The Tao of Contemplation: Re-Sourcing the Inner Life

by Cori, Jasmin Lee

• ISBN13: 9781578631315
• ISBN10: 1578631319
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-03-01
• Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser

Summary

Cori presents a new look at the concept of relaxation and handling stress as she provides exercises that teach how to drop into silence, let go of control, live in the present, and allow actions to come from a deeper source.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xv
A Note on Language	p. xvii
Introduction	p. xix
The Inner Life	p. 1
Two Journeys	p. 2
The Route Home	p. 5
The Fruits of the Contemplative Life	p. 6
Contemplation--The Natural Way	p. 9
A Taoist Twist	p. 9
The Natural Way	p. 11
Feeling Our Way Along	p. 12
True to the Essence	p. 14
Clearing the Space	p. 17
Creating Open Space	p. 17
Letting Go of Structure	p. 19
Taking Time for Renewal	p. 20
Honoring the Empty Spaces	p. 22
Return to Simplicity	p. 25
Simple Pleasures	p. 25
The Simplicity of Being	p. 26
Voluntary Simplicity	p. 27
Holy and Unholy Poverty	p. 29
A Misunderstanding of Abundance	p. 31
The Middle Way	p. 34
The Capacity for Restraint	p. 37
Exploration: Gluttony	p. 37
Exploration: Practicing Restraint	p. 39
Renunciation Without Pain	p. 40
The Gifts of Detachment	p. 42
The Capacity for Enjoyment	p. 43
The Tao's Middle Way	p. 44
Sometimes Two, Sometimes One	p. 47
The Path of Solitude	p. 48
Exploration: What It Means to Be Alone	p. 49
The Path of Conscious Relationship	p. 50
The Urge to Merge	p. 51
Sometimes Two, Sometimes One	p. 53
Dropping into Silence	p. 55
Stepping Out of Mind-Spin	p. 55
Meditation and Contemplative Prayer	p. 57
Silence in Nature and in Our Lives	p. 59
Exploration: Sensing in Nature	p. 59
Exploration: Drenched in Silence	p. 60
Silence as Gift	p. 62
Perfect Receptivity	p. 63
To Wait in Silence	p. 63
Empty Hands	p. 65
Exploration: Waiting with Empty Hands	p. 65
Yin Mind	p. 66
Contemplative Reading and Writing	p. 67
Contemplative Living	p. 68
Open Presence	p. 70
Barriers to Openness	p. 71
Exploration: Who is the Enemy?	p. 72
Open Presence	p. 73
Living with an Open Heart	p. 75
Exploration: Open Presence	p. 75
Exploration: Exploring Your Fears	p. 78
Healing into the Present Moment	p. 80
The Case for Transformation	p. 80
Following Your Experience	p. 82
Exploration: Staying with Your Experience	p. 86
Now and Zen	p. 87
Letting Go	p. 89
Letting Go of Control	p. 90
Exploration: What Might Happen?	p. 91
Freefall	p. 91
Exploration: The Current	p. 94
Moving with the Tao	p. 94
Self Dissolves	p. 97
What Is the Self?	p. 97
Exploration: Beneath the Surface	p. 99
Recognizing the Light	p. 99
The Experience of No-Self	p. 102
Resting in Emptiness	p. 102
The Way of Love	p. 105
The Lovers of God	p. 105
Remembrance	p. 108
Loving God's Many Faces	p. 110
Praise and Thanksgiving	p. 112
Exploration: Thanksgiving Ritual	p. 113
Love in Action	p. 114
Riches of the Night	p. 117
Mystical Union	p. 118
On the Way to the Beloved	p. 121
Bibliography	p. 125
Suggested Reading List	p. 127
Index	p. 129
About the Author	p. 135
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