Buddhist Meditation: Classic Teachings from Tibet

by Kurtis R. Schaeffer (translator)

A Tibetan Buddhist anthology of accessible and authentic contemplative exercises to help cultivate innate yet undeveloped powers of mind, emotion, and body.

A Penguin Classic

Drawn from Tibet's rich contemplative literature, Buddhist Meditation offers classic exercises focused on the opportunities and challenges of life; cultivating inner calm; fostering a wider perspective on oneself in relationship to others; working with negative emotions, and the highest values of the Buddhist tradition, love and compassion. Several dozen meditation instructions are collected in twelve chapters. All major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism are represented. The book is structured on "foundation practices", practice manuals that immerse the reader in the search for meaningful and compassionate responses to the ubiquity of human suffering, and in the contemplative techniques that translate that search into consequential action.
Spiritual exercises introduce 1) the opportunity for self-betterment and to be of benefit to other living beings; 2) the inescapable persistence of suffering in life, and the reality of death; 3) the workings of ethical cause and effect, otherwise known as karma; and 4) the ever-repeating succession of frustration known as cyclic existence, or samsara. The second set of foundation practices provide tools to build upon 5) taking refuge in Buddhism—a deep formal commitment to integrate Buddhist contemplative and ethical teachings into one's life; 6) cultivating love and compassion for all living beings; 7) clearing away cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impediments to actualizing love and compassion; 8) developing with wisdom and the experience and excellent qualities necessary to put love and compassion into practice; and 9) dedicating oneself to a spiritual mentor to serve as a guide through this intensive program of training.
Part existential philosophy, part ethics, part self-help program, part cosmology—the foundation exercises present a complete Buddhist picture of life, the ethical universe, and the first steps in making a positive impact in life for ourselves and others, steps anyone can begin to take by dedicating themselves to train in contemplative exercises.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy, Buddhism, Meditation, Religion

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Kali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely guide for more thoughtful meditation.

Everyone is my mother😌

[Ella Chicken · Rating 4 out of 5]

For class!

[Johanna Beachy · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I did not finish this book. Not because it was bad, but because I realized I was reading a book I was not prepared to experience appropriately. I do not recommend this book to someone who is a beginning buddhist practitioner or someone who has a beginners understanding of buddhism (like myself). This book will not make sense to you and you will miss too much information that could actualy deepen your understanding and respect for the religion. I am a beginner in reading about and understanding buddhism. However, this book was too advanced for me to truly realize. I know that I don't know enough to make an informed rating so I want to preface this rating with this: this rating is purely based on the fact that I feel this book could be great but only for those that would understand it properly. However, I do not doubt this book could be a 4-star or 5-star book if the reader has read basic and supplemental texts on buddhism.

[Zachreadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concepts pertain to every walk of life. To be one with nature, to be present, to put yourself in others shoes, we are all connected, we are all the same, nothing is permanent, everything will repeat everything is meaningless. Helping others, loving everything, being in touch with yourself which is nothing since there is no self. This was a fun read and I enjoyed it, I learned a lot and I hope I can meditate with a better mental state in the future because of it. And I love my gf maya

[Austin Zhao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing guide to meditation. Definitely provides a lot of meditation techniques that you might not have thought of, accompanied with powerful and poetic imagery. Definitely recommend this meditation manual!

[Megz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to have alongside your meditation practice. I found it very educational but something to grow from as a meditator. It is a bit complex for a beginner in regard to Buddhist practices.

[Clar · Rating 3 out of 5]

i found certain parts of the text i could relate to or use for my own meditations, but it’s definitely a little more advanced on buddhism so maybe i’ll come back to this at some point

[Andrei L · Rating 4 out of 5]

i get it now.