I really wanted to like it

books:


	• Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior (Shambhala Pocket Classics) Chogyam Trungpa Shambhala, 1995 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 32 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Shambala reads good..

Enjoyable read. Easy to relate with examples book provides. Author draws out ideas presented in the book pretty well. Reading is light but entertaining.

Path to Liberation

Dispite Chogyam Trongpa's controversial lifestyle, this is the best Spiritual book I have ever read. I agree with the sentiment that I would like to have this book if stranded on an island.

Quoted from the back cover -- "In this practical guide to enlightened living, Chogyam Trungpa offers an inspiring vision for our time, based on the figure of the sacred warrior. In ancient times, the warrior learned to master the challenges of life, both on and off the battlefield. He acquired a sense of personal freedom and power -- not through violence or aggression, but through gentleness, courage, and self-knowledge."

In his view not only was individual enlightenment not mythical, but Shambhala Kingdom referred to an enlightened society that could actually be realized. The practice of Shambhala vision is to use mindfulness/awareness meditation as a way to connect with one's basic goodness and confidence, as well as with that of others and the world. Shambhala vision is described as a secular approach, rooted in meditation, but accessible to individuals of any, or no, religion. In Shambhala terms, it is possible, moment by moment, for individuals to establish enlightened society. source: wikipedia

also a must read Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism

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Uniquely Valuable

This book makes a unique contribution to the quest for sanity and significance, for ourselves and our world. It stresses our essential goodness and authenticity. and charts out how we can achieve a standing beyond fear. We can re-focus from fear of death to the "Great Easern Sun vision," appreciating ourselves and our world: a very gentle approach. Written in an approachable and comfortable way, it can help us to reframe our lives, move us to a standing in bravery and tenderness, an orientation so vital to the planet now.

I really wanted to like it

I recently read this book as part of a class in a local Shambhala center. The book, which is a sort of "Bible" for members of the Shambhala community, represents a collection of talks he gave over the years in which he defined many of the basic teachings that have become part of the Shambhala training.

My biggest disappointment in this book was how little grounding there is in Buddhism. There is a little overlap, but most of the book uses very different concepts and terminology that did not resonate with core Buddhist principles. Second, the book didn't seem well organized to me; it had a stream-of-consciousness feel that was difficult to follow.

I really wanted to like this book but ultimately just wasn't able to connect with it. For understanding Shambhala Buddhism, I'd encourage reading the two books by Chogyam Trungpa's son, Sakyong Mipham, and also anything written by Pema Chodron. To read more about Buddhism in general, I'd encourage trying Thich Nhat Hanh; Henepola Gunaratana; Jack Kornfield; Gil Fronsdal; Suzuki Roshi.

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the Aha moment

I was given this book by a friend years ago when struggling with seemingly everything. Many of the concepts at that time flew over my head but through the years, they return in poignant, aha-like flashes. The idea of having a warrior's heart-able to withstand great joy and great pain and accepting both as reasonable in life-is the concept that stands out most. I love this book and just bought another copy for a friend looking to be more present in her life. I recommend it for anyone who is truly serious about living life openly and honestly, not just being herded along.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

In this practical guide to enlightened living, Chögyam Trungpa offers an inspiring vision for our time, based on the figure of the sacred warrior. In ancient times, the warrior learned to master the challenges of life, both on and off the battlefield. He acquired a sense of personal freedom and power?not through violence or aggression, but through gentleness, courage, and self-knowledge. The Japanese samurai, the warrior-kings of Tibet, the knights of medieval Europe, and the warriors of the Native American tribes are a few examples of this universal tradition of wisdom. With this book the warrior's path is opened to contemporary men and women in search of self-mastery and greater fulfillment. Interpreting the warrior's journey in modern terms, Trungpa discusses such skills as synchronizing mind and body, overcoming habitual behaviors, relaxing within discipline, facing the world with openness and fearlessness, and finding the sacred dimension of everyday life. Above all, Trungpa shows that in discovering the basic goodness or human life, the warrior learns to radiate that goodness out into the world for the peace and sanity of others. The Shambhala teachings?named for a legendary Himalayan kingdom where prosperity and happiness reign?thus point to the potential for enlightened conduct that exists within every human being. "The basic wisdom of Shambhala," Trungpa writes, "is that in this world, as it is, we can find a good and meaningful human life that will also serve others. That is our true richness."

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