Rating: 
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: I've read read several books on Buddhist meditation, and I highly recommend this one. While a little wordy in spots for me, the book is comprehensive and accessible to western audiences.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspired Truth
Review: In A Path With Heart, Jack Kornfield takes us on a journey into the heart and soul of existence. Here, the path of spirit reveals to us qualities of our inner self that moves us to incarnate our inner awareness/soul into the world. As we become more aware of our awareness, we begin to identify with our soul's guidance in the world over our personality's need to be in control. In this surrendered state of being, we become our authentic self. We become more soul than body living in the world, and yet, not fully of it. Thanks, Jack Kornfield, for this blueprint into the nature of soul. -- Samuel Oliver, author of, What the Dying Teach Us: Lessons on Living.
Rating: 
Summary: get the tapes instead
Review: Jack Kornfield is responsible for inspiring me to start my daily practice 8 years ago. I got a set of tapes, I think it was _The Inner Art of Meditation_ from the library and found myself rushing home at the end of the day because I /got to/ listen to the tapes and meditate. I've gone to sittings with J.K. at Spirit Rock in Woodacre, CA & have always come away inspired and with renewed commitment to my practice. I'm afriad this book hasn't caught my attention. I've picked it up and put it down many times over the past year and a half, finding it dense and far from the esence I am seeking. I highly recommend the tapes, I highly recommend Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation (Shambhala Classics) (Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield). I also recommend _After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path_ (also J.K.) J.K. is a great teacher. His other works have spoken to me much more clearly than this one. May all beings everywhere know peace.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Introduction
Review: Jack Kornfield's "A Path With Heart" is both an introduction to Buddhism and a spiritual workbook, since chapters examining Buddhist principles are followed by specific meditation practices. I read a chapter a day, which I recommend to people new to Buddhism because it allowed the information to sink in. Some information --like sections on karma, chakras, and lovingkindness meditation-- will be familiar to a general audience (it's interesting how many of these concepts have permeated the New Age and mainstream culture, e.g. Gary Zukav's "Seat of the Soul"--- read by Oprah's audience-- covers the same karma concepts.) Other parts -- like a section on mind altered states-- may surprise some. It doesn't surprise me that Buddhism has become popular in the States, particularly in the Western States... it is a de-institutionalized religion with a practical approach to problem solving. Its emphasis on individual power and responsibility aligns with the rugged individualism that informs much of the American character. A gracefully written book, well worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Introduction
Review: Jack Kornfield's "A Path With Heart" is both an introduction to Buddhism and a spiritual workbook, since chapters examining Buddhist principles are followed by specific meditation practices. I read a chapter a day, which I recommend to people new to Buddhism because it allowed the information to sink in. Some information --like sections on karma, chakras, and lovingkindness meditation-- will be familiar to a general audience (it's interesting how many of these concepts have permeated the New Age and mainstream culture, e.g. Gary Zukav's "Seat of the Soul"--- read by Oprah's audience-- covers the same karma concepts.) Other parts -- like a section on mind altered states-- may surprise some. It doesn't surprise me that Buddhism has become popular in the States, particularly in the Western States... it is a de-institutionalized religion with a practical approach to problem solving. Its emphasis on individual power and responsibility aligns with the rugged individualism that informs much of the American character. A gracefully written book, well worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the best book on spirituality I have ever read
Review: Jack Kornfield's beautiful book is one I first read as an undergraduate, when I first became interested in Buddhism. Since then, I have read scores of books on the subject, and I think that this book ranks with Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind as one of the best books available on the Buddhist perspective.
The text is unfailingly heartening (no pun intended) and provides meditation exercises throughout.
Truly, the book can awaken the dormant heart within any of us.
Rating:
Summary: Good Quality Guide thru Some Aspects of Spiritual Life
Review: Kornfield does a terrific job of organization and hands-on exercises through out this book. Toward the end it begins to bog down into a very esoteric, difficult to follow discussion on the nature of reality, etc. Kornfield also covertly attempts to set a left wing political agenda by framing traditional liberal arguements in spiritual terms. Nevertheless, this was my first introduction to buddhism and is an excellent gateway to Eastern thought. Overall, it is an excellent guide for the beginner looking for a guide to Eastern forms of meditation. (Kornfield is an American trained as a buddhist monk)
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: this book is excellent. a wonderful inspirational and educational experience that is soothing and spiritually enlightening. a must read.
Rating:
Summary: A must for all spiritual seekers
Review: This book is written in a clear flowing compassionate style that is easily accessible to all levels of seekers. While Kornfield is Buddhist, this book embraces all wisdom traditions. For those new to the path, no matter what tradition, this book presents invaluable information on how to walk the path and avoid the costly detours and potholes. He deals sensitively and expertly with issues such as finding a teacher, how teachers go astray, how to deal with problems and complications that arise on the path and how to avoid them in the first place. The Bible says "Straight is the path, narrow is the gate, few find it." Kornfield's book enables many more to find it. I found this book after many years of spiritual study and meditation. I wish it had been available earlier. I recommend it to all my beginning students.
Rating:
Summary: A must for all spiritual seekers
Review: This book is written in a clear flowing compassionate style that is easily accessible to all levels of seekers. While Kornfield is Buddhist, this book embraces all wisdom traditions. For those new to the path, no matter what tradition, this book presents invaluable information on how to walk the path and avoid the costly detours and potholes. He deals sensitively and expertly with issues such as finding a teacher, how teachers go astray, how to deal with problems and complications that arise on the path and how to avoid them in the first place. The Bible says "Straight is the path, narrow is the gate, few find it." Kornfield's book enables many more to find it. I found this book after many years of spiritual study and meditation. I wish it had been available earlier. I recommend it to all my beginning students.
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