The Best Buddhist Writing:2007
Edited by Melvin McLeod
Shambala (2007)

If you enjoy learning about whats happening right now in Buddhist thought, lifestyle, religion and psychology, this series is for you. I’ve read 2004, 2005, 2006, finding many new authors to explore and books to read. Each volume is filled with ideas to think about and new people to read.

Melvin McLeod is a good editor and it is interesting to read these pieces in chronological order knowing they are arranged with reason and judgement, intent on leading the reader.

2007 is spectacular. One section that stands out to me includes the Dalai Lama, followed by Thich Nhat Hanh pieces, then followed by Matthiew Richard from his very fine book, Happiness.

I have really enjoyed this series, it is hard to explain the surprises you encounter in the variance of styles, thoughts and situations. ex. Alice Walker followed by Pema Chodron or Gary Snyder followed by Bell Hooks.

I’m thankful for Melvin McLeod’s cleaver, thoughtful and hopeful work. Try this series and I guarantee, if you are stuck looking for new books, you won’t be looking for long.

It’s Up to You:

The Practice of Self Reflection on the Buddhist Path

by

Dzigar Kongtrul

Reading It’s Up to You, was important to me. These essays, short, however packed with the wisdom of understanding individual insight and realization. A chapter reading, per sitting was about enough to think about.

I’m inclined to not say too much about this wonderfully presented practical book.

With a forward by Pemd Chodron, and a preface by Mattieu Ricard, not much else needs to be said about how fortunate we are to have the content of It’s Up to You.

I feel certain I will do this book again and perhaps again and again….

Riding The Ox Home

Stages on the Path of Enlightenment

by

John Daido Loori

This Riding Ox is a modern commentary sketching the spiritual encountered in Zen training.

I feel most of us, are investigating ourselves often, trying to understand our conditioning, our reactions, our views, our actions, etc. This little book is about discovering our truest nature.

Accompanied by ox-herding pictures and ancient poems, Loori’s modern commentary on understanding our ego is clear and helpful in training appreciation of self and understanding reality. Realizing ourselves and transforming our lives is important. Right judgments and constructive lifestyles (pleasure-time and work-time) enables us to have more full-filled days.

Reading Loori’s adaptation made me think about good and helpful ideas.