Buddha's Nature : A Practical Guide to Discovering Your Place in the Cosmos

Rating:
Summary: Practical, worthwhile reading.
Review: I recommend this book, especially after first reading Thomas Berry's book, "Dream of the Earth" (1990). Berry's deep-ecology classic, which should be included in Nisker's list of "Recommended Reading," but is not, examines the reasons for rethinking our connection with the earth, and encourages us to take responsibility. Nisker provides advice from a buddhist perspective on how to put Berry's "dream" into daily practice. Nisker, like Berry, first shows "how deeply embedded and interwoven humans are with all of life and nature" (p. 3), and then offers a number of "deep-ecology practices" which "can establish us in our connection with each other, and with all other forms of life on earth" (p. 30).

Rating:
Summary: This Book Links Spirituality and Science
Review: I recommend this book, especially after first reading Thomas Berry's book, "Dream of the Earth" (1990). Berry's deep-ecology classic, which should be included in Nisker's list of "Recommended Reading," but is not, examines the reasons for rethinking our connection with the earth, and encourages us to take responsibility. Nisker provides advice from a buddhist perspective on how to put Berry's "dream" into daily practice. Nisker, like Berry, first shows "how deeply embedded and interwoven humans are with all of life and nature" (p. 3), and then offers a number of "deep-ecology practices" which "can establish us in our connection with each other, and with all other forms of life on earth" (p. 30).

Rating:
Summary: More East Than West
Review: Those looking for a rigorous analysis of the connections between Western scientific thought and Buddhist philosophy will almost certainly be disappointed in this book. Although Nisker is interesting and knowledgeable when discussing Eastern thought, he too often settles for unsatisfactory generalizations about scientific research and theories, and suggests "rough analogies" (rather than clear correspondences) between the two. On the other hand, he does offer some fascinating insights into the biological and psychological interconnectedness we share with the rest of our world. Nisker's mental exercises and proposed meditation techniques make a worthwhile supplement to more fundamental and comprehensive meditation guides.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Links Spirituality and Science
Review: Wes Niskers' book "Buddha's Nature" succeeds in bridging science and Buddhism in a special book that will be enlightening to people in all fields. Further recommended reading- "Meditation" by Sri Chinmoy ; "KYBALION" by Three Initiates ; "Stalking the Wild Pendulum" by Itzhak Bentov ; "Meeting the Monkey Half Way" by Bhikkhu ; and the books by Thich Nat Hanh and Vera Stanley Alder.