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cr33pycrawlspace's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book because I needed something upbeat after "A Little Life." Unfortunately I felt bored instead of cheered. I appreciate and agree with the Dalai Lama's perspective and I liked how non-preachy his writing was. However it was dull.
bakudreamer's review against another edition
3.0
I just couldn't love DL more ( I want to pick him up and carry him around with me ... ) This is ' value ethics ' , which has been kicking around since Aristotle.
bearlylupe's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The author makes several good points, if applied, would benefit all of humanity. I highly recommend this to anyone who interacts with other individuals on a daily basis.
mochila03's review against another edition
4.0
Half theory of secular ethics, half practical application. Good read for somebody interested in living more compassionately, whether religious or not.
samilearnstoread's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a good utopian vision of what the future of shared ethics could look like. However, it feels like a cursory explanation and would require a great deal of further discussion and research and writing to fully flesh this out.
jakemcc's review against another edition
4.0
This is a well written short book. The first half lays out how the Dalai Lama thinks the world should be to move beyond religion and, even without religion, be an ethical place. The way to do that is basically with compassion and realizing the interconnectedness of the world.
The second half of the book talks about mental training to do in order to make oneself more compassionate and a better individual. This is basically a book on introduction to meditation and gives good advice for both starting and keeping up with practice meditation. It talks about several different areas to focus on while meditating.
Overall this was a good book. I'd recommend it.
The second half of the book talks about mental training to do in order to make oneself more compassionate and a better individual. This is basically a book on introduction to meditation and gives good advice for both starting and keeping up with practice meditation. It talks about several different areas to focus on while meditating.
Overall this was a good book. I'd recommend it.
coreyln's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn't adore this book more. By the time I read this book, I was already in "love" with this Dali Lama's perspective. The title had me at "beyond religion". I'm not religious or anti-religion. I'm still not fully understand "spirituality" yet either. Not sure if that is the "other" bucket of believes or just religion without a prescribed accepted church affiliation. Anyway...exploring the concept of "ethics" was compelling.
People having a core set of values that threads its way through humanity is what keeps us getting along enough and growing towards a happier existence. I appreciate how a Dali Lama that is able to intellectually talk about not just Buddhism but understanding the benefits and short comings of any religion (or not having one specifically at all [are you looking at me?]. The passionate believe of examining owns own believes and that of others and appreciating that not everyone has the same specifics but much of the same desire [i.e. "Art of Happiness" by the Dali Lama] is what made this book an all time favorite of mine.
I raised my kids outside of an official church as I wanted them to not be one-track minded until they could examine and chose for themselves. If I had a "bible" or "core source of believe" of some kind, this would be it.
Side note: Once had a great discussion in the car on the way to work once with David and Bill about ethics vs morals. I still remember that frequently as I think about not only my behavior but the choices of others as well.
People having a core set of values that threads its way through humanity is what keeps us getting along enough and growing towards a happier existence. I appreciate how a Dali Lama that is able to intellectually talk about not just Buddhism but understanding the benefits and short comings of any religion (or not having one specifically at all [are you looking at me?]. The passionate believe of examining owns own believes and that of others and appreciating that not everyone has the same specifics but much of the same desire [i.e. "Art of Happiness" by the Dali Lama] is what made this book an all time favorite of mine.
I raised my kids outside of an official church as I wanted them to not be one-track minded until they could examine and chose for themselves. If I had a "bible" or "core source of believe" of some kind, this would be it.
Side note: Once had a great discussion in the car on the way to work once with David and Bill about ethics vs morals. I still remember that frequently as I think about not only my behavior but the choices of others as well.
jamestomasino's review against another edition
4.0
A solid argument for ethics expanding beyond religious boundaries. The case for inner values bore heavy similarities to stoicism, which peaked my interest. The Dalai Lama is a very good philosopher and his genuine interest in science and deeply compassionate nature make the journey through this book a joy.