My Spiritual Journey : Personal Reflections, Teachings, and Talks

From One of the worldвЂTMs greatest spiritual leaders reflects on his commitments as a human being, a Buddhist monk, and the fourteenth Dalai Lama. Stril-Rever, the Dalai LamaвЂTMs longtime translator, has collected his autobiographical musings, dharma talks, and public speeches, and provided informative commentary, to create a book of clarion essays shaped by the Dalai LamaвЂTMs wisdom, intellect, kindness, and humor, as well as his experiences of persecution, exile, and world travels. Readers both well versed in and new to the Dalai LamaвЂTMs teachings will make invaluable discoveries as the Dalai Lama emphasizes our common humanity, our interdependence, and the need for us to “cultivate a greater sense of universal responsibility.” The Dalai Lama calls for religious harmony and expresses his support for secular democracy and his hope for a peaceful resolution of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Most forcefully, and poetically, the Dalai Lama voices his growing concern over global environmental degradation. We must act together to protect nature, the source of our survival, the Dalai Lama writes, assuring us that if the Buddha returned, “He would be an ecologist!” --Donna Seaman Review “An important record of the mind and heart of one of the great figures of our times.” (New Age Retailer ) “This gathering of insights on a variety of topics should ...please the Dalai LamaвЂTMs English-speaking adherents.” (Library Journal ) “вЂTMSpiritualityвЂTM” may be the most nebulous word in the English language, but My Spiritual Journey provides a definition that both devotee and atheist might approve: вЂ

The world knows the public face of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.

We have read about his near escape from Tibet after the Chinese invasion, his nobel Peace Prize, and his friendships with world leaders, Hollywood actors, and scientists around the world. But what are his inner, personal thoughts on his own spiritual life? For the first time and in his own words, the Dalai Lama charts his spiritual journey from his boyhood days in rural Tibet to his years as a monk in the capital city of Dharamsala, to his life in exile as a world leader and symbol of peace.

My Spiritual Journey provides a vivid and moving portrait of the Dalai Lama’s life journey that is personal in tone but universal in scope. He explores three phases or commitments of his spiritual life—as a human being, as a Buddhist monk, and as the Dalai Lama—each of which has made him more dedicated to exploring and teaching human values and inner happiness, promoting harmony among all religions, and advocating for the civil rights and well-being of the Tibetan people.

At the age of two, little Tenzin Gyatso was identified as the fourteenth reincarnation of the first Dalai Lama. From then on, his life has been on a trajectory few can imagine. Some see him as a living Buddha and moral authority, others identify him as a “god-king,” while still others see him in political terms as either a hero or a counterrevolutionary. In My Spiritual Journey, we see the personal struggles, the courage, the laughter, and the compassion that have defined the remarkable life of one of our world’s greatest living legends.

The world knows the public face of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. We have read about his near escape from Tibet after the Chinese invasion, his nobel Peace Prize, and his friendships with world leaders, Hollywood actors, and scientists around the world. But what are his inner, personal thoughts on his own spiritual life? For the first time and in his own words, the Dalai Lama charts his spiritual journey from his boyhood days in rural Tibet to his years as a monk in the capital city of Dharamsala, to his life in exile as a world leader and symbol of peace. My Spiritual Journey provides a vivid and moving portrait of the Dalai Lama?s life journey that is personal in tone but universal in scope. He explores three phases or commitments of his spiritual life?as a human being, as a Buddhist monk, and as the Dalai Lama?each of which has made him more dedicated to exploring and teaching human values and inner happiness, promoting harmony among all religions, and advocating for the civil rights and well-being of the Tibetan people. At the age of two, little Tenzin Gyatso was identified as the fourteenth reincarnation of the first Dalai Lama. From then on, his life has been on a trajectory few can imagine. Some see him as a living Buddha and moral authority, others identify him as a "god-king," while still others see him in political terms as either ahero or a counterrevolutionary. In My Spiritual Journey, we see the personal struggles, the courage, the laughter, and the compassion that have defined the remarkable life of one of our world?s greatest living legends "Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, was born in 1935 to a peasant family in a remote part of Tibet. Although living in exile, he is the beloved traditional and religious leader of millions of Tibetans and has become a global icon of peace, compassion, spiritual living, and nonviolent struggle for justice. The Dalai Lama's My Spiritual Journey brings the world a message: one of suffering, success, and hope. This vivid and moving portrait of the Dalai Lama's life journey is personal in tone but universal in scope. Using previously unpublished materials, augmented by interviews, the Dalai Lama, with his trusted collaborator's help, presents a spiritual narrative of his life. Memories, stories, anecdotes, and ideas are gathered together to make an accessible and comprehensive whole. The book is organized into three parts. In the first part, he uses his childhood memories to show his human dimension and stresses the importance of relating to each other on the basis of common humanity rather than on differences in belief. In the second part, he considers himself as a Buddhist monk. He explains the source of his bodhisattva ideal and invites us to transform the world by transforming our own mind. His third aspect, that of a Dalai Lama, provides an opportunity to explain his wish to establish Tibet as a sanctuary of peace for the world, where humanity and nature can live in harmonious balance"-- Provided by publisher “One of the world's greatest spiritual leaders reflects on his commitments as a human being, a Buddhist monk, and the fourteenth Dalai Lama.” —BooklistIn this elegant self-portrait, the world's most outspoken and influential spiritual leader recounts his epic and engaging life story. The Dalai Lama's most accessible and intimate book, My Spiritual Journey is an excellent introduction to the larger-than-life leader of Tibetan Buddhism—perfect for anyone curious about Eastern religion, invested in the Free Tibet movement, or simply seeking a richer spiritual life. The Dalai Lama's riveting, deeply insightful meditations on life will resonate strongly with readers of Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, or the His Holiness's own The Art of Happiness and Ethics for the New Millennium.“An intriguing portrait of the Tibetan spiritual leader.” —Los Angeles Times“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is recognized throughout the world as one of our few true moral authorities. In My Spiritual Journey he shares lessons learned from a remarkable life, in turn showing us how to live our own lives with compassion, nonviolence, and love.” —Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate “‘Spirituality'may be the most nebulous word in the English language, but My Spiritual Journey provides a definition that both devotee and atheist might approve: ‘the full blossoming of human values that is essential for the good of all.'” —The Washington Post The Future is Now, which pairs contemporary photography with 108 sayings on how to live more compassionately and consciously, is the Karmapa's first mainstream work. In it, he offers advice on such universal and personal themes as social values, the environment, freedom, responsibility, loneliness, and contentment. Fresh, bold, timely photos and straightforward text make the ancient teachings of Buddhism accessible to everyone Details the author's spiritual journey, from his childhood memories, to being a Buddhist leader, to his continuing work for world peace, including his views on 9/11 and religious militancy, stopping bloodshed in Tibet, and humans' responsibility to the environment.