Melvin McLeod is editor-in-chief of two of America's leading Buddhist magazines: Buddhadharma and Shambhala Sun. He is also the editorial director of Mindful magazine.

This book brings together the best of the round-table discussions recorded on the pages of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly over the past 20 years. More than 60 contemporary Buddhist teachers share their wisdom, insights, practices, and values.

McLeod has organized the paperback into three sections. In the first section "Buddha: The Practice," you will find discussions of the teacher-student relationship, meditating on the body, varieties of formless meditation, obstacles and their antidotes, bringing emotions to the path, Theravada practice in daily life, the sense pleasures, going on retreat, the main work of meditation, and the practice of old age and death.

Among the Buddhist teachers in this section whose books we have reviewed are Norman Fischer, Sharon Salzberg, Reginald Ray, Ezra Bayda, and John Tarrant. The other two sections are "Dharma - The Teachings" and "Sangha - The Community."

This valuable collection by twenty-first century Buddhists in conversation is the ideal place to begin for those interested in the future directions of Buddhism in the West. It will also prove to be a handy resource for those pursuing a spiritual path without religion. Regular meditation practitioners will savor all these readings and teachings.