Contemplating Reality

A clear, in-depth exploration of traditional Buddhist philosophy that unpacks difficult concepts through guided exercises that encourage experiential understanding This book is for intermediate and advanced Buddhist practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding by joining practice with study of traditional ideas. It introduces the reader to contemplations that investigate a series of views of reality as they evolved in the Buddhist tradition. These views are explained in plain English, with contemporary metaphors and examples to bring out their meaning for modern Buddhists. Quotations from both historical and living meditation masters and scholars are presented as examples of key principles. Topics include • Egolessness • Appearances and reality • Methods of investigation • Enlightenment • Tenets of different schools through the centuries • The root of compassion • The origin of thoughts Guided exercises encourage the reader to trust in experiential understanding through deep contemplation of complex concepts. The book is structured as a guide for the reader’s journey. For more information about this book, please visit www.contemplatingreality.org.

This book is for intermediate and advanced Buddhist practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding by joining practice with study of traditional ideas. It introduces the reader to contemplations that investigate a series of views of reality as they evolved in the Buddhist tradition. These views are explained in plain English, with contemporary metaphors and examples to bring out their meaning for modern Buddhists. Quotations from both historical and living meditation masters and scholars are presented as examples of key principles. Topics include: • Egolessness • Appearances and reality • Methods of investigation • Enlightenment • Tenets of different schools through the centuries • The root of compassion • The origin of thoughts Guided exercises encourage the reader to trust in experiential understanding through deep contemplation of complex concepts. The book is structured as a guide for the reader’s journey. For more information on the author, Andy Karr, visit his blog at http://contemplatingreality.blogspot.com/. For more information about this book, please visit www.contemplatingreality.org.

"Art and Freedom introduces a novel classificatory system for representation, expression, and formalist theories of art. Sleinis argues that a characteristic defect of contemporary theories of art is their neglect of the issue of value. Probing the issue of progress in art, he also emphasizes the need for art to contribute to positive values."--BOOK JACKET.

The Buddhist masterpiece Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sūtras, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra, is part of a collection known as the Five Maitreya Teachings, a set of philosophical works that have become classics of the Indian Buddhist tradition. Maitreya, the Buddha’s regent, is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asaṅga in the heavenly realm of Tuṣita. The Ornament provides a comprehensive description of the bodhisattva’s view, meditation, and enlightened activities. Bodhisattvas are beings who, out of vast love for all sentient beings, have dedicated themselves to the task of becoming fully awakened buddhas, capable of helping all beings in innumerable and vast ways to become enlightened themselves. To fully awaken requires practicing great generosity, patience, energy, discipline, concentration, and wisdom, and Maitreya’s text explains what these enlightened qualities are and how to develop them. This volume includes commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham, whose discussions illuminate the subtleties of the root text and provide valuable insight into how to practice the way of the bodhisattva. Drawing on the Indian masters Vasubandhu and, in particular, Sthiramati, Mipham explains the Ornament with eloquence and brilliant clarity. This commentary is among his most treasured works.

This book is an odyssey into the truth of leadership’s nature and essence. Written for aspiring leaders, teachers of leaders, and followers, the aim is to practice awakening a leader’s potential. The book mirrors and reflects the inner nature of the leadership journey. It is written in a contemplative style and uses dialogue to exercise a leader’s will, intelligence, and spirit. The techniques taught in these chapters are dialogue, meditation, and contemplation. The author seeks to teach leaders how to exercise the power of will and the power of intelligence to make the kinetic chain of knowing, willing, and acting morally and intellectually strong. Reading this book serves as a leadership development exercise. This book is a teaching tool designed to demystify what takes place in the interior nature of a leader. It examines a leader’s soul, as it is exercised and strengthened in preparation for the cardinal act of leading, and it analyzes the act of making practical judgments, an act that demands the cultivation of a discerning mind to see and know the truth to be acted upon. Based on a true story, these chapters are a reflection on the formation of a leader and a realization of twenty years of research. The author studies the question: What does it take to develop a leader? Deliberations on eight years of guiding leaders on moral and intellectual quests in search of true freedom are revealed.

Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge, Fifth Edition is a foundational text for teaching nursing students the core concepts of knowledge management while providing an understanding of the current technological tools and resources available.

Why meditate? To let go of stress? To become more focused? To fathom life's mysteries? Whatever our purpose, Jinananda is a clear, experienced and friendly guide who can help us start meditating - right now. Find everything you need to begin your exploration of meditation: how to sit, simple instructions to two traditional practices that develop clarity, peace of mind and positive emotions, troubleshooting tips and ideas on how to take our practice further.

Schizophrenia: A Contemporary Introduction provides a vital overview of psychoanalytic work with patients dealing with schizophrenia, highlighting the many benefits of this approach and introducing key methods for mental health practitioners. This concise introductory volume starts by offering a brief historical introduction to how psychoanalysts, from Freud onwards, have approached schizophrenia and the methods they have used to alleviate the distress it causes its sufferers. Gillian Steggles illustrates how the developing relationship between patient and analyst can positively impact the patient’s mental functioning, leading to an improvement in their overall health and the ability to regain independence and self-reliance. She introduces theoretical psychoanalytic approaches, such as the Psychodynamic Pentapointed Cognitive Construct (PPCC) model, as a means of offering guidance to analysts dealing with schizophrenic analysands. This book will be of interest to practicing and trainee analysts, as well as those interested in the history of schizophrenia and its continued impact.