Pico Iyer loves reading spiritual books, but he’s found just as much good dharma in the books of three favorite novelists.
About Pico Iyer
My Private Cineplex
The writer’s job, says Pico Iyer, is to watch his moods and thoughts, as captivating yet passing as the seasons, and decide which are worth sharing.
The Man Who Told the Future
In the back streets of exotic Kathmandu, Pico Iyer and his friend Kristin hear a prophecy that shatters their youthful dreams. The Royal Astrologer knows them better than they know themselves.
Leonard Cohen Burns, and We Burn with Him
“God is a fire,” said Nikos Kazantzakis. “He burns and we burn with Him.” Art, passion, and Zen are fires too—burning the self, leaving behind only ashes and essence.
Whatever Way the Wind Blows
So-called objective reality, Pico Iyer finds, is as fickle as the weather. Maybe that’s because it’s as much mind as matter.
Heart of the Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama with student speakers during a visit to a high school in Fukuoka, Japan. Photo by Taikan Usui.In this exclusive and heartfelt essay, Pico Iyer reveals the simple human secret that makes the Dalai Lama the most beloved spiritual figure in the world.
The Folly of the Weather Forecast
Photo by Mike McCune.Not knowing the future helps Pico Iyer keep his hyperactive mind at bay. Then, whether it snows tomorrow or dawns radiant, every moment is a happy surprise.
Various Positions
Some choice pieces of wry wisdom from years of Cohen’s sessions with his intimates and the press. Herewith, a few enduring Cohenisms.
An ICU for the Soul
When a friend is dealt a heavy emotional blow, Pico Iyer suggests to her that silence and stillness might be the best medicine.
Pico Iyer on Graham Greene, the Dalai Lama, and “The Man Within My Head”
Graham Greene. Photo via Wikipedia.Pico Iyer’s name is likely familiar to you; he’s been a frequent contributor to Lion’s Roar, writing about the Dalai Lama, music, travel.