Seeking the Heart of Wisdom

by GOLDSTEIN, JOSEPHKORNFIELD, JACK

• ISBN13: 9781570628054
• ISBN10: 157062805X
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2001-03-06
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

InSeeking the Heart of WisdomGoldstein and Kornfield present the central teachings and practices of insight meditation in a clear and personal language. The path of insight meditation is a journey of understanding our bodies, our minds, and our lives, of seeing clearly the true nature of experience. The authors guide the reader in developing the openness and compassion that are at the heart of this spiritual practice. For those already treading the path, as well as those just starting out, this book will be a welcome companion along the way. Among the topics covered are: The hindrances to meditation-ranging from doubt and fear to painful knees-and skillful means of overcoming them How compassion can arise in response to the suffering we see in our own lives and in the world How to integrate a life of responsible action and service with a meditative life based on nonattachment Useful exercises are presented alongside the teachings to help readers deepen their understanding of the subjects.

Author Biography

Joseph Goldstein began exploring meditation as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand. Following extended meditation retreats with various teachers in India and Burma, including the renowned Buddhist meditation master Anagarika Sri Munindra, he cofounded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. He has taught numerous meditation classes, workshops, and retreats in America and abroad over the last eight years and is one of the founders and primary teachers of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. He is also the author of The Experience of Insight , Insight Meditation , One Dharma and coauthor of Seeking the Heart of Wisdom. Jack Kornfield was trained as a Buddhist monk in Southeast Asia. He is a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. His books also include After the Ecstasy, the Laundry.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Foreword	ix
Dalai Lama
Acknowledgments	xi
Part One: Understanding Practice
Discovering the Heart of Meditation	3	(15)
Exercise: Learning from the Precepts	16	(2)
Why Meditate?	18	(12)
Exercise: Concepts and Reality	28	(2)
Meditation Instructions	30	(8)
Difficulties and Hindrances	38	(19)
Exercise: Making the Hindrances Part of the Path	56	(1)
Deepening Levels of Practice	57	(18)
Exercise: Moving from Content to Process	72	(3)
Part Two: Training the Heart and Mind
The Seven Factors of Enlightenment	75	(22)
Exercise: Awareness of the Factors of Enlightenment	95	(2)
The Life of the Buddha	97	(15)
Exercise: Recollection of the Buddha	111	(1)
The Freedom of Restraint	112	(11)
Exercise: Restraint	122	(1)
Suffering: The Gateway to Compassion	123	(14)
Exercise: Cultivating Compassion	134	(3)
Part Three: The Growth of Wisdom
Understanding Karma: Cause and Effect	137	(14)
Exercise: Equanimity Meditation	149	(2)
Understanding Karma: Liberation	151	(6)
Exercise: Observing Intention	156	(1)
The Five Spiritual Faculties	157	(14)
The Three Basic Characteristics	171	(16)
Exercise: Observing Discomfort in Our Conditioned Response	185	(2)
Perspectives on Reality	187	(12)
The Path of Service	199	(16)
Exercise: The Heart of Service	213	(2)
Integrating Practice	215	(20)
Exercises: Strengthening Mindfulness	232	(3)
Glossary	235	(2)
Index	237