Read NoNonsense Buddhism for Beginners Clear Answers to Burning Questions About Core Buddhist Teachings edition by Noah Rasheta Religion Spirituality eBooks

Product details File Size 1056 KB Print Length 125 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN 1641520477 Simultaneous Device Usage Unlimited Publisher Althea Press (May 1, 2018) Publication Date May 1, 2018 Sold by  Digital Services LLC Language English ASIN B07C31XJGP

NoNonsense Buddhism for Beginners Clear Answers to Burning Questions About Core Buddhist Teachings edition by Noah Rasheta Religion Spirituality eBooks Reviews

• How do you write something new and fresh about a topic that has been analyzed down to its toenails? You have to really “get it” and Naoh Rasheta clearly does. Written in an inspired Q&A format, this book really is “No-Nonsense,” which, of course, to the Buddhist means, “It makes all the sense in the world.”
  
  I am a proud-to-be-an-American Buddhist philosopher who lived in China for almost a decade. Which means, essentially, that I study the teachings of the Buddha, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. I don’t, however, meditate, although I do contemplate. And there is a difference.
  
  The point is that whatever you’ve heard about Buddhism is probably both right and wrong. The teachings of the Buddha are so straightforward (notice I didn’t say simple) as to be very difficult to communicate. And, as such, they can take many forms, as evidenced by the large number of Buddhist sects in existence today.
  
  Noah Rasheta, however, does a better job than anyone else I’ve read at pulling it all together. And I perceive he is motivated to do so both because he cares and he appreciates that this lack of discrete definability is precisely what many sufferers in the West need, but which prevents them from finding relief.
  
  The language of Buddhism can be difficult, in part, because there are so many exotic terms used in its ancient teachings. But these terms are not exotic so much as they are merely unfamiliar and I suggest you largely ignore them. And Mr. Rasheta will help. He doesn’t ignore them but he does marginalize their importance for native English speakers.
  
  I like to explain how by using the example of an old tree sitting high up in a mountainous meadow. The tree is real. I can touch it. I can smell it. I can hear the rustle of its leaves. I could even cut it down if I wanted. I can’t, however, “know” the tree. The tree is a product of the things within itself but it is also the product of the climate, the altitude, the soil, the trees and vegetation around it, and an infinite variety of other variables that contribute to defining that tree, and all of which are constantly changing. I can only know that everything is interconnected; to know the tree is impossible, but the tree is real.
  
  Buddhists talk a lot about suffering. And there is plenty of suffering in the world today. But like the tree, we cannot truly know suffering unless we embrace the arrogance that would allow us to think we can truly know it. We all suffer but there is no reason to truly embrace it. And as soon as you don’t, whether it’s in meditation or reading a very good book like this one, you can hold that suffering at a distance. And in its isolation it will dissipate.
  
  Buy this book, read it through, and put it on your shelf to read it again. The writing is simple and clear and full of simple wisdom that you can reach out and touch.
• Fantastic Book. As a neurologist, I have spent the past three years studying and understanding many mindfulness and acceptance techniques that have their foundation in Buddhism and have been clinically proven to have pervasive health benefits. Principles of Secular Buddhism can be applied by anyone, regardless of religious belief.
• Originally, I downloaded a sample of the book. I didn't get that much out of the sample. After completing the sample there was some information about a podcast by the author. I decided to give it a listen while working around the house. The style of the podcast was very easy to listen to. I ended up listening to several. After that, I purchased his book. Many of the items in this book were covered in episodes of the podcasts. My only regret is that it was such an easy read, it over too soon. I will continue to listen to Noah Rasheta's podcasts and certainly consider purchasing other books recommended by him.
• This book is a MUST read for anyone even remotely interested in learning about the core concepts of Buddhism. It is also a useful reference book for any new practioner of the Buddhist path, to help brush up on their knowledge, or even for use as an easy access source to draw upon and share with others interested in learning. The question and answer format that Noah uses, makes it extremely easy to bookmark and find any answers you are looking for expediently, without having to dig deep through various texts and complicated wording. He uses a clear cut, straight forward approach in his explanations, utilizing very easy to understand, real world examples and analogies that make learning about Buddhism an enjoyable experience. This book is truly capable of inspiring one to delve further and learn more. Excellent follow up resource or even pre-read to his first book, which we also highly recommend.
• As a new interest into Buddhism this was the first book I purchased to educate my self and answer most of the questions I had. I read the entire book in one setting while. This was an amazing resource for people looking into becoming Buddhist
• Wish I'd had this book a long time ago. I've read various books like Siddhartha, Old Path White Clouds, etc. which I enjoyed but I got bogged down in the unfamiliar words and various "schools" of Buddhism. (My Western mind asks "which is the best?") The level of detail in this book is perfect for the beginner and for the still-confused non-beginner, and it answers the questions that pop into my mind about the language as well as a bit about why there are different "schools" and some of the differences.
• Very brief summary that is especially good for those with little knowledge of Buddha and his ideas
  Using his techniques helpful for everyone