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Title: Buddhism Is Not What You Think : Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs by Steve Hagen ISBN: 0-06-050723-3 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 07 October, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.8 (5 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: All "Wisdom," No "Compassion."
Comment: Buddhism is based on wisdom AND compassion. Mr. Hagen's new book, like his first book, "Buddhism: Plain and Simple," does an excellent job in describing the "wisdom" component of Zen Buddhism. But just like in his first book, Mr. Hagen's new book is totally devoid of any discussion of the "compassion" component. Thus, this book makes Zen Buddhism seem like a purely intellectual excercise, devoid of any warmth or heart. Compare, for example, Mr. Hagen's books with anything written by "Bhante G," Henepola Gunaratana. In his books, Bhante G makes (Theravada) Buddhism come alive with wisdom AND compassion. The tone of Bhante G's books is one of warmth, with a human face. Maybe that is why some are more attracted to Theravada Buddhism, and turned off by the abstractness of Zen (as Zen is portrayed by some, including Mr. Hagen).
Rating: 2
Summary: Repeditive
Comment: I have really admired Steve Hagen's earlier work. It was fresh, insightful, heartfelt, and felt like a true guide for people engaged with Zen and Buddhism. This work continues to affirm his request for us to just "look" rather than to think or judge events in our life. Chapter after chapter he reminds us to just "look". It is painfully repeditive. The advice has merit, but this could have been a 15 page article. It doesn't work as a book. I would suggest to Mr. Hagen to just look and ask him how did he manage to work two words of advice into over 200 pages. Spend your money elsewhere.
Rating: 5
Summary: Wonderful author, excellent book
Comment: I saw Mr. Hagen speak about this book at the Wisconsin Book Festival in October. I had previously been curious but largely ignorant about the study and practice of Buddhism, but Hagen's talk (and his book, which I purchased later) really sparked my enthusiasm. His style is matter-of-fact and straightforward, yet not simplistic or condescending. In the book, Hagen emphasizes the importance of being present and aware and honest in one's dealings with the world. He writes of the difficulties that arise when we focus on what we think (what we think we know, what we fear, what popular wisdom tells us) and when we ignore what we see and experience first-hand. It's quite interesting, and more nuanced than "actions speak louder than words" or "trust your instincts." One gets the sense that Hagen feels deep respect for his readers, which encourages the reader in turn to treat self and others with a greater degree of respect as well. Somehow, Hagen conveys all of this without a hint of preachiness or self-help-ishness. I highly recommend this book.
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Title: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen ISBN: 0767903323 Publisher: Broadway Pub. Date: 29 December, 1998 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
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Title: How the World Can Be the Way It Is: An Inquiry for the New Millennium into Science, Philosophy, and Perception by Steve Hagen ISBN: 0835607194 Publisher: Quest Books Pub. Date: August, 2000 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies & the Truth About Reality by Brad Warner ISBN: 086171380X Publisher: Wisdom Publications Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: At Home in the Muddy Water : The Zen of Living with Everyday Chaos by Ezra Bayda ISBN: 1570629471 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 10 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: No Beginning, No End: The Intimate Heart of Zen by Jakusho Kwong, Peter Levitt ISBN: 0609610805 Publisher: Harmony Books Pub. Date: 11 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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