Book Review: Reflections from the Journey of Life – Collected Sayings of the Dalai Lama
by James Bean
Copyright October 2005
Reflections from the Journey of Life – Collected Sayings of the Dalai Lama
Edited by Catherine Barry

Genres: Tibetan Buddhism, Spirituality, Meditation, Religion, Ethics, Wisdom, Peace, Non-violence (Ahimsa)

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual and temporal Leader of the Tibetan people. Over the years there have been of course numerous publications about H.H. the Dalai Lama. This one however, I find to be my absolute favorite, as it opens up for the reader, in a most effective way, the world of Buddhist teachings. I am quite impressed with, Reflections from the Journey of Life, as an excellent source-book on contemporary Buddhist wisdom. These quotations are selected from personal conversations between the Dalai Lama and Catherine Barry, a French television journalist. This collection of sayings is arranged topically and includes a wide variety of subjects such as: happiness, love, emotions, compassion, tolerance, giving, responsibility, death, mind, spirit, body, ethical behavior, right-thoughts, right-action in the world, the environment, the media, politics, Tibet (The Roof of the World), China, democracy, human rights, world peace, forgiveness, kindness, non-violence, interdependence, economics, science, dharma, nirvana, awakening, karma, reincarnation, consciousness, meditation practice, the role of the living teacher, the inner master, Buddha nature, God, the similarities and the differences between Buddhism and other world religions. This is a very beautiful book making quite accessible the spirituality of the Dalai Lama, who also is known as: the Ocean of Wisdom, Kundun (the Presence of a great spiritual master), Power of the Word, and, Incarnation of the Buddha of Compassion.

ISBN: 1-55643-388-3
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Website: North Atlantic Books