In this timely, highly original, and controversial narrative, New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky discusses nonviolence as a distinct entity, a course of action, rather than a mere state of mind. Nonviolence can and should be a technique for overcoming social injustice and ending wars, he asserts, which is why it is the preferred method of those who speak truth to power.
Nonviolence is a sweeping yet concise history that moves from ancient Hindu times to present-day conflicts raging in the Middle East and elsewhere. Kurlansky also brings into focus just why...

The Kalachakra spiritual legacy is a vital and central part of Tibetan Buddhism. Presented here is a detailed and practical overview of this unique spiritual path.
In Part One, the author discusses the tantric path to enlightenment by drawing on the writings of great scholar-practitioners of the past. He describes the sutrayana and vajrayana paths, outlines the four classes of tantras, compares the Kalachakra generation and completion stage yogas to those of the mainstream tantra, s and details the unique Kalachakra methods for attaining enlightenment in this lifetime. Part Two contains...

The most thorough, detailed and systematic reference for Tibetan medicine.

Extensive teachings on the nature of mind, development of mental calm, levels of mahamudra, and the compatibility of Dzogchen and anuttarayoga tantra.

The Seventh Dalai Lama wrote extensive commentaries on the Tantras and over a thousand mystical poems and prayers. Meditations to Transform the Mind is a highly valued collection of spiritual advice for taming and developing the mind.

The Dalai Lama discusses Buddhist doctrine covering such topics as reincarnation, psychology, meditation, compassion, and Buddhism in the West.

Unlike most books by the Dalai Lama which are edited compilations of talks that he has given, this book consists of two texts that he himself wrote and two that he chose--all especially aimed at helping Western readers become better grounded in Buddhism.

Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara / Kuan Yin) is not only Tibet s patron deity, he also is the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas and as such is deemed the best possible contemplative gateway to the cultivation of compassion.
In this book, which has received high praise from monastics and lay Buddhist scholars alike, the American-born nun Ven. Thubten Chodron lucidly and engagingly elucidates the Tibetan Buddhist yoga of Chenrezig. Her explanations are based not only on scriptural but also oral teachings, which makes them eminently authoritative and practical.
Essentially, "...

This is the story of a determined woman who overcame great obstacles in order to achieve religious freedom. Born in eastern Tibet, Jamyang Sakya married into the powerful Sakya family, spiritual advisers of Kublai Khan and for years rulers of much of Central Asia. Her engaging personal story evokes a rich vision of Tibet's traditional culture, customs, and religious practices.

Jamyang Sakya tells of being the only girl in a monastic private school, of dreams and divinations interpreted by high lamas, of long pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist sites, and of her life as a high lady of Sakya. Her...

In this delightful memoir, Bhante Walpola Piyananda, a Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka, shares his often amusing, often poignant experiences of life in America. Whether he's reasoning with a group of confrontational punks on Venice Beach, bridging the gap between a rebellious teenager and her traditional parents, explaining to an errant Buddhist that the concept of "non-attachment" does not justify irresponsibility, or dealing with a nude sunbather at a meditation retreat, no situation--no matter how sticky--manages to affect Bhante's unflappable calm or his phenomenal ability to find the right...