JOHN'S FAVORITE BOOKS

Here are some of my favorite books about buddhism, meditation,
and related topics.

      
Levine, Stephen.  A Gradual Awakening.
   Very nice introduction to meditation in general, not specifically 
   buddhism.  A mix of meditation practice, guided imagery, philosophy 
   and psychology.
   Anchor Press / Doubleday, New York.

Trungpa, Chogyam.  The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation.
   This book turned me on to Tibetan buddhism, written by the one of the 
   most articulate, inspiring, and controversial Tibetan lamas to come 
   to America.  This book showed me that not all buddhism is as
   rigorous and inscrutable as zen.
   Shambala Publications, Boulder, CO.
   
Tulku, Tarthang.  Gesture of Balance -- A Guide to Awareness, 
   Self-healing, and Meditation.
   Another Tibetan writer, he has a very gentle and uplifting writing 
   style.
   Dharma Publishing, Emeryville, CA.
   
Kabat-Zinn, Jon.  Wherever You Go, There You Are -- MIndfulness 
   Meditation in Everyday Life.
   Featured in Bill Moyer's documentary "Healing and the Mind", this 
   written with very short chapters to be read sort of as a daily 
   inspiration.  Again, not explicitly buddhist, but aimed at giving you 
   tools to deal with the complexity and stress of modern life.
   Hyperion, New York.
   
Mitchell, Stephen.  Tao Te Ching.
   This is an excellent contemporary translation of the 2000 year old 
   Chinese book of poems and wisdom. It fluidly communicates the 
   ineffability of mystical experience.  Another great one for a daily 
   dose of inspiration.
   HarperCollins, New York.

Welwood, John.  Ordinary Magic - Everyday Life as Spiritual Path.   
   An anthology containing excerpts from many great writers, we read 
   this in my study group.  
   Shambala Publications
   
Welwood, John.  Awakening the Heart - East/West approaches to 
   psychotherapy and the healing relationship.
   Another anthology, though it says its about therapy, I found it to be 
   really good for anybody to read.
   Shambala Publications

Welwood, John.  Journey of the Heart - Intimate Relationship and the 
   Path of Love.
   You can tell I'm a Welwood fan.  This is his own book, not an 
   anthology.  When I find a woman who has read this book and wants to 
   create the kind of partnership Welwood describes, I'll marry her.
   HarperCollins
      
Kerouac, Jack.  The Dharma Bums.
   A great, thoughtful, entertaining novel, with unforgettable 
   characters.  
   Penguin Books, New York.
   
What I'm reading now ...

Kornfield, Jack.  A Path With Heart - A guide through the perils and 
   promises of spiritual life.
   Very popular, a complete guidebook to meditation and spirituality for 
   western readers.  
   Bamtam Books, New York.
   
Miller, Timothy.  How to want what you have - Discovering the magic and 
   grandeur of ordinary existence.
   I saw this at the bookstore and it sounded to corny, but a very 
   intelligent friend of mine said it was great.  It was the book he 
   wanted to write.  It doesn't have any buddhism or meditation theme, 
   it's more psychological self-help style, but with an implied 
   spiritual overtone. I've never heard of this author, but he's a good 
   writer. Since he isn't a "lama" or anything he makes it seem like 
   inner peace is achievable even by ordinary bumblers. 
   Henry Holt and Co., New York.
   
Lama Surya Das.  Awakening the Buddha Within - Tibetan Wisdom for the 
   Western World.
   We just started reading this now in my study group.  Originally named
   Jeffrey Miller, the author is a westerner who studied in Nepal and 
   has written a comprehensive introduction to Tibetan buddhism.  
   Broadway Books, New York.

Durst, G. Michael.  Napkin Notes: On the Art of Living.
   This is a western "in your face" interpretation of buddhism.  It 
   points out that your life isn't working and there's no one to blame 
   but yourself.  We can drop the "victim" mentality whenever we want.
   What we experience is 100% our responsibility.
   Training Systems, Inc. Evanston, Illinois
   
And I suppose it's obligatory that I should include the bible of the 
"Voluntary Simplicity" movement ...

 Dominguez, Joe, and Robin, Vicki.  Your Money or Your Life.
   It's about having a life instead of making money.  It doesn't have 
   a spiritual theme at all, but points out that the quality of our life
   is under our control.  Gives a practical strategy for transitioning 
   to a simpler or "quality not quantity" lifestyle, by re-examining our 
   relationship to money.
   Penguin Books