"Do not wish for gratitude.
Never strike at the heart.
Now if you die, you will have no regrets."
—The Seven-Point Thought Transformation

Like wise old friends, two Tibetan masters offer down-to-earth advice for cultivating compassion, wisdom, and happiness in every situation. Based on practical Buddhist verses on "thought training" (lojong), Advice from a Spiritual Friend teaches how to develop the inner skills that lead to contentment by responding to everyday difficulties with patience and joy.

Following Stephen Batchelor's introduction to the Kadamapa tradition that gave rise to these earthy, pithy instructions, part 1 is a commentary by Geshe Dhargyey to Atisha's (982-1054) Jewel Rosary of a Bodhisattva. Part 2 includes a commentary by Geshe Rabten to the famous Seven-Point Thought Transformation

First published in 1977, Advice from a Spiritual Friend is a Wisdom classic, which has enriched readers in many editions over the years. As Batchelor says in his introduction, "These teachings are as applicable today as they were when Atisha first introduced them to Tibet."

Praise & Reviews "It is not necessary to be interested in Buddhism to derive the benefits of these texts. Any reader will appreciate and perhaps benefit from this very wise advice on how to develop the skills that lead to happiness and contentment...appropriate for all types of people from all walks of life."—New Age Retailer "Reading this book is akin to taking a personal retreat with two kindly and wise teachers.The instructions for realizing compassion in everyday life are readable and clear, and offer enhanced spiritual skills to readers of any background and orientation."—NAPRA ReVIEW "...commentary is clear, comprehensible, and immensely helpful...a nice, well-arranged book...unconditionally recommended for all students of mind training."—Shambhala Sun

Geshe Rabten, Author Geshe Rabten—renowned as a great meditation master—left Dharamsala in 1977 to establish the Tharpa Choeling Buddhist study center in Geneva, Switzerland. He passed away in 1986. Geshe Dhargyey, Author Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey taught Western students at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala. He moved to New Zealand in the early 1980s, where he lived until his death in 1995.