A Heart as Wide as the World

A great book for most everyone who is seriously committed to making the world a better place by also making yourself a better person. Her warm personal stories commingle with Buddhist principles. Before I knew it I had finished the book! I learned a bunch from this book, and it really has deepened my practice. Ms. Salzberg has such a friendly, easy going way of discussing powerful spiritual principles that it truly makes them accessible to everyone. If I find them accessible, then most anyone will! I really do highly recommend this book.

Sharon Salzberg's most stressed point within this work is the practice of meditation so that we can come to see life more clearly; acknowledging the interconnection of all sentient beings and practicing loving kindness towards one another. She reminds us all that compassion is not mere empathy, empathy is simply cognizant. True compassion requires action to "materialize." The book is basically a compilation of various teachings she's received from various Buddhist traditions throughout the years, guides such as H. H. the Dalai Lama to name just one among many mentioned herein. Sharon co-found the Insight Meditation Society, an organization devoted toward spreading the Buddha's teachings throughout the world. While at the center she has met countless teachers and taken in 84,000 teachings throughout the years, and lucky you and I can access these fine teachings here in this relatively short, yet very concise, read. Enjoy!

I read this about a year ago when I first started meditating seriously, and I picked it up again a little while ago -- it's as if the book changed since I last read it. So much more of it resonates with me now, and I'm glad I bought it rather than just checking out from a library. What's very nice about the book is that it's written in nice little essay form -- like little talks -- and one can read them in a few minutes before bed and then sleep nicely thinking -- or perhaps NOT thinking! -- about them.

Sharon Salzberg is such a capable, warm, and inspiring voice for Western Buddhism. This work beautifully weaves together Buddhist philosophy and practice, reality and practicality, compassion and joy. She fleshes out concepts of meditation and mindfulness using her own experiences, often amusing, without drawing attention to herself. Rather, she is a skilled teacher who guides the student on his/her own journey. Whether Buddhist or not, beginner mind or monk, most readers will celebrate this work.

A HEART AS WIDE AS THE WORLD is filled with amusing, heartfelt, spiritual stories that make us feel good, teach us, and inform our meditative lives. I look at it again and again for the short bursts of heart-centered stories that it contains. They help me get through a tough day for sure. I recommend this book whole-heartedly!