Blurb:

The intention behind this book took shape from the difficulties that lay people (non-monastic) the ‘West’ have in understanding and engaging with the Buddha’s teaching (Dhamma). The author aims to get the teaching across in terms of conceptual models they are more familiar with. A ‘model’ is a conceptual representation of something that cannot be seen or understood directly or easily. For example, ‘wave motion’ and ‘mirror reflection’ are models used to convey vital but difficult parts of the Buddha’s vision of human reality. Besides seeking clarity of explanation, this book is also in part a work manual, a lay instruction handbook to be used for seeing things differently and doing things differently. The offering to the reader of personal exercises and advice is an indication of the engagement of this manual with real life. It seeks a shift in one’s perception of human reality.