ROMANCING THE BUDDHA
Embracing Buddhism in My Everyday Life
Join Michael Lisagor on his hunt for lost treasure in the jungles of urban America and the depths of his life, as he transforms from a confused and sad teenager into a creative and happy adult, father and spouse. With warmth and wit, Lisagor chronicles his thirty-six years of applying Buddhist practice and principles to his life.
Gain a better understanding of Nichiren Buddhism, learn how to apply Buddhist principles to your life, raise happy children, overcome major challenges and build successful, loving relationships with Romancing the Buddha. The book also contains an overview of Nichiren Buddhism as well as a glossary of Buddhist terms.
Join Michael Lisagor on his hunt for lost treasure in the jungles of urban America and the depths of his life, as he transforms from a confused and sad teenager into a creative and happy adult, father and spouse. With warmth and wit, Lisagor chronicles his thirty-six years of applying Buddhist practice and principles to his life.
Gain a better understanding of Nichiren Buddhism, learn how to apply Buddhist principles to your life, raise happy children, overcome major challenges and build successful, loving relationships with Romancing the Buddha. The book also contains an overview of Nichiren Buddhism as well as a glossary of Buddhist terms.
- Middleway Press
- Paperback
- May 2005
- 160 Pages
- 9780972326742
Buy the Book
$14.00
About Michael Lisagor
Michael Lisagor is happily married with two grown daughters. A longtime contributor to the Buddhist publications World Tribune and Living Buddhism, he also writes a regular column for Federal Computer Week magazine. A resident of Bainbridge Island, Washington, he is the president of Celerity Works, a management consulting company.
Praise
“Romancing the Buddha is a wise and moving account of the author’s adventuresome journey toward spiritual enlightenment and social awareness. Michael Lisagor’s work helps us to understand the intimate connection between resolving conflicts in one’s personal life and working effectively for peace on a global scale. —Richard E. Rubenstein, Professor of Conflict Resolution, George Mason University
Discussion Questions
How does the Prologue prepare you for what’s ahead in the book? Discuss his choice of words in the introductory sentence.
Lisagor uses personal stories to talk about faith, everyday life and happiness. Were there particular stories that had special value to you?
Throughout the book, Lisagor refers to his wife, Trude, as “Most Beautiful One.” Discuss what you learned about their marriage from reading the book, how the relationship has changed over time and what has made this marriage last.
“The Early Morning Blues” is about learning to get up early—and liking it. How does one develop the ability to reframe—or take a different view of—something that at first seems negative in our lives? How might familiarity with Buddhist teachings affect the ability to reframe any situation?
Lisagor ends the chapter on “Thoughts on Marriage” by claiming that, “It’s important to romance the Buddha not just in ourselves but in those around us.” What does this mean to you how does it apply to your own life and your relationship with others?
In discussing young people in “Teenagers Are Aliens,” Lisagor suggests, “To be effective, a religion must not be so restrictive that it refuses to encourage a respect for diversity and open mindedness in young people.” What dynamics are at work today
What is it about the nature of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo that helps affect change? How can a single individual’s efforts affect the global community?
. Lisagor states that for him, “The most meaningful benefit I can have in my life is the satisfaction that, yes, I am progressing as a human being.” Can you relate?
Discuss your thoughts about the December holiday celebrations at the Lisagor household as described in the chapter “Holiday Identity Crisis.” Have you faced a similar dilemma in your life?
Lisagor chooses an essay on happiness as his last of the book. How does your vision of happiness match that of the author’s? How would you describe the feeling you’d like to have on your last day in this lifetime?