Walking Meditation
Walk the path to peace with expert guidance in a unique form of meditation "Take my hand.We will walk.We will enjoy our walkwithout thinking of arriving anywhere.Walk peacefully.Walk happily.Our walk is a peace walk.Our walk is a happiness walk." --Thich Nhat Hanh What if every step you took deepened your connection with all of life, heightening your perception of the infinite wonders of the present moment? With Walking Meditation: Easy Steps to Mindfulness, you will discover an instructional program for a serene spiritual practice that will help you walk with presence and peace of mind, whether in the stillness of nature or on a bustling sidewalk in the city. Just as sitting meditation draws focused attention to the breath, walking meditation centers the practitioner in the aliveness of the present moment through movement. As taught by the esteemed Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh and one of his principle students, Nguyen Anh-Huong, Walking Meditation illuminates the central tenets of this powerful art. Now including online access to complementary audio and video guided meditations, this book features progressive instruction in basic mindfulness techniques such as conscious breathing and walking mindfully in nature, then proceeds to methods for meditative walking anywhere and any time--even in busy public spaces. You will also learn: - How to recognize the miracle in simply walking--not as a means to an end, but as the opportunity to touch the fullness of life- Reversing "habit energy" through the union of body and mind- Using walking meditation to work with difficult emotions such as anger and anxiety- Learning to walk with apranihita--joyful and appreciative aimlessness With Walking Meditation, practitioners from every spiritual tradition will find "our home in the here and now, as the long road we all must walk turns to quiet joy."
Introduction to the Nature of Mind
To meditate on the nature of mind is the swift, effortless path for all who seek enlightenment. This direct instruction unifies the key points of all Sutra and Tantra; it is the experience of all realised masters and the enlightened intent of all buddhas. Therefore, we need to practise it earnestly and continuously.One of the most eminent lamas in Tibet, Dzogchen Pema Kalsang Rinpoche is widely recognised as a brilliant scholar and highly realised master of the Great Perfection. In this faithful translation of his commentary on Mipham Rinpoche's Lamp to Dispel Darkness, Dzogchen trekcho meditation is explained in clear and experiential language for the benefit of true practitioners. Also included is the full Tibetan text.These profound instructions may only be read by those who have been authorised and empowered into the main Dzogchen practices by a genuine master.
The Dzogchen Path
Why do we need to train our mind? Before we realise samsaric life to be suffering, when a lama teaches the Dharma, we misunderstand it as a catalogue of misery and inevitability. We get the impression that everything we are interested in, all our wishes and desires, are unacceptable, and what is encouraged is singularly difficult and unachievable. However, when we do recognise our afflictive emotions to be suffering, we can do something to reduce them. Then, we can finally begin to free ourselves from their negative influence and find some real happiness. Thus, in order to accomplish meaningful inner transformation, of course we need to go to a little trouble.One of the most eminent lamas in Tibet, Dzogchen Pema Kalsang Rinpoche is widely recognised as a brilliant scholar and highly realised master of the Great Perfection. In this faithful translation of his teachings on the Sublime Path to Omniscience by Jigme Lingpa, the entire path of the Dzogchen Preliminary Practices is presented in clear and experiential language, for the benefit of both beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Dogen’s Pure Standards for the Zen Community
Presents a complete, annotated translation of Dogen's writing on Zen monasticism and the spirit of community practice. Dogen (1200-1253) is Japan's greatest Zen master.This is a complete translation of Eihei Shingi, the major writing by the Japanese Zen master Eihei Dogen (1200-1253) on monastic practice and the role of community life in Buddhism. Dogen was the founder of the Soto branch of Japanese Zen, but his teaching was not limited by any particular school of Buddhism. His writings are generally regarded today as a great summit of Japanese Buddhist philosophy, meditation practice, psychology, and poetic insight into the nature of reality.Eihei Shingi contains Dogen's principal guidelines and instructions for everyday life and rituals in the monastic training center he established. Included are a collection of dramatic teaching stories, or koans, on the attitude and responsibilities for practitioners in the community, the only collection of traditional koans with this practical focus.In addition to the translation, the book includes detailed annotation, a substantial introduction, glossaries of Japanese technical terms and persons mentioned, and lineage charts, all providing relevant background in historical and religious context.
Buddhism Plain and Simple
"This is the clearest and most precise exposition of Buddhism I have ever read. If you're looking for enlightenment rather than just scholarly knowledge, you'd better read this." --Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance In Buddhism Plain and Simple, Zen priest and longtime teacher Steve Hagen presents the heart of Buddhist teachings, pared down to its essence and explained in simple, everyday language. This best-selling book is the perfect guide to Buddhism for beginners; the text has served international readers at all levels of study and practice since it was originally published over a decade ago. More than 300,000 copies in various formats have sold to date, and now it's available in this brand new edition with a high-quality binding and paper, as well as elegant decorative illustrations scattered throughout. Practiced by more than 1.2 million Americans and 2-3 million Europeans, Buddhism has become one of the West's largest religions. Whether you're simply interested in learning more about Buddhist philosophy, or hope to begin practicing but don't know where to start, Buddhism Plain and Simple will help you on your way. "This is a book about awareness. Not awareness of something in particular, but awareness itself--being awake, alert and in touch with what is actually happening. It's about examining and exploring the most basic questions of life. It's about relying on the immediate experience of this present moment. It's about freedom of mind. It's not about belief, doctrine, formula, or tradition." --from the Introduction
Start Where You Are
The perennially helpful guide to transforming our pains and difficulties into opportunities for genuine joy and personal growth, from the beloved Buddhist nun and author of When Things Fall Apart We all want to be fearless, joyful, and fully alive. And we all know that it's not so easy. We're bombarded every day with false promises of ways to make our lives better--buy this, go here, eat this, don't do that; the list goes on and on. But Pema Ch繹dr繹n shows that, until we get to the heart of who we are and really make friends with ourselves, everything we do will always be superficial. In this perennial self-help bestseller, Pema offers down-to-earth guidance on how we can go beyond the fleeting attempts to "fix" our pain and, instead, to take our lives as they are as the only path to achieve what we all yearn for most deeply--to embrace rather than deny the difficulties of our lives. These teachings, framed around fifty-nine traditional Tibetan Buddhist maxims, point us directly to our own hearts and minds, such as "Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment," "Be grateful to everyone," and "Don't expect applause." By working with these slogans as everyday meditations, Start Where You Are shows how we can all develop the courage to work with our own inner pain and discover true joy, holistic well-being, and unshakeable confidence.
Where Buddhism Meets Neuroscience
Designed as a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Western neuroscientists, this book takes readers on a journey through opposing fields of thought--showing that they may not be so opposing after all Is the mind an ephemeral side effect of the brain's physical processes? Are there forms of consciousness so subtle that science has not yet identified them? How does consciousness happen? Organized by the Mind and Life Institute, this discussion addresses some of the most troublesome questions that have driven a wedge between Western science and religion. Edited by Zara Houshmand, Robert B. Livingston, and B. Alan Wallace, Where Buddhism Meets Neuroscience is the culmination of meetings between the Dalai Lama and a group of eminent neuroscientists and psychiatrists. The Dalai Lama's incisive, open-minded approach both challenges and offers inspiration to Western scientists. This book was previously published under the title Consciousness at the Crossroads.
The Buddhist Swastika and Hitler's Cross
A remarkable cross-cultural history that rescues the swastika, an ancient Buddhist symbol, from its deployment by the forces of hate.
Dakini Activity
The source of activity is the dakini and there are five kinds of activities, peaceful, increasing, magnetizing, subjugating, and the supreme activity. The primary way to perfect these is through dakini practices, and among dakinis, there are the wisdom dakinis, in space, and worldly dakinis. These vast collections of practices can be condensed into those of the three roots, lama, yidam, and dakini. The source of blessings is the lama, the source of accomplishment is the yidam, and the source of activities is the dakinis. The one who carries out the activities for the lama and the yidam is the dakini, in other words, the virtue of blessings and accomplishment is the activity, which is the dakini. Pema Khandro practice connects us with magnetizing practices. And why do we do magnetizing practice? The real essence that needs to be magnetized is not superficial things; it is to magnetize realization of the view, to magnetize the teachings on how to realize the view, to magnetize the meditation and the conduct.
The Manual of Light & the Manual of the Path to Higher Knowledge
The Buddhist Psychology of Awakening
A modern introduction to traditional Buddhist psychology This practical overview of Buddhist psychology outlines step-by-step methods for examining the source of our habitual tendencies and hangups. In order to truly free ourselves from perpetuating patterns of suffering, the Buddha offered a clear system for understanding our psychological dispositions, processes, fixations, and challenges--a system known as the Abhidharma. This tradition has been studied by Buddhists for over two millennia. Professor Steven Goodman has taught on the Abhidharma in both universities and Buddhist retreats for over twenty years, making these traditional teachings accessible for a modern readership for the first time. Goodman explains how becoming aware of our mental patterns can liberate us from cycles of emotional pain and shows how the Abhidharma can be applied to meditation practice through exercises of observation and reflection. This is the go-to manual for anyone interested in the world of Buddhist psychology.
The Places That Scare You
"A lively and accessible take on ancient techniques for transforming terror and pain into joy and compassion," from beloved Buddhist teacher Pema Ch繹dr繹n (O, The Oprah Magazine) Lifelong guidance for changing the way we relate to the scary and difficult moments of our lives--showing us how we can use our difficulties and fears as a way to soften our hearts and open us to greater kindness We always have a choice in how we react to the circumstances of our lives. We can let them harden us and make us increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and allow our inherent human kindness to shine through. In The Places That Scare You, Pema Ch繹dr繹n provides essential tools for dealing with the many difficulties that life throws our way, teaching us how to awaken our basic human goodness and connect deeply with others--to accept ourselves and everything around us complete with faults and imperfections. Drawing from the core teachings of Buddhism, she shows the strength that comes from staying in touch with what's happening in our lives right now and helps us unmask the ways in which our egos cause us to resist life as it is. If we go to the places that scare us, Pema suggests, we just might find the boundless life we've always dreamed of.
Setting Out on the Great Way
Setting Out on the Great Way brings together different perspectives on the origins and early history of Mahayana Buddhism and delves into selected aspects of its formative period. As the variety of the religion which conquered East Asia and also provided the matrix for the later development of Buddhist Tantra or Vajrayana, Mahayana is regarded as one of the most significant forms of Buddhism, and its beginnings have long been the focus of intense scholarly attention and debate. The essays in this volume address the latest findings in the field, including contributions by younger researchers vigorously critiquing the reappraisal of the Mahayana carried out by scholars in the last decades of the 20th century and the different understanding of the movement which they produced. As the study of Buddhism as a whole reorients itself to embrace new methods and paradigms, while at the same time coming to terms with exciting new manuscript discoveries, our picture of the Mahayana continues to change. This volume presents the latest developments in this ongoing re-evaluation of one of Buddhism's most important historical expressions.
Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha
A comprehensive guide to the understanding and practicing Buddhist meditation
No-nonsense Buddhism for Beginners
Get on the path to zen bliss-an essential beginner's guide to Buddhism.How is an awakening different from enlightenment? Can agnostics and atheists be Buddhist? Am I supposed to stop thinking when I meditate? In No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners, renowned Buddhism teacher and host of the popular Secular Buddhism podcast, Noah Rasheta, delivers an easily accessible introduction to the teachings of Buddhism that answers these common questions and many more. With No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners you'll gain a fundamental understanding of Buddhism and how to apply the philosophies in your everyday life, through: A simple 4-part structure addressing the different aspects of Buddhism-the Buddha, key Buddhist concepts, the Buddha's teachings, and current Buddhist practicesStraightforward Q&A's that simplify the vital concepts of Buddhism into easy-to-understand ideas "Everyday Buddhism" Sidebars that make Buddhism less abstract by offering down-to-earth examples from everyday lifePresented in a simple, conversational style, the information and guidance in No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners provides the groundwork that is necessary for building or continuing your own Buddhist practice.
Turning Toward Awareness
Turning Toward Awareness posthumously shares wisdom from a western monk ordained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Written in 1974, Ven. George Teng's incisive writing and unique insights into the workings of the mind still provide an excellent foundation for spiritual practice. Buddhists as well as those who follow other faith traditions will find the author's thoughtful reflections inspiring. Even those without any faith tradition will benefit from his presentations on developing a meaningful life that brings happiness in the present and hope for the future. The author shows how human growth becomes arrested and dysfunctional when our awareness is misguided by distorted beliefs. His work sheds light on the ways we try to protect ourselves, such as hiding our ignorance because we feel it is shameful; reacting to fear with cowardice; and embracing weakness as a lifestyle to gain others' energy and attention. His wisdom helps us become aware that our unhealthy mental habits are obscuring our innate nature of wisdom, compassion, and power, which have the potential to manifest in every moment through our intelligence, love, and creativity. Turning Toward Awareness will help readers stop the suffering arising from wrong views and start living a life of true happiness.
Turning Toward Awareness
Turning Toward Awareness posthumously shares wisdom from a western monk ordained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Written in 1974, Ven. George Teng's incisive writing and unique insights into the workings of the mind still provide an excellent foundation for spiritual practice. Buddhists as well as those who follow other faith traditions will find the author's thoughtful reflections inspiring. Even those without any faith tradition will benefit from his presentations on developing a meaningful life that brings happiness in the present and hope for the future. The author shows how human growth becomes arrested and dysfunctional when our awareness is misguided by distorted beliefs. His work sheds light on the ways we try to protect ourselves, such as hiding our ignorance because we feel it is shameful; reacting to fear with cowardice; and embracing weakness as a lifestyle to gain others' energy and attention. His wisdom helps us become aware that our unhealthy mental habits are obscuring our innate nature of wisdom, compassion, and power, which have the potential to manifest in every moment through our intelligence, love, and creativity. Turning Toward Awareness will help readers stop the suffering arising from wrong views and start living a life of true happiness.
Secular Buddhism
An essential collection of Stephen Batchelor's most probing and important work on secular Buddhism As the practice of mindfulness permeates mainstream Western culture, more and more people are engaging in a traditional form of Buddhist meditation. However, many of these people have little interest in the religious aspects of Buddhism, and the practice occurs within secular contexts such as hospitals, schools, and the workplace. Is it possible to recover from the Buddhist teachings a vision of human flourishing that is secular rather than religious without compromising the integrity of the tradition? Is there an ethical framework that can underpin and contextualize these practices in a rapidly changing world? In this collected volume of Stephen Batchelor's writings on these themes, the author explores the complex implications of Buddhism's secularization. Ranging widely--from reincarnation, religious belief, and agnosticism to the role of the arts in Buddhist practice--he offers a detailed picture of contemporary Buddhism and its attempt to find a voice in the modern world.
Tibetan Studies in Honour of Hugh Richardson
Orchid Press is pleased to make available for the wide community with interest in Tibetan culture a reprint edition of this seminal conference, featuring papers by some 47 eminent Tibetologists, first presented at the International Seminar on Tibetan Studies in Oxford in 1979. Dedicated to one of the most highly respected of these scholars, Hugh Richardson, the quality and diversity of the papers herein, reflecting as they do the very significant contribution to this field of Richardson himself, are a fitting tribute to the man. Commencing with an essay in appreciation of Richardson's life and myriad achievements, and followed by a complete bibliography of his writings, the papers then presented span the full range of disciplines that have focused on this rich and endangered culture. Included in this list are important contributions to the history, geography, religion, philosophy, arts, sociology, ethnography, folklore, language and literature, medicine and commerce of Tibet and the Tibetan diaspora. Many of the papers remain standard references in their respective fields, and copies of the original publication of these Proceedings are now long out of print and very difficult to obtain. It is thus hoped that this reprint edition will serve as a valuable reference for new and current scholars in the field of Tibetan studies, both in terms of the scholarly material presented and as an inspirational example of the quality of work of those who preceded them. "It is difficult to think of any aspect of Tibetan culture which is not, to some extent at least, touched upon." Review by K.R. Norman, Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 16-1, 1982.
Confucius, the Analects
The foremost American researcher of Confucius as a religious and spiritual figure explains the Analects' universal wisdom for our own time, guiding us on the "path of the sage" or "Way of Heaven"-a journey of reason, peace and understanding.
Directly Actualize Buddhahood
The fourth book in a series by Miao Tsan, Directly Actualize Buddhahood presents the universal path of wisdom and light in the context of religion. Religion is the container of ancient knowledge; it constitutes the understanding of life's fulfillment. However, as this knowledge was been passed down through generations, its essence and value have been contaminated across a spectrum ranging from prejudiced disbelief to blind faith. Understanding our beliefs is an important step towards enlightenment, because what we believe determines what we will do and create, and the situations we will inevitably encounter. Amid the eternally unfolding process of life, a most important lesson is to discover which kind of belief will lead us to light. To complete this lesson, we must first understand the meaning of life. This is not a meaning we define for ourselves, however. The meaning of life is truth. Venerable Master Miao Tsan attempts to guide each seeker toward a deeper understanding of the source and essential nature of our present situation, so that inner change can occur at the fundamental level, we can overcome our self-imposed limitations and create a better life.
Investigating the Dhamma
This book brings together eight essays of Bhikkhu Bodhi, five of which were earlier published in academic journals and volumes, and three not published before. Most of the essays are critical responses to various modern interpretations of the Dhamma that the author considers to be at odds with the Buddha's teachings, in particular as transmitted and interpreted by the Theravada school of Buddhism. The other essays are in depth discussions of important Buddhist doctrinal terms.
An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology
Since its inception over two hundred years ago, Swaminarayan Hinduism has flourished into a transnational movement described as one of the fastest growing Hindu groups in the world. Despite being one of the largest and most visible Hindu traditions both in India and the West, surprisingly little is known about what the Swaminarayan fellowship believes. An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology provides a comprehensive doctrinal account of the Swaminarayan tradition's belief system, drawing on its rich corpus of theological literature, including the teachings of Swaminarayan himself and classical commentaries on canonical Vedāntic texts. Part I delineates the sources and tools of Swaminarayan Hindu theology, while Part II systematically expounds upon its distinctive five eternal entities - Parabrahman, Akṣarabrahman, māyā, īśvara and jīva - and mukti (spiritual liberation). In presenting these key themes theologically and lucidly, Swami Paramtattvadas makes the Swaminarayan Hindu belief system intelligible to scholars, students and serious readers.
Dr Ambedkar and the Revival of Buddhism
One of the most far-reaching of Sangharakshita's contributions to modern Buddhism was giving shape to the Buddhist conversion movement begun by the great Indian statesman and reformer, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. In 1956, along with hundreds of thousands of his followers, Ambedkar renounced the Hindu caste system--according to which they were condemned to be "untouchable"--and converted to Buddhism, thus beginning a new life.The first part of this volume tells the story of how Ambedkar overcame the suffering and struggle of his early years to become the shaper of the Indian constitution and the leader of his people to a new life; also how, following Ambedkar's untimely death, Sangharakshita took on the challenge of teaching Buddhism to the new community of Buddhists.The second part is a collection of thirty-six edited talks, many published here for the first time, from Sangharakshita's tour of the Buddhist communities in India in 1981-82.Sangharakshita is the founder and principal teacher of Triratna, a worldwide Buddhist movement. With teaching experience spanning sixty years, he is the author of over forty books.
Awakening Loving-Kindness
Inspiration and encouragement for cultivating kindness--by embracing the joy, suffering, confusion, and brilliance of our everyday lives--from the author of When Things Fall Apart Do you want to be a more compassionate person, confident and unafraid to love yourself and the world around you unconditionally, but aren't sure how? We often look far and wide for guidance to become better people, as though the answers were somewhere out there. But Pema Ch繹dr繹n suggests that the best and most direct teacher for awakening loving-kindness is in fact your very own life. Based on talks given during a one-month meditation retreat at Gampo Abbey, where Pema lives and teaches, her teachings here focus on learning how to see the events of our lives as the perfect material for learning to love ourselves and our world playfully and wholeheartedly--and to live in our skin fearlessly, without aggression, harshness, or shame. This is instruction for embarking on the greatest adventure of all, to come alive to your inherent human kindness. "Perhaps what makes Pema's message resonate so strongly with people, no matter what their religion or spiritual path, is its universality." --O, The Oprah Magazine
The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh
A treasury of writings and teachings from the beloved Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. Since Thich Nhat Hanh's exile from his native Vietnam in 1966, this Zen Buddhist monk has gone on to become one of the most influential and beloved spiritual masters of our age. The seeming simplicity of his words belies the power of this teaching to touch the heart and mind and to inspire spiritual practice. These selections, taken from his many published works, together make up a concise introduction to all his major themes and distill his teachings on the transformation of individuals, relationships, and society. This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.
Waking, Dreaming, Being
A renowned philosopher of the mind, also known for his groundbreaking work on Buddhism and cognitive science, Evan Thompson combines the latest neuroscience research on sleep, dreaming, and meditation with Indian and Western philosophy of mind, casting new light on the self and its relation to the brain. Thompson shows how the self is a changing process, not a static thing. When we are awake we identify with our body, but if we let our mind wander or daydream, we project a mentally imagined self into the remembered past or anticipated future. As we fall asleep, the impression of being a bounded self distinct from the world dissolves, but the self reappears in the dream state. If we have a lucid dream, we no longer identify only with the self within the dream. Our sense of self now includes our dreaming self, the "I" as dreamer. Finally, as we meditate--either in the waking state or in a lucid dream--we can observe whatever images or thoughts arise and how we tend to identify with them as "me." We can also experience sheer awareness itself, distinct from the changing contents that make up our image of the self. Contemplative traditions say that we can learn to let go of the self, so that when we die we can witness its dissolution with equanimity. Thompson weaves together neuroscience, philosophy, and personal narrative to depict these transformations, adding uncommon depth to life's profound questions. Contemplative experience comes to illuminate scientific findings, and scientific evidence enriches the vast knowledge acquired by contemplatives.
The Clock of Vipassana Has Struck
This collection brings the writings and teachings of Sayagyi U Ba Khin--the teacher of S. N. Goenka--together under one cover, with biographical information and a commentary by Goenka. The story of U Ba Khin and his teaching of the Dhamma is set in context through an extensive interview with S. N. Goenka, conducted by Pierluigi Confalonieri, who also edited this tribute. It was published to commemorate the centenary of Sayagyi's birth.
Buddhism 101
Learn everything you need to know about Buddhism in this clear and straightforward new guide. Buddhism was founded thousands of years ago, and has inspired millions of people with its peaceful teachings. Buddhism 101 highlights and explains the central concepts of Buddhism to the modern reader, with information on mindfulness, karma, The Four Noble Truths, the Middle Way, and more. Whether you're just looking to understand Buddhism or explore the philosophy in your own life and own journey to Enlightenment, this book gives you everything you need to know!
Enlightened Vagabond
Colorful stories about and profound teachings of Patrul Rinpoche, one of the most impactful teachers and thinkers in the Tibetan tradition from the nineteenth century. The life and teachings of the wandering yogi Patrul Rinpoche--a highly revered Buddhist master and scholar of nineteenth-century Tibet--come alive in true stories gathered and translated by the French Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard over more than thirty years, based on the oral accounts of great contemporary teachers as well as written sources. Patrul's life story reveals the nature of a highly realized being as he transmits the Dharma in everything he does, teaching both simple nomads and great lamas in ways that are often unconventional and even humorous, but always with uncompromising authenticity.
The Dharma of Dogs
We spend countless hours training our dogs, but how often do we consider what they have to teach us? "Our canine companions aren't just our best friends," explains Tami Simon. "Sometimes they can also be carriers of a special medicine and the wisdom lessons we most need." The Dharma of Dogs shares the reflections of spiritual teachers and writers who have found a source of deep truth and practical wisdom beneath the furry surface of our four-legged friends.For anyone who loves dogs--and who has learned and grown through this special relationship--these 31 essays offer humor, solace, inspiration, and insight into the life lessons our dogs make available to us, exploring such themes as unconditional love, connecting with nature, facing our fears, and much more. Don't forget to add this inspirational book to your list of gifts for dog lovers this year.Edited by Tami Simon, The Dharma of Dogs includes contributions by Alice Walker, Eckhart Tolle, Pam Houston, Mark Nepo, Roshi Joan Halifax, Adyashanti, Julie Barton, angel Kyodo williams, JP Sears, Lama Surya Das, Diane Musho Hamilton, Allan Lokos, Andrew Holecek, Bonnie Myotai Treace, Chris Grosso, Geneen Roth, Jeri Parker, Joan Ranquet, Lama Tsomo, Laura Pritchett, Mirabai Starr, Sarah C. Beasley, Stuart Davis, Susan Martin, Susanna Weiss, and His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche.Portion of proceeds donated to the National Mill Dog Rescue. milldogrescue.org.
Trungpa Photographs
Since Trungpa Rinpoche's death in 1987, many people have talked about the need for a book of photographs of his life. Now, finally, it's here: a book of 240 black-and-white photographs taken from 1972 to 1982 at Karme-Choling, Vermont, and Boulder, Colorado. Thank you, Bob! Of the many great photographic images of Trungpa Rinpoche, Del Tredici's black-and-whites stand out. Some are iconic shots that we all know and love. Others have rarely been seen. TRUNGPA PHOTOGRAPHS is a fulsome collation of Del Tredici's work, a feast for the eyes, for Trungpa's students, and for the world at large. -- The Chronicles of Chogyam Trungpa website.
Under the Bodhi Tree
A renowned Buddhist master digs into the idea of interdependency--the very core of the Buddha's teachings. Under the Bodhi Tree takes us back to the principles at the heart of Buddha's teachings--conditionality and dependent co-arising. Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu makes the case for dependent co-arising as a natural law, and builds a compelling presentation from there of Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and practice. Basing himself squarely on the Buddha's own words as preserved in the Pali Canon, he brings clarity and simplicity to what is typically a thorny philosophical knot. By returning dependent co-arising to its central place in Buddhist theory and practice, Ajahn Buddhadasa provides perspective on the Buddha's own insights and awakening. Under the Bodhi Tree is another excellent entry from one of the most renowned Buddhist thinkers of modern times. For students who wish to study further, a companion guide is available from liberationpark.org.
Buddhism for Busy People
In this simple and accessible but beautifully written book, David Michie opens the door to the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, and shows us how he himself first began incorporating Buddhist practices into his daily life. What does it take to be happy? We've all asked ourselves this question at some point, but few of us have found the path to lasting fulfillment. David Michie thought he had achieved his life's goals--the high-level job, the expensive city apartment, the luxury car, the great vacations--but a small voice was telling him he wasn't really happy. A chance remark from a naturopath sent him to his local Buddhist center. There he began the most important journey of his life. In Buddhism for Busy People Michie explains how he came to understand the difference between the temporary pleasures of ordinary life and the profound sense of well-being and heartfelt serenity that comes from connecting with our inner nature.
Loving-kindness in Plain English
The bestselling author of Mindfulness in Plain English invites us to explore the joyful benefits of living with loving-kindness. With his signature clarity and warmth, Bhante Gunaratana shares with us how we can cultivate loving-kindness to live a life of joyful harmony with others. Through personal anecdotes, step-by-step meditations, conversational renderings of the Buddha's words in the suttas, and transformative insights into how we live in and relate to the world, we learn that peace here and now is possible--within ourselves and in all our relationships. Bhante G speaks directly to how we can cultivate loving-kindness to find emotional clarity, overcome anger, and become more peaceful--both on and off the meditation cushion. Loving-Kindness in Plain English was chosen for the Spirituality & Practice Book Award as one of the 50 Best Spiritual Books of 2017 by the website Spirituality & Practice.
Borobudur
With vivid photography and insightful commentary, this travel pictorial shines a light on the Buddhist art and architecture of Borobudur. The glorious ninth-century Buddhist stupa of Borobudur--the largest Buddhist monument in the world--stands in the midst of the lush Kedu Plain of Central Java in Indonesia, where it is visited annually by over a million people. Borobudur contains more than a thousand exquisitely carved relief panels extending along its many terraces for a total distance of more than a kilometer. These are arranged so as to take the visitor on a spiritual journey to enlightenment, and one ascends the monument past scenes depicting the world of desire, the life story of Buddha, and the heroic deeds of other enlightened beings--finally arriving at the great circular terraces at the top of the structure that symbolizes the formless world of pure knowledge and perfection.
After Buddhism
A renowned Buddhist teacher's magnum opus, based on his fresh reading of the tradition's earliest texts Some twenty-five 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. After Buddhism, the culmination of four decades of study and practice in the Tibetan, Zen, and Theravada traditions, is his attempt to set the record straight about who the Buddha was and what he was trying to teach. Combining critical readings of the earliest canonical texts with narrative accounts of five members of the Buddha's inner circle, Batchelor depicts the Buddha as a pragmatic ethicist rather than a dogmatic metaphysician. He envisions Buddhism as a constantly evolving culture of awakening whose long survival is due to its capacity to reinvent itself and interact creatively with each society it encounters. This original and provocative book presents a new framework for understanding the remarkable spread of Buddhism in today's globalized world. It also reminds us of what was so startling about the Buddha's vision of human flourishing.
The Grass Flute Zen Master
What motivated Sodo-san to spend the last twenty years of his life in a "temple under the sky"-- a corner of a public park where he taught passersby what it means to be forever young through the funky tunes he played on his grass flute? In The Grass Flute Zen Master: Sodo Yokoyama, we are seeking not only a truer understanding of this well-loved monk, but of zazen, Zen meditation, itself. In his search for insights into Sodo Yokoyama's life, Arthur Braverman skillfully weaves a tapestry from seemingly disparate threads--the brief taisho period into which Sodo-san was born and where individualism shone; his teachers, both ancient and contemporary practitioners of Zen Bhuddism; the monk's love of baseball; and the similarities Braverman finds between Sodo-san and Walt Whitman, who both found the universal in nature. Through conversations with Joko Shibata, Yokoyama's sole disciple, and careful study of his teacher's poetry, an intriguing tension between the personal and the universal is revealed. The Grass Flute Zen Master is a meditative examination not of just one life, but of many. The lineage of teacher and protégé is traced back through generations, contemporaries are drawn up from unexpected places, and Braverman examines his own long journey in Zen Buddhism; confronting his own expectations and surprising disappointments (the monk lived in a boarding house and later took a cab to his park when he could no longer walk the whole way) and the understanding and acceptance that followed. "When you play the leaf," Sodo-san once wrote, "you'll usually be a little out of tune. That's where its very charm lies . . ."
Tantra in Tibet
His Holiness the Dalai Lama illuminates the highly practical and compassionate use of Tantra for spiritual development in this important classic work. This is the first book in a series presenting The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra. The other two books are Deity Yoga and Yoga Tantra. Tantra in Tibet consists of three parts published under the auspices of the Dalai Lama. "Essence of Tantra" by the Dalai Lama discusses tantra for practice, refuge, the three paths, greatness of mantra, clear light, and initiation. "The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra--Part 1" by Tsongkhapa is one of the principal classic texts on tantra. It presents the main features common to all the Buddhist tantra systems as well as the differences between sutra and tantra. In this volume Tsongkhapa covers paths to Buddhahood, vajra vehicle, deity yoga, and method in the four tantras. "Supplement" by Jeffrey Hopkins discusses the meaning of emptiness, transformation, and the purpose of the four tantras.
The Guru Drinks Bourbon?
An enlightening, accessible, and highly entertaining guide to the guru-disciple relationship, the heart of Tibetan Buddhism The humility and compassionate activity of the Dalai Lama is something many people can connect with, but how can one understand the stories about some other Buddhist teachers' unorthodox behavior? The centrality of and reliance on a guru is one of most misunderstood elements of Tibetan Buddhism--and one that is most often veiled in mystery. Because the guru can and will use whatever means it takes to wake us up, this relationship may require us to drop our most deeply held beliefs and expectations. Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse addresses some of the most misunderstood aspects of this powerful relationship and gives practical advice on making the most of this precious opportunity for transformation. Through stories and classical examples, he shows how to walk the path with eyes wide open, with critical-thinking skills sharpened and equipped to analyze the guru, before taking the leap.
A Celebration of Demons
The Sinhalese exorcism rituals are perhaps the most complex and the most magnificent in performance still extant. For this second edition, the author has written a new preface and introduction in which he argues that the techniques of healing in Sri Lanka and the aesthetics of this healing cannot be reduced to Western psychoanalytic or psychotherapeutic terms, and develops new and original approaches to ritual and the aesthetic in general.
The Miracle of Mindfulness
A new gift edition of the classic guide to meditation and mindfulness, featuring archival photography and beautiful calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh One of the best available introductions to the wisdom and beauty of meditation practice. --New Age Journal In this eloquent and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means for learning the skills of mindfulness. From washing dishes and answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness. Thich Nhat Hanh's powerful insights and teachings have been cherished by generations of readers seeking to learn about mindfulness and stress reduction. As the world we live in grows all the more overwhelming, The Miracle of Mindfulness remains an effective antidote to the accelerated speed and intense expectations of our lives. This gift edition features Thich Nhat Hanh's inspiring calligraphy, photographs from his travels around the world, and a revised afterword.
The Road Home
In this wise and witty invitation to Buddhist meditation, Ethan Nichtern, a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, investigates the journey each of us takes to find where we belong. Drawing from contemporary research on meditation and mindfulness and from his experience as a teacher and practitioner of Buddhism, Nichtern describes in fresh language the basic existential experience that gives rise to spiritual seeking--and its potentially dangerous counterpart, spiritual materialism. He explains exactly how, by turning our awareness to what's happening around us and inside us, we become able to enhance our sense of connection with others and, at the same time, change for the better our individual and collective patterns of greed, apathy, and inattention. The Road Home shows us that, in order to create a truly compassionate and enlightened society, we must start with ourselves. And this means working with our own mind--in whatever state we find it.
Dream Yoga
Lucid dreaming--waking up and becoming fully conscious in your dreams--has intrigued legions of those seeking to explore their vast inner worlds. Yet for many, "getting lucid" for the first time can be elusive. And for those who have, there are few resources that show us how to use this extraordinary state for the greater goal of awakening to all of reality, day or night. With Dream Yoga, Andrew Holecek brings us a practical guide for meditators, seasoned dream travelers wanting to go deeper, and total beginners eager to experience lucidity for the first time. Here, you'll join this expert teacher of dream work and meditation to learn: How to awaken in your dreams naturally by using modern scientific principles with the insights and practices of Tibetan dream and sleep yoga- Proven guidance to overcome common obstacles, enhance dream recall, focus and amplify awareness while dreaming, work with nightmares safely, resolve emotional blockages, and glean wisdom from your dreams- A wealth of practices and tips that have helped thousands enjoy successful dream-time exploration- Essential Buddhist teachings and tools for navigating the many realms of sleep (dreaming is just one of them)- Direct insights into the continuation of consciousness beyond the physical body and death- How to bring your skills together to engage with the hundreds of thousands of dream opportunities that most of us forget or dismiss Have you ever wondered what happens when you sleep and dream? Desired to wake up in your dreams and have the time of your life? Or wanted to use your sleep hours to fully explore these dimensions, heal, and evolve? Dream Yoga answers these questions--not academically but directly--by showing you how to access this profound universe for yourself.
When Things Fall Apart
Pema Ch繹dr繹n's perennially best-selling classic on overcoming life's difficulties cuts to the heart of spirituality and personal growth--now in a newly designed 20th-anniversary edition with a new afterword by Pema--makes for a perfect gift and addition to one's spiritual library. How can we live our lives when everything seems to fall apart--when we are continually overcome by fear, anxiety, and pain? The answer, Pema Ch繹dr繹n suggests, might be just the opposite of what you expect. Here, in her most beloved and acclaimed work, Pema shows that moving toward painful situations and becoming intimate with them can open up our hearts in ways we never before imagined. Drawing from traditional Buddhist wisdom, she offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy.
