How to See Yourself As You Really Are

This book is incredibly good and insightful. I love to read it while sitting outside with a glass of herbal tea. It is one of those books where every sentence you read sets off a lightbulb in your head. The Dalai Lama is a very smart and funny individual and it shines through in this book. Any time I need to find peace or reduce needless stress I turn to this book first and it works everytime. Life is too short not to read this book, I only wish the whole world felt as he did. Imagine all the people living for today...

as usual Dali Lama puts a prospective on the subject at hand and brings it into focus. this one is about tolerance of others religious views. quite eye opening and compelling. especially for these times. worth the read

This is a very comprehensive guide to Buddhist meditation practices. Delivered as always in the Dalai Lama's distinctive style - full of humor, joy, and gentle compassion.

The one proviso regarding this book - unlike many of the Dalai Lama's other books, this book is actually intended as a guide to practitioners of Buddhist meditation, and not as an informative source for interested non-practitions (like "The Art of Happiness).

I felt that although the essence of what the Dalai Lama was trying to say came across it was hard going to understand the message at times. This, I felt, was more to do with the tranlation than the message. The author appeared to be appealing to an intellectual audience rather than the "masses".

obviously i feel that the information given is enlightening and provokes much thought; however, it may be a bit over my head. i will re-read the book and perhaps the second time it will sink in better. but i intend to investigate further and read more into buddhism and His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

With all due respect Jeffrey, Ph.D. Hopkins' voice, tone and delivery detracts from the message. It is monotone and makes an enlightening subject boring by virtue of the delivery. I have three [3] other audio books by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 'Live in a better way', 'The art of Happiness', and 'The art of Happiness at work' and those are more engaging.

An audio book must deliver more than just the spoken word, it should pull the listener in. I wished he had used someone else to deliver the audio book. A hard listen for me despite the subject matter. The absence of the `Tibetan accent' as it were is a factor which could be over looked if Jeffrey, Ph.D. Hopkins' tone had some life; something to feel. ZZZZZzzzzz....

Some information is difficult to apply coming from someone who lives in the Tibetan Mountains for someone that lives in an American City. The general message is always relevant and beneficial for peace of the soul.

I read (actually, couldn’t finish) the Dalai Lama’s book, in conjunction with the Guy Newland book, and the same criticisms hold: I’m not very impressed with these Tibetan[?] deeply-dualistic schema of ‘logical’ analysis-paralysis, which produce essentially fake, 'straw dog' concepts, like “Ultimate Reality” and “Conventional Reality”, “Real” and “Un-Real”, etc.

The logic employed and explanation offered is tautological, and never pushed beyond that boundary, in thinking and understanding.

There is a very strong feeling here that something is being ‘taught’ (and believed), by someone who is teaching what they have themselves been taught.

And, I have a huge respect and admiration for this Dali Lama, as a person, and a role.

A good, purposeful study in observation, not just of the self, but of all things.

Delves deeply into the concepts of dependent arising, the fallacy of inherent existence, and emptiness: reminders that our typical patterns of thought are our own worst enemies. Its rote reiteration of thoughts can feel slow and very dense, but that's the point -- these aren't ideas that are easily unpacked without hours, days, and years of reflection.

Good jumping-off points for personal practice wrap up each chapter. This is definitely a good handbook to keep and study

Like a few other reviewers, I am in the beginning stages of my practice of Buddhism, and I have struggled with some of the concepts I have read about from other authors, lamas, and practitioners. However, when I read this book by the Dalai Lama, the veil was lifted from my eyes and I literally felt the sudden rush of understanding. Never have I meditated on a topic so deep and full of mystery and felt that it had been explained so thoroughly and with such clarity.

The pages just fly by as you get lost in your own thoughts - your world will be literally turned upside down as you proceed through the chapters. This book will have you thinking long after completion and will allow you to experience your life through completely different (and more compassionate and understanding) eyes.

Highly recommended for experienced practitioners, as well as beginners like me who wish to grasp an extremely deep and insightful concept that will not be explained with better clarity.

A spectacular series of teachings. As usual His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks his wisdom in ways for all to comprehend. Want some challenges, want some exciting thoughts to process? Then you won't regret this CD teaching set. Love love love

This book explains, in direct and very concise language, the Buddhist teachings of impermanence and selflessness and provides meditation instrucions for personally generating these insights. One warning: Even in this clear and concise language, these teachings can sometimes be confusing and are very intricate. That's probably why this entire book is devoted to just a few concepts. It just spirals deeper and deeper to the core of Buddhist thought. This is sure to become a classic, as I cannot imagine a better explanation, and the practices are accessible yet invaluable.

His Holiness has taken basic Buddhist doctrine and distilled it down to its essence without losing any of it's profundity. The practices provided give you the tools to end your own suffering. This book is a must have jewel.

I agree with the earlier reviewer who said this book is intended for practicing Buddhists, but anyone interested in Advaita Vedanta, or any other practice which serves to wake one up to the true nature of reality would benefit from reading it. In Buddhism, it is suggested that all our problems spring from the misapprehension that we and everything around us are separate 'things.' This book deals directly with this issue and provides a very solid foundation for practice, which so many other books on this subject lack. If you liked Ken Wilber's "No Boundary," I think you may love this book, as it approaches the same subject from a different perspective and includes methods of practice as well.

After having gotten more deeply into the teachings I now realize what a master of explanation His Holiness is. All his books from simple to complex are amazing in the way they sense the confusion in us and answer our questions as we go. In other words, he can tailor his teachings to all levels. THIS book is easy to understand And yet covers the deeper more complex truths. IT is only a start. I am reading everything I can get by him but especially his treatises on the Dharma. This is a small book, easy to read and go back over, and carry in your bag. He is an amazing teacher. I did not realize how clear he is until I read harder books then hear him go over and over again the same things in a million different ways until we get it. Any book by him is a great blessing to have the grace to read.

As a beginner in Buddhism, this was the first Buddhist book that I read. Before reading this, I had heard of many ways of Buddhist thought through small online writings, but His Holiness' 'How to See Yourself As You Really Are' truly helped me to gain a more meaningful understanding of impermanence, dependent arising, and compassion.
I suggest anyone new to Buddhism and still confused read this book.
Also, I'm currently reading His Holiness' 'The Way to Freedom' and I feel as if It's the perfect thing to read along with 'How to See Yourself As You Really Are'.

This was a wonderfully insightful book that challenges you to take a hard look at the "true you". It makes you think on the choices you have made in life, and where you want to go from where you are now. I found this book very enlightening and found great peace in it's reading. I learned many things about myself that I feel have made me want to be a better person, and I believe it has helped put me on that path. I recommend this title to anyone looking for self awareness.

Only someone with such a profound insight and deep understanding over a subject as complex as emptiness is, can expound it as clear, easy going, way as His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama... This is a wonderful book guiding the reader step by step into a precise methodology to discriminate between the way things appear to our senses and the way they actually exist... Inspiring, clarifying, amazing!!!

A book that can be enojoyed at so many levels!!!

I have over 100 books on buddhism and meditation and if I had to pick my favorite this is it. To me it contains everything an aspiring buddha needs to know and practice.Especially good if you don't have access to a teacher or a spiritual center.

I listened to this on cd while driving. Very deep but not incomprehensible. For all of you who want to learn about Buddha psychology/philosophy,(and I know you're out there) you probably won't find a better book. I will definitely get the printed version when I learn how to read.

Emotions distort reality of self and others. Buddhism is a practice and a religion that offers a way out of illusion (Mara). The Dalai Lama brings forth his own wisdom as a world soul teacher immersed in Tibetan Buddhism. A wonderful guide on getting out of your own way.

The contribution of Delai Lama's writing's in this century may give the world a significant change as it struggles in material pleasures of life. May his message of love and peace win over human suffering and bring about a positive change in people.

Author of "A Hot Pot of Roasted Poems"
Editor of "The Blue Fog Journal"
Rohitash Chandra

As a collection of meditative exercises, I am happy with this text as it offers a constructive approach to applying Buddhist thought to your daily life.

My disappointing rating of this Kindle book lies in the clumsy rendering of the meditations for the Kindle II, which clipped off portions of the meditations that extended beyond the viewing margins. A work-around is to be willing to change your font size as you read each exercise, but we shouldn't have to do that.