Buddha is as Buddha Does

Puts the heart into mindfulness meditation

Would you listen to Buddha is as Buddha Does again? Why?

I have listened to this book twice already, and intend to listen to it many more times to come. I have practiced mindfulness meditation for multiple decades, and have become increasingly proficient over the years with concentration on a pre-defined object of focus. That has brought a calm and equanimity that pervades my life.However, I have always struggled with the lack of heart, warmth, empathy, and love in my practice. I believe in such values, and certainly the mindfulness teachings mention the importance of bodhichitta, compassion, metta, etc. But it was always conspicuously lacking in my practice. Lama Surya Das puts the bodhisattva values at the forefront, making the timeless truths of love, generosity, and understanding somehow palpable. His words echoed in my mind and heart throughout the days I was listening to the book, and beyond. I have come to hold the bodhisattva idea on an equal footing with mindfulness itself, and have even experimented with meditating on the sensations of generosity and other pure emotions. I feel like new opportunities in meditation have been laid out before me thanks to this book's creativity-inducing message and presentation.The book addressed the paradox of being warm yet detached with true understanding. I have always been troubled by this and other ostensible contradictions in Buddhism, but he points them out and clarifies them, without providing any pat answers. Somehow, I felt something approaching an answer in my heart, even if I couldn't say what verbally.LSD speaks with such confidence and conviction, without ever preaching. There is not a trace of guilt-tripping or shaming in this book. He has so much understanding for the limitations of his readers, yet seems to hold us in high esteem! What a great man and teacher.

1 person found this helpful

Book Great! Sound aweful

While the content of this book is great. I will probably go buy the print version. The sound quality was terrible. I was constantly having to turn the volume up as the voice trailed off.Then quickly had to turn back down as the voice vibrated my eardrums this process had to be repeated throughout the entire book.

1 person found this helpful

This should be required reading.

Why become a Buddhist when you can become the Buddha?!these are words to live by now and forever. Namaste.

Endless Replay Value, Timeless Wisdom

I'm busy today but I feel obligated to take some time out and leave a review on this marvellous audio book.

This is one audio book I can listen to again and again. It's jam-packed with wisdom, little stories, sayings, quotes, insights etc. from the monk with the New York accent Lama Surya Das.

The first I heard of Lama Surya Das was "Awakening the Buddha Within", and wow! did that inspire and rejuvenate me spiritually. I was actually on a spiritual high for about a month or so afterwards - wanting to do better, wanting to contribute more good to the world.

Unfortunately, the high wore off a bit... but "Buddha is as Buddha Does" has fit in perfectly as sort of a spiritual coach to keep me on track. It works like that because it doesn't have a linear narrative like "Awakening the Buddha Within". I can pick up anywhere on this one and just start listening.

If you have even the tiniest curiosity or desire to get this one, do it. The value here is incredible.

Reader is difficult to listen to

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

different reader

What was one of the most memorable moments of Buddha is as Buddha Does?

Was not able to finish the book, actually could not get past the 1st hour, due to reading style, mix between a NY bronx accent with Jewish values all mixed into a Buddhist. Quite distracting!

Any additional comments?

Book was a much better read then listen, if interested I would recommend buying a paper copy.