Insight Meditation: An In-Depth Correspondence Course

by Sharon Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein

When you seek to live a spiritual life, what matters most is not what you know, but the actions you take. How do you best embody the spiritual principles that uplift you and those whose lives you touch?

On Insight Meditation , you will learn one of the world's great contemplative practices, as it was taught by the Buddha himself and then passed friend to friend for more than 2,600 years. Based on the curriculum developed at the Insight Meditation Society's retreat center in Barre, Massachusetts, this audio correspondence course is presented by IMS cofounders Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein, who are among the West's most respected meditation teachers.

Course

Discover and learn to live the principles of mindful livingApply skills to see through delusion, change our karma and fully experience joyUtilize practical techniques for loving yourself and othersDesign your meditation space and develop a fulfilling daily practiceDescribe how to make everyday activities a part of your meditative practiceAs each lesson unfolds and the principles of mindful living are revealed, students learn to see past the illusion of life's obstacles and move toward an awakened mind state―the true freedom we seek to achieve. Now you can experience this rich and sacred retreat environment in your own home, with these same masterful instructors.

Students will learn with a qualified meditation instructor how to establish and sustain a daily meditation practice. You will also receive a complete 88-page workbook created expressly for the Insight Meditation course. Organized to accompany the audio curriculum, your workbook features exercises that you complete and return to your insight meditation instructor. Easy to follow and a pleasure to learn from, this unique resource is not available anywhere else.

Insight Curriculum :

Lesson 1 : The insight tradition; how happiness arises; the power of mindfulness; the five precepts for ethical living; six aspects of correct posture; eight breathing exercises.

Lesson 2 : Bare attention and awareness in the present moment; working with thoughts during practice; traditional walking meditation, or mindfulness in motion; seven walking meditations.

Lesson 3 : The five hindrances to mindfulness; understanding attachment to desire and aversion; working with pain.

Lesson 4 : Working with sleepiness, restlessness, and doubt; the antidotes to the hindrances; Mara, the tempter; four exercises for working with hindrances.

Lesson 5 : Concepts and reality; myths of time, place, and self; six exercises for mindful eating; the roots of mind; wrong view.

Lesson 6 : The truth of suffering; painful experience, change, and conditionality; seven exercises for working with emotional states; the Four Noble Truths.

Lesson 7 : How we create delusion; wise attention and freedom from delusion; clear seeing; working with thoughts and images; exercises for recognizing delusion.

Lesson 8 : The awakened mind; karma defined; intention and action; self and karma; the Four Heavenly Abodes; the Six Realms of Existence; seven exercises for working with intention.

Lesson 9 : Equanimity as a spiritual force; conditioning, pleasure, and pain; the Eight Vicissitudes; the Six Sense Doors; eight exercises for working with pleasant and unpleasant feelings.

Lesson 10 : Saddha; the nature of faith and wisdom; the five spiritual powers; testing faith yourself; Big Mind exercise.

Lesson 11 : Metta , or loving-kindness; distortion of self and other ; strength without anger; benefits of loving-kindness; eight metta exercises.

Lesson 12 : Bringing meditative awareness into your everyday life; lessons of daily sitting; the three fields of training; eight exercises for taking practice to the world.

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

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

One of America’s leading spiritual teachers and authors, Sharon Salzberg is cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts. She has played a crucial role in bringing Asian meditation practices to the West. The ancient Buddhist practices of vipassana (mindfulness) and metta (lovingkindness) are the foundations of her work.

Reviews

[S. Wigget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and CD set were invaluable for me: they are how I learned to meditate properly without a sangha. I especially got into metta meditation (lovingkindness, which can also translate as goodwill). Sharon Salzburg also wrote a book called Lovingkindness, which is more in-depth. (Fortunately, I eventually joined a really good sangha, which was also invaluable.)

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible primer course that I plan on revisiting. Goldstein's explanation of the "about to" moment resonated with me and possibly shaped how I view mindfulness by identifying the moment between intention and decision where I can approach decisions more impartially and objective.
The course was also very light on supernatural elements, such as pertaining to rebirth. I realize that I'm coming from this with a western perspective and can get turned easily off from what I perceive as woo, so I appreciate that the focus remained on practicality.

[Alberto Duhau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cool book and guide into how to become self aware not just through meditation but throughout every activity we perform.

[Legeartishu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Konfliktusmeditáció: Út a harmóniához és a megértéshez

A konfliktus elkerülhetetlen része az emberi életnek, de az, ahogyan megoldjuk, jelentősen befolyásolhatja jólétünket és másokkal való kapcsolatunkat. Ahelyett, hogy megpróbálnánk elkerülni vagy elfojtani a konfliktusokat, a meditációt hatékony eszközként használhatjuk feloldásukra. Lásd itt, a javasolt útmutatónkat, amely megvilágítja az összekötő kapcsolatok szerepét bármilyen jellegű konfliktusmegoldás esetén. Ebben a cikkben megvizsgáljuk, hogyan alkalmazható a meditáció konfliktushelyzetek kezelésére, és hogyan hogy segítsen a harmónia és a megértés elérésében.

1. A konfliktusok jelenlétének elfogadása:

A konfliktusokon való meditáció első lépése annak elfogadása, hogy léteznek, és hogy az élet részét képezik. Ahelyett, hogy megpróbálnánk elkerülni vagy elvetni őket, ragadjuk meg őket a növekedés és a változás lehetőségének.

2. Mindfulness gyakorlása:

A tudatosság a kulcsa a konfliktus-meditációnak. Gyakorold az éberséget úgy, hogy a légzésedre és a pillanatnyi érzéseidre összpontosítasz. Konfliktushelyzet esetén ügyeljen érzelmeire, gondolataira és testére.

3. A konfliktus gyökereinek kutatása:

Ahelyett, hogy spontán reagálna a konfliktushelyzetre, használja a meditációt a gyökerek feltárására, ásson mélyen önmagába és a másikba, hogy megértse a félreértések és ellentmondások forrását.

4. Megtekintési kilátások:

A meditáció segíthet abban, hogy különböző nézőpontokból nézze meg a konfliktust. Szánjon időt arra, hogy a többi résztvevő helyébe helyezze magát, és megértse szükségleteit, szükségleteit és aggályait.

5. A tökéletlenségek elfogadása:

A meditáció megtanít elfogadni a tökéletlenségeket, mind önmagunkban, mind másokban. Értsd meg, hogy a konfliktus az emberi tapasztalat része, és a növekedés és fejlődés forrása lehet.

6. A tér és a jelenlét folyamata:

Konfliktushelyzetekben teremtsen teret a jelenlétnek és a figyelemnek. Hagyd magad lélegezni, nyugodj meg és légy teljes mértékben jelen a pillanatban.

7. Együttérzés és megértés:

Használja a meditációt az együttérzés és a megértés fejlesztésére önmaga és a konfliktus többi résztvevője iránt. Értsd meg, hogy mindannyiunknak szüksége van szeretetre, megértésre és elfogadásra.

A konfliktusmeditáció a belső átalakulás folyamata, amely lehetővé teszi számunkra, hogy hatékonyabban kezeljük az élet kihívásait, és mélyebb harmóniát és megértést érjünk el embertársainkkal. Kezdjük el használni a meditációt, mint eszközt a konfliktusok megoldására és egy szebb és kiegyensúlyozottabb világ megteremtésére.

[Mark Bourdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked this course some time ago. Very good instructions. Audio, reading, and writing material included in the course. I have shared this package with others and they have benefited from the teachings.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read. Mind developing and centered with strategies for overall peace.

[Sophie Rayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some lovely insights.

[Julie Castell]

didn't read.

[Ellen Keener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful book to help in understanding Buddhism and meditation

[Autumn Kovach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly used this audiobook to listen to in order to go to sleep but I always enjoy Sharon's books.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good introduction to insight meditation with guided meditation. Explains things simply

[Mommaoyster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started this for a teacher training course in which it is required. Initially I started out with an intention of just "getting the answers" I needed to pass my exam. But I have to say this is very well written and most should be able to glean helpful "insights" from the teachings regardless of personal beliefs. I myself am lds and always do my best to look for good in all faiths. I have to say this is written in a open manner to all. Nicely done.

[Cindywho · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd actually ordered up the Meditation CDs and it turned out they came in a kit. I haven't listened to all the meditations yet, but figured the workbook was worth looking at. The actual workbook would have taken longer than I could have the kit out, and was repetitive from the other books I read by the authors, but it beared repeating. (August 27, 2006)

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty solid offering on the subject from Goldstein and Salzberg, but certainly not an essential text. I prefer Goldstein's writing to Salzberg's, but she wrote the majority of the book. The CD with the guided meditations is pretty helpful. This book helped me to get back into meditating regularly, so I guess it did its job.

[Steve Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the course for those who need a string line to find home base. it is simple and straightforward and it will get you there. If a person simply took this course and stuck with it they could find their way with no other assistance, a broader approach will illuminate in ways that will enrich this experience. A great starting point

[David Melbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this method! It is the best way that I have found for learning meditation, and I will continue to use it. . .

12/9/10 Note: Yes. I am still using it! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn to meditate. --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking to deepen your understanding of Buddhism and insight meditation, this is a great intensive. Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein are both brilliant teachers and they complement each other very well.

[Henry Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to start on meditating.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Sept 1, 2009
Re-Read Jan 2, 2015

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll actually never be finished with this one...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've listened to other meditation CD's, but this one is excellent!!!

[Sue Mccormack]

This is staying on here because I am completing instructions.