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The New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful »

Book cover image of The New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Authors: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
ISBN-13: 9780981727714, ISBN-10: 0981727719
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Tharpa Publications
Date Published: April 2009
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is a Buddhist monk, a meditation master, and an international teacher who has founded more than 1,000 Kadampa Buddhist meditation centers. He is the author of more than 20 books, including Eight Steps to Happiness, How to Solve Our Human Problems, Introduction to Buddhism, and Transform Your Life.

Book Synopsis

Perfect for both beginners and experienced meditators, this practical manual offers an introduction to the expansive inner world of meditation as well as a series of 21 step-by-step meditations, leading to increasingly peaceful and beneficial states of mind, which together form the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. The program allows meditators to discover the inner tranquility and lightness of mind that come from this popular discipline, which can help solve daily problems and make room for greater happiness through balance and peace. The resource provides additional meditation break practices, which supply practical advice on how to integrate the meditations into everyday life to improve experiences and relationships.

Table of Contents

Prefacevii
Part 1Foundation
Introduction3
What is Meditation?6
The Benefits of Meditation9
How to Begin Meditation11
Background Knowledge Required for Meditation13
How to Meditate20
Part 2The Twenty-one Meditations
The Initial Scope
1Our Precious Human Life30
2Death and Impermanence33
3The Danger of Lower Rebirth37
4Refuge Practice40
5Actions and their Effects42
The Intermediate Scope
6Developing Renunciation for Samsara46
The Great Scope
7Developing Equanimity68
8Recognizing that all Living Beings are our Mothers71
9Remembering the Kindness of Living Beings75
10Equalizing Self and Others78
11The Disadvantages of Self-cherishing81
12The Advantages of Cherishing Others85
13Exchanging Self with Others88
14Great Compassion91
15Taking94
16Wishing Love96
17Giving98
18Bodhichitta100
19Tranquil Abiding103
20Superior Seeing107
21Relying Upon a Spiritual Guide113
Conclusion117
Appendix IPrayers for Meditation119
Appendix IIA Commentary to the Preparatory Practices127
Appendix IIIA Special Breathing Meditation141
Appendix IVA Suggested Retreat Schedule151
Appendix VThe Commitments of Going for Refuge157
Appendix VIA Traditional Meditation on Emptiness167
Appendix VIIThe Kadampa Way of Life179
Glossary193
Bibliography206
Study Programmes211

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