Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within

by Robert A.F. Thurman

Book Overview

One of Time magazine's 25 Most Influential People in America writes about taking responsibility for our own happiness and our actions. Robert Thurman is America's most popular and charismatic Buddhist. His first book, Inner Revolution , is an international bestseller and his lectures sell out to thousands. Infinite Life demonstrates that our every action has infinite consequences for ourselves and others, here and now and after we are gone. He introduces...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594480699
• ISBN13: 9781594480690
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Riverhead Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A very inspiring book!

For folks interested in meditation, or who might need just a little boost in self-confidence, I heartily recommend this book. I've been interested in meditation and Buddhism for six years and have read many, many books on these subjects, but I've found few as inspiring as this one. Professor Thurman combines aspects of the Tibetan Buddhist Mentor Devotion meditation centered around his seven virtues, with a kind of selfless, secular approach to daily life and what you get is an energizing take on spiritual practice. He makes it clear one doesn't have to be a Buddhist to be able to do these meditations. So, no matter what your "beliefs" are, have a look at this one! This is a great book!

Infinite Life- 7 Virtues et al. by Robert Thurman

This is an excellent but somewhat controversial work which embellishes the Mahayana School of Buddhism. The author espouses the virtues inherent in selflessness and individual/collectivewisdom. He challenges the reader to embrace creativity and generosity in interpersonal relationships. Most importantly,the work demands that we do a critical self-examination todetermine what is within us. It is only by knowing ourselvesthoroughly that we can transcend our current condition. This self-transformation is a condition precedent to achieving the creativity and generosity of spirit needed to help others.The book challenges us to transcend ourselves and achievelevels of learning and experience outside the normal everydaypatterns of life. It is an important contribution toreligion, philosophy and the psycho-social sciences.

Infinite Life, A True Inspiring Message of Infinite Hope

There are so many facets of Buddhism -one compliments the others-, the true embodiment of emptiness at the very heart of Buddhist teachings that nothing has an inherent existence of its own. No one does a better job than Robert Thurman, one of the most prominent Buddhist scholars representing the Mahayana school of thoughts, in giving a cerebral erudition of the meanings and interpretations of old manuscripts and their relevance to our contemporary life. That is represented, again, in his latest craft. The Mahayana tradition puts a huge emphasis on infinite and universal compassion for all sentient beings, it is the basis of every effort toward self-transformation, that ultimately entails self-transcendence in the selfless spirit of the altruistic mind seeking for enlightenment for the benefits of all. His book works on that basis in a very forceful, dense, idealistic fashion but accessible at the same time. This Bodhisatva ideal is so infinitely lofty to the point that many people might find it impractical and unrealistic. However, as Thurman point-blankly elaborates throughout the book, that ideal isn't an empty dream of a romantic fool, but it's based on the infinite outlook of life with infinite room for personal growth; infinity that stretches to the "past" and "future" through infinite numbers of past and future lives, intimately intertwined and interrelated. In this infinite universe, that is supported by science needless to say, there are infinite possibilities. That is one thing. The other is the proclamation that we are all Buddha now, we just need to be awakened to that fact. So if we are all enlightened beings with built-in infinite capacity for altruism and infinite deadlines to fulfill our Bodhisatva ideal, aiming high isn't that crazily unrealistic. If anything, it jumpstarts and single mindedly focus our commitment to practice to get closer to that ideal in our own pace and time. This notion leads to a troubling theory (at least to some) of reincarnation that in Buddhism is more aptly coined as rebirth. How are the two different? And is there any scientific basis for either theory? Or is it a mere belief as theists believe in heaven or hell as the final destination after one's death? Buddhism goes far deeper than a mere belief system which is an end to itself that gives you a not so comforting alternative of eternal damnation for stubbornly resisting to "see the truth." Buddhism is a sophisticated, surprisingly modern, consistent and scientific system of psychology. Thurman calls it "joyous science of the heart. Some people who belongs to the hardcore materialist camp (usually atheists, scientists and thus, Nihilists) may just lump the Buddhist doctrine of rebirth as superstition and as unfounded as the belief in God, angels, heaven and hell of the theists. Their prejudice and dogmatism assumes that just as theistic belief in heaven is solely founded by the inherent fear of death, then so is the Buddhist doctrine of

"WOW!!! this is it!!!!!!!!! NIRVANA NOW!!!!!!

All I can say is that this book touched me in the most profound way, after the power of now, and the sedona method, I feel as if I've finally tuned into my true self, at every moment in constant change, no longer stuck in old habits or self imposed limits, although based on Mahayana buddhism, this truly is a bible for contemporary living, every sentence is to be read very carefully, and deeply pondered, for within this text lies the key for unlocking the door to your soul, and making your life fuller and richer. Mind you buddhism has never been my thing, I'm not pushing any type of eastern dogma, or new age doctrine.This book and it's message have renewed my hope, and made me more aware of my inner psyche,this is our missing manual.I hope that it's within your dharma to pick up this book,and ponder it , and share it with everyone around you.Mr. Thurman thank you for this gift.

A Book On Karma

This book (recently released) redeemed my esteem for Thurman. Following his book "Essential Tibetan Buddhism" I thought perhaps his style of Buddhist thought was not up my alley. But this book is much more natural. Robert perhaps is America's most admired and appealing Buddhist writer/scholar. His first book, Inner Revolution, is an international hit and his lectures at places like Harvard sell out to thousands of participants. Infinite Life shows that all of our actions have countless consequences for ourselves and others, here and now, and after we are gone; in short, we are constantly creating some sort of karma. Here we are introduced to the "Seven Virtues" to reforming our body and mind wisely in order to diminish the more harmful karma created and nurture the more positive variety. In a skilled and practical style, he gives invigorating instructions on understanding human virtue and emotion. Thurman calls us to take on accountability for our actions and their consequences by remaining mindful that our lives are truly immeasurable. This book is one of the best guidebooks for understanding our place in the world and appreciating ways which we can universally thrive in serving other beings. This was a good book.