Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das, Surya Das (1998, Paperback, Reprint)

If you are interested in Buddhism, or perhaps you just feel a little lost or stressed i reccomend this book. Written by Lama Surya Das this book answers so many questions a Westerner might have. In todays modern culture full of greed and mass consumerism how do we live in this world but not of it? The perspective of an American lends so much to the search for peace. Most of us interested in Buddhism expect to be able to change into this new better person over night. Lama Surya Das teaches us that the journey is not made of several huge leaps but innumerable small steps. Not all of us can leave everything and join a monestary but we learn that that does not mean we are lost. In today's world we MUST learn how to own things but not let those things own or control us. If you have questions and yearnings or perhaps are just curious about Buddhism pick up this book.

This is an excellent introduction to buhhism, the terms, the way, the practice and much information about the Tibetan monks and others. It is extremely relevant to our times and shows us a way to live simpler and with less pain by learning about "our inner self" and the focus on everyone else which by the way helps "you" so much.

I learned about the Buddhist's non violence lifesyle. I borrowed this from my library and found it so helpful as a book to come back to again and again that I purchased it on Ebay. The author spent two 3-year periods living in a monastery and knows how to relate this to western living and how we too can change from clinging, holding onto things and others and thus change our life.

Anymore comments just won't do this book justice. Get one for yourself.

Talk about gaining a different perspective. Read it. It'll open you eyes to a different light and allow yourself to be gentler on yourself and others. A definite must-read for New Yorkers!

I absolutely LOVED this book. It is the most life-changing book I've ever read and is filled with richness and truth. The author has a very good way of explaining some difficult material.

I have found it so helpful, it has really changed my perspective on everything. Even if you are not Buddhist, this book is full of truth for every type of spirituality practice. As long as you can be honest with yourself, it will take you far.

I cannot say enough about the book. I think makes for great reading material before or in conjunction with "The Power of Now" - E. Tolle