Description
Book SynopsisA practical and inspiring guide to Buddhist meditation: 1. How to discover the inner peace of meditation; 2. How to apply meditation in daily life; 3. How we can make our life happy and meaningful. This practical guide teaches how to make ourself and others happy by developing inner peace - and in this way how to make our lives more meaningful. Without inner peace there is no real happiness. Problems, suffering and unhappiness do not exist outside the mind; they are feelings and thus part of our mind. Therefore, it is only by controlling our mind that we can permanently stop our problems and make ourself and others truly happy. The 21 Buddhist meditation practices presented in this book are actual methods to control our mind so as to experience lasting inner peace. This is an indispensable handbook for those seeking happiness and meaning in their lives.
Trade ReviewIlluminates the enormous potential for peace and happiness within us all. - Kathleen Dowling Singh, PhD, psychologist/author; A profound illumination of our human experience and our potential for deep inner freedom. - Arturo Sanchez, Professor, Columbia University; This insightful book offers peace of mind in these troubled times. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking happiness or greater meaning in their lives. - Thomas Mitchell, Professor/author, Indiana University; One can instantly sense the value of this book. It is designed as a straightforward handbook for those wishing to use the tool of meditation. The book shines. - The New Humanity; An excellent introductory guide to meditation and manual for those who wish to start practising. - World Religions in Education; The author both delights in and has a profound insight into the dynamics of these meditation techniques.- Tibetan Review
Table of ContentsPreface PART ONE: Foundation Introduction What is Meditation? The Benefits of Meditation How to Begin Meditation Background Knowledge Required for Meditation How to Meditate PART TWO: The Twenty-one Meditations the initial scope 1. Our Precious Human Life 2. Death and Impermanence 3. The Dangers of Lower Rebirth 4. Refuge Practice 5. Actions and Their Effects the intermediate scope 6. Developing Renunciation for Samsara the great scope 7. Developing Equanimity 8. Recognizing that all Living Beings are our Mothers 9. Remembering the Kindness of Living Beings 10. Equalizing Self and Others 11. The Disadvantages of Self-cherishing 12. The Advantages of Cherishing Others 13. Exchanging Self with Others 14. Great Compassion 15. Taking 16. Wishing Love 17. Giving 18. Bodhichitta 19. Tranquil Abiding 20. Superior Seeing 21. Relying Upon a Spiritual Guide Conclusion Appendix I : Liberating Prayer and Prayers for Meditation Appendix II: A Commentary to The PreparatoryPractices Appendix III: A Special Breathing Meditation Appendix IV: A Suggested Retreat Schedule Appendix V: The Commitments of Going for Refuge Appendix VI: A Traditional Meditation on Emptiness Appendix VII: The Kadampa Way of Life Glossary Bibliography Study Programmes of Kadampa Buddhism Tharpa Offices Worldwide
