In 1996 Buddhist and Christian monks and lay practitioners met at the Abbey of Gethsemane to dialogue about the nature of the mind, overcoming anger, the dynamics of grace and blessing, unity, and much more. This substantive paperback contains the talks given at that bridge-building meeting by the Dalai Lama. Some of the subjects covered include the inner journey of meditation, the process of reaching "calm abiding," the nature of wisdom, and the Buddhist goals of overcoming ignorance, finding the mind of clear light, and attaining Nirvana.

According to the Dalai Lama, the world's religions — despite different philosophies and viewpoints — all seek to provide the medicine to cure human suffering. He states further: "I would like to point out that the purpose of religion is not to build beautiful churches or temples; it is to cultivate positive human qualities such as tolerance, generosity, and love." The Dalai Lama suggests that Western Christian nations take on the challenge of initiating "a new appreciation of the value of human life."

Readers will find the author's spiritual advice to be soul-stirring, especially when he talks about teachers, rules, and ways to develop love and compassion. Those who are interested in other talks given at this meeting are directed to our review of The Gethsemane Encounter: A Dialogue on the Spiritual Life by Buddhist and Christian Monastics edited by Donald W. Mitchell and James Wiseman.