Don't Just Do Something, Sit There

by Boorstein, Sylvia

• ISBN13: 9780060612528
• ISBN10: 0060612525
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-22
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publications

Summary

In this lively new addition for Harper's retreat series, Buddhist practice teacher and retreat leader Sylvia Boorstein, beloved for dispensing what Jon Kabat-Zinn has termed "endearingly personal mindfulness wisdom in doses that slide right down into the heart", offers accessible, step-by-step instructions for experiencing a traditional three-day meditational retreat.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preparing for the Retreat	p. 1
Don't Just Do Something, Sit There	p. 3
Cosmology Is Optional	p. 5
"Nobody's Grandmother Is a Buddhist"	p. 7
Why Meditate?	p. 8
But Why Do a Meditation Retreat?	p. 10
Keep Everything Simple	p. 12
Take a Minimum of Stuff: Mary's Mantra	p. 14
"It's Only a Weekend"	p. 17
Day One: Arrival Day	p. 19
Schedule for This Retreat	p. 21
Unpacking	p. 24
Refuge Reflections	p. 25
Walking with Fresh Eyes	p. 27
Instructions and Helpful Hints	p. 30
Instructions for Sitting Meditation Practice	p. 32
The Easiest Instructions of All	p. 36
Late Tea	p. 37
"Nothing Happens, Next, This Is It!"	p. 38
Day Two: Full Day of Practice	p. 41
Before Breakfast: Sound Meditation	p. 43
Breakfast	p. 45
Three Exercises for Sitting Meditation	p. 46
Talking to Yourself	p. 52
Basic Instructions for Formal Walking Meditation	p. 54
Variation on the Theme of Breath Meditation	p. 57
"Nothing Is Worth Thinking About"	p. 62
More Walking Instructions	p. 65
There Are No In-Between Times	p. 67
Introducing Eating Instructions	p. 69
Eating Meditation	p. 73
Maintaining Mindfulness	p. 75
Afternoon Sitting Practice: Wait and Look Closely	p. 78
Working with Difficult Mind States	p. 80
"Mine Mommy! Mine Daddy!": A Lust Story	p. 83
Swimming in Jerusalem: An Aversion Story	p. 87
"Vait a Minute, Vait a Minute": A Sloth and Torpor Story	p. 91
Hawaii Is Here: A Restlessness Story	p. 93
The Macbeth Moment: A Doubt Story	p. 95
First Afternoon Walk Instructions: Choosing a Speed That Meets Your Need	p. 99
Late Afternoon Sitting Practice: Looking for Insights	p. 101
Late Afternoon Walk: Walking with Wisdom	p. 103
The Broccoli Phenomenon	p. 105
Dinner	p. 108
Evening Dharma Talk: The Seven Factors of Enlightenment	p. 110
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.