From Publishers Weekly
A paperback reissue of last year's hardcover makes His Holiness the Dalai Lama's wisdom a bit less expensive: "Just as musicians train their hands, athletes their reflexes and techniques, linguists their ears, scholars their perceptions, so we direct our minds and hearts." And so with his characteristic deftness, here he builds bridges from the realities of everyday life to sublimely spiritual pursuits. This compilation, based on teachings delivered by His Holiness in New York in 1999, is founded upon a weaving of two ancient Buddhist texts. These are made accessible here in part by Vreeland's skillful editing and in part by the unflagging style of the Dalai Lama, who continues to spread his message of loving compassion beyond the borders of Buddhism. Readers who savored his The Art of Happiness and Ethics for the New Millennium will likely be ready to take these next steps into practical approaches for everyday living that are supremely grounded in Buddhist philosophy, but extend an open heart to all types of believers and nonbelievers as well. While not a manual in the traditional Western sense of highly sequenced steps, this book is a treasury of teachings that point clearly to a better way to live. Exquisite, perfectly matched photographs round out such chapters as "The Desire for Happiness," "Karma," "Compassion," "Calm Abiding" and "Wisdom." Many books today receive the Dalai Lama's blessing, but this one issues a special invitation to receive ancient wisdom through the mind and heart of a modern spiritual master.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
How does one actually become a compassionate person? What are the mechanisms by which a selfish heart is transformed into a generous heart? The Dalai Lama's teachings on this essential subject, drawn from talks he delivered during his epochal visit to America in 1999, form the basis of this universally appealing book.


About the Author
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. As Tibet's leader-in-exile, he has worked tirelessly not only on behalf of the Tibetan people, but as a voice for human rights worldwide.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, presents a clear and simple guide to finding compassion and happiness in these often troubling and challenging times. The writings in this book are drawn from his enthusiastically received visit to America in 1999 and form a good introduction to the spiritual traditions of Buddhism.

The methods outlined in An Open Heart -- which include a series of meditations, ranging from the simplest to the most difficult -- are taken from the three most sacred texts of Buddhism: Kamalashila's Middle-Length Stages of Meditation, which "contains the essence of all Buddhism"; Togmay Sangpo's The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas; and Langri Tangpa's Eight Verses on Training the Mind. In all of these texts, the author states, the goal is the same: to seek refuge in the Buddha's doctrine (known as the Dharma) and in the spiritual community of Buddhists known as the Sangha. Indeed, the triumvirate of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha are known as the Three Jewels of Refuge.

The student is instructed to meditate on such topics as: karma; "afflictive emotions," such as anger and hatred; compassion and empathy; equanimity; the enlightenment of "bodhicitta"; and the concentrated method known as "calm abiding." By doing this, one can move closer to Buddhism's ultimate goal: the Buddhahood embodied in the Three Jewels.

Those seeking a helpful guide to the basic tenets of Buddhism would be hard pressed to find a simpler or more accessible resource. (Nicholas Sinisi)

Nicholas Sinisi is the Barnes&Noble.com Religion Editor.

ANNOTATION

An Open Heart is a clear and simple introduction to the core of Buddhism, by its greatest teacher, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The book lays out a course of meditations, from the simplest to the most challenging, that will enable anyone of any faith to change their minds and open their hearts.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Compassion -- sympathy for the suffering of others and the desire to free them from it -- is wrestled with in all spiritual traditions. Yet how does one actually become a compassionate person? What are the mechanisms by which a selfish heart is transformed into a generous heart? In this acclaimed bestseller, His Holiness the Dalai Lama writes simply and powerfully about the everyday Buddhist practice of compassion, offering a clear, practical, inspiring introduction to the Buddhist path to enlightemment.

SYNOPSIS

COMPASSION--SYMPATHY FOR THE suffering of others and the desire to free them from it--is wrestled with in all spiritual traditions. Yet how does one actually become a compassionate person? What are the mechanisms by which a selfish heart is transformed into a generous heart?

When His Holiness the Dalai Lama came to New York City in 1999, he spoke simply and powerfully on the everyday Buddhist practice of compassion. Weaving together the contents of three sacred texts-- one by the eighth-century Indian master Kamalashila, another by the fourteenth-century Tibetan Togmay Sangpo, and a third by the eleventh-century sage Langri Tangpa--His Holiness showed that the path to compassion is a series of meditations. An Open Heart lays out this course of meditation, from the simplest to the most challenging, describing the mental training techniques that will enable anyone of any faith to change their minds and open their hearts. In this book the path begins with simple and clear ruminations on the advantages of a virtuous life and moves on to practices that can temper destructive and impulsive emotions. Such practices can be undertaken at odd moments of the day, at once transforming the aimless or anxious mind into a disciplined and open mind. Gradually, the book introduces the more challenging and sustained meditation practices. In these meditations the deepest and most profound insights of Buddhist practice become part of one's way of knowing and experiencing the world.

An Open Heart is a clear and simple introduction to the Buddhist path to enlightenment, by its greatest teacher, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

"Just as musicians train their hands, athletes their reflexes and techniques, linguists their ears, scholars their perceptions, so we direct our minds and hearts." And so with his characteristic deftness, His Holiness the Dalai Lama here builds bridges from the realities of everyday life to sublimely spiritual pursuits. This compilation, based on teachings delivered by His Holiness in New York in 2001, is founded upon a weaving of two ancient Buddhist texts. These are made accessible here in part by Vreeland's skillful editing and in part by the unflagging style of the Dalai Lama, who continues to spread his message of loving compassion beyond the borders of Buddhism. Readers who savored his The Art of Happiness and Ethics for the New Millennium will likely be ready to take these next steps into practical approaches for everyday living that are supremely grounded in Buddhist philosophy, but extend an open heart to all types of believers and nonbelievers as well. While not a manual in the traditional Western sense of highly sequenced steps, this book is a treasury of teachings that point clearly to a better way to live. Exquisite, perfectly matched photographs round out such chapters as "The Desire for Happiness," "Karma," "Compassion," "Calm Abiding" and "Wisdom." Many books today receive the Dalai Lama's blessing, but this one issues a special invitation to receive ancient wisdom through the mind and heart of a modern spiritual master. (Sept. 25) Forecast: Although it's unlikely to achieve the million-plus copy status of The Art of Happiness, this book (based on lectures that were directed to an American audience) is poised for bestsellerdom. National advertising and extensive mediaappearances by Vreeland will help with promotion, as will a fall excerpt in Spirituality & Health magazine. This is a main selection of the One Spirit Book Club. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

A paperback reissue of last year's hardcover makes His Holiness the Dalai Lama's wisdom a bit less expensive: "Just as musicians train their hands, athletes their reflexes and techniques, linguists their ears, scholars their perceptions, so we direct our minds and hearts." And so with his characteristic deftness, here he builds bridges from the realities of everyday life to sublimely spiritual pursuits. This compilation, based on teachings delivered by His Holiness in New York in 1999, is founded upon a weaving of two ancient Buddhist texts. These are made accessible here in part by Vreeland's skillful editing and in part by the unflagging style of the Dalai Lama, who continues to spread his message of loving compassion beyond the borders of Buddhism. Readers who savored his The Art of Happiness and Ethics for the New Millennium will likely be ready to take these next steps into practical approaches for everyday living that are supremely grounded in Buddhist philosophy, but extend an open heart to all types of believers and nonbelievers as well. While not a manual in the traditional Western sense of highly sequenced steps, this book is a treasury of teachings that point clearly to a better way to live. Exquisite, perfectly matched photographs round out such chapters as "The Desire for Happiness," "Karma," "Compassion," "Calm Abiding" and "Wisdom." Many books today receive the Dalai Lama's blessing, but this one issues a special invitation to receive ancient wisdom through the mind and heart of a modern spiritual master. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

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