The Pure Joy Of Being

An illustrated introduction to the history of Buddhism through teachings on its relevance today and simple meditation practices. There is only one moment in time when it is essential to awaken. That moment is now. —Buddha The art of Buddhism beautifully depicts enlightened beings who demonstrate the practice of meditation yet, while deeply inspiring, art alone cannot teach one to meditate. In The Pure Joy of Being Fabrice Midal brings together traditional Buddhist art with enlightening text as a way to teach the tradition and practice of meditation. Filled with images of bodhisattvas and awakened beings who illustrate the possibility of freedom, alongside practical instruction, advice, and meditations for the everyday situations we face on a daily basis, this book is an accessible introduction to meditation and the wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings. To meditate is to remain in the present moment with attention and benevolence, to remove the desire to manage everything, and to open yourself up to life and all that is possible. It’s as simple as that. And yet, meditating is not easy. What is true happiness? How can we overcome difficulties in life with courage? Can meditation help in today’s world? The Pure Joy of Being teaches that the goal of meditation is to turn us into beings that are more human, and capable of thinking, feeling, and loving better. It offers contemporary practices to set us on this path.

'The Christian faith and message promise joy - pure joy. Not what people call happiness, but joy. Not health or wealth, but joy. Not an easy ride and fun, but joy. We are filled with "an inexpressible and glorious joy".' In the familiar, down-to-earth and thoroughly biblical style for which he is so loved, R. T. Kendall unpacks the joy which is a gift of God for all Christians. Joy in the face of extreme trial, the joy which comes in time, the joy of God's esteem, and rejoicing in the Lord are just some of the themes explored in this wonderful book of encouragement and inspiration.

According to spiritual masters (e.g., sages, seers, yogis, mystics, etc.), whether we know (or believe) it or not, we already are and will always be the only pure being (or awareness) there is, which is eternal (timeless), infinite (dimensionless), indivisibly whole, innately peaceful, and absolutely fulfilled. This claim implies that we are not individuals with mind-body mechanisms. Therefore, it is our birthright to recognize our true nature as it is and naturally manifest that true nature in our daily lives to live a complete and fulfilled life with lasting peace and joy. This guidebook is meant to help us recognize our true nature as it is. A little over twelve years ago, I began to be very interested in spirituality. Since then, every year I have been spending hundreds, even thousands, of hours on activities such as listening to YouTube discourses on spirituality, conducting internet research on spiritual topics, contemplating the knowledge, understanding, and insight I have gained, and so on. Writing books has been one of my spiritual practices, with the purpose of sharing what I have been able to learn, discover, and intuit. Are the physical objects that seem to exist in the external world real? Are the subtle objects that we experience internally real? What about the reality of our bodies and minds? Do they have independent existences of their own? What is the true nature of my being? What am I? What is it that is aware of (or knows) my experiences? What is the continuous element in all my experiences? What is it that cannot be removed from me? How do I know that I exist? What can I be certain of? Why can't I have lasting peace and joy in life? Is it possible to recognize my true nature? What do eastern wisdom traditions, such as Vedanta, teach? If you are looking for answers to any of the questions mentioned above, then please consider reading this book, which is based mainly on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Shri Ramana Maharshi, the two greatest spiritual giants of modern times. Topics include: 1. Different Aspects of Spirituality 1.1 Meaning of Spirituality 1.2 Spirituality and Reality 1.3 Spirituality and Knowledge 1.4 Further Reading and Bibliographic References 2. Vedanta Philosophy 2.1 Upanishads and Vedanta 2.2 Schools of Vedanta 2.3 Uniqueness of Advaita (Nonduality) 2.4 Further Reading and Bibliographic References 3. Advaita in Modern Times 3.1 Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda 3.2 Sri Ramana Maharshi and Self-Inquiry 3.3 Advaita and Science 3.4 Relevance of Advaita in Our Daily Lives 3.5 Further Reading and Bibliographic References 4. Pure Being 4.1 Intrinsic Existence 4.2 Names and Forms versus Pure Being 4.3 Language versus Pure Being 4.4 Manifestation of the Universe 4.5 Recognizing Our True Nature as Pure Being 4.6 Further Reading and Bibliographic References 5. Pure Awareness 5.1 Doctrine of Three Bodies 5.2 Perception and Perceiving Activity of the Mind 5.3 Different States of the Mind 5.4 Source of Mind 5.5 Recognizing Our True Nature as Pure Awareness 5.6 Further Reading and Bibliographic References 6. Pure Joy 6.1 Joy and Its Source 6.2 Pure Being, Pure Awareness, and Pure Joy 6.3 Worldly Joy versus Spiritual Joy 6.4 Further Reading and Bibliographic References 7. Important Goals Pursued by Human Beings 7.1 Dharma (Living Our Lives in the Right Way) 7.2 Different Aspects of Dharma 7.3 Law of Karma and Reincarnation 7.4 Artha (Attaining Prosperity and Security) 7.5 Kama (Fulfilling Worldly Desires) 7.6 Moksha (Recognizing Our True Nature) 7.7 Further Reading and Bibliographic References 8. Yogas 8.1 Karma Yoga (Yoga of Action) 8.2 Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion) 8.3 Practice of Bhakti Yoga 8.4 Dhyana Yoga (Yoga of Meditation) 8.5 Practice of Patanjali Yoga (or Dhyana Yoga) 8.6 Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge) 8.7 Practice of Jnana Yoga 8.8 Further Reading and Bibliographic References Thanks for your interest and support!

Discovering true joy in your life can be as simple as spending 31 days journaling through the Pure Joy Bible reading plan. This Bible reading plan and journal provides 31 Scripture references for a month-long adventure of cultivating a happy heart. The daily focus word and simple memory statement will remind you of the rich depth God's Word provides. Specifically designed to help you remember to spend time with God each day and enjoy his love letter to you., the simplicity of this Bible reading plan and journal makes it one you'll long to share with others. Give God's Word the opportunity to soak into your soul and help you remember all the reasons you should be glad!

A teaching on contemplative prayer from one of the most influential spiritual writers of the 20th century.