Recommended Reading

Books previously read by the group are are starred (*)

Robert Aitken, Taking the Path of Zen

Donald Altman, One Minute Mindfulness 

Stephen T. Asma, The Gods Drink Whiskey:  Stumbling Toward Enlightenment in the Land of the Tattered Buddha*

• Regarded by many as one of the more "fun" books we have read, but still full of good information.

Stephen Batchelor, After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age*

• One of our members described the author as "A good philosophy professor."  While he has at times received criticism from those with a more traditional view of Buddhism, Stephen displays a sincere respect for the tradition as he seeks to make sense of Buddhism in modern, Western culture.

Stephen Batchelor, Buddhism Without Beliefs*

• A favorite of our atheist, humanist, and agnostic members.  

Ezra Bayda, Beyond Happiness:  The Zen Way to True Contentment*

Charlotte Joko Beck, Nothing Special: Living Zen*

• Recommended for those who have read several other "Zen" books.

Sylvia Boorstein, Happiness is an Inside Job*

• The author is a great story-teller.  Appropriate for both beginners and more experienced practitioners.

Sylvia Boorstein, Pay Attention, for Goodness Sake*

Tara Brach, True Refuge:  Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart*

Pema Chödrön, Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears*

• All of Pema's books are outstanding.  She has a knack for explaining difficult ideas in a way that makes them understandable, while encouraging readers to take a fresh look at easier-to-understand material as well.

Pema Chödrön, The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times*

Pema Chödrön, Welcoming the Unwelcome*

Pema Chödrön When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times*

Lama Surya Das, Awakening the Buddha Within*

• An excellent book for beginners.

Perry Garfinkel, Buddha or Bust - In search of Truth, Meaning, Happiness, and the Man who found them all 

Christopher K. Germer, The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion:  Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions*

Elisha Goldstein, The Now Effect:  How This Moment Can Change the Rest of Your Life 

Joseph Goldstein, One Dharma:  The Emerging Western Buddhism*

Joan Halifax, Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet*

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Mindfulness in Plain English* 

• An excellent book for beginners.  Detailed information about meditation, including suggestions for addressing difficulties that may arise during meditation.

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path*

Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace

• Thich Nhat Hanh is strongly recommended as an author.  His talent is in making it seem "so simple" and also in the peaceful joy that he brings to the practice.  Books are appropriate for all levels.  

Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings*

Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness*

Thich Nhat Hanh, You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment*

Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Keys*

Dan Harris and Jeff Warren, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics*

• Less from a traditional Buddhist perspective, this book is focused on overcoming the hurdles to developing a daily meditation practice.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Full Catastrophe Living*

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go, There You Are*

Philip Kapleau Roshi, The Three Pillars of Zen 

Jack Kornfield, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry*

• Jack Kornfield's books are very readable.  This title was an interesting look at enlightenment-type experiences, moments of clarity, openings...whatever term you want to use...among people in various spiritual traditions.  

Jack Kornfield, The Wise Heart*

The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy*

Noah Levine, The Heart of the Revolution: The Buddha's Radical Teachings on Forgiveness, Compassion, and Kindness*

• Mr. Levine has since been accused of sexual misconduct and suspended from teaching.

Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone, Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in Without Going Crazy*

Taizan Maezumi Roshi, On Zen Practice: Body, Breath, and Mind 

• Recommended for those curious about what it might mean to embark on a more formal Zen practice

Rhonda V. Magee, The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming our Communities through Mindfulness

Ethan Nichtern, The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path*

Donald Rothberg, The Engaged Spiritual Life: A Buddhist Approach to Transforming Ourselves and the World *

Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness*

• A classic introduction to metta, aka lovingkindness, meditation 

Dean Sluyter, The Zen Commandments*

Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind*

•  A classic Zen title by one of the earliest Buddhist teachers in America

Janwillem van de Wetering, Trilogy:  The Empty Mirror, A Glimpse of Nothingness, and AfterZen 

Larry Ward, America's Racial Karma: An Invitation to Heal*

Brad Warner, Hardcore Zen*

• Regarded by many as one of the more "fun" books we have read, but still full of good information.

angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, Jasmine Syedullah; Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation

Clint Willis ed., A Lifetime of Wisdom: Essential Writings By and About the Dalai Lama*

Master Hsing Yun, translated by Tom Graham, Describing the Indescribable*

• The Diamond Sutra plus commentary.  More academic in style; well-explained.

*Group Reading Selection