Six Keys to Buddhist Living

The Buddhist teaching of the Six Perfections has been, in the publisher's words, "updated for today's lifestyle" in this short, full-color book. The text is rooted in Buddhism and offers simple teachings of virtues as the Buddha named them—a fine aim. Great spiritual teachers often convey their teachings simply to make things easier for disciples. Yet some of this updating of the adaptable wisdom of Buddhism is more tired than timeless. "Get real," the restating of the virtue of striving for wisdom in one's life, sounds more like Dr. Phil than the Buddha. "Try to be there for people when they face serious problems" is obvious and yet vague. Real-life examples and stories that have been sifted for wisdom are more persuasive in spiritual writing than these generic exhortations. The book adopts a well-established self-help formula—keep it simple, add relaxing pictures and give the female reader interested in self-improvement something to write or do. The pictures in particular are pretty but empty, showing visual clichés such as women with their eyes closed in meditation. Spirituality is concerned with depth, yet some of the practices recommended here (take a soothing bath, monitor stress levels) are largely superficial. This book is for those who want Buddha lite. (Nov. 2)