An ambitious but sometimes-dense Buddhist treatise.
Mitchell relates his study and interpretation of the Lankavatara Sutra, a complex text of early Buddhist teachings that he characterizes as his life’s enduring passion.
That author considers the sutra “a user manual for being human” and aims with this book to bring its insights to a wider audience. His understanding is based on his yearslong examination of two English translations: D.T. Suzuki’s renowned version in 1932 and the essential work of Red Pine from 2013. At the start of Part I, Mitchell attempts to orient the reader with a brief history of the Lanka, a summary of Buddhism’s development for newcomers, and an overview of the evolution of Zen. He believes the Lanka is a pivotal, if challenging, text and does no less than “address cultural confusion and the modern world’s lack of purpose.” Mitchell sees true presence as recognizing not only our interdependence with other living things, but also microorganisms’ “interdependence inside our bodies.” Dysfunction in the world, he asserts, is a result of humans being unaware of their interconnectedness with all creation. The title refers to the idea of becoming aware of mutuality. Mitchell’s work is an ambitious undertaking. However, if he’d provided more clarity regarding terms, concepts, and history in the book’s first part, it would help lay readers to better understand the more challenging material in later sections, which delve into interdependence and transcribe the Lanka. However, when the principles connect to well-known scientific and psychological concepts, they’re relatively easy to grasp, and more abstract material comes with useful context and is supported by accounts from Mitchell’s decades of meditation practice. That said, a background in Buddhist history will help readers to navigate the book’s philosophical and spiritual interpretations. The chapters are brief, but even so, some premises feel circuitous or amorphous. At its best, Mitchell’s work weaves its elements together well, thus modeling what the Lanka promises: “awakening into interdependent relationships.”
An ambitious but sometimes-dense Buddhist treatise.Pub Date: Nov. 21, 2022
ISBN: 9798765235751
Page Count: 296
Publisher: BalboaPress
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A conversational, pleasurable look into McConaughey’s life and thought.
All right, all right, all right: The affable, laconic actor delivers a combination of memoir and self-help book.
“This is an approach book,” writes McConaughey, adding that it contains “philosophies that can be objectively understood, and if you choose, subjectively adopted, by either changing your reality, or changing how you see it. This is a playbook, based on adventures in my life.” Some of those philosophies come in the form of apothegms: “When you can design your own weather, blow in the breeze”; “Simplify, focus, conserve to liberate.” Others come in the form of sometimes rambling stories that never take the shortest route from point A to point B, as when he recounts a dream-spurred, challenging visit to the Malian musician Ali Farka Touré, who offered a significant lesson in how disagreement can be expressed politely and without rancor. Fans of McConaughey will enjoy his memories—which line up squarely with other accounts in Melissa Maerz’s recent oral history, Alright, Alright, Alright—of his debut in Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, to which he contributed not just that signature phrase, but also a kind of too-cool-for-school hipness that dissolves a bit upon realizing that he’s an older guy on the prowl for teenage girls. McConaughey’s prep to settle into the role of Wooderson involved inhabiting the mind of a dude who digs cars, rock ’n’ roll, and “chicks,” and he ran with it, reminding readers that the film originally had only three scripted scenes for his character. The lesson: “Do one thing well, then another. Once, then once more.” It’s clear that the author is a thoughtful man, even an intellectual of sorts, though without the earnestness of Ethan Hawke or James Franco. Though some of the sentiments are greeting card–ish, this book is entertaining and full of good lessons.
A conversational, pleasurable look into McConaughey’s life and thought.Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-13913-4
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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