Dear Dr. Harvey B. Aronson,
Please consider a second book following up on "Buddhist Practice on Western Ground". Your book is a very fine survey of the differences in social and personal thinking in the West, especially the USA, and that in the societies that created Buddhism. The psychology of facing one's self and life directly and compassionately is so valuable that many Americans are interested in Buddhism. Yet, they often need help in noticing the strands of American life and the particular life goals and hopes they have that may require special attention when one is weaving Buddhist ideas into one's way of living. Your original clarifications in the areas of relationships and individuality are still quite relevant and powerful. Besides that fact, they may be unique. It is difficult for Americans to find tips on blending their lives and goals with the ideas of equanimity and acceptance of one's ways and that others.
It has been ten years since the publication of "Practice". I am confident that amount of time is sufficient for you to have new insights and ways of expressing original ones. There indeed many valuable books for Americans to get help with using Buddhist insights but I often recommend yours to my friends since it gets right to the issues that may trip us Yanks up. I have made this web page of quotes of your work that seem especially valuable. I hope you consider creating another book. I urged Shambhala to make your book available in Kindle form and it finally did. I hope your book on Theravadan Love and Sympathy gets into that form, as well as any future books.
--
Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
