What are You currently reading?

[justusryans]

I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread about our current books on our bedside table. It doesn’t have to be necessarily a Buddhist text... just whatever you happen to be reading at the moment. I’m looking forward to getting new ideas for reading material!:reading:
Ok, I’ll go first. I just finished “Artemis” by Andy Weir, He is the author who wrote “ The Martian”. This is his follow up novel and quite a enjoyable read.

My current book is “Don’t be a Jerk” by Brad Warner. It is a approachable translation of Zen master Dogen. I am finding it very well done.

Looking forward to hearing from you! :reading:
With Metta
Mike

[Polar Bear]

I bought The Other Shore by Thich Nhat Hanh a couple days ago after finishing a retreat at a Plum Village branch monastery called Deer Park in California. It was recommended to me by a nun whom I worked with on the retreat. It’s a translation and commentary on the Heart Sutra and was recommended to me because she knew I liked reading Pali texts and have a bit of an intellectual inclination. I think I’ll start reading it today.

I also need to finish the last book in Margaret Atwood’s MadAddam trilogy, which is a science fiction series. Oryx and Crake, the first book in the trilogy was awesome, and I read the second book quickly as well. But this third book I put down some months ago and need to pick it up again to finish the series.

I’m also currently reading How to be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci and How to Create A Vegan World: A Pragmatic Approach by Tobias Leenaert.

[dwlemen]

I just finished a short biography on Mozart: "Mozart: A Life" by Paul Johnson and am now starting a book on anti-consumerism that I heard about somewhere online: "Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume" by Stephanie Kaza.

I also have "Wake Up: A Life of the Buddha" by Jack Kerouac on my nightstand. I liked a lot of his other books ("On the Road" is great) but this one I find myself struggling to get through.

Finally, I am working at a snail's pace through the immense trilogy "The Civil War: A Narrative" by Shelby Foote. It's not a bad read, but it is so detailed, I think it will take longer to read than the war took to actually occur!

Peace,

-Dave

[philg]

I'm currently working my way through C P Snow's 'Strangers and Brothers' series, as I studied 'Corridors of Power' for A level, but never got around to reading the rest. I'm on 'George Passant' at the moment, reading them in order of the internal chronology of the series rather than publication date.

[fuki]

Two books currently;

Song of Mind
Wisdom from the zen classic Xin Ming by Chan Master Sheng Yen

And started "The Rinzai Zen Way" today by Meido Moore.

[justusryans]

I’m currently working on 2 books... The Yoga of Max’s Discontent a novel by Karan Bajaj. It’s about a Wall Street Harvard grad who is looking for answers to the same things we all are . It’s quite good.

The second one is Zen and Now... On the trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance... It’s about a journalist who sets out to do over Roberts famous trip from Minneapolis to San Francisco. I may have to reread Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance again after this... it’s been awhile!

[lisehull]

Am almost done with Emotional Rescue by Ponlop Rinpoche. It is excellent!

[justusryans]

I just finished The Yoga of Max’s Discontent by Karan Bajaj. Really well done fictional story about looking within.:hands:

[justusryans]

Finished “ The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte Very well done. If you are at all interested in the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. If you have read Robert Bakker “The Dinosaur Heresies “ then between the two, it will give a new perspective on how dinosaurs evolved and what happened to them. I’ve loved reading about dinosaurs since I could read!

I promise I will finish that Brad Warner, “ Don’t be a Jerk” I’m getting close. :reading:

[justusryans]

I finished “Don’t Be a Jerk” by Brad Warner finally! Phew. It was really very well done. :up2:

He took Zen Master Dogen’s teachings and make them approachable to those of us who struggle with Dogen’s seemingly inconsistencies. He makes a case for each one, then explains how they are each different teachings for different people at different times in his life.

My next book will be “What The Buddha Never Taught” by Timothy Ward :reading:

[justusryans]

Ok,got a new book for my birthday! “Manual of Insight” by Mahasi Sayadaw. I’ve been wanting this one for a long time. It’s going to take a little while, but I’m looking forward to reading it. My wife has good taste!

[Aloka]

Hope you enjoy it, justusryans!

I bought "Fear" by Thich Nhat Hanh quite some time ago and I haven't got round to reading it yet, so I aim to make a start on it this week.

[philg]

Jack Lewis, 'The Science of Sin' - a book looking at the neuroscience behind the subject of temptation. It takes each of the seven deadly sins and looks at what is happening in the brain in each case.

[Aloka]

This morning I'm having a browse again through my book "Buddha's Lions - The Lives of The Eighty Four Siddhas," before I have my breakfast.

:reading:

[Citta]

Dinosaurs? Aren't they simply myths and fabrications meant to corrupt us and fool us into NOT believing in science and other things of a factual nature, like the moon landing (we all know it was faked in Hollywood, right?) :lol::biglol:

Sorry......couldn't resist a little humor (humour)... I recently found a paperback book at a service plaza on the Ohio Turnpike that presented the Creationist views of how all of the dinosaurs were created on the 4th day of that infamous week described in Genesis. Seriously! A 40 page book devoted to refuting all science as we know it, condensing the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous all down to one nice little 24 hours day.... :sheep:

I shudder to think what the author might have to say about climate change!

Seriously, one thing (of many) that lead me to Buddhism was the realization that it can co-exist very well with science, reality and fact. And even in certain areas that some may consider a little too "metaphysical", the concepts are presented more as perspectives for our consideration as opposed to doctrine that is to be accepted blindly.

I find that both refreshing and encouraging every single day.

Peace.

[Citta]

sorry , that last post was a response to the post from "justusryans' .....

"...Finished “ The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte Very well done. If you are at all interested in the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. If you have read Robert Bakker “The Dinosaur Heresies “ then between the two, it will give a new perspective on how dinosaurs evolved and what happened to them. I’ve loved reading about dinosaurs since I could read!...

[justusryans]

Thanks Citta, Yes it baffles me sometimes also the way science is sometimes discarded by the wayside.



I am currently reading “ The wisdom of insecurity” by Alan Watts. We have a current thread ongoing about him and I wanted to see if my opinions had changed. I’ll let you know when I finish.


:up2:

[Genecanuck]

Hi,

I am reading "The Issue at Hand, by Gil Fronsdal.

I like Fronsdal's clear and concise writing style.

:rainbow:

[justusryans]

Hi,

I am reading "The Issue at Hand, by Gil Fronsdal.

I like Fronsdal's clear and concise writing style.

:rainbow:


I’m not familiar with Gil Fronsdal... I will have to check into his book. Anyone who can come across as “clear and concise” has my attention.

I am currently reading “After the Ecstasy, The Laundry” by Jack Kornfield

[Polar Bear]

I’m currently reading “A Clash of Kings”, the second book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series that the HBO show Game of Thrones is based on. Also reading The World of Ice and Fire, which is a kind of history of that fictional universe.

Also recently read the first few chapters of In Love With the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Mostly I’m interested in his experience living as a wandering renunciant.

[justusryans]

I’m currently reading “The Sound Of Silence” by Ajahn Sumedho. I bought it for a reading club here on Buddhism Without Boundaries, but never finished due to work related issues. I was a over the road truck driver. Didn’t have much time for reading. That has since changed due to disability. Now I have lots of time to read.


Mike

[justusryans]

I’m on to Robert Wright “Why Buddhism Is True” The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
Good
Good
Good
:reading:
Mike

[Olderon]

Not much of a reader, save for technical manuals. The last of which was the service manual for my recently purchased Huskavarna chain saw. Since I am not very familiar with the Nordic language,it took me a while to get it started, and the huge fallen oak limb cut into manageable pieces.

Next I will need to read my assembly instructions for my hard hat and full face shield.

Ron

[justusryans]

Yes Ron, Probably a good idea! I recommend the safety equipment.


Mike :up2:

[Esho]

I'm reading about the origins of man in a series of books of Time Life editors. I have already read Cro Magnon and now I'm reading Homo erectus.

;D

[Genecanuck]

HI all,

I am currently re-reading Dancing With Life, by Phillip Moffit, Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning and Joy in the Face of Suffering.

It is helping me with my practice.

Cheers

Gene

[trusolo]

As I mentioned in some other thread, I have downloaded everything from Amaravati Monastery and reading them one by one. I finished For The Love of the World. I am reading Finding the missing Peace. I am reading everything by Ajahn Amaro first then I will move on to Ajahn Sumedho.

I tend to do this - binge reading one author or source. A couple of years back I spent a few weeks reading Access to Insight and Thai forest teachers and Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

I read the suttas also that way - I got them as birthday gift from my wife and in a month I read SN, DN, and MN cover to cover like a story book. I know its not meant to be read that way.

[philg]

I try to fill in the author gaps, so it's David Copperfield at the moment, though I'm not sure I can get through some of the others like Little Dorrit.

[Aloka]

I'm reading "The Hidden Life of Trees " by Peter Wohlleben. I haven't got past the second chapter yet because I keep putting it aside in order to do other things.

Here's some info about the author and the book :

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/12/peter-wohlleben-man-who-believes-trees-talk-to-each-other


Before that I was re-reading parts of "The Island" by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro.

[justusryans]

I'm reading "The Hidden Life of Trees " by Peter Wohlleben. I haven't got past the second chapter yet because I keep putting it aside in order to do other things.


I was just checking out the link you posted on “The Hidden Life of Trees”. Looks good!

Mike

:reading:

[Aloka]

I was just checking out the link you posted on “The Hidden Life of Trees”. Looks good!

Mike

:reading:

Yes, it's certainly an interesting change from the books I usually read!

[trusolo]

I usually read two or three books in parallel - apart from buddhist books I am also reading "Einstein and the Quantum" by A. Douglas Stone
and "Mathematics of Life" by Ian Stewart.

[justusryans]

Hello all! Did anyone receive any good books over the Holidays! If so then what?I would be interested in knowing if anyone else is in the same boat as me.
I got “The connected Discourses of the Buddha” “A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens, and last. “The Way of Zen” by Allan Watts. On top of what I have going now, I have enough reading material until at least August.

Metta to all


Mike

:reading:

[philg]

Gerard Russell's 'Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms' about ancient religions still hanging on in the Middle East. But not for long, I guess.

[Genecanuck]

Hi all,

I read Dancing with Life by Phillip Moffitt and I am currently reading Emotional Chaos to Clarity by Phillip Moffitt.

Cheers
Gene

[Aloka]

I have just started reading "A Monk's Guide to Happiness" by Gelong Thubten, which was a surprise gift sent to me from an old friend.


;D

[rocala]

I always have at least two books on the go. At the moment I am reading 'God's Englishman' by Christopher Hill and 'Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centred Religions' by Joyce and River Higginbotham.

The first is a biography of Oliver Cromwell. I have always had a deep interest in the English Civil War. The second is, well it is obvious what it is. My special interest here is Modern Druidry.

[philg]

in the UK at the moment there is a book free to read if you are a member of a library. You can read it online or you can download for a two week loan. Usually the copies are limited and you have to wait, but they have released unlimited copies of 'Funny You Don't Look Autistic' by the Canadian comic Michael McCreary, an autobiographical account of coming to terms with his autism. Funny and perceptive, and, as I have taught autistic children in the past, it rings true with my experiences.

[justusryans]

I am currently reading Stillness Flowing; The life and teachings of Ajahn Chah. I’ve been working on it a while and the name of one teacher will lead to another, so I am constantly looking looking up Ajahn Chah’s teachers or who he taught. One thing runs into another. I’m about half-way through right now. It’s available through Abhayagri Monastery. They make them available for free only asking that you pass them along when your done. I think if you live in the United Kingdom, you may need to pay for shipping. Of course they appreciate Dana.


https://www.abhayagiri.org/books/617-stillness-flowing


With Metta

Mike
:reading:

[Aloka]

They make them available for free only asking that you pass them along when your done. I think if you live in the United Kingdom, you may need to pay for shipping. Of course they appreciate Dana.


https://www.abhayagiri.org/books/617-stillness-flowing


With Metta

Mike
:reading:


The Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah monasteries in the UK usually have free paper books available on site, as well as the online versions, and they can also be ordered from the Forest Sangha website.

https://forestsangha.org/

I was lucky enough to get the whole free box set of Ajahn Sumedho's 5 volume Anthology on one occasion when I was visiting Amaravati Monastery!

https://www.amaravati.org/

:hands:

[Olderon]

Reviewing Schrodinger's 1925 discoveries regarding wave functions in quantum-mechanical systems. Interesting mathematical functions
and relationships with regard to Buddhist studies as to the uncertainties of reality, what can be known vs. degrees of probability.

[Aloka]

Reading "TV Choice" magazine at the present moment.....while drinking organic lemon, ginger & manuka honey tea!

:mrgreen:

[Olderon]

Currently reviewing "ket, bra, eigen, & operator, values" for calculating probability & momentum as applied in quantum mechanics while meditaing upon the advantages of quantum tunneling to reduce travel time and avoid viral infections.

[justusryans]

Currently reading Calvin and Hobbes! Enjoying their quick witted philosophy!
Mike
:reading:

[rocala]

My usual reading is of a spiritual and historical nature. I have recently been sampling some recommended fiction too. Virginia Woolf has been suggested, any thoughts on her, best work etc?

[trusolo]

Hi Ron,
Out of curiousity, which book are you using? I used to teach QM until a few years ago and I am always curious to see who prefers which book.

[woodscooter]

I'm reading "The Quiet American", by Graham Greene.

I'm sure I saw it as a film some years ago, but you can't improve on the images that arise from reading.

[justusryans]

I'm sure I saw it as a film some years ago, but you can't improve on the images that arise from reading.

Yes, Woodscooter, The images in your head from reading far exceed most if not all the images you get from watching a show. 100% on the button. So to speak.

[Cyril]

Hi everybody,
I'm reading (again) one of Ajahn Brahm's books : "the Art of Disappearing".

Quotes :
" The true purpose of practicing Buddhism is to let go of everything. (...) All successful meditators are losers. They lose their attachments. Enlightened ones lose everything. They truly are the Biggest Loser. (...) May you all Get Lost".

"Wherever you live -in a monastery, in a city, or on a quiet tree-lined street- you will always experience problems and difficulties. This is just the nature of life. So when you have problems with your health, you shouldn't say : Doctor, there is something wrong with me, I'm sick.
Rather you should say : Doctor, there is something right with me, I'm sick today."

I must admit, it's hard to say so ...
Cyril

[woodscooter]

Quotes :
" The true purpose of practicing Buddhism is to let go of everything. (...) All successful meditators are losers. They lose their attachments. Enlightened ones lose everything. They truly are the Biggest Loser. (...) May you all Get Lost".

Cyril

Thanks for that, Cyril. Your Ajahn Brahm quotes gave me the best laugh of the day. I laugh because they are true!

[justusryans]

I just finished “Who ordered this truckload of dung “? By Ajahn Brahm. It was recommended to me by Cyril. It has 108 very humorous stories in it that still need thinking’s about. Excellent read!


:reading:
Mike

[justusryans]

For anyone looking for a great, meaningful, book try” The Man Who Planted Trees”. By Jean Giono. You can get it new on Amazon but you should be be able to get it at a used book site online like Better World Books or something along those lines


Wonderful read.


:reading:
Mike

[philg]

A book for lockdown, A Gentleman in Moscow, a 2016 novel by Amor Towles, about a Russian aristocrat living under house arrest in a hotel near the Kremlin for more than thirty years. Hopefully will make ours seem like a doddle.

[Cyril]

Arthur Schopenhauer, a German who lived in the 19th century, was one of the first Western philosophers to be inspired by Buddhist doctrine.
This is clearly shown in the small book entitled "The Art of Being Happy".
You can have a preview of the content through this link :
https://psychology-spot.com/schopenhauer-on-happiness/

[justusryans]

I FINALLY finished “Stillness Flowing, The life and teachings of Ajahn Chah” Very good book. It goes in depth both into his life and his Dhamma talks. It gives tremendous insight into both his teachers as well as his own students. Many monk’s teaching in the west began with him.

:reading:

[Traveller]

Red Pines translation of The Platform Sutra of Hui-neng.