Work, Sex, Money: Real Life on the Path of Mindfulness Paperback – February 8, 2011
by Chögyam Trungpa (Author), & 2 more
4.6 out of 5 stars 48 ratings
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Insightful teachings on bringing mindfulness and awareness—the fruits of a steady meditation practice—to the key aspects of daily life
Each day we deal with the challenges of ordinary life: a series of mundane experiences that could be summarized by the title of this book, Work, Sex, Money. We all hope that these aspects of our life will be a source of fulfillment and pleasure, and they often are. Yet they are also always sources of problems for which we seek practical advice and solutions. The best prescription, according to Chögyam Trungpa, is a dose of reality and also a dose of respect for ourselves and our world. His profound teachings on work, sex, and money celebrate the sacredness of life and our ability to cope with its twists and turns with dignity, humor, and even joy.
He begins by breaking down the barrier between the spiritual and the mundane, showing that work, sex, and money are just as much a part of our spiritual life as they are a part of our everyday existence. He then discusses these subjects in relation to ego and self-image, karma, mindfulness, and meditation. “Work” includes general principles of mindfulness and awareness in how we conduct everyday life as well as discussion of ethics in business and the workplace. “Sex” is about relationships and communication as a whole. “Money” looks at how we view the economics of livelihood and money as “green energy” that affects our lives. The result is an inclusive vision of life, one that encompasses the biggest issues and the smallest details of every day.
There are, in fact, few definitive answers in these pages. There is, however, authentic wisdom providing us with tools we need to work with the toughest stuff in our lives.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Chögyam Trungpa shows us how to uncover our innate strength, confidence, and joy under any circumstances."—Pema Chödrön
"Powerful dharma encouragement to awaken our own fearless and wise heart—from one of the most remarkable and brilliant teachers of modern times."—Jack Kornfield
"Chögyam Trungpa offers us a rich banquet with many inviting, intriguing, and delicious glimpses into the Buddhist perspective on our mind and life."—Daniel Goleman
"Chögyam Trungpa's new book provides the longed-for missing link between deeply powerful teachings on spirituality and the realities of twenty-first century life in the West. Personally, I am beyond grateful."—Susan Piver, author of The Wisdom of a Broken Heart
“Work, Sex, Money is a terrific reminder of Trungpa’s great gift to American Buddhism.”—Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Quarterly
About the Author
Chögyam Trungpa (1940–1987)—meditation master, teacher, and artist—founded Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, the first Buddhist-inspired university in North America; the Shambhala Training program; and an international association of meditation centers known as Shambhala International. He is the author of numerous books including Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, and The Myth of Freedom.
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Product details
Publisher : Shambhala; 1st edition (February 8, 2011)
Language : English
Paperback : 256 pages
Top reviews from the United States
carly waude
2.0 out of 5 stars Too alll-over the place
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2017
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While I love Chogyam Trungpa, this book does not do his wisdom justice. It is pulled together from several lectures or discussions and is hard to follow in a book format. Information feels scattered and shallow.
Great lessons here, but there are clearer and simpler ways to find them.
5 people found this helpful
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M.A.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
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I loved the book! Any book from him!
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MIXEDFLAVA
4.0 out of 5 stars Writing style made me dizzy... LOL
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2014
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Interesting application of Buddhist practices and principles to everyday urban life... My only critique would be that the writing style gets circular, looping around while going back and forth through examples of "extremes"... This writing style lost me time and time again on the actual practical application of these concepts... Otherwise it's a very interesting and relevant read...
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James Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2016
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This is really great, practical advice. Enjoyable to read.
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holyoak
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2014
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One of his more accessible books. Practical teachings for everyday life. A good read for his students or anyone seeking understanding.
2 people found this helpful
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konneh
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2018
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Very interesting so far am still on it.
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Pema Kathy
5.0 out of 5 stars Chogyam Trungpa was a master. He had an ability ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2014
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Chogyam Trungpa was a master. He had an ability to understand thoroughly the western mind and teach Buddhism in a way that no teacher previously could.
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Carey
5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient wisdom made practical for modern times.
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
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Amazing teachings on applying practice to everyday life in the modern world. Accessible and practical wisdom from an outstanding Buddhist master.
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It has taken me a while to read this book, but at last I finished it today. The book is dense - every sentence needs to be savoured. This is why it has taken me a while to read. More than the other books I have read of Trungpa Rinpoche, this one gave me a sense of knowing this great teacher. It is an intimate insight into his teaching and I felt as if I were in the audience. The explanation of his approach to ego as our great hindrance is the clearest I have read (or the first time I have been clear enough to understand it!)
The topics covered in this book: work, sex and money, are so down-to-earth and the reality of life, that this book is a 'must read' for all Buddhists practising in ordinary life. (less)
The topics covered in this book: work, sex and money, are so down-to-earth and the reality of life, that this book is a 'must read' for all Buddhists practising in ordinary life. (less)
A disclaimer: CTR is my fearless leader, in a sense, so my giving this book a single star crowds me with conflictatory impulses. My goal in choosing this book was to get a better grasp on what challenges an ordinary house-holder faces daily and how she still can identify herself as a Shambhalian. For whatever reason, these lectures read ploddingly; lacking CTR's usual brilliance instead they struck me as dull, lacking insightfulness, incoherent ... and I recalled the many stories one hears about CTR in his latter days--infirmed, inchoate, incomprehensible and receeding, concerned with shiny cufflinks and gin. We all know the CTR's understanding of sex was very personal and very male. Had this book been written by a woman it might have been called: Relationships, Food, Family.
My expectations were not met and I wish I had my $16 back.
(less)
My expectations were not met and I wish I had my $16 back.
(less)
Jun 29, 2013eric rated it it was amazing
one of the best dharma books i ever read
It took me a long time to finish this book for some reason... not a terrible book though...
Aug 14, 2012Derek rated it it was amazing
GREAT book!
Nov 16, 2020Margaret rated it did not like it
Trungpa was a con man who formed a cult, in some ways similar to Donald Trump. Contrary to the descriptions of his sexual relations with students provided by other reviewers, he was a predator who, for example, had his cult followers violently sexually assault poets W.S. Merwin and Dana Noane while he watched and taunted them with racist insults. Trungpa's Shambhala successors carried on his hateful legacy - one of them concealed his HIV infection and infected many students, at least one of whom died, and Trungpa's son has been accused of multiple accounts of rape. I attended a tradition Tibetan temple with my family for years and we were always treated with love consistent with the teachings of the buddha and when I asked about Shambhala, I was told that it had nothing to do with buddhism. I recommend reading Andrea Winn's Buddhist Project Sunshine. (less)
Mar 22, 2021David Schwarm rated it really liked it · review of another edition
First of all, Best Title EVER!
And absolutely fantastic COVER--everyone should spend at least one afternoon reading this in their local Coffee Shop...
The book is YACODT (Yet Another Collection of Dharma Talks) which is a format I am rather bored of--this one is has better editing & a more consistent tone than many in the format, but still it would be NICE if we could get some more rigorous theology.
The early sections focus on Work is great. The sex is old school boring-people who came of age pre AIDS talk about sex in a strange mystical way (lacks body logic). The Money section is solid and leads to some nice discussion around Karma which mostly ends out the book.
Worth reading during the pandemic, but not Rinpoche's best work. (less)
And absolutely fantastic COVER--everyone should spend at least one afternoon reading this in their local Coffee Shop...
The book is YACODT (Yet Another Collection of Dharma Talks) which is a format I am rather bored of--this one is has better editing & a more consistent tone than many in the format, but still it would be NICE if we could get some more rigorous theology.
The early sections focus on Work is great. The sex is old school boring-people who came of age pre AIDS talk about sex in a strange mystical way (lacks body logic). The Money section is solid and leads to some nice discussion around Karma which mostly ends out the book.
Worth reading during the pandemic, but not Rinpoche's best work. (less)
Jan 29, 2019Andy rated it really liked it
Don't judge a book by its showy title. I initially picked up this book to skim through at the library. I was pretty sucked in when I read the kind and shrewd words of Chogyam Trungpa. A welcoming introduction to Shambhala Buddhism, and a good way to understand (and question) your personal context in both the broadest and most minute sense. Where Chogyam isn't explicit or forthright, he presents abstract visualizations for the reader to slowly discover for themselves how to interpret their own situations. I found my reading experience both fluid and challenging--it was like a satisfying conversation with a friend you love. (less)
May 15, 2018Rita Walton rated it really liked it
Not necessarily really about work, sex and money! More about being a good Buddhist! But a good read anyway!
May 29, 2018Justin rated it really liked it
One of Trungpa's best books, although it is a bit slow at times ...more
Read this book because I've been questioning spiritual bypassing. The writing felt grounded. He encourages people on the path to be inclusive and use work as a way of spiritual growth. The same with relationships and family life. His view on money was helpful, that money is like milk. Cannot hoard but important. It has its own flow. (less)
Apr 21, 2014Johannes Bertus rated it it was ok
I appreciate Shambhala's enthusiasm for CTR, who was a great teacher, but I think they should accept that he wrote and published all the books he had in him. These collections of talks don't work as books; they are unstructured and meandering. Not the right format. (less)
Feb 15, 2015Stephanie rated it really liked it
Modern and timeless
Jan 03, 2014Dave Jenkins rated it it was amazing
Great previously unpublished lectures from Trungpa on the balance of real world life that embodies a warrior's courage with a the wisdom of a gentle heart. (less)
