Carrie12345 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Dh has been doing some light research on Buddhism, and I've found myself in desperate need of some non-god-believing self-examination, but we have zero resources in our area, unless you count a few scattered UU churches that are still a bit of a distance. I would love to get some recommended reading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skadi Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I'm a Stoic, which is considered by many people to be sort of like a "western Buddhist." This essay, From Zen to Zeno: How I Became a Stoic, might help give you an idea of the basics. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Book recommendations: A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy On Desire: Why We Want What We Want Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (the free Kindle version, which can be read on the free Kindle app on your computer if you don't have an e-reader) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I have done a fair amount of Buddhist study and meditation. PM me if you want more info or book advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thank you both, very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Not Buddhism, but I appreciate my daily reading in this book: http://www.amazon.com/365-Tao-Meditations-Ming-Dao-Deng/dp/0062502239/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305599320&sr=8-1 Someone recommended it a couple of years ago on this board, and I'm so glad I bought it. It gives me something to ponder everyday and has helped me be more tranquil and grateful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secular_mom Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I'm a Stoic, which is considered by many people to be sort of like a "western Buddhist." This essay, From Zen to Zeno: How I Became a Stoic, might help give you an idea of the basics. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Book recommendations: A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy On Desire: Why We Want What We Want Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (the free Kindle version, which can be read on the free Kindle app on your computer if you don't have an e-reader) I read the first part of the essay, it was very interesting. Thanks for sharing that, I hope more folks have interesting bits to share. Thanks for asking this Carrie. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occasionally Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Thanks for asking the question and for the replies! I'm off to do some reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddhabelly Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Yes, I have some recommendations. You can begin reading "The Issue at Hand" on line right now and it starts off with a great story that I often use to summarize Buddhism. Just google "The Issue at Hand." I can never remember the author. Another great one is "Buddhism Without Beliefs" by Stephen Batchelor. Also anything by Pema Chodron, a fabulous teacher. "The Places that Scare You" and also "Start Where you Are" are often recommended. And if you want a book for older kids, "A Pebble for My Pocket" (might be "your pocket" by Thich Nhat Hahn is wonderful. There isn't really anything great for little kids because Buddhism is more of a system than a religion so there's nothing really to teach little kids. Have fun! Julie Dh has been doing some light research on Buddhism, and I've found myself in desperate need of some non-god-believing self-examination, but we have zero resources in our area, unless you count a few scattered UU churches that are still a bit of a distance. I would love to get some recommended reading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secular_mom Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I agree that anything by Pema Chodran is great. My library has books of hers. I also absolutely love Tara Brach and have her book, Radical Acceptance. Her website has many free audios, and videos. The classic book I love is Zen Mind Beginners Mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children by Sarah Napthali (Oct 1, 2010) The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh (Jun 8, 1999) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellocoffee Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Thanks, I am getting lots of interesting book idea here for myself. For children to get a spiritual outlook on Buddhism is a little tricky. There is an international buddhism charity from Taiwan I belong to has publishing books for children about buddhism. Most of them are in Mandarin, but I did see some of them printed in both English and Mandarin, in Texas, at least. You can contact your local Tzu-Chi foundation. Most of them have a library of books on buddhism. I am pretty sure there are more books than the ones are listed on the following web. http://lab2.us.tzuchi.org/global/home.nsf/resource/tcBooks My 8-yr-old DD loves reading them and learning about how to be kind to earth and other lives. Good luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkInTheBlue Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 My favorite book is Buddhism:Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen. I'm not 100% Buddhist. I take much from that and combine it with what is left from my Christainity. :) I call me a Buddhist Christian but that doesn't really fit either. :) I never seem to fit anywhere, I guess! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 My favorite book is Buddhism:Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen. I'm not 100% Buddhist. I take much from that and combine it with what is left from my Christainity. :) I call me a Buddhist Christian but that doesn't really fit either. :) I never seem to fit anywhere, I guess! lol Have you read the book Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh? I bet you would really enjoy it. It's very beautiful. And for the OP, his books were always my favorite when I was Buddhist. Every one that I read was wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 I also love Pema Chodron (When Things Fall Apart). Others I would add are... Everyday Blessings by Myla & John Kabat-Zinn Wherever You Go There You Are by John Kabat-Zinn Awakening The Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 For children to get into the essence of it, I'd recommend Zen Shorts, Prince Siddhartha, The Story of Buddha, and while not exactly Buddhist but more culturally Chinese/Taoist, there's The Fourth Question, A Chinese Tale. My children are Episcopalian/Buddhists. We've had a whole lot of help from both sides of the "aisle" in terms of book selections. While these I've listed are focused on children, even as an adult, I appreciated them. :) Maybe your library will have them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.