Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha's Wheel of Life

by David Nichtern, Chogyam Trungpa (Contribution by)

Overview

Hell realms, gods, and hungry ghosts—these are just a few of the images on the Buddhist wheel of life. In Awakening from the Daydream, discover how these ancient symbols are still relevant to our modern life.

In Awakening from the Daydream, meditation teacher David Nichtern reimagines the ancient Buddhist allegory of the Wheel of Life. Famously painted at the entryway to Buddhist monasteries, the Wheel of Life encapsulates the entirety of the human situation. In the image of the Wheel we find a teaching about how to make sense of life and how to find peace within an uncertain world.

Nichtern writes with clarity and humor, speaking to our contemporary society and its concerns and providing simple practical steps for building a mindful, compassionate, and liberating approach to living.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781614290056
Publisher:	Wisdom Publications MA
Publication date:	10/04/2016
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	225,513
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

David Nichtern is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. David was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. David has been co-director of the Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles and Karme Choling meditation center in Vermont, as well as Director of Expansion for Shambhala Training International and Director of Buddhist Practice and Study for OM yoga. His work has been featured at The Huffington Post, and he leads meditation workshops around the world and online. He has several online meditation workshops available through creativeLIVE.com. His DVD/CD package OM YOGA & MEDITATION WORKSHOP, created in conjunction with yoga teacher Cyndi Lee, is widely available

David Nichtern is also a well known composer, producer and guitarist. A four-time Emmy winner and a two-time Grammy nominee, he is the founder of Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. David has recorded and played with Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, Lana Del Rey, Maria Muldaur, Paul Simon and many others. Among his many credits in records, film and tv, are the classic song “Midnight at the Oasis” and the score for Christopher Guest’s film The Big Picture. As the Beyman Bros, he collaborated with Guest and CJ Vanston on an album Memories of Summer as a Child and has produced multiple records for Grammy nominated kirtan performer Krishna Das.

Editorial Reviews

11/14/2016
Nichtern updates the traditional teaching aid of the Wheel of Life in this approachable, practical guide to Buddhist practice. The Wheel contains images of the six realms we can inhabit including the addictive, stultifying pleasure of the god realm, through the constantly shifting human realm, or the unceasing pain of the hell realm. Although traditionally thought of as modes of reincarnation, Nichtern describes the realms as mental states that we move between, sometimes quite rapidly. He clearly and briefly describes how each blocks our path towards enlightenment but also contain unique possibilities. He also provides concise and easily implemented meditation practices for coping with the negative effects of each and includes a basic guide to karma and advice for finding a spiritual guide. The work does feel slightly shallow at points, and could be more heavily illustrated as the Wheel is a visual representation. Nichtern’s warm tone and gentle encouragement make this straightforward, clear, and current introduction to Buddhist thought and practice an ideal starting place for those seeking any type of mindfulness. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

As a long-time Buddhist practitioner, there are a few people I have turned to over and over to help me make sense of the dharma and David Nichtern is one of them. His insights comfort and shock in equal measure and this book is no exception. If you are looking for an introduction to the Buddhist path that is both gentle and fierce, this is the book for you. Using the iconic Wheel of Life as the gateway, it goes beyond the academic to offer real-life insights into how to transform your suffering into wisdom and joy. I'm so happy this book exists. PS, he is incredibly funny.

Susan Piver

Simply put, fantastic...readable, relatable, humorous, and accessible...There are few books that I can recommend wholeheartedly. Nichtern’s Awakening From the Daydream, however, happens to be one of them that I can. It is a wholehearted lesson on living and dying and interacting with our lives as a whole.

The Tattooed Buddha

A powerful and highly-insightful commentary and feel that it will be valued and enjoyed by all – irrespective of any spiritual and religious beliefs.

Spirituality Today

David skillfully brings an ancient framework into a contemporary context and shows how working with these teachings can support our liberation right now. This is a wonderful book—pithy, relevant and fun to read. Plus the essay from Trungpa Rinpoche is a great bonus!

Sharon Salzberg

Awakening from the Daydream repurposes for our times an ancient map to freedom, giving us a smart and sure way to break out of the habitual grooves that bind us. David Nichtern speaks to us with a voice witty and wise. Deep wisdom in a spot-on package.

Daniel Goleman

A guide book for anyone confused by the Gordian Knot of existence. It will put the wheel of life into sharp relief with a capital R. Masterful insight from a master.

Jamie Lee Curtis

A wonderful extension of the powerful dharma teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The transmission of these ancient lineages is intact in David's hands as he continues to update the traditional Buddhist teachings and make them ever more accessible to the contemporary audience.

Ram Dass

David Nichtern is one of the most effortless and effective teachers I have ever met. He’s funny and smart, which I love, but even better he uses his humor and intelligence to transmit a deeper message that can truly change your life. Get into it!

Pete Holmes