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Joyful Mind: A Practical Guide To Buddhist Meditation
In Joyful Mind , a variety of Buddhist meditation styles are presented, each by a respected teacher. The practices they offer are grounded in traditions that are thousands of years old. If you were to visit monasteries in India, Tibet, Japan, or Burma, these are the teachings you would receive. As a bonus, we've also included yoga instruction to prepare the body for sitting.
In addition to the written teachings, Joyful Mind offers the opportunity to actually sample the practices directly. On the first compact disc in this book, each teacher guides you through the practice they've written about. The second is a music-only disc featuring contemplative flute music perfect for relaxation and contemplation.
May these practices be of benefit.
In addition to the written teachings, Joyful Mind offers the opportunity to actually sample the practices directly. On the first compact disc in this book, each teacher guides you through the practice they've written about. The second is a music-only disc featuring contemplative flute music perfect for relaxation and contemplation.
May these practices be of benefit.
- GenresSpirituality
96 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2002
60 people want to read
About the author
Susan Piver
42 books185 followersSusan Piver is the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including the award-winning "How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life", "The Wisdom of a Broken Heart", "Start Here Now: An Open-Hearted Guide to the Path and Practice of Meditation", and "The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships".
Piver has been a practicing Buddhist since 1993 and graduated from a Buddhist seminary in 2004. She is an internationally acclaimed meditation teacher, known for her ability to translate ancient practices into modern life. Her work has been featured on the Oprah show, TODAY, CNN, and in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others.
In 2013, she launched the Open Heart Project, the largest virtual mindfulness community in the world with 20,000 members.
Piver has been a practicing Buddhist since 1993 and graduated from a Buddhist seminary in 2004. She is an internationally acclaimed meditation teacher, known for her ability to translate ancient practices into modern life. Her work has been featured on the Oprah show, TODAY, CNN, and in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others.
In 2013, she launched the Open Heart Project, the largest virtual mindfulness community in the world with 20,000 members.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 10, 2012
Good quick read to find out about a bunch of different ways to relax and meditate. It really just comes down to what you feel is most comfortable and fulfilling.
December 16, 2023
I am coming to this little book as a beginner and I love it, all about meditation. Just reading it gave me a much needed boost toward mindfulness.
I had no idea there were more than a couple of types of meditation.
The book appears to be laid out in a progressive way, each meditation designed to build up to more compassion and more meaningful mindfulness, accessing our true experiences (good and bad) instead of being bombarded by thoughts of tomorrow, of rehashing yesterday, and reacting with stress and despair. The theme is to experience and to be in that experience, but to have mindfulness and clarity in those experiences. And compassion for yourself (and others) is a big message as well. Or, at least, that's how I read it.
Each meditation chapter is taught by a different expert teacher. The mediations are:
Mindfulness of Body, how to take a good posture
Shamatha, the practice of tranquility
Vipassana, the practice of clear seeing
Zazen, the practice of freedom
Metta, the practice of compassion
Tonglen, the practice of transformation
Healing Meditation, the practice of joy
Yoga, om yoga poses for meditation practice
The book comes with 2 CDS too, one of music for meditation and the other is an expert teacher discussing a single meditation type. I haven't listened to either CD, but I plan to, so I can listen when I'm ready to do the yoga for meditation warm-up.
I am incorporating daily meditation into my life, beginning with Shamatha which, like many of us have, I have done for a long time. The difference now is that I am doing it daily, not just an on-demand session when I feel a special need. This book drove home to me the idea that daily meditation practice is like working out; it builds your abilities and keeps you fit.
It's not stated overtly, but I don't think you have to incorporate all of these mediations! They are presented for sampling and to see what works for you. Probably doing the breathing mediation (Shamatha) daily is a minimum since the others all seem to incorporate that clearing and quieting your mind first. The other mediations might be something I grow into (Vipassana is appealing), or do as needed in order to incorporate some aspect I'd like to experience and to jump start some acceptance or growth (Metta and Healing).
I highly recommend Joyful Mind.
I had no idea there were more than a couple of types of meditation.
The book appears to be laid out in a progressive way, each meditation designed to build up to more compassion and more meaningful mindfulness, accessing our true experiences (good and bad) instead of being bombarded by thoughts of tomorrow, of rehashing yesterday, and reacting with stress and despair. The theme is to experience and to be in that experience, but to have mindfulness and clarity in those experiences. And compassion for yourself (and others) is a big message as well. Or, at least, that's how I read it.
Each meditation chapter is taught by a different expert teacher. The mediations are:
Mindfulness of Body, how to take a good posture
Shamatha, the practice of tranquility
Vipassana, the practice of clear seeing
Zazen, the practice of freedom
Metta, the practice of compassion
Tonglen, the practice of transformation
Healing Meditation, the practice of joy
Yoga, om yoga poses for meditation practice
The book comes with 2 CDS too, one of music for meditation and the other is an expert teacher discussing a single meditation type. I haven't listened to either CD, but I plan to, so I can listen when I'm ready to do the yoga for meditation warm-up.
I am incorporating daily meditation into my life, beginning with Shamatha which, like many of us have, I have done for a long time. The difference now is that I am doing it daily, not just an on-demand session when I feel a special need. This book drove home to me the idea that daily meditation practice is like working out; it builds your abilities and keeps you fit.
It's not stated overtly, but I don't think you have to incorporate all of these mediations! They are presented for sampling and to see what works for you. Probably doing the breathing mediation (Shamatha) daily is a minimum since the others all seem to incorporate that clearing and quieting your mind first. The other mediations might be something I grow into (Vipassana is appealing), or do as needed in order to incorporate some aspect I'd like to experience and to jump start some acceptance or growth (Metta and Healing).
I highly recommend Joyful Mind.
May 31, 2007
Joyful Mind Compiled by Susan Piver
This is a great meditation guide that I borrowed from my roomate. It is an excellent introduction to different techniques and philosophies of meditation to help you find your own style. It comes with two CDs as well, one with guided meditation in each of the styles and the other with just meditative music. Very informative.
This is a great meditation guide that I borrowed from my roomate. It is an excellent introduction to different techniques and philosophies of meditation to help you find your own style. It comes with two CDs as well, one with guided meditation in each of the styles and the other with just meditative music. Very informative.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews