Book Excerpts
These are excerpts from various books on self-discovery. They come from a variety of traditions. Each one contains not only the magical words of the author, but the magical energy from the author. Click here for a longer list of books (but no excerpts).
 
Vimalakirki Sutra
Vimalakirki Sutra
The classic Mahayana sutra in which the layperson Vimalakirti teaches the way of the great bodhisattva who dwells in the inconceivable liberation.
 
The Waking
The Waking
Theodore Roethke's tantric poem on how we learn.
 
The Kabir Book
The Kabir Book
Poems by the 16th century Indian Saint. The path of Bhakti, translated with particular insight.
 
Mystical Verses of a Mad Dalai Lama
Mystical Verses of a Mad Dalai Lama
The 2nd Dalai Lama, 'Melodious Laughing Vajra'. The story of his life and his teachings as he traveled throughout Tibet.
 
Love Poems of the Sixth Dalai Lama
Love Poems of the Sixth Dalai Lama
The 6th Dalai Lama. He gave back his monk's vows, and lived the life of a naljorpa, a Tibetan Buddha. Haunting and lovely poems.
 
Mahabharata
Mahabharata
Epic Indian poem rendered in to modern English. The story of two great houses, of Krishna and Arjuna, of battle and enlightenment.
 
Ramayana
Ramayana
A tale of Vishnu and Lakshmi, of bravery and battle, of archery and magic, of friendship and war.
 
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
Beautiful account of the life of one of India's greatest Enlightened teachers. Written by a close student, with countless stories and dialogues.
 
The Oxherding Pictures
The Oxherding Pictures
Kakuan, a Chinese Zen Master, developed this series of 10 poems and pictures around 1200 AD. It shows the Pathway to Enlightenment, from the first tentative steps seeking something that seems distant and elusive to the final climb up the summit and absorption in Nirvana.
 
The Way of Life
The Way of Life
The source book on Taoism. The way to do is to be, but not like you thought.