| Wakeful by Shibuya Subhuti
Editor's Preface As a Western scientist, Eastern teachings can seem obscure, irrational, and mysterious. After developing a scientific intuition for what is logical, reasonable, and consistent, it can take considerable effort to make sense of teachings from many centuries ago. This is so because without a detailed understanding of the context, the true point of a statement is easily lost. As Shibuya Subhuti explains in this book, teachers who understand through their own experience are invaluable. And I can say that for myself, his explanations (based on his experience) have made sense of the ancient Buddhist teachings. I have known Ven. Shibuya Subhuti for six years and have delighted in turning cryptic Buddhist teachings into beautiful poetry with the help of his explanations. What once seemed a paradoxical koan is now a reasonable and precise description of reality. I have donated my time and effort for this book, with appreciation of it and with the hope that others may see the common sense and clarity of the teachings of how to Awaken. Dr. Eric C. Berg |