Dalai Lama Book Discussions

January 10, 2010 · Posted under Living Yoga 

DID YOU KNOW THAT HIS HOLINESS, THE 14TH DALAI LAMA IS VISITING IOWA MAY 18?

In preparation for his visit, we will be holding book discussions at the lounge on February 25 and April 15, at 7pm. Join us for a lively discussion of two titles written in collaboration with the Dalai Lama. Purchase your books now and join us whether you have tickets for His May 18 visit to Cedar Falls or are simply curious and looking to expand spiritually. 

As May draws closer, the local media will be consumed with the events surrounding this historic visit. While the January winds and snow sweep across the landscape of Iowa, snuggle into your favorite chair and read one of the books below or watch the movie that studies Tibetan culture, “Seven Years in Tibet,” Heinrich Harrer, 1997 (starring Brad Pitt). 

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Our February 25 discussion will focus on:

“The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World” by Howard Cutler, 2009

Attitude and a sense of meaning are the keys to happiness at work, the exiled Tibetan leader tells psychiatrist Howard Cutler in the course of conversations that took place over several years. What will surprise many is the prime importance the Dalai Lama places on reason and analysis, and on the need to acquire “a sense of self that is grounded in reality, an undistorted recognition of one’s abilities and characteristics.” In order to achieve the kind of happiness that can be sustained even in the hardest times, he says, we must engage in the slow, steady work of training our hearts and minds, rooting out negative habits and cultivating basic human values like kindness and compassion. And what may be most moving is this: if the Dalai Lama is right, and if people do as he suggests - if they learn to see themselves impartially and to analyze their work in light of how many people it touches - they will begin to see, whether they are picking oranges or writing a novel, that the highest purpose of work and, indeed, of life is the helping of others. 

purchase this book thru amazon   http://tinyurl.com/yhoztnm

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The April 15th discussion will include:

“Becoming Enlightened” by Jeffrey Hopkins, 2009

Drawing from traditional Buddhist meditative practices as well as penetrating examples from today’s troubled planet, Hopkins presents step-by-step exercises designed to expand the reader’s capacity for spiritual growth, along with clear milestones to mark the reader’s progress. By following the spiritual practices outlined in “Becoming Enlightened,” we can learn how to replace troublesome feelings with positive attitudes and embark on a path to achieving an exalted state — within ourselves and within the larger world.                             

purchase this book thru amazon  http://tinyurl.com/yghthg6

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Even is you don’t have tickets to be in Cedar Falls on May 18, don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the Dalai Lama’s life of helping others and to identify opportunities for true spiritual growth.

Additional links:

Sacred sand: Monks create mandala at UNI:   http://tinyurl.com/yj8gps5

Complete reading list: http://www.uni.edu/dalailama/book-groups

Dalai Lama’s official website and biography: http://tinyurl.com/ykummzl

WHAT DOES HIS HOLINESS’ VISIT TO IOWA MEAN TO YOU?

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