Buddhist. I agree with the other reviewers: Read it!!!!
Excellent Book for Everyone, Religious or Not! - By: B. J. Pettiford, 13 Apr 2003 This book was an excellent read!!! I had expected a book steepedin religious belief but it is highly readable for everyone from all walks of life & religious backgrounds (or not). The Dalai Lama teaches lessonsin just being the type of person we all like to be around, you know the type, they make you feel loved & safe, they are trustworthy & gentle. The poem on the last page sums it up beautifully (you'll have to buy it to read it).
Practical wisdom for a spiritual revolution! - By: , 06 Apr 2002 Although I found this a bit slow to get going, with the opening couple of chapters surely rather obvious to most of usin the Western world these days, this is an excellent book. The Dalai Lama carefully puts forward universal principles that can inspire all humanityin the direction of fundamental personal happiness.
Some Buddhist terms are used (e.g. "nying-je" = the supreme emotion of love & compassion, "chi-sem" = universal consciousness), but the author is far more interestedin embracing ALL religious & non-religious perspectives. "Whether or not a person is a religious believer does not matter much. Far more important is that they be a good human being". His approach is practical too. There are countless everyday examples of possible moral & ethical choices, with clear observations & comments on the consequences. An awareness of the fundamental interconnectedness of ourselves & those around us is a major theme.
Through the application of moral principles to a very broad range of human experiences, the Dalai Lama inspires a practical, intelligent, spiritual awareness & sense of responsibilityin the reader. The approach is balanced, rational & compassionate. Great words to be absorbed & acted upon.
Well presented solutions for the improvement of society. - By: jonathan@gilpin.org, 15 Aug 2001 The Dalai Lama clearly puts forward some solutions to the problems we facein the modern society of the "developed world". This book is aimed at people from any walk of life & I am sure that anyone who reads it will take something special from it. He tackles complex issues such as nuclear stockpiling & genetic foods with understanding & clarity. He demonstrates that by changing our viewpoint we can live both happier & more rewarding lives. Each & every point made is backed up by solid logic which shows his reasoning & enables understanding on behalf of the reader. Definately one to recommend to others.
