Book Review: Jack Kornfield’s “Bringing Home the Dharma”
Jack Kornfield’s book “Bringing Home the Dharma” truly does bring it right home. It is one of those easy to read, yet infinitely wise books that delivers exactly what you expect from it and unveils some gem of wisdom precisely at the moment when you need it. I just love books like this one, that when weeks, months and years from reading it, the writing transcends time and it remains relevant. The book is somewhat light in tone, but by no means lightweight in content. The best way I can describe this book is “practical, enjoyable and essential” and it does top my list as one of the best Buddhist books from 2011 for it’s ability to be a good read regardless of the number of years one has spent studying and practicing, whatever age one is, as well as without requiring adherence to a specific flavour of Buddhism, be it Tibetan, Zen, Theravada and so on. There is truly something for everyone within this book.
Much of “Bringing Home the Dharma” speaks to the necessity to practice meditation and awareness as a mans to help alleviate us from suffering as well as to stop manifesting this suffering in our world and spreading it outwards to others. I appreciated Kornfield’s honest discussion of the fact that meditation isn’t always easy or isn’t necessarily the immediate panacea that will cure what ails us, however if we stick with it, the benefits can be seen with time. An entire chapter is dedicated to “Perils, Promises and Spiritual Emergency on the Path” which is essential reading for anyone engaged with Buddhist practice.
There is just so much covered within “Bringing Home the Dharma” that to write a truly exhaustive review would take days, even months. I would encourage you to read it for yourself, devour the wisdom that Jack Kornfield has provided and then thank me later for encouraging you to pick up this book.
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Terrible review. The author undermines own credibility by sloppy spelling (“mans” instead of “means”) and serious problems in logic. For example, it is written: “I just love books like this one, that when weeks, months and years from reading it, the writing transcends time and it remains relevant.” Fair enough (though awkwardly expressed), but then one has the following: “… as one of the best Buddhist books from 2011.” The simple question on January 3, 2012 is: How many “weeks, months and years” have passed since reading this book?
Thank you for the feedback.
I have always enjoyed Kornfield’s writing and Bringing Home the Dharma was no exception. This book provides a glimpse of the Dharma mixed in with some western thoughts. As always he talks lovingling about his experience with Ajahn Chah but he makes room for other teachers and their methods.
That said, I found the book a bit heavy on the experiences of his teachers and students at Spirit Rock (a meditation center founded by Kornfield). While this material has value it seemed to veer away from the Dharma and more toward “don’t try this at home”. Kornfield strongly believes and repeatedly states that insight meditation must be learned in the presence of a qualified teacher. Undoubtedly he does so with the greatest of intentions in hopes of helping students to get the most out of their efforts but I found it off putting. Most westerners cannot see their way to entering a retreat so his statements imply that any other way is not doing it right. Interestingly, he dedicates a chapter to differences between teachers and the less than humbling opinions they express of each others methods.
All and all, the book was worth the purchase and the time spent reading it. As with his other writings I found wisdom, inspiration and some well placed humor. It leaves the reader wanting more and in the spiritual world, that’s always a plus.
Hey Rick!
Thanks for your input on your perspective of Kornfield’s book. You do bring up valid criticisms re: his belief that one can only get optimal insight meditation instruction from a retreat or instructional setting. I was one of those folks who jumped into a retreat setting as my first immersion experience, so I’m a bit biased as to the value of training from ‘an experienced professional’ 🙂
Do you have a blog? If so, I sure would like to check it out.
Hi Tanya, I do not have a blog or any other Internet presence (no Facebook, twitter, etc.). I fell away from blogging in 2003. I cannot tell you why, it just happened.
My critique was not meant in a negative way. I have not received instruction on vipassana mediation but I have been taught a deep reflective technique that I have employed for three decades. In retrospect, the instruction was brief and perhaps could have been learned by reading about it but I am grateful that I had a teacher. Unfortunately the reflection was totally based on exploring and fixing self rather than examining the nature of things as they are.
Kornfield skillfully explains the idea of disconnecting from self and undoubtedly attending a retreat goes a long way towards setting one on the right path. There are a scant few pages of meditation instruction in the book. Maybe some day I will find myself in the position to retreat. Right now it is not a possibility so I am digesting what I can though I would welcome the opportunity for instruction. Like many, I still cling to unanswered and perhaps unanswerable questions of faith. The idea of spending time, however brief, with someone with Kornfield’s experience would be a blessing indeed.
Hey Rick.
Thanks for the clarification on your comment. I didn’t see it as overly critical of Kornfield but rather a different perspective, which comes from your background and experiences. I love when people comment as it gives me a different perspective.
I think it’s remarkable that you’ve developed a technique that works for you. You might be interested in reading this information from Stephen over at The Naked Monk who had done Buddhist training and then left the robes behind to go his own way: http://www.thenakedmonk.com/mindful-reflection/
Sometimes we put too much pressure on going into retreat. I’ve been putting off a session in Seattle myself as it never seems to be the right time. Such is the life of a householder walking the path, but the time will come. Granted I’m scared as it’s been a long time since I’ve been on retreat and I worry about being mentally stable enough for it.
Take care and thanks for your comment and for reading.