In Love with the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying

A rare, intimate account of a world-renowned Buddhist monk’s near-death experience and the life-changing wisdom he gained from it

“One of the most inspiring books I have ever read.” — Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart

‍“This book has the potential to change the reader’s life forever.” — George Saunders, author of Lincoln in the Bardo

At thirty-six years old, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche was a rising star within his generation of Tibetan masters and the respected abbot of three monasteries. Then one night, telling no one, he slipped out of his monastery in India with the intention of spending the next four years on a wandering retreat, following the ancient practice of holy mendicants.

His goal was to throw off his titles and roles in order to explore the deepest aspects of his being.He immediately discovered that a lifetime of Buddhist education and practice had not prepared him to deal with dirty fellow travelers or the screeching of a railway car. He found he was too attached to his identity as a monk to remove his robes right away or to sleep on the Varanasi station floor, and instead paid for a bed in a cheap hostel.

But when he ran out of money, he began his life as an itinerant beggar in earnest. Soon he became deathly ill from food poisoning—and his journey took a startling turn.

His meditation practice had prepared him to face death, and now he had the opportunity to test the strength of his training.In this powerful and unusually candid account of the inner life of a Buddhist master, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche offers us the invaluable lessons he learned from his near-death experience.

By sharing with readers the meditation practices that sustain him, he shows us how we can transform our fear of dying into joyful living.

Praise for In Love with the World

“Vivid, compelling . . . This book is a rarity in spiritual literature: Reading the intimate story of this wise and devoted Buddhist monk directly infuses our own transformational journey with fresh meaning, luminosity, and life.”—Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge “In Love with the World is a magnificent story—moving and inspiring, profound and utterly human. It will certainly be a dharma classic.” — Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

“This book makes me think enlightenment is possible.” — Russell Brand

“With this book, we enter into the interior life of a remarkable young Buddhist teacher. After setting off by himself on a wandering retreat, he immediately encounters fear, aversion, sickness, and near death. Yet the same emotional and physical difficulties that would throw the average person for a loop become opportunities for Mingyur Rinpoche to work with his mind, and to deepen his commitment to transforming adversity into awakening. His willingness to describe this process in such intimate detail has been an immense help to my own path, and makes this one of the most inspiring books I have ever read.” —Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart

‍“One of the most generous, beautiful, and essential books I’ve ever read—thoroughly engaging, so clear, so honest, so courageous and full of wisdom. In it, deep Buddhist teachings are presented with frankness and great clarity—like a friend talking to a friend. It is also a great adventure story, really, about the most important adventure any of us can ever embark upon: the story of one noble soul attempting to come to an understanding of the workings of his own mind and thereby live in a truly sane and loving way.” — George Saunders, author of Lincoln in the Bardo

‍“Vivid, compelling . . . This book is a rarity in spiritual literature: Reading the intimate story of this wise and devoted Buddhist monk directly infuses our own transformational journey with fresh meaning, luminosity, and life.” — Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge

‍“In Love with the World is a magnificent story—moving and inspiring, profound and utterly human. It will certainly be a dharma classic.” — Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

‍“This slim book moved me and left me with a better appreciation of Tibetan Buddhism than so many weightier tomes I’ve struggled to understand.” — Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy

‍“Readers seeking a deep exploration of Buddhist philosophy will be richly rewarded by Rinpoche’s thought-provoking and ultimately inspiring story.” — Library Journal

‍“More than just a mesmerizing read . . . As Rinpoche narrates his spiritual journey, he lays bare his early hopes and aspirations, his doubts, indignities, bodily and emotional suffering, and vulnerabilities. He offers these with great skill, clarity, and love to encourage and inspire us to travel our own spiritual journeys.” — Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Love

‍“Part thriller, part deeply personal autobiography, and part Buddhist teachings on how to live a meaningful life, this is an extraordinary book. It has something profoundly important to teach each of us.” — Richard J. Davidson, author of The Emotional Life of Your Brain

‍“Through the unfolding of the wisdom of his personal story, Mingyur Rinpoche shows us the true value of investigating and freeing our minds. A courageous trailblazer, he illuminates a clear path, making it more accessible for others. This book will change many lives.” —Tara Bennett-Goleman, author of Emotional Alchemy