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by Lama Surya Das
Broadway Books, New York, 2000
ISBN 0553527576
 "Life
is about relationship-the relationship we have with ourselves,
with each other, with the world, as well as the connection
to that which is beyond any of us yet imminent in each of
us. When our relationships are good, we feel good; when they
are bad, we feel awful. Let's accept it: We need each other.
We need to feel connected; we need to feel each other's presence
and love."
- Lama Surya Das, from Awakening
the Buddhist Heart
There are many works on
spirituality which focus primarily on the inner life. That
is quite appropriate to the subject, of course, but it isn't
always clear exactly how such writings relate to day-to-day
living. In the works of Lama Surya Das, however, there is
never any doubt. That is especially true of this, the third
installment of his highly popular "Awakening Series."
It's rare to find an author
who is as skilled at connecting spiritual wisdom with "real
world" experience as is Lama Surya Das. That he is able
to do this in such a seemingly effortless manner is even more
evidence that his works are deserving of the accolades and
the best-selling status they have garnered. Awakening
the Buddhist Heart is a brilliant and delightful book,
concerned with spiritual practice - and with how we can give
it more depth and resonance in our lives through our relationships
with others.
As its powerful message
unfolds through the author's anecdotes, observations and meditations,
the universal need to feel connected to others is shown to
be a call to us from our essential spiritual nature. It is
a call to reach out and communicate in new ways to our friends,
families and associates. Relationships, Surya Das reminds
us, are never separate from our spiritual lives. Thus, he
presents many practical ways to deepen our connections with
others.
Meditation is central to
this practice -- but the emphasis here isn't so much on the
peace and serenity of the inner stillness as it is on what
we are able to take from that blessed state and apply to our
relationships. Surya Das shows us that the mellowing that
comes from meditative practice gives us more compassion in
our dealings with others, because we are not so quick to reactively
judge them and make them the targets of anger. This sense
of compassion is what he refers to as "spiritual intelligence."
Its components include a heightened sense of relatedness to
other people, a deeper sensitivity to both our own feelings
and those of others, a more finely tuned intuitive nature,
and a deeper capacity for love.
"A Day of Right Speech
- A Healing Practice," for example, is intended to make
us more mindful of how we use the power of speech. To engage
in this practice, a day must be set aside for it - preferably
on a weekend, when there are not likely to be so many work-related
stress factors. During that day, great care is taken in how
one's words are employed. Gossip and negativity are avoided,
and are replaced with more compassionate, positive communication.
"Authentic listening"
is also emphasized as a way to enhance our sense of relatedness
to others. In the words of Surya Das:
"True listening accurately
reflects whatever appears, just like a mirror, without error
or distortion. Discriminating, mirror-like wisdom can discern
subtle nuances and distinctions and can recognize deeper connections,
patterns and implications.
.It can be an act of generosity
to give people an ear, which is a spiritual practice - good
for us, and good for others.We all need it, and we are capable
of doing it. It's reciprocal, like breathing in and breathing
out."
The
Thirty-seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, as translated
by Surya Das, are included in this book, along with his commentary.
Each of the practices outlined in this important Buddhist
text is designed to give us deeper insight into the interaction
between our desires, thoughts and actions. In this way, we
are able to increase steadily in mindfulness, and to bring
forth more love and compassion from within.
As he explains how the ancient
and venerated precepts of Buddhism apply in our own lives,
the author's conversational style of writing always sets the
reader at ease, and these ideas are easily understood and
accepted. However, this apparent "breeziness" should
by no means be taken as a sign that this is merely a lightweight
popularization of Buddhist teachings, not to be taken seriously.
On the contrary, it is a work of great substance and meaning,
made imminently accessible to everyone by Surya Das' consummate
skill as a communicator.
It should also be noted
that it isn't necessary that the reader agree with all of
the precepts of Buddhism in order to appreciate what Lama
Surya Das is presenting here. Whatever spiritual path one
chooses to follow, there is much wisdom contained in this
excellent book which can richly enhance it. All that is required
is an openness to seeing our relationships in new ways, and
a willingness to incorporate what we learn about them into
an active, transformational spiritual practice.
Awakening the Buddhist
Heart is another finely crafted and wonderfully rewarding
work by one of our greatest contemporary spiritual teachers.
It is a book that will surely yield new treasures each time
it is opened".
-- Review by Boz Martyn
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