Training in Compassion - by Norman Fischer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A prominent Zen teacher offers a "direct, penetrating, and powerful" perspective on a popular mind training practice of Tibetan Buddhism (Rick Hanson, author of Buddha's Brain)

Lojong is the Tibetan Buddhist practice of working with short phrases (called "slogans") to generate bodhichitta, the heart and mind of enlightened compassion. With roots tracing back to the 900 A.D., the practice has gained more Western adherents over the past two decades, partly due to the influence of American Buddhist teachers like Pema Chödrön. Its effectiveness and accessibility have moved the practice out of its Buddhist context and into the lives of non-Buddhists across the world.

It's in this spirit that Norman Fischer offers his unique, Zen-based commentary on the Lojong. Though traditionally a practice of Tibetan Buddhism, the power of the Lojong extends to other Buddhist traditions--and even to other spiritual traditions as well. As Fischer explores the 59 slogans through a Zen lens, he shows how people from a range of faiths and backgrounds can use Lojong to generate the insight, resilience, and compassion they seek.

Review Quotes

"Zen Master Norman Fischer teaches a fascinatingly powerful Tibetan system of mind training with his characteristic Zen-like simplicity and artful clarity. Norman shows once again why he is one of the most admired Zen teachers in America."--Chade-Meng Tan, Google's Jolly Good Fellow, author of Search Inside Yourself: The Unexpected Path to Achieving Success, Happiness (and World Peace)

"Norman Fischer brings a fresh perspective to the profound Tibetan Buddhist manual of lojong, or mental training. With down-to-earth clarity, he applies its 59 pithy practices to the challenges of modern life. With repetition, these practices gradually change one from the inside out. His writing is direct, penetrating, and powerful, with the authenticity and impact that comes from a great teacher, as he shows readers how to develop resilience and compassion, strength with heart."--Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom

"Norman Fischer has illuminated Atisha's lojong slogans with the depth of his own Zen koan practice, infused with his savvy, no-nonsense heart. The result is stunning--a fresh slant on Tibetan compassion teachings, making them universal and now."--Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown, Naropa University, author of Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism

About the Author

Norman Fischer is Senior Dharma Teacher at San Francisco Zen Center, where he was abbot from 1995 to 2000, and he is currently the director of the Everyday Zen Foundation, which is dedicated to bringing the Zen perspective to the world outside Zen, including to Christian and Jewish religious settings. He is a highly regarded poet and translator, and his numerous books include Opening to You: Zen-Inspired Translations of the Psalms, Taking Our Places: The Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up, and Sailing Home: Using Homer's Odyssey to Navigate Life's Perils and Pitfalls.