In 1996 meditation teacher Ajayan Borys journeyed to the source of the Ganges River high in India’s Himalayas. Intent on Self-realization, he discovered a deserted cave in a Himalayan forest and for two months lived there alone, meditating in silence, surviving on one sparse meal a day. Through unexpected friendships with holy men, encounters with madmen and the Indian army, surviving harsh mountain conditions (including scorpions and mind-numbing cold), he was opened to the depths of the ...

In 1996 meditation teacher Ajayan Borys journeyed to the source of the Ganges River high in India’s Himalayas. Intent on Self-realization, he discovered a deserted cave in a Himalayan forest and for two months lived there alone, meditating in silence, surviving on one sparse meal a day. Through unexpected friendships with holy men, encounters with madmen and the Indian army, surviving harsh mountain conditions (including scorpions and mind-numbing cold), he was opened to the depths of the ...

Beginners and long-term meditators alike will appreciate Ajayan Borys’s counterintuitive teaching that one needn’t control the mind to experience the benefits of meditation. Instead, as with falling asleep, ease is essential. Effort fuels accomplishment in the world of action, but in the realm of meditation, struggle blocks success. And just as dreams are a natural part of restful sleep, thoughts during meditation are no obstacle to receiving wonderful, revitalizing results. With clear, us...

108 practical teachings for cultivating mindfulness and compassion in the face of fear and uncertainty, from the author of When Things Fall ApartComfortable with Uncertainty offers short, stand-alone readings designed to help us cultivate compassion and awareness amid the challenges of daily living. More than a collection of thoughts for the day, it offers a progressive program of spiritual study, leading the reader through essential conc...

Discover 50 short and simple mindfulness practices for cultivating happiness—anytime, anywhere—from world-renowned spiritual teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.You don’t need to “formally” meditate in order to bring mindfulness into your daily life.Whether you’re new to Buddhist teaching or you’re a more experienced practitioner, this quintessential resource of Thich Nhat Hanh’s most essential teachings will show you how to walk, sit, work, eat, and e...

Here is a comprehensive introduction to Zen Buddhism for those who don't know how or where to begin, nor what to expect once they have started practicing. It includes the fundamentals of meditation practice (posture, technique, clothing), descriptions of the basic teachings and major texts, the teacher-student relationship, and what you will find when you visit a zendo, plus a history of Zen from the founding of Buddhism to its major schools in the West. In addition to answering the most f...

This easy-to-understand introduction to Buddhism is “written for people wanting to understand basic Buddhist principles and how to integrate them into their lives” (H.H. the Dalai Lama)This user’s guide to Buddhist basics takes the most commonly asked questions—beginning with “What is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings?”—and provides simple answers in plain English. Thubten Chodron’s responses to the questions that always seem to arise among people approaching B...

Warning: Using this book could be hazardous to your ego! The slogans it contains are designed to awaken the heart and cultivate love and kindness toward others. They are revolutionary in that practicing them fosters abandonment of personal territory in relating to others and in understanding the world as it is.The fifty-nine provocative slogans presented here—each with a commentary by the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa—have been used by Tibetan Buddhists for eight centur...

Create long-lasting, healthy intimacy with this relationship book for couples offering simple practices for fostering open communication, managing difficult emotions—and bringing your loved one closer.What does healthy intimacy look like? How do we keep the energy and passion alive in long-term relationships? What practices can help us forgive our partner when he or she has hurt us? How can we get a new relationship off to a strong and stable start? What do we do i...

From the author of What Makes You Not a Buddhist comes a fresh look at the foundations of Tibetan Buddhist practice, with practical advice and guidance for the modern practitionerDo you practice meditation because you want to feel good? Or to help you relax and be “happy”? Then frankly, according to Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, you are far better off having a full-body massage than trying to practice the Dharma.Genuine spiritual practice, not least t...

“Writing a ‘nuts and bolts’ guide that is genuinely wise, charmingly conversational, and a pleasure to read requires a particular talent, and Jean Smith has proved once again that she has it.”—Sylvia Boorstein, author of Don’t Just Do Something, Sit ThereThe third of Jean Smith’s Beginner’s Guides focuses on the Buddha’s Eightfold Path—the concepts central to practicing the Buddha’s teachings in daily life. The eight steps on the path are: right understanding, thou...

Kundalini has been called the energetic key to enlightenment and the secret to well-being and wisdom. Complex and powerful, this mysterious energy is often linked to sacred sex and our spiritual mission. Kundalini is one of the most discussed, but least understood, forms of divine energy. So what is it, really?Renowned intuitive healer Cyndi Dale presents concise yet comprehensive guidance to help you truly understand kundalini energy and how to use it to transform your life spirit...