Mind Looking into Mind: A Practical Guide to the Path of Spiritual Awakening in Buddhist Meditation

by David Peters, Darrell Peters

Mind Looking into Mind is a practical guide to the direct path of spiritual awakening in Buddhist meditation, offering meditation instruction, encouragement, and inspiration for beginners as well as more experienced travelers on the path. Presented in plain language, without sectarian jargon, Mind Looking into Mind invites readers to turn their attention inward, engage the natural process of meditation and spiritual insight, and awaken to the true nature of the mind.

Mind Looking into Mind includes essential instructions on settling the mind; letting go of thoughts, feelings, and painful conditioned patterns; and cultivating kindness and compassion –– showing us how to awaken to a life of clarity and naturalness.

Drawing on decades of experience practicing and teaching Buddhist meditation, the authors offer guidance and support for contemporary readers interested in Buddhism’s direct path to awakening.

148 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2020

Reviews

[Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a genre crowded with well-meaning but often unhelpful efforts, Mind Looking into Mind from Beaver's Pond Press stands out with a refreshing take on the world of "practical guides to Buddhist meditation." Written with diamond-sharp prose, humor and compassion, it offers a lively invitation to "just sit," free of jargon, abstraction or judgement. The authors, twin brothers, draw on a life-time of dedicated study, practice and teaching from two different traditions, Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, but show little patience or interest in daunting ritual or institutional trappings. Instead, they fashion a uniquely approachable introduction to Buddhist meditation basics, in a compact volume that's a perfect fit for your pocket, and your daily life. A special strength of the writing is a clear-eyed and often hilarious dissection of the mind games and traps that beset us all, detailing how, with loving kindness for ourselves and others (and unsparing honesty), a meditation practice helps us stay true to our humanity, good times or bad. The authors seem to speak with particular relevance to the spiritually jaded, battered or skeptical seeker, perhaps those weary of "self-improvement" through fads, disciplines or gurus, and lays out a plain and uncomplicated practice to find the one, best teacher: yourself.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone can benefit from this book: the merely curious, beginners, and even adepts. In just 144 pages, David Peters and Darrell Peters give practical lessons on the spiritual practice that has enriched their lives for almost 50 years. They readily acknowledge the mysticism associated with meditation, and tell us to go with it: "The universe of everything you don't know is so much bigger than you are and plays by its own rules. It doesn't care what you believe." 65 brief chapters cover everything from entering the path to seeing into mind to awakening to emptiness, and then freedom.

I only know Darrell through this book--which has been a blessing--and through his brother. It's been my pleasure and privilege to have David as a friend for the past five decades. Is his practice of Buddhist Meditation why he's such a great guy? Could be. As the book concludes, "Put your personal consciousness aside and perceive clearly, trusting the larger life within you to flow spontaneously and respond to each situation."

[Rodney J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable to Most Westerners

Having the Peters brothers share their advice in the context of a Midwestern American upbringing makes this book remarkably accessible to many folks. The short chapters allow for quick input without over reaching the mark. Some books on mediation seemed “heavy” even ponderous, but Mind Looking into Mind is smooth, soft, and welcoming.

People looking for deeper books on Buddhist history, dharma, etc. will not find this book helpful, it specifically and intentionally skips that part and goes right to the practice of meditating in a Buddhist context. I’ve read this book at least four times in the last two years and learn something new every time. Highly recommended.

[E.d. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book would help me learn more about mindfulness and meditation. It had some good tips but would be most useful to a reader familiar with the topic. I appreciated its organization. Each idea is covered in a very short chapter, making the book easy to dip in and out of.