Kelsang Gyatso (1931–2022)

This book wasn't as accessible as I would have hoped. That said it contains some nuggets of wisdom that I keep with me, such as not being attached to the self, the fact that our perceptions and feelings are not reality, and compassion for others. But I got this book for free so I'm not complaining!

If you are not a buddhist, but you are interested in learning more about buddhism, then you should look for another book. This book may be great for some buddhists, but the repeated recommendation to put your faith in the buddha rubs me the wrong way. I prefer Thich Nhat Hanh's books or the more secular introduction by Jon Kabat Zinn. I have started reading Mindfulness in Plain English and - although there are references to past lives and hearing voices - I still greatly prefer that book to show more this one. show less

Honestly, this book is kind of boring, i.e. not the most exciting read. An "introduction" to something should be a bit more engaging, to make a newcomer to something interested enough to complete the book. Just my opinion. As far as I can tell, the content of the material is fine, it's just the delivery that does it for me.

Another commentary on the guru yoga practice of Lama Chopa, this one suffers from a lack of explanation of certain key features, especially those derived from Guhyasamaja and Yamantaka.