Taking Our Places: The Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up

As 50 year old, I still enjoyed this book on growing up, mature is more like it.

Eloquently written, thought provoking, heart provoking.... Though I'm a follower of the Way, you don't need be Buddhist or follow any religion to get the deep insights and lessons on true maturity....

This book was first given to me at age 19, when I was starting to move into my young-adulthood in earnest. I've had lots of good role models over the years, but was grappling with what adulthood would mean for me, personally. This book was truly a wonderful tool to explore that question. The author uses lots of gentle probings and simple illustrations to help readers understand what a real adult might look like, touching on a lot of very human points (things like weakness, forgiveness, zen-presence, etc).I lost the copy that was gifted to me, but was reflecting on the book a lot, especially when I saw some of my younger friends grappling with the same questions I once had (and kind of still do). I ordered it so I could loan it out. Totally recommended.

Norman teaches be storytelling, with beautiful language, love and compassion. How some specific teen-agers learned to face themselves and the difficult world, by bonding, appreciating and enjoying the moment, with zen buddhist precepts in the background. Without preaching at all, Norman lets them show us what is most important, what can be changed and what not.

I thought this would be "one read and done", but it's so insightful and well-written that I'll be keeping it for future reference.