Mastering Meditation

A legendary contemporary meditation master illuminates practices that are essential to Tibetan Buddhists everywhere. Tibetan Buddhism is estimated to have 18 million followers worldwide. Mastering Meditation gives you the experience of studying with one of the greatest meditation masters of the modern age. His Eminence Chöden Rinpoché was not only a celebrated scholar, honored by selection as a debate partner to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but he was also an accomplished yogi who spent nineteen years in solitary meditation retreat. In this thorough and thoroughly clear book, Rinpoché offers meticulous explanations and profound practical instructions on two essential practices in Tibetan Buddhism: calm abiding and mahamudra. The first part of this book contains instructions for developing calm abiding, an unshakable single-pointedness of mind. The second part, Rinpoché’s direct commentary on the Fourth Panchen Lama’s foundational text, offers advanced instructions on using calm abiding as a platform to develop mahamudra. Rinpoché elucidates both sutra-system mahamudra—meditation on the emptiness of the mind—as well as mantra-system mahamudra, a specialized meditation that uncovers subtle, hidden levels of mind to pierce into the ultimate nature of self and reality, leading finally to complete enlightenment. Drawing from his vast learning and personal experience, Rinpoché provides readers with an open gateway to remarkable states of lucidity and peace.

Did you ever want to try meditation but didn’t know what type of meditation to use? Or maybe you didn’t know there were different types of meditations? Well, there are and Mastering Meditation explains them and offers examples of each type of meditation technique. Do you want to relax? Or are you looking for help or guidance? Try some of the different meditations from the book, and see which of them works for you. Do you wonder what types of lives you might have lived previously, or what lives you might live in the future? Using the regression and progression meditation techniques included in the book can help you find out. The book also contains some examples of past and future life memories.

The very idea that the teachings can be mastered will arouse controversy within Buddhist circles. Even so, Ingram insists that enlightenment is an attainable goal, once our fanciful notions of it are stripped away, and we have learned to use meditation as a method for examining reality rather than an opportunity to wallow in self-absorbed mind-noise. Ingram sets out concisely the difference between concentration-based and insight (vipassana) meditation; he provides example practices; and most importantly he presents detailed maps of the states of mind we are likely to encounter, and the stages we must negotiate as we move through clearly-defined cycles of insight. Its easy to feel overawed, at first, by Ingram's assurance and ease in the higher levels of consciousness, but consistently he writes as a down-to-earth and compassionate guide, and to the practitioner willing to commit themselves this is a glittering gift of a book.In this new edition of the bestselling book, the author rearranges, revises and expands upon the original material, as well as adding new sections that bring further clarity to his ideas.

The Mind Illuminated is a comprehensive, accessible and - above all - effective book on meditation, providing a nuts-and-bolts stage-based system that helps all levels of meditators establish and deepen their practice. Providing step-by-step guidance for every stage of the meditation path, this uniquely comprehensive guide for a Western audience combines the wisdom from the teachings of the Buddha with the latest research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Clear and friendly, this in-depth practice manual builds on the nine-stage model of meditation originally articulated by the ancient Indian sage Asanga, crystallizing the entire meditative journey into 10 clearly-defined stages. The book also introduces a new and fascinating model of how the mind works, and uses illustrations and charts to help the reader work through each stage. This manual is an essential read for the beginner to the seasoned veteran of meditation.

A definitive study of one of the most important practices in Tibetan Buddhism, with translations of a number of its key texts. Mahamudra, the “great seal,” refers to the ultimate nature of mind and reality, to a meditative practice for realizing that ultimate reality, and to the final fruition of buddhahood. It is especially prominent in the Kagyü tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, so it sometimes comes as a surprise that mahamudra has played an important role in the Geluk school, where it is part of a special transmission received in a vision by the tradition’s founder, Tsongkhapa. Mahamudra is a significant component of Geluk ritual and meditative life, widely studied and taught by contemporary masters such as the Dalai Lama. Roger Jackson’s Mind Seeing Mind offers us both a definitive scholarly study of the history, texts, and doctrines of Geluk mahamudra and masterful translations of its seminal texts. It provides a skillful survey of the Indian sources of the teaching, illuminates the place of mahamudra among Tibetan Buddhist schools, and details the history and major textual sources of Geluk mahamudra. Jackson also addresses critical questions, such as the relation between Geluk and Kagyü mahamudra, and places mahamudra in the context of contemporary religious studies. The translation portion of Mind Seeing Mind includes ten texts on mahamudra history, ritual, and practice. Among these are the First Panchen Lama’s root verses and autocommentary on mahamudra meditation, his ritual masterpiece Offering to the Guru, and a selection of his songs of spiritual experience. Mind Seeing Mind adds considerably to our understanding of Tibetan Buddhist spirituality and shows how mahamudra came to be woven throughout the fabric of the Geluk tradition.

This practical guide to achieving conscious out-of-body experiences is based upon the author's extensive knowledge of astral projection. Presented in an easy-to-follow workbook format, the 13-week program introduces astral project methods and provides daily preparatory exercises. Includes a CD-ROM.

This book begins with the deeply impactful healing journey of Suzie DeVaughn and illustrates how extreme self-care saved her life. The painful health crisis eventually led her into a career as a public speaker, author, psychotherapist, and healing facilitator. She has guided thousands of clients to their innermost pain, transforming wounds into wisdom through compassion, love and insight. Mastering Self-Care is for anyone who desires to improve their quality of life—from the general public to professional caregivers. It educates the reader on the multiple dimensions of self-care, including practical tips to incorporate life-affirming practices into daily living. It creates a paradigm shift regarding compassionate care of one’s self to prevent burnout in the process of helping others. Handling stress from the inside-out is essential for successfully navigating life’s challenges. This book provides an in-depth perspective on the categories of self-care including: physical, psychological, interpersonal/social, professional, spiritual, and energy management/clearing. Self-assessments are incorporated to give the reader awareness regarding current habits, patterns, and beliefs. It then follows with a section on strategy to assist the beginner in an achievable regimen or improving existing practices for those who are more advanced. Special prevention and identification considerations are outlined for professional and family caregivers, as they can be at high risk of experiencing secondary trauma due to the intensity of their service and care. Mastering Self-Care gives the reader awareness, inspiration, ideas, and techniques regarding the effective use of self-care as the foundation of healthy and mindful living. This helps to counterbalance personal and professional life stress resulting in increased resiliency, energy optimization, balance and wholeness. Anyone can benefit from this book, from those just beginning to focus on their needs to advanced self-lovers. What we need is a self-care movement in which each person loves, cares, and takes responsibility for one’s self. By acknowledging and responding to our needs, we have more energy and compassion to help others. In this scenario, everyone benefits. www.selfcarespecialists.com www.blossomingheartcenter.com