Turning the Mind Into an AllyNovember 22, 2008 Insomnia was keeping me awake in the middle of the night. I had tried several different things, all to no avail. Mipham's book showed me how to stop my mind from jumping steadily from one subject to the next. With Mipham's meditation technique I can be asleep within a few minutes.
A great read for anyone in the Western Hemisphere who is interested in BuddhismAugust 26, 2008 This is a great book, I've gone back to it many times. It is not the definitive text on Buddhism, and does not try to be. It is an easy to read, thought provoking and wonderful piece. Strongly recommended for those who are beginning their meditation practice, and who want to learn more about Buddhism through meditation.
Can You Use a Mental Tune-Up?June 30, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Some people go to a chiropractor for a spinal adjustment; I turn to this book time and again when I'm in need of a mental and emotional adjustment. And even aside from the meditation itself, when I'm stressing too much over things I can't control, or spending too much time thinking about what or who is frustrating me, the teachings in this book have given me the tools to put things in perspective, not as I might wish them to be but as they are and that is a GREAT thing! It would not be overstated to say this book has changed my life in the three years since I first read it.
Multi-tasking with work, kids, home, etc., I began to notice my memory failing me more and more often. Though I probably don't meditate long enough or often enough, I am so uplifted afterward. When I meditate in the morning, my whole day is better for it. There is something about fucusing on the breath that makes it easier to focus on anything better. Whenever I find my thoughts wandering, I narrow things down to the breath and the thing I'm actually doing and everything else falls away. I've learned something about the discipline that's necessary to pay attention to the here and now and thus, my memory is improved because I'm now paying attention in the moment and everything has a better quality to it. It's really that simple.
Like other reviewers, I go through my phases of reading this book before bed. It's soothing and calming and I feel more optimistic. the philosophy is so well laid out here and accessable and useful to anyone, even if you don't practice the meditation - but I hope you will... I am so grateful to have stumbled upon this one!
A 10-Star Book! Awesome Writer/Great Teacher!April 12, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book was a pleasure to read. The message was awesome and the metaphorical teachings are a work of art! This author transcends Buddhism. He is not trying to sell Buddhism as a religion. He teaches the readers how to calm the mind chatter to reach a level of abiding peace and to become leaders, helping others to reach a stage of enlightenment. The goal of all of this is happiness and it deals with changing ones focus from self-centeredness and seeking bliss from external things to serving others and learning what is real and what truly brings lasting joy.
The author uses a clever horse analogy throughout the book and brings it all together with an extraordinary and delightfully skilled culmination. I had to stop and take a deep breath and contemplate on how much thought went into weaving this teaching and metaphor summarizing the lesson with a beautiful mind picture in less than two paragraphs.
I have read and reviewed many great books on Mindfulness meditation. This book takes that meditation to another level of Shamatha and Contemplative meditations for "Turning the Mind Into an Ally," discovering truth, appreciating life and becoming an example for others to emulate.
It is by far worth much more than a 5-star review! Buy it now. You will be glad you did!
Removing the Clutter from your MindMarch 24, 2008 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Sayong Mipham has produced an easy to digest book involving the basic principles of meditation. At the risk of being overly simplistic, "Turning the Mind into an Ally" involves removing the clutter that crowds the mind. To employ Mipham's own metaphor, our minds often run wild like a horse which needs to be corraled and trained. Even through simple techniques that only involve breathing, one can focus the mind. Yet Mipand's instruction does not stop here as he takes the reader through further levels. I am hesistant to summarize the book further as Mipham states his case much better than I ever could for him.
Although I am a Christian, I have long been interested in Buddhism and the principles of meditation. As Thomas Merton explored in his lifetime, Buddhism has more parallels with Christianity than one might think. In reality, this book is written for a wide audience and can appeal to divergent people including those with only the most basic knowledge of Buddhism.
