A Gradual Awakening

In this intelligent, accessible work, acclaimed poet and meditation teacher Stephen Levine introduces readers to meditation. Filled with practical guidance and advice—as well as extensive personal recollections—A Gradual Awakening explains the value of meditation as a means of attaining awareness, and provides readers with extensive advice on how establish a practice. Drawing on his own personal experiences with and insights into vipassana meditation, Levine has crafted an inspiring book for anyone interested in deep personal growth.

Rediscover the Promise of Enlightenment As Western culture has embraced practices like meditation and yoga, has something been lost in translation? “What we see in America today in both the yoga boom and mindfulness fad,” writes Dr. Miles Neale, “is a presentation of technique alone, sanitized and purged of the dynamic teachings in wisdom and ethics that are essential for true liberation.” For anyone seeking a path dedicated to both authentic personal growth and the overthrow of the nihilism, hedonism, and materialism that are threatening our planet, this compelling teacher presents a well-conceived, sustainable solution with Gradual Awakening. The core of this book is Tibetan Buddhism’s “gradual path”—or Lam Rim—interpreted with fresh insights from modern scientific research. Offering an illuminating new presentation of Tibet’s deep psychology, meditative techniques, and virtuous rituals, Dr. Neale presents a time-honored path of enormous transformational potential. Each chapter serves as a practical manual that will allow you to experiment with and actualize the benefits of role-modeling visualization, affirmations, contemplative themes, textual recitation, prayers, altars, offerings, and meditation. Here you’ll explore: • Uprooting the “sickness of paradigm”—why a complete spiritual practice must directly confront the fundamental human suffering caused by the modern ethos of scientific reductionism • The Lam Rim path—the history, heritage, and power of this 30-step “hero’s journey” of awakening • Evolutionary self-care—understanding the Buddhist concept of renunciation as a form of self-love and healing • Radical altruism—awakening Bodhicitta, our innate aspiration to evolve fully in service to others • Quantum vision—how the teaching of “emptiness” allows us to pierce the illusion of materialism and accurately perceive the subtlest nature of reality • Dr. Neale’s MAPS process (Maturity, Acceptance, Possibility, and Seeds) to integrate and manifest key insights and skills in your everyday life The mass-market dilutions of Eastern wisdom that focus on symptom relief and easy answers have left behind the ultimate promise of spiritual practice: enlightenment. “Enlightenment is an unfolding process—open to everyone.” writes Dr. Neale. For most of us, this path to awakening must be realized through a gradual process: building on incremental insights into who we truly are, learning to care for ourselves and others, and discovering creative ways to engage the problems we all face. Gradual Awakening will serve as a lifelong companion for anyone willing to embrace a new paradigm that integrates science with spirit, theory with practice, and personal meditation with the desire to transform the world. A portion of the proceeds from this book will benefit the Buddhist nuns of Kopan Nunnery in Nepal.

From a revered meditation teacher comes an invaluable volume of guided meditations for the deeper healing of spirit, mind, and body. The culmination of decades of personal and professional explorations into the process of human consciousness, Guided Meditations, Explorations and Healings is an indispensable source book, filled with resources for healing and the deepening of awareness. Essential reading for anyone facing pain, severe illness, addiction, or other forms of suffering, in these pages Levine presents practical processes for the deep exploration of the mind and body, which are used widely in meditation centers, hospices, and hospitals around the world. Now, in this remarkable work, they are offered for the benefit of all who are drawn to looking inward—and all who seek the healing power of a merciful awareness.

A guide to healing meditation, from revered teacher Stephen Levine. Drawing on years of first-hand experience working with the chronically ill, here Levine presents original techniques for working with pain and grief. Addressing the choice and application of treatment, discussing the development of a merciful awareness as a means of healing, and providing practical meditation techniques as well as personal anecdotes from his career, Levine has crafted a valuable resource for anyone dealing with pain—physical or mental.

In this groundbreaking book, the authors of the perennial bestseller Who Dies? demonstrate how to use a relationship as a means for profound inner growth and healing. "Stephen and Ondrea's work is among the deepest, most healing and heartfelt contributions to modern spiritual life in America." —Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of a Path with Heart Stephen and Ondrea Levine devoted more than eighteen years to investigating the mind/body relationship, particularly as it relates to the states healing, dying, and grieving. Their work has affected healing and medical practices worldwide. In Embracing the Beloved, the Levines turn their attention to what has been "our most significant spiritual commitment—our own relationship." Their insights and anecdotes will benefit all who are drawn to looking inward, and all who seek a relationship as a path for spiritual renewal and merciful awareness of life.

Reverse-engineer your brain to experience freedom from suffering with this radically bold yet practical seven-step plan from the New York Times bestselling author of Buddha's Brain and Hardwiring Happiness. Building on his classic bestseller Buddha's Brain, New York Times bestselling author and senior fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley Rick Hanson uses the Buddhist analysis of the mind as a roadmap for strengthening the neural circuitry of deep calm, contentment, kindness, and wisdom--qualities we all need to succeed in the face of adversity. Most books about transformations of consciousness are theoretical or religious, typically full of jargon, pep talks, and calls to believe on faith alone. Instead, this is a book of practice, immediately actionable with simple, powerful guided meditations--and despite this grounded approach, its promise is radically life-changing. This book is nothing short of a path to transcendence, a method for liberating the mind and heart, discovering freedom from suffering, and engaging life with a kind heart and inner peace. A step-by-step path of practical ideas and tools, Dr. Hanson guides readers with his usual encouragement, good humor, and personal examples.

The Tibetan Book of Awakening: Seven Steps to Joy and Wisdom is a practical manual on Tibetan Buddhism. These seven steps are like a staircase that one can use to gradually discover total awakening. When we wholeheartedly commit to practicing these seven steps, the result will be a positive inner transformation, and ultimately, the attainment of joy and wisdom.