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Buddhism Without Beliefs

A Contemporary Guide to Awakening

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Buddhism Without Beliefs

By: Stephen Batchelor
Narrated by: Stephen Batchelor
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About this listen

Before it was a religion, a culture, or even a system of meditation, what was Buddhism? On Buddhism Without Beliefs, celebrated teacher, translator, and former Buddhist monk Stephen Batchelor takes us back to the first years after the Buddha's awakening to reveal the root insights of Buddhism hidden beneath centuries of history and interpretation.

In eight compelling sessions of self-inquiry - including many fascinating exercises and practices - we learn how to awaken and refine our senses, introduce the essential spirit of curiosity into the practice of awareness, and comprehend with both our hearts and our minds the Buddha's astonishing (and often misunderstood) revelations on emptiness, compassion, and the self. Before he died, the Buddha did not appoint a successor. He simply remarked that each of us must be responsible for our own freedom.

Buddhism without Beliefs is an invitation to hear what the Buddha taught - and to trust yourself on your own path to liberation.

©1997 Stephen Batchelor (P)2013 Sounds True Buddhism Eastern Philosophy Meditation Physical Exercise

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What did you like most about Buddhism Without Beliefs?

I am enjoying this and it is well presented by Stephen. It is an excellent proposition of Buddhist ideas without the religion that has overtaken much of modern Buddhism. However I also have the book and this seems to have little connection to that except for the ideas presented. As it has the same title I expected it to be an audio reading of the book.

Confused this is different to the book

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A very insightful overview of the core Buddhist beliefs and principles presented in a format that is clear and easy to understand.

Very insightful

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Although rooted in a tradition, a large Tibetan organisation, this is music for my heart. I feel deeply Batchelor's frustration at modern attempts to integrate Buddhist thought into the Western umvelt.

William Gibson once remarked that "the future is already here, it's just not evenly distributed" - this is how I feel about modern dharma, some people (Ken Wilber et al) are shaping forward looking, truly modern, post-metaphysical, non-religious (non-'Buddhist') dharma.

To many this is just too much. The baby boomers who have found solace in Eastern mysticism and religion have kept the baby but they are often very reluctant to admit that they are swimming in a large pool of unnecessary Buddhist bathwater too.

Bachelor strips it all back and his movement towards finding the essence of Early Buddhism, the universalism of impermanence, the truths of suffering and emptiness, that which continues to serve us today, is very welcome and, I believe, destined to emerge and shape dharma from here on out.

Listen without prejudice

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I loved to listened this book.
Stephen Batchelor reads it really well. A great insight and teachings in regards what is Buddhism. And as I am new to this kinds of books maybe I am more eager to listening it properly but for me the reading made me feel quite relaxed and mindful. Definitely, I will listen this book again.
Thanks .

Really nice book

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I like that he breaks down some of the main Buddhist ideas in a modern way. He also has a soothing voice.

Very clear and inspiring. Will listen again

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