🕯️ Occult Philosophy −14%

Becoming Buddha: Awakening the Wisdom and Compassion to Change Your World

✍️ Sachs, Robert
Reader Score
4.7
(1 review) 99 sold
$14.41 $16.95 Save $2.54 (14%)
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Robert Sachs presents a compelling vision for personal and global transformation, drawing deeply from Tibetan Buddhist wisdom. Far from promising instant enlightenment, this guide illuminates a practical path for cultivating awakening and personal accountability. In a world grappling with fear and uncertainty, Sachs demonstrates how ancient teachings, such as the Four Noble Truths and mind-revolutionizing thoughts, offer potent tools for navigating contemporary challenges. It's a call to embrace our inherent goodness and channel it into positive action, proving that individual efforts can indeed foster significant change in ourselves and the world around us.

🕯️
Occult Philosophy
🏛 Watkins Publishing 📅 2010 📖 244 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781906787530
Fun Fact
Robert Sachs offers a timely and deeply practical guide, skillfully translating ancient Tibetan Buddhist wisdom into actionable steps for modern challenges. While it won't deliver instant nirvana, it provides a robust framework for personal accountability and compassionate engagement, making it a powerful resource for those seeking to transform themselves and their world. It stands out in its field by effectively bridging esoteric concepts with everyday applicability, though readers seeking a purely academic treatise might find its pragmatic tone less fulfilling. A must-read for anyone yearning to turn spiritual insight into tangible, positive change.

📝 Description: Becoming Buddha: Awakening the Wisdom and Compassion to Change Your World

To "Become Buddha" is to AWAKE. We need to awake to our personal responsibility-not only for our own lives but for the world around us. Individual efforts can change the world. This book does not promise enlightenment but it will provide a path-a path that, if you follow it, will transform your life. Buddhist masters say that we are in a "Dark Age". Terrorist attacks, wars, economic failures, and natural disasters have created an atmosphere of fear. Tibetan masters encourage us not to lose heart-catastrophes have happened before and we have overcome them. Robert Sachs shows how Tibetan Buddhist teachings can have a real influence on our personal lived and equally on contemporary politics. He presents the four thoughts that revolutionize the mind, and demonstrates how we must take personal responsibility for the future. The Four Noble Truths show us there is no need to despair; and the four components of action will change our attitude to life and give us practical instruction on how to act. Using the power of meditation to make a difference, we can turn the inherent goodness of the human race into positive energy to help transform the world. The Venerable Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche used to say, "A mind that is transformed, free and cheerful can help create peace and happiness. Let us start down the path from this very moment."

📑 What's inside

  1. Dedication
  2. Preface by His Holiness the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche
  3. Foreword / Stephen Levine
  4. Prologue: All That You Can Be
  5. Introduction: Possibility in Troubled Times
  6. Chapter 1. A Call to Action in a Dark Age
  7. Chapter 2. War and Buddhism
  8. Chapter 3. Why Bother? Revolutionizing the Mind
  9. Chapter 4. A Fine Mess: Handling the Truth
  10. Chapter 5. Intention: Planting the Seed of Action
  11. Chapter 6. Meditations and Mantras for the Conscious, Engaged Activist
  12. Chapter 7. The Power of Compassion
  13. Chapter 8. The Wheel of Sharp Weapons
  14. Chapter 9. The Conscious, Engaged Activist
  15. Chapter 10. Pockets of Light, Sources of Inspiration
  16. Chapter 11. A Conscious, Engaged Civilization
  17. Chapter 12. The Buddha at Peace
  18. Appendix 1. Statement / Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche
  19. Appendix 2. Essay on The 2008 American Election
  20. Bibliography
  21. Index

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Sachs delivers a pragmatic manual for modern seekers, avoiding mystical vagueness in favor of concrete mental shifts. However, it may disappoint readers expecting rigorous academic theology or those seeking rapid, effortless enlightenment without labor. The text assumes a willingness to confront personal fear and uncertainty directly, which might feel too intense for casual readers only dipping their toes into spirituality. It is best suited for those already familiar with basic Buddhist tenets who want to apply them urgently. While inspiring, its heavy focus on individual responsibility may not resonate with readers preferring systemic or communal explanations for global issues.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a grounded approach to spiritual growth will find immense value here. Those feeling overwhelmed by global instability often crave agency, and this book offers that through personal accountability rather than passive hope. It is ideal for individuals who appreciate Tibetan Buddhist concepts but require them framed in accessible, actionable terms. If you desire to cultivate inner peace while actively engaging with the world’s fractures, this guide provides the necessary tools. It appeals to those ready to embrace their inherent goodness and translate wisdom into tangible change, proving that individual awakening is not just a personal journey but a vital contribution to collective healing.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
If you're seeking a spiritual path that offers tangible tools for navigating personal and global crises, and you believe in the power of individual agency to effect change, this book is for you. It's for those ready to move beyond passive observation and embrace active, compassionate engagement.

Reader rating

4.7
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Sachs delivers a pragmatic manual for modern seekers, avoiding mystical vagueness in favor of concrete mental shifts. However, it may disappoint readers expecting rigorous academic theology or those seeking rapid, effortless enlightenment without labor. The text assumes a willingness to confront personal fear and uncertainty directly, which might feel too intense for casual readers only dipping their toes into spirituality. It is best suited for those already familiar with basic Buddhist tenets who want to apply them urgently. While inspiring, its heavy focus on individual responsibility may not resonate with readers preferring systemic or communal explanations for global issues.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely not. While it draws from Buddhist principles, Sachs presents these ideas in a universally accessible way, focusing on practical application for personal growth and social engagement, regardless of your spiritual background.
No, the author explicitly states it's not a promise of enlightenment. Instead, it offers a pragmatic, step-by-step path towards 'awakening' – a process of heightened awareness, personal responsibility, and compassionate action that transforms one's life over time.

📖 Who should read this

If you're seeking a spiritual path that offers tangible tools for navigating personal and global crises, and you believe in the power of individual agency to effect change, this book is for you. It's for those ready to move beyond passive observation and embrace active, compassionate engagement.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Personal Responsibility

The book champions the idea that true change begins with individual awakening and accountability. It posits that our personal choices and internal states are not isolated but profoundly impact the collective consciousness and the world's trajectory. Sachs encourages readers to acknowledge their role in shaping both their own destiny and the broader societal landscape.

Applying Ancient Wisdom

Sachs bridges the gap between timeless Tibetan Buddhist principles and modern-day dilemmas. He unpacks profound concepts like the Four Noble Truths and specific meditative practices, showing how they offer not just spiritual solace but concrete strategies for confronting fear, fostering resilience, and inspiring constructive action in an often chaotic world.

Global Transformation Through Action

Beyond personal growth, this work emphasizes the power of awakened individuals to collectively reshape the global narrative. It argues that by cultivating wisdom and compassion, and by acting from a place of inherent goodness, we can counteract negativity and contribute to a more harmonious future, even in times described as a 'Dark Age'.

📜 Historical context

Rooted in the rich tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Sachs' work reinterprets ancient teachings for the modern era. It draws upon concepts like the 'Dark Age' (Kali Yuga) and the Four Noble Truths, central to Buddhist thought, demonstrating their enduring relevance. The book positions these insights not as historical relics, but as dynamic frameworks for understanding and responding to current global challenges, offering a timeless spiritual technology for resilience.

📚 Glossary

Awakening
Dark Age
Four Noble Truths

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on a recent global event that caused you fear or despair. How might applying principles of personal responsibility or compassionate action shift your perspective or response?
  2. Consider the 'four thoughts that revolutionize the mind' (as presented by Sachs). Which of these resonates most strongly with you, and how might you integrate it into your daily practice?
  3. If 'Becoming Buddha' means awakening to your full potential and impact, what specific actions could you take this week to embody this awakening in your personal relationships or community?

✍️ More books by this author Sachs, Robert

All books by this author →
The Passionate Buddha: Wisdom on Intimacy and Enduring Love (Original) -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Sachs, Robert
The Passionate Buddha: Wisdom on Intimacy and Enduring Love (Original)
$12.99 $14.95
89

🏛 Books from this publisher Watkins Publishing

All books from this publisher →
The Wisdom of the Buddhist Masters: Common and Uncommon Sense -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Sachs, Robert; , His Holiness the Dalai Lama
The Wisdom of the Buddhist Masters: Common and Uncommon Sense
$15.99 $18.95
85
The Essential Guide to Chakras: Discover the Healing Power of Chakras for Mind, Body and Spirit Saradananda, Swami -14%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Saradananda, Swami
The Essential Guide to Chakras: Discover the Healing Power of Chakras for Mind, Body and Spirit Saradananda, Swami
$14.41 $16.95
80
The Knights of the Holy Grail: The Secret History of the Knights Templar -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Wallace-Murphy, Tim
The Knights of the Holy Grail: The Secret History of the Knights Templar
$24.99 $28.95
86
Under the Sword: Life Lessons to Awaken the Zen Warrior in You -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Turner, Vernon Kitabu
Under the Sword: Life Lessons to Awaken the Zen Warrior in You
$12.99 $14.95
79
Hidden Stonehenge: Ancient Temple in North America Reveals the Key to Ancient Wonders -28%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
Hidden Stonehenge: Ancient Temple in North America Reveals the Key to Ancient Wonders
$20.00 $28.00
75
The Infinite Mindfield: A Quest to Find the Gateway to Higher Consciousness -14%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Peake, Anthony
The Infinite Mindfield: A Quest to Find the Gateway to Higher Consciousness
$16.99 $19.95
89

You might also like

See more →
The Passionate Buddha: Wisdom on Intimacy and Enduring Love (Original) -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Sachs, Robert
The Passionate Buddha: Wisdom on Intimacy and Enduring Love (Original)
$12.99 $14.95
89
Call on Your Angels: How to Release Angelic Blessings Into Your Life -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Nahmad, Claire
Call on Your Angels: How to Release Angelic Blessings Into Your Life
$12.99 $14.95
91
Holy Waters: Searching for the Sacred in a Glass -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Morton, Tom
Holy Waters: Searching for the Sacred in a Glass
$15.99 $18.95
91
The Law of Light: The Secret Teachings of Jesus -14%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Muhl, Lars
The Law of Light: The Secret Teachings of Jesus
$16.99 $19.95
91
How Soon Is Now?: A Handbook for Global Change -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Pinchbeck, Daniel; , Sting; , Brand, Russell
How Soon Is Now?: A Handbook for Global Change
$20.99 $24.95
91
Ghosts, Monsters and Demons of India -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Khanna, Rakesh; , Furcifer Bhairav, J
Ghosts, Monsters and Demons of India
$20.99 $24.95
91
Black Fish: How to Fish, and Stories of the Wata, Kin & Community -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Debelle, Speech
Black Fish: How to Fish, and Stories of the Wata, Kin & Community
$20.99 $24.95
91
Beyond the Occult: The Astonishing Conclusion to the Occult Trilogy -14%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Wilson, Colin
Beyond the Occult: The Astonishing Conclusion to the Occult Trilogy
$22.99 $26.95
91
The Energizing Art of Feng Shui: Cleanse, Declutter and Revitalize Your Life -14%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Darby, Paul
The Energizing Art of Feng Shui: Cleanse, Declutter and Revitalize Your Life
$14.41 $16.95
90
Use Your Psychic Powers to Have It All: Release Your Psi-Force for Health, Wealth, Success & Peace of Mind -15%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Geller, Uri
Use Your Psychic Powers to Have It All: Release Your Psi-Force for Health, Wealth, Success & Peace of Mind
$15.99 $18.95
90
Esoteric Meaning

Concepts in this book

Buddha →
Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist