Buddha's Map

by Doug Kraft

A sweet, wise, and spacious aliveness imbues every moment. It's so clear, quiet, and unchanging that it draws no attention. We can go an entire lifetime without noticing it. Yet, it is there. The Buddha called it "Awakening" or the "End of Suffering." He didn't talk about it but rather taught a way to cultivate the direct experience of it. This experience is what counts. Many contemporary schools of Buddhism have drifted away from the Buddha's original teachings over the centuries. Now, we can still find His elegant, nuanced, and efficient path. Buddha's Map is the tale of Doug Kraft's journey down this awakening path, his experience of spaces within himself he never thought possible. Easy to read yet an elegant combination of autobiography and instruction, Buddha's Map offers rare and intimate insight to the meditative states Buddhist monks are not allowed to discuss. With clear and direct advice, Kraft shares his belief in everyone's capacity to experience the ultimate in the original Buddhist meditation practice.

Genres: Meditation, Buddhism

Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2013

Reviews

[Prashant]

I enjoyed reading this book and consider it a top reference book for meditation practice based on Buddha's teachings. It is a rubber-meets-the-road detailed description of how to unfold one's meditation practice in a fun & simple way. It focuses on awareness jhana's described in Anupada sutta and on dependent origination. Outside of meditation practice, this book has a string of insights. These insights helped me in developing the perspective that Buddha's teachings are applicable and effective off the cushion and outside the retreats in making my day-to-day life happier.

[Daniel]

Buddha's Map is unlike any other meditation book out there. Doug has successfully explained deep concepts and experiences in an easy to understand manner, and unlike other books, there was nothing vague about it. Though I am nowhere near Doug's depth of practice, there were a few times when I was filled with joy at recognising something I had experienced myself.

I'm not sure I would recommend this to an uninitiated person, even though it does successfully explain how to start practising. The depth of information I think would be too much for a beginner, and this is best left to those who have a regular practice. You do not however have to have been on retreat. If you wish to start meditating, Doug does have another book, Beginning the Journey which is more suitable.

Thanks Doug for the great read!

[Anne Earney]

I picked this up at Dhamma Sukha, the meditation center in Missouri founded by the monk who taught the author the main style of meditation he writes about. I was hoping for more detail about the higher jhanas. What's here felt fairly sparse, but I suppose that's to be expected, given the nature of experiences at those levels. Overall, though, this is a solid exploration of the jhanas and this meditation technique from a Western perspective.