Mindfulness and Money: The Buddhist Path of Abundance

by Dominic J. Houlder and Kulananda Houlder

Book Overview

From two leading instructors in business and Buddhism comes a fresh approach to making peace with your finances and creating true abundance.

It may seem contradictory that Buddhist teachers Kulananda and Dominic Houlder have also been highly successful in the business arena, but they have learned that Buddhist teachings do not require a life of poverty, and can indeed go hand-in-hand with wealth and prosperity. Mindfulness and Money...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767909151
• ISBN13: 9780767909150
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Harmony/Rodale
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction to Buddhist Views on Money

Mindfulness and Money is written from a Buddhist perspective on the financial world. It's not the only Buddhist perspective, but it looks at personal finance through the lens of the traditions that have grown around the Buddha and his teachings. It does a great job of trying to bridge the gap between Buddhist thinking and the Western societies in which we live. Questions, Ideas, and Implications I think the most important sentence is the one that starts off the book: "Money is humanity's greatest invention" (pg 1). In Western culture, with it's Judeo-Christian roots, money is often seen as bad or troublesome. The idea of money as something that is good is powerful and I find it rather liberating. It's challenging enough finding ways to operate as an economic entity without feelings of guilt or worry. The most relevant way the Buddhist perspective can help is as a counter to the materialism that characterizes much of our society. There is an inherent cultural belief right now that buying more stuff will make you happy (just watch TV commercials). There's this idea that if you aren't fantastically wonderful yet, all it will take is a new watch, cologne, car, pair of jeans, etc. There's an unspoken promise that buying things or having things will make you complete; a promise that always disappoints. The Buddhist approach suggests a way to escape that cycle. I love the assertion that "Craving is something we choose to do" (pg. 50). A lot of times I think we feel controlled by our desires, that we have to go along with them. This reminds me that I have a choice to act or not act upon any desire that comes up. Another idea that has value is the idea of "skillfully" earning money. The idea of choosing a career based on the good that it will do for you and for the world is a lot more fulfilling than just choosing one based on salary. I have met many people who are unhappy with their career choices, but they continue on because they feel they have to. How can we choose work that is emotionally and financially fulfilling? I think the first step is awareness; simply being aware that there is more to work than money can start the process of finding an authentic career. In the last year, I've been asking myself questions about how I spend my money, and looking for ways to change my habits. For example, I still have a car, but I drive a lot less - I try to take public transportation or my bike because it's less expensive and better for the environment. I'm realizing that there are a lot of ways that I can make small changes in my life to not need as much as I thought I did. Should you read this book? If you are searching for a new way to relate to money in your life, you will definitely find value in Mindfulness and Money. You don't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the value of it's philosophies on how to earn and spend money, and it's psychological understanding of how we interact with money is profound.

Wonderful Perspective

This book captivated my attention starting from page one when it commended money being the greatest invention ever! I find it intriguing as a Buddhist nature book would perhaps, tell us that we need to stay away from money as it would imbue in us a sense of craving which is covered in this book anyway. So, the book dragged me further into its content. Before I knew it, I'm finished with it! It's such a friendly book & I find it very useful in terms of using real life examples (case studies if you may) to illustrate their points. This book also made it clear that by upholding the five percepts of Buddhism, we don't need to live like a pauper. Despite that Buddhists endeavours to uphold those values, all of them are still living very different lives. Some would live a contented but simple lives, but some still live in considerable comforts. It all depends upon the choice that we are making. The further information appendix at the end is very helpful to allow us enthusiasts to be in touch with Buddhist Centres around the world. The homepages do help a lot. A book that inspires, a book that answers some of my doubts & misunderstandings, a book that reminds me what I should be doing with my life to lead an abundant life, not in the sense of having the richest & wealthiest life but a life that cherishes the so called "good" life. Highly recommended.

Life and Work can be aligned

This book was a wonderful surprise and came to me at a time when I needed it most. It helped to validate decisions around my work and life which had been on my mind for some time. It also helped me tremendously in other parts of my life, because even though I was not a practicing Buddhist at the time, I realized how many of my own pilosophies on life and business were aligned with the teachings of the faith, and with the precepts introduced and explored by the authors. Very useful and a highly-enjoyable read for anyone in search of more from their life's work and self-expression in the workplace.

Their feet are on the ground

There are several reasons why this book is worth reading. First, when the authors speak about bread, you can see the dough on their hands--they have breadth, so to speak, of experience. They speak with authority. Second, they explain some complex Buddhist doctrines in such a way that teenager would be able to understand them, while at the same time, a PhD would be able to appreciate them. Third, they vivify their ideas with an abundance of living examples. Any seasoned public speaker will testify to the effectiveness of examples: people remember the examples long after the principles have been forgotten. These examples help us to see what is going on in our own lives. They show us our lives through the lives of others.Last, they write in a style which is pleasurable to read, literate without being in any way stuffy. It's the style of grounded intelligence. I am confident that other readers will find additional reasons for appreciating this book.

Kulananda and Houlder have a winner here!

This book is surprisingly easy reading,and lots of fun to read.It flows like a river gently to it's final conclusion: "The Path of Abundance-can be easily achieved without money or joining in the rat-race of to=days commercial world."Kulananda and Houlder are both people who have been highly succesful in their fields,both as entrepeneurs,and teachers and students of BuddhismThey observe that in the West,no matter how much we have,it is never enough.That the pursuit of wealth for it's own sake,causes much tension and anxiety.Instead they offer us "The path of Abundance",to counter to-days stress and anxiety.The path is based on five Buddhist precepts.Kindness,Generosity,Contentment,Honesty,and Awareness.These teach us to earn and spend creatively,and to live peacefully with or without money.The easy to follow path,described with the aid of actual and concrete examples from people interviewed in all walks of life,show how,with the aid of Meditation,and simplicity,we can all lead a hapy stress free life,leaving behind:"Things,possessions,harmful anxieties,and un-necessities".The Authors show us how we can set ourselves free to live with our life's true purpose.Like Kulanandas previously 5 starred book,"Principles of Buddhism",it is a wondrfully accessible book,and highly recommended.