The Tibetan Art of Living : Wise Body, Mind, Life

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Summary: AN EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION TO BON MEDICINE AND CULTURE
Review: A student of mine gave me this book for appraisal. It is both excellent and clear description of the oldest of the Bon spiritual traditions of medicine and culture. As a doctor in the Bon way and a married teacher of the three types of Bon,it brings complex ideas very simple. This book is of the early Bon not Yung Drung Bon of the monks, but there is much that is the same. It is a genuine book and has got much praise from
other Bon teachers. The teacher of the author, his clan is known to us who come from Amdo and it is a good guide to the first of early Tibetan culture-the author is a dood doctor in the Tibretan way of Bon medicine when I met him somes years ago in Germany at a conference.I give the author much blessing.
Tsering Damchog, Nagpa Training School,Sikkim , India

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Summary: Genuine Tibetan Wisdom
Review: As a professor of Tibetan culture I can say that this book is genuine and excellent. KB CHAffin's review is interesting and I will inform the family of Mr Hansard's teacher about Mr Chaffin's words. Mr Hansard is a teacher and physician of Tibetan medicine of high calibre as many othodox doctors, East and West can attest to. The Tibetan Art of Living and Mr Hansards new book, The Tibetan Art of Positive Thinking are powerful translations of Tibetan culture to West that brings
much needed clarity and wisdom.

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Summary: a masterrful work
Review: Having taught Bon to many people in the East and West, this book shown to me by a student is a revelation of clarity.This young man has obvioysly been taught by learned people and his spiritual realisation is obvious. The west is fortunate to have such a treasure, I look closely to what the future may bring for him and his work. Dorjong Rimpoche, Tajit Bon Retreat, The Kingdom of Mustang

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Summary: Bön Medicine Parts are Good, But.....
Review: I first would reiterate that the sections on Bön Medicine (and Tibetan Medicine in general) are sound indeed. There is much of value for the Western reader, and the book can indeed imbue balance and better health to the beginning or intermediate reader.

That said, I am not of the Dur Bön (Old Bon) tradition, but rather of the Yungdrung Bön (Eternal Bön) tradition. From various accounts I have read of the dynamic in Tibet between Bön and Buddhism, inclusing those of Per Kvaerne, the accounts in this book could not be more wrong. There is a definite conflict, and, at the present time, I would regard Mr. Hansard's account as incorrect.

Also, outside of reviews of this book, I have not been able to independently verify the existence of Hansard's lama, Ürgyen Namchuk. Are we to accept the story that Ürgyen Namchuk was sent to New Zealand, found Hansard on the beach at the age of four, and apparently had no other students than Hansard? Something seems wrong here. Was the teacher an invention of convenience? I would certainly invite a rejoinder from Mr. Hansard, and references to show Lama Ürgyen was real.

And as to the reviewer who likened this book to Bill Moyers' book (which I admittedly haven't read): Moyers says and writes much that is of value, but it must always be kept in mide that Moyers was/is "Old School" Central Intelligence Agency! Of this there is no doubt. Do the research.

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Summary: Some good, some Not
Review: I generally tend to think that much more is possible then we are willing to believe. So the story of this guy's life may have very well happened like that even though it does smack of charlatanism.

As for the general message of the book I must admit it isnt the clearest document written on Tibetan Buddhism I've ever read. At times its down right jumbled and boarders on New Age-ism, other times it is able to produce a small gem.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: I have read the Tibetan Art of Living it is a rare treasure , a distillation by the author who has real understanding asnd spiritual acheivement. It is obvious in the hints of his training and effortless description of old Bon medicine and wisdom. It is a book shown to me by a professor at an american university and it is the real thing,I will encourage all students of differing types of Tibeyan wisdom to learn from the new and emerging spiritual master.

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Summary: Life-changing and direct
Review: This book makes absolute sense. Seems to contain vital information we all need to know in order to develop well-being inside and outside. I read it cover to cover in a day and at least one of the meditations resonated pretty deeply, and made a subtle but amazing shift in how I relate to...everything. Stands out as a direct and clear, uncomplicated, practical guide. Things Hansard says and recommends seem obvious -- once he's described them. Lots of different meditations for specific conditions and ailments, but most seem as if they'd be safe and helpful for just about anyone. They have a quality of loveliness also. Really the overall picture is of a harmonious, unelaborate, profound, positive and flowing relationship to life--the Bon outlook, I guess. It is not in conflict with other wisdom teachings, yet it feels remarkably easy to understand and practice. Exercises are not threatening or time consuming. Pick one and try it out for a while... he recommends short sessions, which makes you feel you'll actually be able to accomplish some of what he suggests without falling into the pitfalls of inadequacy, overcomplexity, etc.

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Summary: A WONDERFUL TREASURE! BUY THIS BOOK!!!
Review: Tibetan Buddhism is the best system of medicine. Unfortunately,
there is no book on how to apply it in your life. Why, I don't
know. Dr. Yeshe Dhondon, author of "Health Through Balance"
and "Healing From the Source", gives us some scraps of applicable
information. He was His Holiness the Dali Lama's personal physician. But only scraps. And we are without this great science...until now. This book is the breakthrough and the IT
book. Go out and buy a copy or three. The author is a practioner of this science. And he tells you how to be too.
This won't be a very easy transition though. You will have to be patient. This is a really holistic approach! For example,
the nutritive value of your food is greatly affected by what
mood you are in when you eat it. I know that the author is authentic in these regards because of a comparison with Dr. Dhonden's books. Tastes are important in dietary health. And he tells you how to balance that. In regards to the other chapters, "acceptance" is a critical element in health care.
Acceptance of everything. So don't expect a "bim-bam" answer about everything. It's all a question of balance and will take some time getting used to. Like riding a bicycle for the first time. No. You don't have to be vegetarain. So some of you might feel good about that. I do hope that you buy this breakthrough book. And I do hope that the author continues with his good work. Thank you.