Guided Meditations on the Stages of the Path (with 15 hour mp3 meditation CD) Har/MP3 edition

by Thubten Chodron

The lamrim (stages of the path) presentation of Buddhist teachings has become a core topic of study at many Buddhist centers in the West. For busy practitioners, the lamrim gives a concise and easily graspable picture of the Buddhist path. Best-selling author Thubten Chodron has a unique ability to present these teachings. In this volume, she provides clear explanations of the stages of the path, while the accompanying audio program contains guided meditations on each of the topics covered in the text. The meditation teachings of lamrim, says Buddhist teacher Thubten Chodron, are like ready-made clothes that are easy to they're systematized so that we can wear them right away, so we can learn and practice them in an organized fashion. Lamrim can be translated in various "stages of the path," "steps on the path," or "gradual path." "Gradual path" reminds us that the process of transforming the mind, unlike so many other things in our hurry-up society, is a slow and thoughtful one. These systematic teachings are the subject of this book. The lamrim presents a step-by-step method to tame the mind, and each person will find meaning and insight according to his or her level of understanding. As readers practice these meditations repeatedly, their comprehension and experience will transform and deepen, even though the words used to spark the meditation sessions remain the same.The first section of guided meditations discusses how to establish a daily practice, how to set up an altar, and how to approach the two kinds of meditation—stabilizing and analytical. The second presents the meditations. The third supplies an overview, instructions for working with distractions, antidotes to mental afflictions, advice for newcomers, and suggestions on how to deepen Dharma practice. The accompanying audio program (available to eBook buyers as a free MP3 download) contains over fourteen hours of guided meditations, led by Thubten Chodron. Individuals who live far from Buddhist teachers or Dharma centers will appreciate the personal guidance offered with these meditations, enabling them to begin and continue a daily meditation practice. This a new and expanded version of Guided Meditations on the Lam Rim , and the recording was previously published in a 14-CD format under that name.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Meditation, Spirituality

Hardcover

First published October 25, 2007

About the author

Born in 1950, Venerable Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron (Ch: 圖丹.卻淮) grew up near Los Angeles. She graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971. After travelling through Europe, North Africa and Asia for one and a half years, she received a teaching credential and went to the University of Southern California to do post-graduate work in Education while working as a teacher in the Los Angeles City School System.

In 1975, she attended a meditation course given by Ven. Lama Yeshe and Ven. Zopa Rinpoche, and subsequently went to their monastery in Nepal to continue to study and practice Buddha's teachings. In 1977, she received the sramanerika (novice) ordination, and in 1986, received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan.

She studied and practiced Buddhism of the Tibetan tradition for many years in India and Nepal under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, Zopa Rinpoche and other Tibetan masters for many years. She directed the spiritual program at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy for nearly two years, studied three years at Dorje Pamo Monastery in France, and was resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Center in Singapore. For ten years she was resident teacher at Dharma Friendship Founation in Seattle, where she continues to be spiritual advisor.

Ven. Chodron was a co-organizer of Life as a Western Buddhist Nun, and took part in the conferences of Western Buddhist teachers with H.H. the Dalai Lama in 1993 and 1994. She was present during the Jewish delegation's visit to Dharamsala, India, in 1990, which was the basis for Rodger Kamenetz' The Jew in the Lotus, and attended the Second Gethsemani Encounter in 2002. She is keen on interreligious dialogue. She has also been present at several of the Mind-Life Conferences in which H. H. the Dalai Lama dialogues with Western scientists.

Ven. Chodron travels worldwide to teach the Dharma: North America, Latin America, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, and former communist countries.. Seeing the importance and necessity of a monastery for Westerners training in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, she founded Sravasti Abbey and is currently involved in developing it.

Ven. Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well-known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings.

Reviews

[Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any Buddhist practicing in the Tibetan tradition, I think this is a must have for a Beginner or Intermediate practioner. I especially love the Audio CD which contains guided meditations on all the stages of the Lam Rim. I've found this a wonderful support over the last 6 years, especially whenever I'm travelling. I've transferred all the tracks onto my ipod and it's the equivalent of having the Lam Rim in your back pocket!

What I also love is the booklet. It contains a lot of great insight into the everyday details of daily practice (ie how to offer water bowls, setting up an altar) and also a section on how to overcome obstacles.

In short, this book is definitely one of my favourites.

[Aria Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely comprehensive and an excellent step by step guide for anyone seeking a path to enlightenment. Some of the topics covered include, setting up a daily routine and how to incorporate meditation into your schedule (even if you have children), It covers setting up an alter, creating a sacred space for meditation, breathing, covers levels for beginners, intermediate and advanced practitioners, different meditations and how to stay on track and so much more. It includes a lovely bonus of a link to guided meditations for all levels of practice. This book is easy to read and follow along with in depth explanation on many questions you may have. If you've ever wanted a detailed guide to buddhist mediations, look no more, this is the only book you'll need.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great birthday present--thanks Fred and Derya! Much easier to understand than some of the other lamrim stuff I read back in the day.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thubten Chodron studied with the Dalai Lama and many other great teachers. However, she has her unique perspective as a Westerner and she explains the materials in a easy to understand and tailoring to Western audiences. Even though I’m Vietnamese, I found reading Buddhist teaching in my own native language hard to understand as many words have Chinese root.

This book is a precious gem for students who are interested in taking lamrim, the graduated path. I do the Buddha visualization as well as analytical meditation every day. I’ve only been doing for 3 months and I already memorize the Buddha visualization as well as the English translation. It also sets a positive motivation for your entire day as you finish the meditation and go about your day.

Coupled this with her lamrim texts collaborated with the Dalai Lama (5 series books starting with The Foundation of Buddhist practice), you will develop better and deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy and mind training.

Contemplating about different dharma concepts and applying them in your daily life (relationships, politics, health, science, etc.), you will see that your entire life, your every living moment is Dharma teaching.

Watching videos Thubten Chodron posts regularly on her monastery’s youtube channel also helps clarify misconceptions about Dharma teachings, especially difficult topics such as emptiness and compassion and you can engage in complex topics and life situations with a different more realistic attitude and world view, such as how to approach racism (George Floyd) and how people behave during the coronavirus outbreak, the US election, immigration and etc.

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent text containing a basic outline of the Lamrim, antidotes to the mental afflictions, structure of a daily practice, and 14 hours of downloadable guided meditations to use in that daily practice. Really good if you're not quite sure how to start a practice.