Transforming Suffering: Reflections on Finding Peace in Troubled Times by His Holiness the Dalai Lamma, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Thomas Keating, Joseph Goldstein, Thubten Chodro

This book takes a look at an interreligious conference that was recently held in 2002 at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky (a place most popularly known as the monastery Thomas Merton belonged to). There was a list of extremely well known religious leaders present there: Pope John Paul II, H.H. the Dalai Lama, Thomas Keating, Joseph Goldstein, Thubten Chodron, Robert Aitken, John Daido Loori, Fr. Columba Stewart, Geshe Lhundab Sopa, among countless others.The core topic on the table here was human suffering, and many members gave fascinating talks on this very hard pressing issue. There were a plethora of questions being asked at this discussion, with a number of eye-opening insights from Christian and Buddhist religious groups across the globe. Issues which affect us all in these modern times: How to deal with violence? How to deal with anger? What can all our religious orders contribute to helping with the reality of human suffering? Truly the dialogues that took place here were fascinating and at once illuminating, giving the reader an eclectic pâté to enjoy. The Buddhist groups reiterated selflessness as the path to alleviating world suffering, a point many people of all walks agreed with. If you would like a fascinating book giving us the views of a wide range of spiritual tradition and religious affiliations, this is the book to purchase. A true gem.