Showing titles in Philosophy & Practice

For 1,300 years, Tibetans have been practicing shamatha-vipashyana (peaceful dwelling-insight), a profound form of meditation that illuminates and purifies the obstacles to spiritual realization. Tibetan Buddhists today regard shamatha-vipashyana as both the fundamental and the most advanced...

Does the real world, defined as a world of objects that exist independent of human interests, concerns, and cognitive activities, really exist? Jan Westerhoff argues that we have good reason to believe it does not. His discussion considers four main facets of the idea of the real world, ranging from the existence of a separate external and internal world (comprising various mental states congregated around a self), to the existence of an ontological foundation that grounds the existence of all the entities in the world.

Step-By-Step Meditation for Beginners Course objectives: Discuss the art of beginning meditation through the awareness of the breath, body, thoughts and feelings. Practice presence and mindfulness through specific guided meditations. Utilize the qualities of kindness, understanding...

TWO NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATES. ONE SHARED GOAL.Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kailash Satyarthi open a window to the concept ‘Compassion’, which according is undoubtedly the most significant requirement of our existence. Compassion is no longer a luxury’...

A single purpose lies at the heart of all the great religious traditions: awakening to the astonishing reality of the true nature of ourselves and the universe. At the same time, through centuries of cultural accretion and focus on myth and ritual as ends in themselves, this core insight has become obscured. Here Ken Wilber provides a path for reenvisioning a religion of the future that acknowledges the evolution of humanity in every realm while remaining faithful to that original spiritual vision.

At the heart of all Buddhist wisdom lies one astonishing truth: a way out of suffering and into a more deeply fulfilling life is not a myth, but a reality available to you the moment you open your eyes through the power of skillful inquiry. For generations, this fact has been proven again and...

The Surangama Sutra, one of the most important works of Mahayana Buddhism, dates from some time before the 8th Century when the first Chinese translation was written, probably from an Indian original. It has long been a seminal work for Buddhist practitioners in East and South-East Asia, especially China and Korea. Indeed this “Sutra of the Indestructible”, as it is often translated, is regarded as a staple manual of practice for newly-ordained monks of the Ch'an and Zen schools, giving instruction, through the words of the Buddha himself.

Best-selling author and renowned Zen teacher Steve Hagen penetrates the most essential and enduring questions at the heart of the Buddha's teachings: How can we see the world in each moment, rather than merely as what we think, hope, or fear it is? How can we base our actions on reality, rather than on the longing and loathing of our hearts and minds? How can we live lives that are wise, compassionate, and in tune with reality? And how can we separate the wisdom of Buddhism from the cultural trappings and misconceptions that have come to be associated with it?

Brought to you by Penguin. THE LATEST BOOK FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, DANIEL GOLEMAN Put yourself back in control of your mind and your life with these meditation practices proven by neuroscientific research. In this modern digital age, many of us feel overwhelmed...

This classic teaching by a Tibetan master continues to inspire both beginners and long-time practitioners of Buddhist meditation. Chgyam Trungpa Rinpoche shows that meditation extends beyond the formal practice of sitting to build the foundation for compassion, awareness, and creativity in all aspects of life. He explores the six activities associated with meditation in action - generosity, discipline, patience, energy, clarity, and wisdom - revealing that through simple, direct experience, one can attain real wisdom.

Zen can only be understood through practice. Until you put your own body and breath into it, it doesn’t begin to take hold in your life. Wake Up is a deeply useful guide to Zen Buddhism, presenting the core teachings and simple practices that you can incorporate every day to engage your heart and mind. In Buddhism, Zen is an ancient tradition that focuses on discovering truth and being mindful through meditation. Living with greater awareness and reflection will help you remain happier and better-balanced in everything you do - and this book can show you the way.

This modern spiritual classic, presented as a 30-day meditation retreat taught by Joseph Goldstein, offers timeless practical instructions and real-world advice for practicing meditation - whether walking or sitting in formal practice or engaging in everyday life. Goldstein uses the retreat format to explain various basic Buddhist teachings including karma, selflessness, and the four noble truths, while also drawing connections to many different spiritual traditions.

Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for this generation's short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand. Each story, inspirational quote, and teaching offers...

Some 25 centuries after the Buddha started teaching, his message continues to inspire people across the globe, including those living in predominantly secular societies. What does it mean to adapt religious practices to secular contexts? Stephen Batchelor, an internationally known author and teacher, is committed to a secularized version of the Buddha's teachings. The time has come, he feels, to articulate a coherent, ethical, contemplative, and philosophical vision of Buddhism for our age.

Buddhism is a house full of treasures – practices for gaining the happiness of future lives, the bliss of liberation and the supreme happiness of enlightenment – but knowing the difference between Dharma and non-Dharma practices is the key that opens the door to all those treasures. No matter how much we know about emptiness, the chakras or controlling our vital energy through kundalini yoga, it's all pointless without this crucial understanding of how to practice Dharma, how to correct our actions.

When you understand how your mind works, unhelpful and noisy thoughts move to the background, and your awareness shifts to something quieter and deeper. This is true peace of mind. And it's not some unattainable goal reserved for the most enlightened. Anyone can experience it. From life coach and psychologist Amy Johnson, this guide offers a no-willpower approach informed by ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience to help you change your negative thinking habits, make peace with your inner critic, and experience more self-confidence and freedom than you ever thought possible.

A renowned Buddhist teacher turns to two of the most influential figures in history for guidance on how to face the ethical challenges of our time.

A collection of essays on the Hindu/Buddhist view of humankind's place in the universe. As the author says in his introduction: "in these papers, it may be hoped, western readers will have an opportunity of coming into touch with the ancient spirit of India as revealed in our sacred texts and manifested in the life of to-day." Most of the essays were given as lectures before Harvard University in 1916 or before.

Mention creativity, and what comes to mind? For many of us, creativity is the province of someone with a singular gift toiling away in service to their art. From this perspective, creativity is a solitary endeavor-the struggle of the individual to express their distinctive vision to the world...

Meditation is not a means of self-improvement. It is a way of discovering the truth and relating to it with compassion and honesty. Awaken to a richer spiritual life with The Inner Art of Meditation, a comprehensive six-CD study course about vipassana (or insight) meditation from Jack Kornfield...