Buddha Standard Time

Awakening to the Infinite Possibilities of Now

By: Lama Surya Das

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Buddha Standard Time shares one of the great realizations of Buddhism, one that anyone can learn to apply. Buddhist wisdom teaches that the minutes and hours of our days do not simply march from future to present to past - looming, engulfing us, passing us by forever. Rather, each moment is intersected by a fourth dimension, a dimension of timelessness. Only by accessing that timeless dimension, the Buddha believed, can we learn to fully inhabit the now. As an alternative to our ceaseless hustle and bustle, Surya Das offers listeners the possibility of living in Buddha Standard Time.

Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike will discover reasons and inspirations, tools and techniques that not only significantly reduce the amount of stress in our lives, but help us find more focus, fulfillment, creativity, and even wisdom. The Buddha knew we're always free to live fully and completely in the present moment, and that doing so frees us from the burden of the past and the anxiety about the future. Living in Buddha Standard Time is in no way antithetical to modern life. Far from being at the mercy of time's demands, we will finally realize that we have, in fact, all the time in the world.

©2011 Lama Surya Das (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A wealth of inspiration and practical tips for enjoying the Kingdom of God, the Pure Land of the Buddha, 'now.'" (Thich Nhat Hanh, author of The Art of Power)

Wish the author was the narrator

Where does Buddha Standard Time rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best

What was one of the most memorable moments of Buddha Standard Time?

Can't think of any particular one

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I would have preferred the author to have narrated it. The narrator was OK but mispronounced a few words. It's always better to hear the author narrate because it seems more real.

Any additional comments?

I LOVE Lama Surya Das' work. I've had several of his books on cassette and literally broke them listening to them so much. Even though I heard them over and over, I always heard something I needed to hear. He does a great job of speaking to the lay person. He's never lost his thick Long Island accent, which is part of the appeal. He's sincere, funny and his personal stories are great. I am really enjoying the content, but would like it much better if he had narrated it. I still recommend it for the content.

Just... be

An excellent exposition on dealing with fast-paced lifestyles to nuture your inner being and balance.

A truly inspiring book.

The book fit in well with a number of other books and lessons I've dealt with lately. It drew from medical, philosophical and spiritual.

Great mix of science and spirituality

Would you consider the audio edition of Buddha Standard Time to be better than the print version?

I bought both. It is so full of great scientific data that to totally grasp it you need to see as well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lama Surya Das, the way he weaved the story around his experiences.

What does Peter Berkrot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is a gifted story tell and he was able to take you to the time and place of each story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think. Wow, the Buddha knew this all 5000 years ago.

Any additional comments?

This is a must listen to for anyone wondering about the science of the mind and how it interfaces with the brain and body.

Turned my experience of time around

For as long as I can remember I've had great difficulties handling time and that created a lot of stress in my life. This book allowed me to change my perspective and that changed everything.
The narrator is doing a great job and I will listen to it again.

Bland

If you already practice mindfulness or any form of meditation, you might not find anything new here.

basic

it was very basic. good information but did not go as deep as I hoped.

Timeless insights

Make peace with time and you will find: Peace is every step. Knowledge. Truth. Power. Freedom. The Tao does nothing, yet leaves no thing undone. Water finds its own level. The middle way. Being there while getting there. The only way out is through. See clearly to clearly be. Enough said.