Poetry Group
On the Facebook networking site you can now participate in
David Brazier's Poetry Circle and Workshop
Listening Skills Book
Caroline Brazier has just completed writing a book on listening skills. This, like her other recently completed book, will be published by O Books in the spring of 2009.
Endorsement for Caroline's New Book
Brian Thorne, Emeritus Professor of Counselling, University of East Anglia, Lay Canon, Norwich Cathedral, has given the following wonderful endorsement of Caroline's new book.
This is an extraordinary book which brings a novelist’s art to the exploration of humanity’s most pervasive and complex affliction. It is a spiritual thriller which defies categorisation and is compulsively readable.
Caroline is currently holding a popularity competition on the networking site Facebook to help select the cover page for the new book. If you want to join in do e-mail Caroline at caroline@a midatrust.com
New Book Coming
Caroline Brazier has just completed writing a new book. The new manuscript is about Guilt. She completed the writing in the past week and looks in very good spirits, pleased to have accomplished a work that she has been working on for some months. The final title and sub-title are not yet agreed. We will keep you posted.
Nice Feedback from a Reader
I am reading now your last book Who Loves Dies Well. As far as I have advanced with my reading until now, I think it is your best book. I also think it is one of the best books available - if not the best I know - about PureLand Buddhism in the English language. In fact, I am moved and inspired by literally every page, almost by every phrase I read. The writing is so clear, incisive and sensitive. The book can serve in clearing up many questions and potentially wrong understandings concerning the essence of PureLand tradition. So I believe it will have value for many students and practitioners of the tradition. Thank you for writing and publishing it!
In the Mail
In the post this morning....
From USA...
"Just thought I would let you know that Who Loves Dies Well came in the mail today. I am making swift headway and all I can say is well done. I am impressed by the depth of knowledge and the sheer raw emotional edge juxtaposed together. I've seen few authors capable of pulling this feat off as well as you have and none who have done it better."
From South Africa....
"we received your book as well as Prasada's yesterday, and me and M are devouring them!
thank you for all that you have done and are doing for all bonbu in the ten directions.
namo amida bu"
Review at "Echoes of the Name"
A well considered review of Who Loves Dies Well
Meeting of Minds
David Brazier (Dharmavidya) and Lama Shenpen Hookham have exchanged their respective books about death and dying. Shenpen received Who Loves Dies Well and Dharmavidya received There's More to Dying than Death. Both were present at the recent Buddhist Teachers in Europe conference which is associated with the European Buddhist Union.
Gay Barfield on The Other Buddhism
I am moved by your brilliance, tenderness and broad vision of life on this planet and beyond. I also feel I know you much more deeply, and feel a kindred connection with you.
Many years ago in San Diego, we did a large public gathering in San Diego, members of the Center facilitating some 300 people, based on Joanna Macy's book on the nuclear threat, as anxiety levels were so high about nuclear winter, etc.. I believe that the process of looking at the worst, and moving from despair to hope and action gave some sense of agency to people.
To see your interlacing of Joanna's principles today in your book, with what the world is now dealing with from multiple overlapping catastrophies, war, disease, inequity, and most profoundly, climate change, makes me realize again that we need people to face this together with courage and commitment to each other. The "Great Grief" as you so beautifully term it is already here, and the darker days are clearly coming, so that when we face this era on an even more global level than is already starting to appear at an alarmingly increased pace, even beyond conservative predictions, we will need to be more immersed in kindness and mutual support. Particularly those of us so seemingly protected by apparent opulence and well-being, cannot even imagine the shifts ahead. I believe your ending chapters have helped us face all this with more grace, less denial, and a sense of inevitability, without despair.
I am also touched as well how much Carl was integrated into your Buddhism, your social consciousness, your psychological perspectives and practices, and I am grateful for your voice in the world...and for your developing friendship. As a recently graduates student said to me last week, working now in the field, "I think Carl would be proud of many of us, Gay."
- Gay Barfield, (formerly general secretary of the Carl Rogers Peace Fellowship)
London Events
David and Caroline are at book promotion events in London on
16th September: 21 Sussex Way, Finsbury Park all day
18th September: St James, Piccadilly, evening
Details: madrakara@amidatrust.com
15th Sept: Book Reading
David and Caroline will do book readings at Waterstones Bookshop, Leicester, on 15th September
Marvellous Book
An endorsement from a reader...
I am right now reading your marvelous book, Caroline! (Your's next, David) I find your writing original, compelling, and with beautiful language and thoughtful and profound psychological and spiritual deas that are so real and useful for those of us of this world....all of us! Clearly you love language, thought, ideas and all beings. I will tell many people about it. Because I am clearly not "religious" these days, I find it spiritually nourishing without being intrusive or invasive of my or anyone's inclinations - but opening us all up to considering the wonder of it all! AND our "bombu" nature! Thank you so much... !
7th September Meet Amida Event
The Meet Amida Event was a great success with about 100 people in attendance. There were radings by Caroline Brazier and by David Brazier from their new books.
Poems
You can read David Brazier's poetry at http://dharmavidya.wordpress.com.
Book Launch Event
There will be a book launch event on the evening of Friday 7th September 2007 at Narborough Parish Centre, Narborough, Leicestershire. This will promote David and Caroline's new books and also be a "Meet the Amida Community" event.
The new books are on special offer as a pair at Amazon
16 Aug: Book Talk in Waimea, Hawaii
Dharmavidya read from his book Who Loves Dies Well at "Tutu's House", a centre for health and wellbeing in Waimea, Big Island, Hawaii. The audience were mostly people associated with the Amida sangha in the area.
O-Books
Who Loves Dies Well and The Other Buddhism are both published by O-Books.
O Books began publishing in 2003. The name "O Books" was chosen because O is a symbol of the world, of oneness and unity. In different cultures it also means the “eye”, symbolizing knowledge and insight, and in Old English it means “place of love or home”. O books explores the many paths of understanding which different traditions have developed down the ages, particularly those today that express respect for the planet and all of life. In philosophy, metaphysics and aesthetics O as zero relates to infinity, indivisibility and fate. In Zero Books we are developing a list of provocative shorter titles that cross different specializations and challenge conventional academic or majority opinion.
6 August: Book Talk in Seattle
Caroline and David did readings from The Other Buddhism and from Who Loves Dies Well at the Elliott Bay Book Company "Seattle's legendary independent bookstore". We had an attentive and intelligent audience and the event went off well.
Events in Seattle
4-6 August 2007 David and Caroline Brazier are leading events in Seattle revolving around their new and already published books.
Saturday: Engaged Buddhism: "The New Buddhism"
Sunday: Buddhist Psychology: "The Feeling Buddha", "Zen Therapy", "Buddhist Psychology/Buddhism on the Couch"
Monday: Readings from "Who Love Dies Well" and "The Other Buddhism"
Response to New Buddhism
A correspondent writes: Reading your book The New Buddhism, I feel as though I've been handed something very precious - but don't yet know what to do with it, or whether to take ownership. Hey - the existential story of my/our lives! The book reads to me like a "call to arms" ..and my response has been to cry many times.. like listening to a Mahler symphony.. suffering and catharsis. I must read the book again without the emotional overload! I loved it anyway. There must be many who find it's message intimidating. I know I do. When I read Alan Watts as a girl in the 70's, I was similarly moved, and yet it is only now that I have really begun to look at Buddhism more seriously. Your writing, or spirit, reminds me of Alan Watts. I would have written to him all those years ago, had I the opportunity. Instead, I joined the Workers Revolutionary Party. But, sadly, the revolution which was always imminent, never arrived. Now I have discovered "Engaged Buddhism"
Inner Twitter
The Feeling Buddha has inspired a new website called Inner Twitter. The creator, called Todd, sent us an e-mail about it. This is great. Now we can all Twitter inwardly - though, in fact, it is more orientated to awareness of surroundings than to inwardness as such. It is interesting how the word "inward" has become a synonym for spirituality even when that spirituality is outwardly directed. Thanks Todd - great idea!
New Weblog
David Brazier - Dharmavidya - has a new poetry weblog
Endorsement from Professor Al Bloom
Al Bloom writes: Dharmavidya's book "Who Loves Dies Well" is right on the mark. As he takes us through the sufferings of his mother in her last days, he intertwines his experiences as a devoted caretaker and a son with his clear understanding of Pure Land Buddhism in an illuminating and inviting style. His observations on religion in general, Buddhism and life make this a valuable book for anyone's library.
He also writes: "I hope that you can develop a sangha in the US and provide people with a modern and relevant interpretation of Pure Land as you have been doing in the book."
Thank you Al, we'll see what we can do.
E-Sangha Discussion
There is currently animated discussion of The Feeling Buddha on
E-Sangha
Seminar with Kubose Sensei
Last night, 13th May, Dharmavidya participated in a transatlantic seminar via Skype with students of Kobose Sensei. Kubose's students have been studying The Feeling Buddha book. There is a review of The Feeling Buddha on the Heartland Sangha site.
Caroline on Wild Mind
Caroline Brazier has an article published on Wildmind.
Thanks Marcus
In his entry for 27th April Marcus Journal has a very nice appreciation of The Feeling Buddha. A point that he particularly brings out is that Buddhism is as much or even more transmitted through the practice as through the word.
"Brazier's astounding, and totally convincing, presentation of the Four Noble Truths, albeit based upon a translation he provides himself, is radical and liberating"
Dharmavidya
David Brazier
(Dharmavidya) is head of the Amida Order of Buddhism, a growing branch
of Buddhism in the West. He has studied Buddhism for over 40 years and
holds a PhD in Buddhist psychology. His work is based in Leicestershire. David's previous books include Beyond Carl Rogers, Zen Therapy, The Feeling Buddha and The New Buddhism (all published by Constable Robinson) Buddhist teacher Dharmavidya, head of the Amida Order, whom we
affectionately call Dharma-jee, was born into his current life as David
John Brazier on 2 January 1947 in Northampton in the centre of England,
part of the “generation of hope’ conceived in the aftermath of the
second world war. “I have always had a sense that this world could
never afford to have such total war again. This is a pivotal age in
which humankind reaches its maximum in relation to this planet. This is
the time when we must learn a new way of being together. My physical
body was drawn into existence by the aftermath of the worst war. What
meaning can life have if not that of creating the possibility of
sustainable peace?”. read more
Caroline Brazier
Caroline
Brazier is a practicing psychotherapist , a senior ordained member of
the Amida Order, a Pureland Buddhist community and a founder of Amida
Trust. Caroline is also the author of Buddhist Psychology (Constable Robinson).
Prasada Caroline Brazier is the wife of Dharma-jee,
often at his side, and also a Dharma teacher in her own right, who
travels, lectures and teaches internationally. She has been a pioneer
in the presentation of Buddhist Psychology and directs the training programmes
offered by the Amida Trust which include a full professional training
for psychotherapists and counsellors taught from a Buddhist Psychology
perspective. In addition to Pureland Buddhism, she has also studied
Theravada and been a member of the Tiep Hien Order of Vietnamese
Buddhism. She is a talented writer with a gentle evocative style. She
has a great love of the natural world and, just like many of the great
Chinese and Japanese poets of the Pureland tradition, in her vision
spirituality and nature interfuse in a seamless web of beauty and
mystious profundity.
Reverend Prasada holds an M.Phil degree in counselling from Keele
University, professional qualifications in counselling, in groupwork
and in supervision, and is an ordained Buddhist priest in the Amida
Order. She regularly teaches both psychological and religious topics,
plays an important role in the training of chaplains and ministers in
the Order, and helps to supervise the various engaged Buddhist projects
that Amida Trust has given birth to.
Prasada-jee was born as Caroline Bates, the daughter of a Methodist Christian minister. She comes from a large family of missioneries, politicians and artists. She is sensitive to multi-faith relations and inter-cultural issues and a passionate speaker on the need for a renewal of faith that transcends sectarian division and unites people of goodwill in working together in the cause of a better world.
Caroline Brazier to visit Reading Interfaith.
Reading Friends Meeting House, Wednesday 30th May 7.30pm
A talk by Rev. Prasada Caroline Brazier
Pure Land Buddhism is a strand within Mahayana Buddhism, and is popular in many parts of East Asia and also in the West. Practice is based on chanting and devotion as well as meditation and study.
This talk will be followed an opportunity to ask questions. The meeting will end with light refreshments for everybody.
For more information see the Reading Interfaith website.
Coming Soon...
who loves dies well
On the brink of Buddhas Pure Land.
David Brazier (Dharmavidya) writes a moving introduction to Pureland Buddhism. Read here the intimacy of Buddhist spiritual life, unique yet universal, laid bare by confrontation with death and a son's love for his mother in her final days. read more
the other buddhism
Amida comes West
Caroline Brazier offers a fresh view of spirituality. Pureland centres on our relationship with Amida Buddha, the embodiment of measureless love, light and life. We can but stand in awe and reach out to what we intuitively know to be beyond the small orbit of our lives. Pureland is a path of simplicity and beauty, poetry and nature. It is the path of faith. read more
Book Launch on 7 September
From Gareth: I have booked the community hall in Narbourgh for a book launch on the 7th Sept, from 7pm. To which you are all invited. We'll be sending out masses of invitations, it will be a fantastic evening, with music and food and lots of other good things. Around this time of the year, we're aiming to have launches across the UK, so it's a good idea to start looking for possible venues in your area, maybe a parish centre, maybe a bookshop - or cafe... Let us know what you find. Thanks Gareth - wonderful.
Final Editing
Caroline is currently running through the final proofs for The Other Buddhism.
Next Books
Our next books entitled Who Loves Dies Well and The Other Buddhismwill be published by O Books in August 2007
Heartland
There is a nice page about The Feeling Buddha book at http://www.heartlandsangha.org/feeling.html based on a seminar that Caroline and I gave for the Heartland Sangha some years ago. It gives a neat summary of the argument of the book. Thank you.
Buddhist Psychology & Championship Chess
I've promoted this comment to a full posting as it has a particular interest. Hello. I'm looking forward to reading Caroline's new book. I bought 'Buddhist Psychology' near the start of August 2004, in the Waterstones in Scarborough, before an important game in the British Chess Championship. I was feeling a little bruised that day after a defeat in the previous game, and I headed to Costa Coffee where I read for about three hours. I found the book life-affirming and uplifting, and it mometarily released me from all my ego-related concerns. I managed to get through that difficult day, and a few days later I became British chess champion for this first time. More recently, I have been reading Zen Therapy by David, and thoroughly enjoying it. Anyways, just wanted you to know that your work(both David's and Caroline's) has made a deep impression on me. Best wishes, - Jonathan Rowson.
Caroline's Next
I've been spending some time proof reading Caroline's latest manuscript. This book builds upon both her Buddhist Psychology (Buddhism on the Couch) and on The Feeling Buddha. It will show where thinking about Pureland Buddhism and psycholgoy has got up to at Amida. I was particularly interested by part of her analysis that to me implied that the complete non-judgementalness of Pureland implies a radically non-theistic stance. Amida may be spirit, but is certainly not a God. Even spirit may be a misleading term for a grace that is bigger than time and space. Pureland gives responsibility to the individually more totally than maybe any other spiritual system. When we recognise that the other is really other and not there to facilitate or constrain us, then it really is down to oneself what one is going to do.
What Does Faith Do?
Following on from the last item my friend comments: "this got me to wondering if it would be correct to say "nembutsu citta vritti nirodha" or "shinjin/prasada citta vritti nirodha"?"
Now I think this is very interesting to ask. What is the effect of faith (prasada) in the Buddhist sense of the term. Does faith restrain or contain (nirodhah) the vicissitudes (vritti) of the heart (chitta)? I think it does, don't you? It consoles and softens. It leads to tenderness. It lessens hurt. It imparts courage.
Nirodha
I am grateful to a friend for sending me a link to a translation of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali of which the second line is "Yogas citta vritti nirodhah" translated as "Yoga is the restraint of fluctuations of the mind". This translation of nirodhah as restraint is, of couse, interestingly close to the translation as "containment" in The Feeling Buddha book. The Buddha certainly favoured restraint - this is apparent from many passages. He saw nobility in the ability of a person to restrain their "vritti" - vicissitudes.
Enlightenment in the Darkest Places
There is a nice, brief review of TFB by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat in Spirituality and Health magasine. The aspect that they emphasise from the book is the principle that enlightnment breaks through in the darkest places and that Buddhism is not an "escape from suffering". Frederick and Mary Ann have a new site at Spirituality and Practice.
Following links from the S&H site, I came across a synopsis of the life of Francis of Assisi. I've always been a Francis fan and I remember that the first time I ever visited Plum Village they aske for volunteers to give a talk and I spoke about Francis and that led me into some very interesting dialogues on Christian Buddhist themes - something I am still very much involved in via Interlog and in many other ways. I have found myself much influenced by these dialogues and some of the writing I am currently doing is an attempt to respond from a Buddhist or inter-faith perspective to some of the questions that Christian theologians struggle over.
Chicago
One of the first groups of people to put anything on the internet about The Feeling Buddha book were Heartland Sangha in Chicago - a really nice group of people. Caroline and I visited them back in 1998 and they askede me to do a presentation about the book and somebody wrote it up and put it on the web. At that time I was only just learning how to make web pages and weblogs - had they even been invented? Anyway we had a good visit there.
Purpose
I'm starting this weblog as a place for discussion and comment referring to my book The Feeling Buddha.
