Irv Jacob was a serious student of rational philosophy and has come to the religion of Buddhism reluctantly and recently. Why accept and follow a religion? That is the question you...view moreIrv Jacob was a serious student of rational philosophy and has come to the religion of Buddhism reluctantly and recently. Why accept and follow a religion? That is the question young people ask who haven't acknowledged that they suffer or that they can overcome their suffering. Jacob was one of those who sought entertainment and relationships to overcome the voids in his life. He began his study of Buddhism in the early 70's, but the information in the West was largely misguided, or connected to Hindu superstitions and other mysticism. It was only after traveling to Thailand in 2003 that he began a serious search for the truth about Buddhism. He has met monks and masters and studied their writings and talks to gain an appreciation of these ancient truths.
His preparation for writing began with his first college English writing class where he excelled and was inspired to continue. Writing has been part of his vocation (he wrote a newspaper column for ten years) and a passionate avocation. This is the sixth book he has completed. He writes as a scholar using standard footnotes and references, and goes beyond to illustrate and explain the often obscure or arcane teachings with examples from his own life and serious meditation practice.view less