Richard

Maximum gain reading--the teachings about the nature of reality, clarity of explications on emptiness, the true nature of generosity and compassion, and practical to-do's--all rewards to the reader; but, the greatest reward from this book is the opening that correspondingly happens in the reader's heart as HH the 14th Dalai Lama carries you like a beloved child into the river of the Dharma. I'd say, D.T. Suzuki gave me a kick-start, Kaplau gave me a practice, and now the Dalai Lama has blessed me, initiated me, into a generosity of spirit, and helped my practice mature.
I find that I no longer notice the difference between "practice" and "non-practice" for HH has shown, or instilled, a new understanding of the integrated wholeness of each moment of life. All moments are practice. I no longer wait to "sit" to practice, no longer expect my mind to be a certain way before I am "practicing." It is like finding oneself swimming somehow when before one was only able to float clinging to a log.
Why do I try to put it into words? I believe the lessons of compassion are vital for our world, for our survival as a species, and for the survival of all sentient beings. This small easy to read book allows compassion to emerge.
The greatest gift to me from reading this book? I am quick to forgive, quicker to give, faster to recognize my delusions and entrapment in afflictive emotions, and without a doubt I now see those around me being more compassionate to one another.
Wisdom is a noble goal. Compassion a noble goal. This book sets out the way, like a child's chalk marks on a sidewalk--clear, simple, familiar already, and the periodic summaries at the end of chapters allow one to return to the lessons of the teacher over and over. You'll want to not only listen to this book over and over, but you will seek out the print version so you can have the three jewels handy beside your night table, beside your chair, your zafu!

Good reading (listening)-- Lama Surya Das is upbeat, and inspirational, but he is also very practically informative. He takes you to the seminal questions quickly and illustrates and clarifies with a rush of fresh breeze and a splash of light. Being from Brooklyn, he sounds really fun speaking of his Tibetan life. I developed a fondness for his approach. His other book on this site is excellent also. Some repitition but good repitition. I highy recommend this, especially if you can sit outside and listen to it.

Well, I have read D. T. Suzuki almost in toto, Dalai Lama, heard Victor Frankyl in person, (and for those who can stretch memory back to the 60's) heard Silvano Arietti in person, and now a young spiritual director pointed me to WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE. As the other reviewer said, "relaxing", but much more...a gate to the essence of meditative practice, MINDFULNESS, without fanfare, highly enjoyable, very accurate, evocative of your inner depth, centering, peaceful, positive, satisfying. A POINTER on the way. I listened to it once and found myself centered in a deeper meditative practice, and on the second listening, I find as much new as the first time: it unfolds. Highly recommended. I also liked HOW TO PRACTICE, and of course, PEBBLES AND PEARLS, or is it PEARLS AND PEBBLES? P.S. If you're ADD you'll love this books centering, concentrating, ordering effect. Great reading by the author!