Synopses & Reviews
Buddha was a revolutionary. His practice was subversive; his message, seditious. His enlightened point of view went against the norms of his day in his words, against the stream. His teachings changed the world, and now they can change you too.
Presenting the basics of Buddhism with personal anecdotes, exercises, and guided meditations, bestselling author Noah Levine guides the reader along a spiritual path that has led to freedom from suffering and has saved lives for 2,500 years. Levine should know. Buddhist meditation saved him from a life of addiction and crime. He went on to counsel and teach countless others the Buddhist way to freedom, and here he shares those life-changing lessons with you. Read and awaken to a new and better life.
Review
Free of Buddhist-speak, with to-the-point instructions, Levines no-frills approach makes this book accessible for young adults. Publishers Weekly
Review
“An honest, fearless sequel... this is one to thumb through again and again.” Mandala magazine
Synopsis
After the Buddha's enlightenment, he reflected upon his powerful spiritual awakening and uttered the phrase "Patisotagami," which means "against the stream." Rebelling against the beliefs of his time, he taught a new way of being present in the world that was countercultural and revolutionary. In Against the Stream, Noah Levine also challenges the reader to rebel by training the mind in the art of wisdom and compassion. It is only through an engaged understanding of Buddhist practice that the spiritual revolution will take root.
Levine weaves the ancient story and teachings of the Buddha with contemporary examples of spiritual transformation - including his own story of how Buddhist meditation saved him from a life of addiction and crime. With guided meditations, reflections and exercises, Levine offers a guide to personal transformation for anyone seeking to go "against the stream."
Noah Levine is the author of the national bestseller Dharma Punx. A Buddhist teacher trained by Jack Kornfield, he lectures and teaches meditation retreats nationally. Noah is the director and co-founder of the Mind Body Awareness Project, a non-profit organization that serves incarcerated populations. He has studied with many great Buddhist teachers, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Ram Dass, and Sharon Salzberg. Noah holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology.
"A manual that is free of jargon and introduces readers to the most basic concepts of Buddhism: escape suffering, live simply, and treat yourself and others with respect and love ... an excellent, concise resource for those who have found other works too daunting."--School Library Journal
--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Noah Levine, the author of the national bestseller Dharma Punx, is a Buddhist teacher, counselor, and writer. He has been practicing Buddhist meditation since 1988, was trained to teach by Jack Kornfield, and leads meditation groups and workshops nationally as well as in juvenile halls and prisons. Levine holds a master's degree in counseling psychology and has studied with many well-known and respected teachers in both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. Levine lives in Los Angeles.