Customer Reviews

Guided Meditations on the Stages of the Path (with 15 hour mp3 meditation CD)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The guided meditation mp3 CD in this book was the missing link I had been looking for in establishing a daily meditation practice. Thubten Chodron communicates the practical benefits of Buddhist teachings more effectively than anyone I've read and each of these guided meditations focuses on drawing connections between Buddhist principles and everyday situations. Distributing over 14 hours of guided meditations on one CD accompanying this hardbound volume provides an invaluable tool at an EXTREMELY reasonable price. If you have any hesitation at all about ordering this book and mp3 CD, visit thubtenchodron.org and listen to one of the author's talks or read one of her essays. Discover for yourself whether or not her down to earth approach is right for you.

"Ven. Chodron is well known for her many clear writings. As the CD shows, she also has a clear, gentle, and calm voice, which makes the selected meditations on the Stages of the Path a delight and also very positive to listen to.... If the graduated path, as the lam rim approach is also called, has proven helpful to countless generations of monastics, it is even more important to modern Western lay practitioners, who are dealing with a good many more challenges and distractions. I can recommend without reservation both Ven. Chodron's book and the audiorecording, which generously extends over 14 hours."--Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D.

"Listen and learn as the lighthearted, happy, kind voice of Bikshuni Thubten Chodron guides us along the gradual path to enlightenment. Yes, this wonderful 224-page book is accompanied by a fourteen-hour MP3 CD with no less than 46 meditations! How often have we heard a teacher describe the teachings of the lam-rim and gone away wondering how to put them into practice--and here is a way to actually experience them. No more excuses: Soon the rhythm of meditating becomes as habitual and essential as the morning cuppa. Are you working with distractions? Dealing with mental afflictions? Distinctly possible under this gentle, kindly guidance."--Mandala

"I have found few guides through the sometimes-complex practices of Tibetan Buddhism that are this thorough, accessible, and practical. The questions Chodron presents throughout the book and MP3 CD are the types of questions you might want to tape to your bathroom mirror, and she provides enough of them that you could easily start your day contemplating a different question for months. This is not the sort of book that requires a sequential reading; it is superbly organized to provide quick and easy access to any of the concepts you are currently working with, and there is plenty for those at each stage of the path. Even if you are not strictly a student of Tibetan Buddhism, there are enough core spiritual and ethical concepts covered in this book as to make it a worthwhile read for anyone...whatever your primary spiritual practice."--The Feminist Review

If you want a concise and informative review that will help your understanding of the Dharma in a way that you can use on a daily basis, this is the book for you. The Lam Rim is a comprehensive meditation practice in use for centuries and is often thought to be inaccessible to the Western practitioner. Ven Thubten Chodron demystifies this important practice and in the CD provides actual guided meditations that are "user friendly" without compromising the heart of the wisdom in the ancient texts.

Definitely worth one's attention if you are serious about your Dharma practice.

This is as good as it gets, not only for beginners, but for everyone who wants a concise reference for Lamrim meditations. Not only is there an excellent book provided, which thoroughly explains the benefits of meditation, it also includes 14+ hours of guided and easy-to-use meditations on an mp3 CD and is approved by the Dalai Lama.

Chodron's book is clear and easy to understand and the approximate 40 meditations on the included CD are easy to follow and delivered with extraordinary warmth, combining to yield a most effective outcome. There is enough material here for in-depth learning and practice of genuine Buddhist meditation techniques if you so choose to take advantage of all of its contents, or if a brief meditation experience is all that is required, there are short and basic techniques provided as well.

I had been meditating for a few months before I purchased this book and mp3 CD set. I started out only meditating with the breath and after a while I was able to subdue my thoughts enough and concentrate, but it wasn't helping me incorporate the Dharma into my daily life. These meditations actually made me pause and think about things and I slowly noticed changes in my life. These guided meditations are amazing and my practice would not have progressed without them.

Venerable Chodron's book-and-mp3-disc set will likely be EXTREMELY appreciated by those who're wanting to take part in Buddhist meditation practice but really aren't sure where to turn to get started. The book not only serves as a meditation how-to, it's a good source of general Tibetan Buddhist information as well, giving it even more versatility for those just getting involved. The MP3 disc has something like 14 hours of guided meditation on it ranging from a series of meditations on some basic Buddhist tenets ranging upward into the LamRim meditations.

For the simplicity of my own usage, I build tracklists in itunes centered around what meditation I want to do that morning. That way I can simply play the tracklist uninterrupted. For those without that capability you will have to switch tracks, but it's not all that more inconvenient, really.

Considering the sheer mass of audio included on the MP3 disc, I feel that this book-and-disc-set are a tremendous value, and it's served me well as a jumping off point for meditation. It's been particularly helpful since there isn't a sangha near me, so if you're wanting to get involved in Buddhist meditation but have found yourself frustrated that it'd take a lot of travel to practice, Guided Meditations On The Stages Of The Path will most likely be a real boon for you.

Oh I wish Ani Chodron came out with this CD earlier in my life. These guided meditations are to the point and well narrated. I would put this as one of the most important purchase among my hundreds. I "try" to follow Karma Kagyu lineage which also has Kadampa teaching as basis. Without the base, it is just a house of cards. Ani Chodron's Lam Rim CD makes "Four thoughts turning the mind" meditations easy. I just focus on a few. I still remember reading Chagdud Tulku's books years ago on how one should meditate and then at the end rest in the natural state without attempt trying to improve the mind as long or short as one inclines. This CD is perfect for guidance. I wish there will be more products like this coming from all lineages. Thank you!!!!

Along with Ngondro (primarily in the Nyingma lineage), Lam Rim is an excellent introduction to Tibetan-Buddhism, and this book is one of the more accessible introductions to the elements of Lam Rim.

Guided Meditations on the Stages of the Path (with 15 hour mp3 meditation CD) is a wonderful resource for those interested in Mahayana Buddhist meditation. This book, and its accompanying CD, provide an introduction and clear roadmap for those interested in learning how to meditate. Both serenity and insight meditation are covered.

The book and CD are presented in a logical progression, and Thubten Chodron writes and narrates clearly and concisely for easy understanding of the topic. The book is divided into three sections: Learning to Meditate, The Meditations, and Keeping on Track. The CD provides narration on meditations, including specific meditation instructions, visualizations, and prayer recitations. For those who travel, the MP3s are wonderful to have on an iPod or similar device, as the book is not necessary when using the recordings.

This book/CD package is invaluable for those looking to go beyond studying Mahayana Buddhism and are interested in meditative practice, but may not have an available teacher.

The only reason this does not get 5 stars from me is some of the MP3 files had lawn equipment running in the background. I have very good audio equipment and it's not glaring but in my newly discovered and fragile meditative state I'm still subject to distractions. This is a whole new world for me but this book made it easy for this beginner to be able to clear the mind and meditate. It seems that if one were wanting to go to the next level or were experienced that these would be useful for them too. 15 hours does not seem like much but that is a huge amount or medittion practice.