Skillful Means: Patterns for Success (Nyingma Psychology Series, 5)

Rating:
Summary: Discover How Your Work Can be a Mindful, Joyous Activity
Review: This is one of Tarthang Tulku's most accessible and practical books. Tulku's greatest gift is his ability to clearly communicate techniques for meditation and mindful living that came from his Tibetan Buddhist experience. Tulku conveys fascinating ideas in simple terms which can be readily applied in anyone's life, regardless of spiritual or religious orientation -- or even what kind of work you do!

Most of Tulku's books contain wonderful exercises to practice the concepts he describes, and this book is no exception. For example, the very first chapter describing Inner Freedom offers three ways to practice improving clarity, concentration, and mindfulness. The patterns of success that Tulku discusses in great detail in this book have to do with self awareness, coping with change, and sharing with others. Long before anyone heard the term "emotional intelligence", Tulku was practicing and teaching it.

Just reading Tulku's writing improves my facilities for meditation and mindfulness, by focusing my attention on the process of thought itself. It's always a joy for me to read anything written by this master of consciousness!

Rating:
Summary: Discover How Your Work Can be a Mindful, Joyous Activity
Review: This is one of Tarthang Tulku's most accessible and practical books. Tulku's greatest gift is his ability to clearly communicate techniques for meditation and mindful living that came from his Tibetan Buddhist experience. Tulku conveys fascinating ideas in simple terms which can be readily applied in anyone's life, regardless of spiritual or religious orientation -- or even what kind of work you do!

Most of Tulku's books contain wonderful exercises to practice the concepts he describes, and this book is no exception. For example, the very first chapter describing Inner Freedom offers three ways to practice improving clarity, concentration, and mindfulness. The patterns of success that Tulku discusses in great detail in this book have to do with self awareness, coping with change, and sharing with others. Long before anyone heard the term "emotional intelligence", Tulku was practicing and teaching it.

Just reading Tulku's writing improves my facilities for meditation and mindfulness, by focusing my attention on the process of thought itself. It's always a joy for me to read anything written by this master of consciousness!

Rating:
Summary: IF WE CAN ACCESS WORKING FOR SPIRITUAL GAIN...
Review: we will both be happy and rich simultaneously. This book is the pioneer and forerunner of this concept. Later Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche would come out with "Mastering Successful Work". A sequel to this book. "Skillful Means" is his bestselling work to date. Why? Because, to be frank, most people want to be happy and just don't have the time to study and meditate as well. And with familys, the issue is a mute one. There is no time. But if we can convert our working time and taking care of the kids, transform this time, into gaining insight spiritually, then, well, WOW! I have read this book 11 times (yes, eleven!). More than any other book that I have ever read. You will be given a series of lessons on work. When we have lots to do, we tense up. We get the adrenaline flowing. Which is extremely hard on both the body and mind. In fact, you may ask yourself, "Why am I murdering myself like this? Year after year?" Well, the author doesn't want to disillusion you of your beliefs. But the more you relax, the faster you can work. And the better your work is. You will learn about the three mainstays of Skillful Means ("upaya" in Tibetan): awareness, concentration, and and energy or ACE in "Mastering Successful Work". This book is your primer and you will be advised to study it before you attack the next book. According to Tarthang Tulku, the mind is like the lens in a camera. These three factors need to be adjusted according to the work that you are doing. If you are trying to put a thread through a needle, your "C" (concentration) must increase incredibly while your awareness and energy must decline. If someone is talking to you at the same time, your "awareness" must increase thus making sure that you can not put the thread though the eye of the needle! Try it! They don't teach us any of this in school or college. Which is a real misery. Buy these two volumes and learn how to "focus" your camera properly. This can be your meditation. Good Luck.

Rating:
Summary: IF WE CAN ACCESS WORKING FOR SPIRITUAL GAIN...
Review: we will both be happy and rich simultaneously. This book is the pioneer and forerunner of this concept. Later Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche would come out with "Mastering Successful Work". A sequel to this book. "Skillful Means" is his bestselling work to date. Why? Because, to be frank, most people want to be happy and just don't have the time to study and meditate as well. And with familys, the issue is a mute one. There is no time. But if we can convert our working time and taking care of the kids, transform this time, into gaining insight spiritually, then, well, WOW! I have read this book 11 times (yes, eleven!). More than any other book that I have ever read. You will be given a series of lessons on work. When we have lots to do, we tense up. We get the adrenaline flowing. Which is extremely hard on both the body and mind. In fact, you may ask yourself, "Why am I murdering myself like this? Year after year?" Well, the author doesn't want to disillusion you of your beliefs. But the more you relax, the faster you can work. And the better your work is. You will learn about the three mainstays of Skillful Means ("upaya" in Tibetan): awareness, concentration, and and energy or ACE in "Mastering Successful Work". This book is your primer and you will be advised to study it before you attack the next book. According to Tarthang Tulku, the mind is like the lens in a camera. These three factors need to be adjusted according to the work that you are doing. If you are trying to put a thread through a needle, your "C" (concentration) must increase incredibly while your awareness and energy must decline. If someone is talking to you at the same time, your "awareness" must increase thus making sure that you can not put the thread though the eye of the needle! Try it! They don't teach us any of this in school or college. Which is a real misery. Buy these two volumes and learn how to "focus" your camera properly. This can be your meditation. Good Luck.