Book

The Journey
Worth Taking

Why Bother? An Introduction

Book 1 in the Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Series

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Illuminating the Tibetan Buddhist Perspective 

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In Why Bother?, the first volume of her practice series, author Lama Tsomo introduces us to the Tibetan Buddhist way of viewing the world through the eyes of the Buddha and her teacher, Gochen Tulku Sangak* Rinpoche. With humor, compassion, and inspiring stories, Lama Tsomo illuminates one of the great wisdom traditions, and lays the groundwork to more easily open our perception and deepen our awareness. Along the way, we better understand our own perspectives and the essential context that allows us to effectively practice and enrich our lives.  

*Sometimes spelled Sang-Ngag

Namchak
Features

This book, gives you the essential context for the series and includes:

  • Foreward by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama 
  • Concise retelling of the life of the Buddha 
  • Insights into the intersection of modern physics and the Tibetan Buddhist way of viewing the world
  • Ancient wisdom shared in accessible language by a Western teacher steeped in the tradition 
  • Resource links to meditation videos, study guides, and how to join a meditation circle

Foundational Context for Tibetan Buddhist Practice

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Lama Tsomo takes us on a journey with her practice series, beginning with the perspectives that gave birth to Tibetan Buddhism and its practices. Upcoming books provide an approachable progression through the foundational practices, one building on another, so you gain their full benefit, as the Buddha says, for yourself and others. 

A Beautifully Designed Introduction

Previous winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award under the title Why Is The Dalai Lama Always Smiling? This is a great book for those who are completely new to meditation and those hoping to deepen their practice.

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What People are Saying

“In today’s fast-paced, high tech world, the struggle to find truth and meaning requires a special kind of teacher. Thank goodness for the arrival of Lama Tsomo, whose insights and instruction could not have come at a better time.” 

Van Jones

“A sympathetic, personalized text.”

Foreword Reviews

“Especially timely now, when there is so much need for spiritual remedy in this age of increasing inner emptiness in the midst of excessive materialism imbued with collective neurosis.”

Anam Thubten

“This highly readable, extraordinarily informative and practical guide by Lama Tsomo, an American female lama, is sprinkled with detailed and specific instructions in Tibetan Buddhist meditation practices and with concrete suggestions for promoting happiness and well-being.” 

Richard J. Davidson

Namchak

Features a Foreward from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a Recommendation from Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche

Dalai Lama

“The book outlines the basic views of the Tibetan tradition and examples of some of its practices for the modern reader.” 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“I have no doubt that Western readers who wish to deepen their understanding of Tibetan Buddhist practices will find much to interest them here, and that members of other faiths, or even those who have none, will enjoy this.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“For the benefit of Westerners who are beginners in the practice of Buddhism, Lama Tsomo has drawn on her own knowledge of Western and Eastern ways of thinking and devoted all of her efforts to writing this current work, in order to provide a bridge that will forge a connection between these cultures.” 

Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, 
Namchak World Lineage Holder 

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About Lama Tsomo

Lama Tsomo is an American lama, author, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation and Namchak Retreat Ranch.

Born Linda Pritzker, Lama Tsomo followed a path of spiritual inquiry and study that ultimately led to her ordination as one of the few American lamas in Tibetan Buddhism, under the tutelage of Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, international holder of the Namchak lineage. Today, she is dedicated to sharing the teachings of the Namchak lineage with Western students. She is especially passionate about reaching young people and supporting those working for positive social change.Lama Tsomo holds a M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Jungian Studies.

She is the author of Taking a Breath: A Meditation & Reflection Journal and The Lotus & The Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity.

About Namchak

Namchak is dedicated to sharing one of the oldest forms of Tibetan Buddhist practice and making the teachings newly accessible to Westerners. Students learn from Tibetan masters as well as Western teachers and receive support from a vibrant community. We serve students on every step of the path, from those exploring meditation for the first time to more experienced students.

Lama Tsomo

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