Rating: 
Summary: Chicken Soup for the Buddhist (or Non-Buddhist) Soul
Review: I was introduced to this book while staying with a friend, and I was hooked. I went home and bought it so that I could finish it. I didn't know much about Buddhism before I read this book. Ms. Boorstein's stories read a bit like the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She has short wonderful stories that demonstate current day people practicing the Buddha's teachings. You do not need to be a Buddhist to appreciate this book! It's very inspirational. Since this book, I have read several more books to learn about the teachings of Buddha.
Rating:
Summary: Very readable introduction to Buddhisim
Review: I'm not "into" Buddhism, per se, but what I've read about the
subject has piqued my interest . . . so did IT'S EASIER THAN YOU
THINK by Slyvia Boorstein, subtitled "The
Buddhist Way to Happiness."It presents a very readable introduction to the basic tenets of
Buddhism . . . the author's use of stories from everyday
experience greatly help to demystify basic teachings and
make them easily comprehensible. Boorstein--also a practicing psychotherapist--has done a
masterful job of putting together a guide that is full of
humor, memorable insight and perhaps most importantly, love. There were several memorable passages; among them:
Going through changes was what Alta was very good at, and, in that
ability, she was my role model. We became good friends and spent
many rainy winter days in her sewing room making clothing, usually
for me. I would talk about my family, and she would talk about
hers-the kind of conversations women have when they sew together. I was often relieved to see that what I was fretting over as a problem
didn't appear to her to be a big deal, and I noticed she could tell me
about a difficulty in her family that seemed to me to be huge while
she kept right on sewing, not missing a stitch. I knew she was sad, but
she appeared at ease. "Aren't you upset?" I would ask. "I've done
all I could about it," she would say, "so there is no point in being upset." Here is an exercise in advance Right Speech. Starting tomorrow when you
wake up, don't gossip. See what happens if you just give up making
comments about anyone not present. Listen carefully to the voice in your
mind as it is getting ready to make a comment, and think to yourself, "Why
am I saying this?" Awareness of intention is the best clue for knowing
whether the remark you are about to make is Right Speech. Is your
intention wholesome, a desire to help? Or to show off? Or to denigrate? I have become more passionate, not less. When I am delighted, which
is often, I am ecstatic. When I am sad, I cry easily. Nothing is a big deal.
It's whatever it is, and then it's something else.
Rating:
Summary: Chicken Soup for the Buddhist (or Non-Buddhist) Soul
Review: If you are interested in exploring the primary teachings of Buddhism, and you don't want to get scared away, then this is the book for you! It's easy to imagine Ms. Boorstein, going about her day, and thinking about life in the spiritual context. She is very approachable, very "real", and in a series of short chapters, she is able to impart some of the truths that makes the study of Buddhism so wonderful. I chose 4 instead of 5 stars, because there is a bit of the "self-help" stuff going on here, that just wasn't particularly what I was looking for. The writing is right on though, and it is an easy read extraordinaire. This was my first Boorstein book, and I will definitely look for another. So that's the final verdict, don't you think?
Rating: 
Summary: And it doesn't get much easier than this!
Review: If you are interested in exploring the primary teachings of Buddhism, and you don't want to get scared away, then this is the book for you! It's easy to imagine Ms. Boorstein, going about her day, and thinking about life in the spiritual context. She is very approachable, very "real", and in a series of short chapters, she is able to impart some of the truths that makes the study of Buddhism so wonderful. I chose 4 instead of 5 stars, because there is a bit of the "self-help" stuff going on here, that just wasn't particularly what I was looking for. The writing is right on though, and it is an easy read extraordinaire. This was my first Boorstein book, and I will definitely look for another. So that's the final verdict, don't you think?
Rating:
Summary: The insights are universal. The path is accessible.
Review: If you don't have a background or interest in Eastern philosophy, this would be an easy book to pass over. Don't let that happen. Thanks to Sylvia's matter-of-fact style, the chapters are clear, memorable and concise. The insights are universal. And the path to happiness is accessible. To put it another way, enlightenment probably isn't what you think it is.
Rob Sullivan (author)
"Climbing Your Way to the Bottom: Changing the Way You Approach Your Job Search"
Rating:
Summary: Actually ten stars since two of us read it
Review: My wife and I both read this and found it very worthwhile. I have read a great deal of "heavier" Buddhist material and almost think the word "Buddhist" in the title is unfortunate because it may drive away some readers who would profit from this book. It is really more "common sense" than "Buddhist," and even a Bible-thumping fundamentalist would enjoy it. The author's points are very similar to those of another American Buddhist sage, Charlotte Joko Beck (check out her books as well). The beauty of this book is it's brevity and simplicity. The author basically takes you through her life experiences in short chapters that flow quickly and make their points without preaching. My wife, who has approximately zero interest in the teachings of Buddha, nevertheless found this to be one of the most enjoyable and practical books she has read in a long time. I can't imagine anyone thinking that the couple of hours it takes to read this was time wasted.
Rating:
Summary: Essence of applied Buddhism.
Review: Sylvia Boorstein is a teacher of meditation with at least 30 years experience. She is regularly invited all over the world to lead retreats and to give seminars. It's Easier Than You Think is a collection of brief essays in which she shows, using examples from her own life experiences, how to apply Buddhist techniques and principles. This little book is clear, down to earth and amusing. It will, above all, be appreciated by those who have been overwhelmed by Buddhist terminology. Here they will find the essence of Buddhism presented in a way that anyone can understand, appreciate and apply.
Rating:
Summary: Nice spiritual advice...
Review: Sylvia Boorstein's "It's Easier Than You Think" is a lovely little book about a Western approach to Buddhism -- an examination of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to Happiness through the lens of an American new to the belief system. The chapters are just a few pages, and the language is simple and graceful. Like Natalie Goldberg and Jack Kornfield, Boorstein writes about her own journey to Buddhism, and has many anecdotes about how it has made her perspective more peaceful and loving. All three writers have a lovely light touch -- the spirituality has clearly affected their writing style. I enjoyed the book, and will read her other books.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to assimilate philosophy focusing on 'acceptance'
Review: Teacher Sylvia Boorstein leads you on a path through some of life's toughest problems, with a simplistic grace that leaves you breathless. Not a book to speed read, rather one that is read in minutes, but takes months to incorporate into your life. Truly a book to re-read, as each time deeper and deeper meanings appear. To quote Sylvia: "Truth is Truth. Mind-tangles and suffering are universal, and the desire for happiness and the end of suffering is also universal." This is one excellent roadmap.
Rating:
Summary: A book so important you'll need to give 1 to each friend!
Review: The only reason I could not give this book a 10 was because it ended to quickly. This book is not for self-help fans, instead
it's for everyday people tired of being confused by the
interaction of themselves with others.
A perfectly readable book of simple concepts that will impact
how one sees the world and how one can significantly change
that. In conclusion I have only two words to the author, "Thanks, Sylvia".
| 
