Authors: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
ISBN-13: 9780981727714, ISBN-10: 0981727719
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Tharpa Publications
Date Published: April 2009
Edition: (Non-applicable)
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.
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.
Preface | vii | |
Part 1 | Foundation | |
Introduction | 3 | |
What is Meditation? | 6 | |
The Benefits of Meditation | 9 | |
How to Begin Meditation | 11 | |
Background Knowledge Required for Meditation | 13 | |
How to Meditate | 20 | |
Part 2 | The Twenty-one Meditations | |
The Initial Scope | ||
1 | Our Precious Human Life | 30 |
2 | Death and Impermanence | 33 |
3 | The Danger of Lower Rebirth | 37 |
4 | Refuge Practice | 40 |
5 | Actions and their Effects | 42 |
The Intermediate Scope | ||
6 | Developing Renunciation for Samsara | 46 |
The Great Scope | ||
7 | Developing Equanimity | 68 |
8 | Recognizing that all Living Beings are our Mothers | 71 |
9 | Remembering the Kindness of Living Beings | 75 |
10 | Equalizing Self and Others | 78 |
11 | The Disadvantages of Self-cherishing | 81 |
12 | The Advantages of Cherishing Others | 85 |
13 | Exchanging Self with Others | 88 |
14 | Great Compassion | 91 |
15 | Taking | 94 |
16 | Wishing Love | 96 |
17 | Giving | 98 |
18 | Bodhichitta | 100 |
19 | Tranquil Abiding | 103 |
20 | Superior Seeing | 107 |
21 | Relying Upon a Spiritual Guide | 113 |
Conclusion | 117 | |
Appendix I | Prayers for Meditation | 119 |
Appendix II | A Commentary to the Preparatory Practices | 127 |
Appendix III | A Special Breathing Meditation | 141 |
Appendix IV | A Suggested Retreat Schedule | 151 |
Appendix V | The Commitments of Going for Refuge | 157 |
Appendix VI | A Traditional Meditation on Emptiness | 167 |
Appendix VII | The Kadampa Way of Life | 179 |
Glossary | 193 | |
Bibliography | 206 | |
Study Programmes | 211 |