I have a feeling that I’m not the only yogi who is also a voracious reader.  This is my summer reading list for yogis from last summer but I just found it and thought it was still good.  I LOVE every book on this list.  I’ll make a new one for 2011 soon but in the meantime, here is some quality yogi beach reading.

Here is my 2010 Summer Reading List

A Dead Hand: A Crime in Calcutta by Paul Theroux

Theroux, one of our greatest American novelists, might be even more well-known for his travel books. I love, love, loved reading Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, a revisiting of the entire trip he took 20 years earlier which resulted in a book called The Great Railway Bazaar. So this newest novel of us is really fun because it includes some travel, a multi-layered story (“a dead hand” means writer’s block as well as what you think it means), a bit of a mystery and some very playful self-referential scenes about writers and travelers. For us yogis, it is fun to read about the main character’s experiences since he is not a yogi. His fresh encounters with Ayurveda and Indian customs are an integral part of the story which ultimately and?brilliantly exposes some of the dangers that arise from “spiritual materialism.” And, it’s a fun book to read with the great writing always offered by Paul Theroux.

Surviving the Dragon: A Tibetan Lama’s Account of 40 Years under Chinese Rule by Arjia Rinpoche

Arjia Rinpoche was one of the most important lamas in old Tibet, discovered as a child and raised in Kumbum monastery, a similar story to that of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and my own guru, Gelek Rimpoche. But, the similarity ends in 1959 when HHDL and Gelek Rimpoche, Trungpa Rimpoche and others managed to escape the Chinese occupation and flee to India and the West. Arjia Rinpoche was not able to leave and grew up under the unrelenting cruelty of Chinese communist rule. He shares his life without decoration, neither good nor bad, just straight ahead. The stories of his growing up, learning to be safe and honest in countless deceitful, manipulative situations are inspiring and fascinating. He even became part of the Chinese government official religion affairs department and tells the unbelievable story of how that government selected the Panchen Lama’s reincarnation. Arjia Rinpoche now lives in the US — his eventual escape was amazing! — and I plan to visit him as soon as I can. I really want to meet this great person. Reading this book made me fall in love with Arjia Rinpoche and you will, too.

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi by Geoff Dyer

This book is really two separate stories, in the same way that our?own lives contain more than one story. Or in the way that our next?life is a result of our life now. Geoff Dyer is one of those writers?that makes you think he is really writing about himself, but somehow?I felt it was also about me and you. At any moment, in just one?moment, any of us can lose our way — or is it find the way — toward?insanity or enlightenment. Death might refer to reincarnation or?the end of suffering or just letting go of those parts of you that?weren’t working anyway. If you’ve been to Varanasi or Venice you?might like this book. You might also like it if you are curious?about impermanence, stability, hot sex, loss of sensuality, false?gods and the brilliant writing of Geoff Dyer.

Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist by Stephen Batchelor

This is my favorite kind of dharma book — a memoir/teaching combo. After becoming a Tibetan Buddhist monk and then giving up his robes; then becoming a Korean Buddhist monk and again giving up his robes, Batchelor is now one of the most famous and respected translators of Buddhist texts into English. He makes the case that much of what is taught and practiced in Buddhism is a decorative, cultural overlay on the pithy instructions that Buddha Shakyamuni originally taught. Batchelor gives the teachings of the Pali Canon in an immediate way by taking with us on a trip through India and then exploring how lay people can be “real” Buddhists just as much as monks and nuns. A great book for those who are curious about the teachings of Buddha but don’t want to read a straight history or scripture book.

The Godfather of Katmandu by John Burdett

This is the latest in a series of novels set in Bangkok which feature?Sonchai Jitpleecheep, a Thai cop and deeply devout Buddhist. Since it’s summer time I recommend you start with the first one in the series, but if you want to start with this one, it will still work.?I really loved this novel because a lot of it takes place in Katmandu?and since I’ve been there, it was fun to revisit many of the most?important sites such as the stupa. The main character also receives a secret Buddhist Tantric practice and I’m pretty sure it is the same one that I have received so that was fun to read about, too. One review on Amazon criticizes this book for too much musing on spiritual awakenings and Tibetan philosophy, but of course, that is one of the things I like best about this mystery series. Sonchai balances his Buddhist principles with a corrupt policy system, a reincarnated partner and a mom who runs a bar/brothel popular with American men with a lot of contemplation, compassion, quick thinking, intuition and exciting action.

Chants of a LIfetime by Krishna Das

Krishna Das’ memoir. Need I say more? And, as an extra fun bonus, the book comes with a Karaoke Kirtan CD, so you can sing along at home. What fun!

The Harvard Psychedelic Club:?How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the?Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America by Don Lattin (social history)

This engrossing story of Ram Dass, Timothy Leary, Andrew Weil and Huston Smith is completely relevant today. You probably knew that Richard Alpert aka Ram Dass and Timothy Leary were the guys who really brought LSD to the people but did you know Andrew Weil was instrumental in getting them busted?

They might have been most widely known for outrageous behavior but their work was a genuine exploration of consciousness and a search for an experience of Oneness. Huston Smith, known for opening America’s mind to “foreign” religions, was a positive , powerful influence on the group.

In the end, maybe we can thank Andy W. because after getting kicked out of Harvard, Alpert went to India, became Ram Dass and finally came back home to teach us all how to Be Here Now. The legacy of this particular group of brave and soulful scientists, professors and profoundly spiritual men continues to be an importance influence in our society. This book was fun to read and, to my surprise, deeply moving.

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama (detective novel)

Here’s a new series for all fans of Ma Ramotswe and the Number One Ladies Detective Agency. A similar kind of charming, down to earth story, only this takes place in India and features Mr. Ali, who came out of retirement to open his marriage bureau; Mrs. Ali, his wife who doesn’t think he should work so hard; Aruna, Mr. Ali’s assistant and a host of other flawed and lovable characters. It’s fun to read about Indian culture in this context. A perfect beach book.

The Great OOM: The Improbable Birth of Yoga in America by Robert Love?(history)

You aren’t the first person to do a yoga retreat upstate. But it?seems that Pierre Bernard aka The Great Oom, probably was. Pierre (originally Perry Baker from Iowa) was a serious yogi and a super charismatic dude that attracted many people to his classes in asana, philosophy, spiritual powers and secret tantric rituals. He was living in a conservative time with politicians who wielded their power in an effort to control the morale ethics of the American people (sound familiar?), and they managed to run him out town — several towns from coast to coast.

Fortunately for Pierre, there were rich people in high places who did support his work and we yogis of today have much to thank him for, as well as Robert Love for writing such a readable and respectful book about the history of yoga in America. I am especially grateful to Robert Love for his appreciation of yoga since often these kinds of books are written by authors who think it is clever to make fun of yoga and belittle it’s devotees.

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