Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 Golfers Need More Books Like This! May 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an amazing book. For golfers with even the slightest of philosophical bents, this is a must read. If your bookshelves contain books like Michael Murphy's Golf in the Kingdom, Timothy Gallwey's The Inner Game of Golf, Fred Shoemaker's Extraordinary Golf, and Joseph Parent's Zen Golf, then Golf's Three Noble Truths: The Fine Art of Playing Awake should be on your bookshelf as well.
I'm finding so much in it that I've almost discovered before... it reads, in that sense, a little like memory. We golfers need more books like this! How can it be that with instruction book after instruction book after instruction book, we don't seem to be getting better at this game? How can it be that the average handicap stays about the same, regardless of technological improvements, countless rounds, golf pro lessons, and bookshelves full of "tips" books dissecting the swing? What is missing?
Ragonnet has an intriguing answer. Drawing on Eastern philosophy, primarily Buddhism, Ragonnet suggests that we golfers are simply not awake to what is really happening right now, right here, before our very eyes. Rather, we are trapped in the "monkey mind." Endless internal chatter about previous shots, what we might shoot today, technical swing thoughts, doubts, fears, anxiety, etc., etc., ad infinitum. No wonder we're not improving!
Ragonnet offers wise words on how we can stop the chatter and return to the moment. He encourages us to appreciate the wonder of everyday existence... the wind through the trees, the shadows on the greens, the wondrous flight of the ball, the butterfly that lands on your golf shoe. But be not deceived... this is no hokey New Agey gimmick schtick. James Ragonnet is heavy duty scholar, thinker, and engaging writer. I dare say he is a real life Shivas Irons. This is a book that can improve not only your golf game... but your life as well.
Three Noble Truths, One Worthy Path April 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
James Ragonnet's book "Golf's Three Noble Truths-The Fine Art of Playing Awake, enables me to be myself, stay in the moment and to enjoy golf and all the wonderful things that if offers. Additionally, approaching golf by calmly abiding with the The Three Noble Truths and their related benefits, your game does improve. I'm going a step further and applying this philosphy in other parts of my life. I do believe I might just get to be a better person. Both golf and my life have moved up a few pegs. My thanks to Mr Ragonnet for this wonderful book. A job well done.
Walter Kelley
A Requirement for All Golfers and Non-Golfers March 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Dr. James Ragonnet's book, Golf's Three Noble Truths: The Fine Art of Playing Awake, is a requirement for every golfer, every level and--in all fairness--for non-golfers as well. The concepts and exercises described within can be applied to any sport or life experience. The principles of "the fine art of playing awake" demonstrate the spiritual/physical link between golf technique and Eastern inspired practices of awareness, balance, and unity (i.e. a connection with and respect for the world surrounding and interacitng with one's golf game). James Ragonnet illustrates numerous examples of how to develop awareness and become more centered--everything from standing meditations to visualizing with the ready made environment, such as trees on the golf course. This book is broken up into concise, clear cut chapters that are chock full of tips on improving one's golf experience and overall life! The sketch of a typical foursome, each representing differing degrees of consciousness and competence are absolutely hilarious. The minute you figure out which character most closely resembles yourself, you will want to implement every suggestion in this book. One of the over-riding themes in Golf's Three Noble Truths, is the importance of dropping one's ego and, instead, embrace the knowledge of one's shortcomings. Ragonnet describes this formula as "Doubt + Self-Awareness = Growth". Ragonnet speaks as a golf buddy who happens to be enlightened and interested in sharing his discoveries. Listen to him and apply some of the prescribed exercises and practices. You will grow and expand in your golf skills, increase your golf enjoyment, and markedly improve your overall life. ~Kellie Young
Jim Ragonnet has penned a primer on living - and being - a meaningful life. February 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Jim Ragonnet has penned a primer on living - and being - a meaningful life. Its origin was the author's sense that his life was missing important things - bliss, contentment, inner satisfaction, peace of mind. The grace and beauty of a single butterfly laid bare for him (and through him for all of us) the universal truths that can awaken us all - whether on the golf course or in the board room.
This book enabled me to understand that I've learned some of these truths the hard way over my 32-year business career. ("When you're willing to face the truth, you'll find out who you really are.") Only when I got laid off from my job did it force me to find a far better one. Only when the wheels came off did I find my true perspective and inner strength. I no longer view the "missed" and "made" deals of my vocational life as separate episodes; I realize they form the continuous thread of my collective experience. My good days have taught me things; but my bad days have taught me far more. I now know that an "acceptable score" may be the ultimate illusion in a person's business life. Our ultimate reconciliation with ourselves and with each other doesn't involve scorecards. It consists of truth, gratitude, and forgiveness, in that order.
Ragonnet inspires us to decide for ourselves what golf means - what life means. He enables us to realize that we don't really need a great drive down the fairway. What we really need is the mindfulness and composure to hit a great drive - and to realize that it's not about what we get - it's about who we become.
Mike Roy February 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is not just for golfers. Even though I am an avid golfer, I found myself relating pieces of the book to my own personal life and career. As a former athletic director and coach, I found the chapter on The Need to Win to be quite interesting and true. The entire book from cover to cover will keep you wanting to read more each time. Jim has a great ability to relate Eastern thinking to golf and life. To me, a must read.
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