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Darren Littlejohn
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How to Gain Nothing from Buddhist Practice: A Practitioner's Guide to End Suffering. Kindle Edition

by Darren Littlejohn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
See all formats and editions
This is a how-to book. Do you feel frustrated with spiritual books that are complicated and confusing with too many strange terms? Then this is the book for you! This book will tell you everything that you need to know. It includes practice instructions in each chapter to deepen your experience with the teachings. It's a complete guidebook for individuals, groups, beginners and experienced meditators alike, and is the perfect complement to an existing practice.

What will you learn from this book? Learn how to alleviate suffering in the physical body as well as your emotional and mental life. Everything is explained in simple, clear language. Find answers to questions about the causes of suffering and loneliness. Learn a variety of different meditations so your practice is never boring. Included are sample practice sessions for you to try. The book is also suitable for small-group practice, recovery meetings, and yoga classes. Includes glossary and resources.

Have you ever wondered how to find a good teacher or if you really need one? Gain Nothing will tell you how. Ultimately, there is nothing to gain. We are complete beings. But still, we suffer. The Buddha taught us how to free ourselves so that we can relax deeply in a way we never dreamed possible. The author has decades of experience applying these principles in his own life, recovery and practice. Buy a copy of this book for yourself and a friend. Start a study group. With what you learn in this book you will be confident as you explore other teachings and paths.
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  1. Print length
    198 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    September 25, 2016
  5. File size
    945 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this eminently readable and practical overview of the Buddhist path, Darren Littlejohn presents the core teachings in a way that reverberates with our present situation. As Littlejohn makes clear, Buddhism does not offer us anything we don't already possess. We have nothing to gain and everything to lose - most importantly, our suffering and its causes - by following this experiential roadmap to the freedom of groundlessness and non-attachment."
Lama Marut, author of A Spiritual Renegade's Guide to the Good Life and Be Nobody


"After reading How to Gain Nothing, you may ask yourself what did I just read? And then either laugh or cry. Because Darren LittleJohn with great wit, humour , and dharma knowledge will empty your mind. This excellent book will tell you all you need to know about the Dharma, and then the rest is up to you."
Valerie Mason-John, author of Eight Step Recovery Using the Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction


"I've long admired Darren Littlejohn's candidness as a human being and as a writer. In "How to Gain Nothing from Buddhist Practice" Littlejohn gives you some of his most candid reflections to date about the nature of suffering and the path to overcome it. Written with an accessibility and humanity that even the non-Buddhists among us can appreciate and value, this is Littlejohn's best book to date!"
Jamie Marich, Ph.D., author of Dancing Mindfulness: A Creative Path for Healing and Transformation, and Trauma and the Twelve Steps: A Complete Guide to Recovery Enhancement

"We live in a world where getting something--money, power, prestige-- is the very definition of success. Yet in that worldly success, few have found lasting peace and happiness. In his latest book, How to Gain Nothing from Buddhist Practice Darren Littlejohn uses ancient teachings in a fresh and modern way that is sure to inspire. A must read for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike! "
Darren Main, author of Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic and The River of Wisdom: Reflections on Yoga, Meditation, and Mindful Living

"This book sets out key Buddhist principles and practices in a way that demonstrates their practical relevance in our everyday life. We all need help because basically we are not isolated individuals but part of the world. Giving and receiving help is a pulsation as simple as breathing in and out. The question is, "What is it truly safe to rely on?" Buddhist practice begins with refuge. By relying on the Buddha we find ourselves and when we find ourselves we get a new sense of what we might need from the world. The ego's desperation and capacity to cling on to anything easily has us pursuing objects and goals that will lead us astray, away from the chance to find ourselves. This book offers a deep dharma door that opens onto the home that we have never left. "
James Low, author of Simply Being: Texts in the Dzogchen Tradition

"There is a lot to forget about Buddhism, but it's important to learn it first." Darren Littlejohn starts his book in simple words that have a powerful impact. He leads us through the challenges of daily living that lure us to the respite of non-suffering. But getting there is very tricky; "It's like spiritual anarchy. No thought is free from inquiry. No beliefs go unchecked." We discover we have so much to lose to find our way. Like quantum field physics in which we discover there is more of a NON-thing than there is of that thing- Littlejohn explains Buddhism in the way out of ego-being and toward the completeness of nothing-ness. He expertly shows us "The all inclusive nothing." From sitting with pain to sitting with intention Littlejohn walks us through deep Buddhist teachings and meditation practices in an accessible style; with humor and personal experience. Take up this book to learn more while holding on to less, and after reading it you, too, will experience "having a master teacher... in your head."
Kyczy Hawk, author of "Yoga And The Twelve Step Path", "Life In Bite Sized Morsels" and a yoga teacher specializing in yoga for people in recovery.

"In How to Gain Nothing from Buddhist Practice Darren Littlejohn comes through with another down-to-earth, deep Dharma teaching. With no-nonsense language and real life examples, he takes us through a broad range of Buddhist insights, offering the seeker clear guidance on the path."
Kevin Griffin, author of "One Breath at a Time."

About the Author

Darren is a long-term Buddhist practitioner and yoga instructor. He holds a BA in Psychology and has over thirty years of experience in Dharma and recovery. He pioneered The 12-Step Buddhist recovery program in Portland, Oregon where he led retreats and workshops for many years. Prior to becoming an author, Darren played jazz guitar, was a community media TV host and created a local dog park. He currently resides in San Diego with his wife and dogs.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01M1K133O
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rainbow Light Media; 1st edition (September 25, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 25, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 945 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 198 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

About the author

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Darren Littlejohn

Darren Littlejohn

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Darren Littlejohn is a recovering addict and a practitioner of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. Trained as a power yoga instructor, he integrates what works into his recovery. He holds a BA in Psych and completed graduate coursework in Research Methods for Psychology. He's been involved with many community projects, including the fight against smoking, creating dog parks, community television, and a spiritually driven jazz program.

A spiritual crisis led to a relapse in 1994 with 10 years of sobriety. After regaining sobriety in 1997, Darren worked on recovery with a new zeal, incorporating many years of psychotherapy, 12-Step work, Zen and Tibetan Buddhist practices. While relapse with long-term sobriety is common, returning for a sustained duration is extremely rare. Darren's program, which became the basis for the bestselling, "The 12-Step Buddhist", is an integrated approach that is hard won.

His life's work is Compassionate Recovery, Mindful Healing for Trauma and Addiction (Rainbow Light Media 2022)

Darren enjoys his dogs, cat and solitude in his Zen garden.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
19 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Darren Rocks!
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
Darren beautifully brings together his experience with Zen, Yoga, and 12-step recovery to convey truths that we can use to stop our search for gaining enlightenment, and instead gain nothing, in a very useful, easy-to-read manner. It is obvious he brings forth his years of practice to help us look at our own meditation practice in a whole new way. He has remarkable insight into the human condition, and gives readers the opportunity to get up close and personal with their suffering. Unlike other authors, Darren is not trying to sell you the cure-all for all of your ills, but instead shows you that what you are searching for can only be found through practice, and he gives a wonderful roadmap to readers on how to use Buddhist teachings to indeed gain nothing.
2 people found this helpful
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Robert J. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this as I do all of Darren's books because ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2016
I enjoyed this as I do all of Darren's books because he gives intricate details into practice that I also participate in. He stays away from postulating and gets down to the nuts and bolts of practice. The way he pulls from many different traditions to get everything he needs is very impressive. He has deep insight into the suffering people go through and practice methods alleviate it. If you're in recovery or practice in the field, this book is an eye opener.
2 people found this helpful
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Kyczy Hawk
5.0 out of 5 stars “It’s like spiritual anarchy
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2016
“There is a lot to forget about Buddhism, but it’s important to learn it first.” Darren Littlejohn starts his book in simple words that have a powerful impact. He leads us through the challenges of daily living that lure us to the respite of non suffering. But getting there is very tricky; “It’s like spiritual anarchy. No thought is free from inquiry. No beliefs go unchecked.” We discover we have so much to lose to find our way.

Like quantum field physics in which we discover there is more of a NON-thing than there is of that thing- Littlejohn explains Buddhism in the way out of ego-being and toward the completeness of nothing-ness. He expertly shows us “The all inclusive nothing.”
From sitting with pain to sitting with intention Littlejohn walks us through deep buddhist teachings and meditation practices in an accessible style; with humor and personal experience.
Take up this book to learn more while holding on to less, and after reading it you, too, will experience “having a master teacher… in your head.”

Kyczy Hawk - Author of “Yoga And The Twelve Step Path”, “Life In Bite Sized Morsels” and a yoga teacher specializing in yoga for people in recovery.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars This book is helping me on my path.
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2016
As I am looking at making changes in my life, this has given me a great deal to think about. It has also provided me with some useful tools as go along my path.
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars This book misses much of the subtly of what Buddhist ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2016
This book misses much of the subtly of what Buddhist philosophy presents in deciding to cast what is deemed extraneous.
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tnt
5.0 out of 5 stars A simple yet deep reading for all
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2016
Once again Darren's knowledge, insight and inspiration has helped me get on the right path, opened my eyes and my heart. Darren speaks to his readers in ways that I can understand, layman terms, if I may. Darren's 12 step Buddhist got me started on the right path, one that I actually connect to, and know he has written another one that touches my life in the same way!!
2 people found this helpful
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jb
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2016
good book, well written with common sense,good heart.will be helpful
One person found this helpful
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Amber Gelwicks
5.0 out of 5 stars There is no holding back from the author as he candidly shares what it's like to be a practitioner in the real world
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2016
Darren tackles some of the big concepts in Buddhist thought and teachings with a fresh, modern and honest voice. There is no holding back from the author as he candidly shares what it's like to be a practitioner in the real world.  I so enjoyed this book and the included practices and journaling exercises that follow each chapter. This is unique and helpful read for all levels of practitioners. May it be of benefit!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

dawn
4.0 out of 5 stars it's got of lots of tips that novices will appreciate and more experienced practitioners will probably like it as a refresher - the hardest part is ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
Think I need to read it again as I got 'nothing' from reading it ha-ha seriously though, it's got of lots of tips that novices will appreciate and more experienced practitioners will probably like it as a refresher - the hardest part is the doing!
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