Christmas gift from Sue Dilts at dirty martini party - no, I didn't ( )

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I would be a buddhist if learning buddhism wouldn't have been so boring. The Dalai Lama is not a gifted writer, though from what I understand he didn't even write this--he spoke it, and someone edited his words into a book. I like the philosophy, and what arises from it--compassion is important, positive thoughts enable positive life, etc. I don't like the whole idea of some people becoming buddhas while others are just normal people. If you have enough time to become a buddha, that probably means you're already a well-off individual with too much time on your hands.

I would like to hear more about the idea of "emptiness". It seemed like the most interesting thing in the book, and really quite difficult to completely get a grasp on. (I mean, if you have a grasp on "emptiness", you're probably a buddha.) By understanding that our life is so empty of meaning, how can we find meaning in it? I don't know. I find that interesting. ( )

How does one actually become a compassionate person? What are the mechanisms by which a selfish heart is transformed into a generous heart? The Dalai Lama's teachings on this essential subject, drawn from talks he delivered during his epochal visit to America in 1999, form the basis of this universally appealing book.
Author Biography: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. As Tibet's leader-in-exile, he has worked tirelessly not only on behalf of the Tibetan people, but as a voice for human rights worldwide.

This overview of Buddhism and its terminology is very easy to read but not to comprehend. The book did help me understand some of the concepts behind Buddhism and the idea that we can change ourselves and our outlook through altering our thought processes. ( )