Buddhist Meditation

Buddhist Meditation for Beginners

by Jack Kornfield

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Known for bringing ?insight? meditation to the West and for his many best-selling books, including A Path with Heart (over 100,000 copies in print), Jack Kornfield now offers a collection of his most popular teachings with Buddhist Meditation for Beginners. Specially designed gift set includes four complete audio learning courses: The Beginner's Guide to Buddhism, Meditation for Beginners, Meditations of the Heart, and The Beginner's Guide to Forgiveness.

Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated | More reviews: amazon.com

Mindfulness With Breathing : A Manual for Serious Beginners

by Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

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"The Anapanasati Sutta is a system of exercises and experiments in breathing and awareness applied to the body, feelings, mind, and spirit. It is presumed that by employing this method, the Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is difficult to imagine a more powerful exposition of these steps than that given by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (Ajan Buddhadasa). Buddhadasa Bhikkhu was perhaps the most influential teacher of Buddhism in the history of Thailand. Although he did not have much formal education, he was honored by many doctoral degrees. The translator, Santikaro Bhikkhu, after serving in the Peace Corps in Thailand, returned in l985 to become the translator for Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and today is the abbot of a monostery. From the translator's faithfulness to his task, the personality of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu emerges: clear, practical and posssessing gentle,good humor. Both Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Santikaro Bhikkhu felt that many Pali terms did not translate easily into English. Consequently their inclusion was necessary. The reader is given three ways to grasp these terms; 1). A glossary, 2). In-text definitions and, 3). Grasping the terms in context through reading and study of the text. Through the Pali terms and the clear presentation of the core ideas of Buddhism, the reader if not enlightened, will at least be well-educated. The reader is taken gently and closely through every step of the way, starting with suggestions for reading the text. Always the reader is encouraged to do his/her best with what is available, which is exactly how Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Santikaro Bhikkhu prepared this model of what a text book should be. The lectures this book were based on, were originally given to Westerners, consequently the reasoning behind ideas is emphasized. For instance, it is pointed out that any body process, not only breathing, can be used for this type of study. Should the reader not be prepared to undertake the path of "serious beginner" at this time, other less rigorous methods are described."

Publisher: Wisdom Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

Zen Brushwork: Focusing the Mind with Calligraphy and Painting

by Tanchu Terayama

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"Ably translated into English by Thomas F. Judge and John Stevens, Zen Brushwork: Focusing The Mind With Calligraphy And Painting by Tanchu Terayama (Nishogakusha University) uses black-and-white photography to illustrate simple exercises and practices that one can follow to expand one's mind and meditation skills through the arts of calligraphy and painting -- especially as they have been practiced in Asian nations for thousands of years. Showcasing works of art as well as advice and practical instructions, Zen Brushwork is a thoughtfully written and an easy-to-follow guide that especially recommended to students of meditation, Zen Buddhism, and the contemplative aspects of the martial arts."

Publisher: Kodansha International | More reviews: amazon.com

Breathe! You Are Alive: Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing

by Thich Nhat Hanh

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"This sutra (along with the four foundations of mindlfullness) is a text on how to utilize mediatation to become enlightened. I keep this book next to my bed so I can read a passage from time to time to reinforce my meditation practice. These days there are so many books on how to meditate, why not read a book on meditation by a a master from 2600 years ago translated by one of the modern day living representation of the same master."

Publisher: Parallax Press | More reviews: amazon.com

The Force of Kindness: Change Your Life with Love and Compassion (Book & CD)

by Sharon Salzberg

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""Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth,
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.

~Naomi Shihab Nye

Sharon Salzberg presents kindness in a book about life lived with love and a CD to introduce kindness meditations. Through her work, you can learn how to bring more compassion into the world. She presents her ideas in six chapters:

Compassion in Action
Kindness Toward Ourselves
Overcoming Cruelty
How We See the World
Ethics and Kindness
The Intention of Kindness

Sharon Salzberg teaches us how to see the good inside us and to reflect on things we have done in the world that are positive and nurturing. She recommends spending 15-20 minutes a day on doing something to be kind to yourself. You can also repeat phrases like "May I live in safety," and "May I have mental happiness." She also shows how a natural sense of morality can be born from a sense of empathy and in understanding that hurting others will cause your own suffering.

How can we feel liberating joy?
What is an enlightened being?
Can you dedicate your life to kindness?
How can you become a bodhisattva?

While we all seem to move from unhappiness to happiness on a daily basis or a minute-by-minute cycle of life's ever changing circumstances, this book helps to bring us back to a more centered existence. Sharon Salzberg's teachings encourage you to live with an open heart and be a place of calm in the midst of the world's storms.

"Kindness is the foundation of unselfconscious generosity, natural inclusivity, and an unfeigned integrity. When we are devoted to the development of kindness, it becomes our ready response..." ~Sharon Salzberg

~The Rebecca Review "

Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated | More reviews: amazon.com

Plum Village Meditations

by Thich Nhat Hanh

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" I've been using this tape for close to 8 years now just about every single day. I actually use it before lunch to regroup and it's made a huge difference in my life. Using it gives me a sense of renewal, deep rest and awareness at the same time.

It's an opportunity to start fresh again in the midst of my day. Also, because it's not a meditation that requires a mantra that is said "out loud" it can be done anywhere at anytime if you have a walkman type player. I've done it in airports, on planes, anywhere that you need to reconnect and come back into the present moment. Plus, once you are familiar with the program you can do it without the tape so you can do these meditations anytime and anywhere.

In particular I use the guided meditations. There are three series of guided meditations led by Sister Jina. The first is very simple "Breathing In, I know I am breathing in, Breathing Out, I know I am breathing Out...In...Out", then it's followed by "Deepening and Slowing the breath", "Feeling Calm and Ease", "Smiling and Releasing" and ends with "Present Moment, Wonderful Moment".

The second series is a body scan of sorts with the intention to cultivate gratitude for our physical bodies, gratitude for things man of us take for granted like our eyes, ears, lungs, heart etc. For example it starts "Aware of the hair on my head, I breathe In, Smiling to the hair on my head I breath out..... Hair... Smiling..." (while Hair may seem a strange place to start, I guess the idea "for even hair to exist is miraculous" in that "any form of existence is a miracle" to have gratitude for), then the meditation moves on to the eyes, ears, lungs, heart, liver, feet and ends with "Breathing in I know I am Breathing in, Breathing Out I know I am breathing out....."

The third series is based on forgiving one's parents which is a source of much pain for many people I know. I must admit that I don't use this one because I was blessed with an unusually excellent relationship with my folks and so I don't have any issues here. Still, many people I know have some if not a lot of baggage with regard to their folks that they may be living with much pain that may be helped by this particular guided meditation.

The other side of the tape is a "Gong" meditation which is really different, you basically just breath and concentrate on the sound of the gong as it is played and gradually fades out. This can be a very powerful meditation, especially if you have good speakers or headphones (which is my favorite way to use it).

Highly recommended!

Namaste"

Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated | More reviews: amazon.com

Meditation for Life

by Martine Batchelor

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"Meditation for Life offers thoughtful insight into the world of meditation. Although written mainly for beginners, even the most experienced practitioners of meditation will enjoy Martine Batchelor's simple yet powerful words.Martine goes beyond the simple aspects of normal meditation and teaches us how the same techniques can apply to other parts of our life, such as having a conversation with someone or cooking.Through-out this beautifully bound book we can appreciate Stephen Batchelor's eye-catching photography, from a simple close-up of tree bark to an intriguing contrasted photograph of a monk crossing a bridge. Stephen's unique brand of photography highlights the overall tone of the book, namely one of enquiry and exploration.I had the pleasure of meeting both Martine and Stephen Batchelor at a Buddhist conference in New York, and purchased this book hoping that it would emit the same sense of energy and curiousness that they radiated and I was not disappointed.All in all, a wonderful book with captivating photography. Well worth the purchase.- A 17-year old spiritual seeker"

Publisher: Wisdom Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

Meditating with the Body: Six Tibetan Buddhist Meditations for Touching Enlightenment with the Body

by Reginald A. Ray

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"This CD set consists of extracts from the TANTRA CD set. DO NOT BUY THIS IF YOU HAVE THE TANTRA CDs. It is redundant."

Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated | More reviews: amazon.com

Guided Meditations on the Stages of the Path (with 15 hour mp3 meditation CD)

by Thubten Chodron

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"The guided meditation mp3 CD in this book was the missing link I had been looking for in establishing a daily meditation practice. Thubten Chodron communicates the practical benefits of Buddhist teachings more effectively than anyone I've read and each of these guided meditations focuses on drawing connections between Buddhist principles and everyday situations. Distributing over 14 hours of guided meditations on one CD accompanying this hardbound volume provides an invaluable tool at an EXTREMELY reasonable price. If you have any hesitation at all about ordering this book and mp3 CD, visit thubtenchodron.org and listen to one of the author's talks or read one of her essays. Discover for yourself whether or not her down to earth approach is right for you."

Publisher: Snow Lion Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

Ordinary Magic

by John Welwood

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Spiritual practice and meditation are often thought of as being the province of priests, monks, and nuns—those few individuals who have returned from the preoccupations of day-to-day life. This inspiring book reveals how the simple practice of mindfulness can be a magical and transformative part of anyone's daily life. Thirty-five wide-ranging essays written by well-known spiritual teachers, therapists, and creative artists show how learning to focus awareness can bring a new richness to ordinary activities; how mindfulness can heighten creative pursuits such as painting, journal writing, or playing music; how contemplative awareness enhances both physical and psychological well-being; and how meditation can contribute to better relationships with family, community, and the world at large.

Publisher: Shambhala | More reviews: amazon.com