m_thomp Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I'm on the first few pages so far, very engaging and has a surreal autobiographical feel to it, but I know that it gets a bit more warped and dark further on in the book, so I'm bracing myself for it. Link to post Share on other sites
tongue-tied Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 1/3 into one of my favorites Link to post Share on other sites
wheelco Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 (edited) Edited March 31, 2006 by wheelco Link to post Share on other sites
Papillon Parade Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 (edited) Great book all around. Started it a few months ago but then life got hectic and put it down for a while. "The use of psychedelic drugs is that dark little secret behind the popular origins of Eastern spirituality in America, but if they really open the mind in the same ways meditative experiences do, why shouldn't they be legitimated and brought out into the open?" Edited March 31, 2006 by Tamed By Rock & Roll Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Great book all around. Started it a few months ago but then life got hectic and put it down for a while. "The use of psychedelic drugs is that dark little secret behind the popular origins of Eastern spirituality in America, but if they really open the mind in the same ways meditative experiences do, why shouldn't they be legitimated and brought out into the open?" this is one of those subjects that really showed how far off the mark Tricycle is in understanding the Dharma. the entire premise of the book is wrong: the fifth precept is: I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs. not 'I vow to only take intoxicating drinks and drugs that I imagine will open my conciousness (read: those I like),' but 'intoxicating drinks and drugs.' After having been a subscriber since issue 1 I canceled by tricycle subscription over their issue on this topic. if one is taking drugs and calling it Buddhism their posturing....no other way around it. Link to post Share on other sites
Bethanydear Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 this is one of those subjects that really showed how far off the mark Tricycle is in understanding the Dharma. the entire premise of the book is wrong: the fifth precept is: I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs. not 'I vow to only take intoxicating drinks and drugs that I imagine will open my conciousness (read: those I like),' but 'intoxicating drinks and drugs.' After having been a subscriber since issue 1 I canceled by tricycle subscription over their issue on this topic. if one is taking drugs and calling it Buddhism their posturing....no other way around it. Link to post Share on other sites
Papillon Parade Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 this is one of those subjects that really showed how far off the mark Tricycle is in understanding the Dharma. the entire premise of the book is wrong: the fifth precept is: I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs. not 'I vow to only take intoxicating drinks and drugs that I imagine will open my conciousness (read: those I like),' but 'intoxicating drinks and drugs.' After having been a subscriber since issue 1 I canceled by tricycle subscription over their issue on this topic. if one is taking drugs and calling it Buddhism their posturing....no other way around it. Gershon, thanks for your insight. I'll keep it in mind as I finish the book. I have only just begun reading about Buddhism and thought the book looked interesting. Any books you could recommend?? Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 that's a tough question a good general primer is Kornfield's a path with heart. if you're interested in reading the actual word's of the Buddha , my teacher Bhikkhu Bodhi's anthology is excellent. It's called In the words of the Buddha . better yet, poke around at www.accesstoinsight.org or http://www.abhayagiri.org/index.php/main/books. Both have about a million free books which are more than enough for one to get enlightened, or at least figure out what kinds of books they like to read Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 a woman I work with gave this to me......it is excellent. Link to post Share on other sites
Papillon Parade Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 that's a tough question a good general primer is Kornfield's a path with heart. if you're interested in reading the actual word's of the Buddha , my teacher Bhikkhu Bodhi's anthology is excellent. It's called In the words of the Buddha . better yet, poke around at www.accesstoinsight.org or http://www.abhayagiri.org/index.php/main/books. Both have about a million free books which are more than enough for one to get enlightened, or at least figure out what kinds of books they like to read Thanks a bunch Link to post Share on other sites
myboyblue Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 Going to see this play in a couple of months. Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted April 1, 2006 Author Share Posted April 1, 2006 a woman I work with gave this to me......it is excellent. That was made into a movie also - I think. Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted April 1, 2006 Author Share Posted April 1, 2006 I am working on a list of time travel/alternate history books. The library here may even own some of them. Link to post Share on other sites
HungryHippo Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 this is one of those subjects that really showed how far off the mark Tricycle is in understanding the Dharma. the entire premise of the book is wrong: the fifth precept is: I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs. not 'I vow to only take intoxicating drinks and drugs that I imagine will open my conciousness (read: those I like),' but 'intoxicating drinks and drugs.' After having been a subscriber since issue 1 I canceled by tricycle subscription over their issue on this topic. if one is taking drugs and calling it Buddhism their posturing....no other way around it. this kinda reminds me of something jack kerouac would say. if you read his essays "some of the dharma" he mentions that he needed to stay away from this type of thing (drugs/ alcohol) then almost contradicted himself by saying that it was ok to drink only while alone and that the ol' buddhist monks use to drink while working the fields Link to post Share on other sites
Papillon Parade Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 this kinda reminds me of something jack kerouac would say. if you read his essays "some of the dharma" he mentions that he needed to stay away from this type of thing (drugs/ alcohol) then almost contradicted himself by saying that it was ok to drink only while alone and that the ol' buddhist monks use to drink while working the fields Kerouac wrote On The Road in three weeks drinking a steady cocktail of benzedrine and coffee. He also experimented with psilocybin and marijuana. Also, his death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver as a result of a life of drinking heavily Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 no one ever accussed Keruac of actually understanding Buddhism. In fact, Kerouac was deeply wounded that Gary Snyder didn't recognize him as 'attaining' any understanding. He had a fascination, but no real practice and no level of self control to even properly approach a dedicated practice. Link to post Share on other sites
viatroy Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 save that first one for me. I picked up Confederacy of Dunces again yesterday. Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted April 7, 2006 Author Share Posted April 7, 2006 It's 500 pages. Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Just finished: & Went through Approximately Heaven in a couple of hours. Both are pretty good reads. Southern settings, I would liken Whorton's style to Winston Groom but that wouldn't be quite accurate. The humor is a bit more dry; (there is one LOL scene in Frankland that's hilarious tho..) overall I enjoyed A.H. more because it's a lifestyle I am familiar with and the setting hits very close to home. Lite quick reads that are thouroghly enjoyable. Link to post Share on other sites
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