Norbu's Reviews

This is a beautiful collection of Zen in union with calligraphy. The flowing movements of Thich Nhat Hanh’s brushstrokes serve to unlock the mind, which allows the teachings to penetrate deep into one’s heart. This marriage of art and wisdom would make a wonderful gift for the advanced practitioner or someone with a beginning pull toward Buddhism.  —Norbu

Pema Chödrön has returned with another provocatively titled work to help us out of our rut and into the light of being empowered. Chödrön has compiled gems of her Tibetan Mahayana teachings as well as quotes from other teachers. Humanity is fortunate to have her as one of its caretakers.  —Norbu

Neem Karoli Baba is the long-time guru of many well-known Westerners, including Ram Dass and Krishna Das, and is the local teacher of renowned Baba Hari Dass. Love Everyone is the newest installment of the collected stories of Maharajji and is wonderfully entertaining and articulate in the impish style he so skillfully utilized to develop his students’ spirituality. I love, love, love this book.    —Norbu

Thinley Norbu Rinpoche is a world renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher and a longtime driving force responsible for a tremendous amount of local dharma activity. He hails from one of the most prominent Nyingma families--he was the son of Dudjom Rinpoche and father to Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. This is easily one of the most important Buddhist books of the year. Rinpoche reveals his humanity while simultaneously exemplifying a dharmic way of life. His storytelling is akin to listening to your grandpa recounting the stories that weave the tapestry of a life well lived.   

Erik Pema Kunsang, a highly respected Tibetan translator, has compiled a treasure trove of Buddhist wisdom. Sourced from sutra and tantra and an immesity of Mahayana Buddhist teachers ranging from the historical Buddha to yogis of ancient India to contemporary Tibetan Buddhist Lama. These teachings address a myriad of circumstances and situations, and are certain to inspire and enrich practitioners of all levels.

The “book” came by and I got on/That’s where it all began.

Bill Kreutzmann, original drummer for the Warlocks and a long-time member of the Grateful Dead, takes us on a trip from the front door of his Palo Alto childhood home—where he meets Jerry Garcia as a boy—through the Haight, to his current home in Kauai and points in between. We meet a crazy parade of characters from Neal Cassady to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and the Who. Deal is an absolute pleasure for anyone who still misses the Boys.             

This is easily one of the most important Buddhist books of 2015. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, a world renowned Tibetan Buddhism Lama revels in his humanity while simultaneously exemplifying the dharmic way of life. His storytelling is akin to listening to your grandpa tell the tales that weave the tapestry of his life.

Zealot is a must-read for anyone with a pragmatic interest in Jesus Christ. Reza Aslan intrepidly and clearly elucidates the radical nature of Jesus’ sociopolitical influence, which shakes up the established ideas about the person he was, and gives us a fresh perspective on both Christ and Christianity.

Following in Trungpa’s footsteps, the quirky Lodro Rinzler resurfaces with two new installments of his irreverent yet profound books. He “Buddha-walks” right into the workplace and delves into how to navigate day-to-day existence in the office with the stealth of a Bodhisattva. Accompanied by a portable and sublimely simple beginner’s guide to meditation to help you get off on the right foot.

The Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje is among the preeminent teachers of Tibetan Buddhism living today. In this book, the Karmapa clearly articulates the foundational tenants of Mahayana Buddhism, delivering true inspiration for everyone, regardless of where one is on the spiritual path. Rinpoche elucidates how to integrate a timeless, philosophical way of conducting one’s life with the challenges of modernity, conveying how the alteration of the individual precipitates a global change.