Customer Reviews

Meditation: The Buddhist Way of Tranquillity and Insight

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There are three types of spiritual and meditation books about. Firstly, and sadly most prolific, are New-Ageist one's. Such books are mindless and written by people in search of a 'high' and who have no real philosophic drive, Buddhist or otherwise. Then there are excellent and genuine thought provoking books such a 'Zen Mind Beginner's Mind' by Suzuki and 'Think on These Things' by Krishnamurti. But sadly, even these great books are often not much use to those wishing to establish a meditation practice and to those feeling the first, primary twinges of spiritual and philosophic introspection. Fortunately for such people, this book exists. It is perfect for those interested in starting meditation and finding a true understanding of Buddhism, an understanding that is beyond the intellectual. Each step of the way Kamalashila covers all aspects of meditation, from just sitting, posture and concentration of breath. He then moves on to reflection of the mind, recognition of the hindrances and the creation of there opposites. Then, he covers in great clarity and detail, the cultivation of Metta (friendliness and love, but not in a sick sentimental manner) and various forms of Vippassana meditation (ultimately true meditation) such as an observation on impermenance, conditionality, cause and effect and the confusion of such concept as life and death. This book is genuine, beautiful, thorough, very well written and extremely wise. For anybody wishing to establish a meditation practice or even gain help with their existing practice I recommend this above all others. Truly wonderful.

Meditation: the Buddhist way of tranquillity and insight Kamalashila

Windhorse Publications

288 pages, p/b, £11.99

ISBN 090476656 X

This book is a comprehensive guide to the methods and theory of meditation. Written in an informal and accessible style, it provides a complete introduction to the basic techniques, as well as detailed advice for more experienced meditators.

Kamalashila, the author and long-standing member of the Western Buddhist Order, has been teaching meditation for over seventeen years. In 1979 he helped to establish a semi-monastic meditation community in North Wales, which has now grown into a public retreat centre. For more than a decade he and his colleagues have been developing approaches to meditation that are readily accessible to people with a modern Western background, but firmly grounded in Buddhist tradition. Their experience - as meditators, as students of the traditional texts. and as teachers - is distilled in this book.

The result is a practical handbook with a wealth of helpful detailed advice, complete with troubleshooting guides and maps of the places our practice might take us. But it is also an inspiring exploration of the principles underlying Buddhist meditation, and of its real aims: heightened awareness, emotional positivity, and - ultimately - liberating insight into the true nature of reality.

I have been meditating for many years and frequently use this books as a refence. It includes tips on dealing with hindrances in meditation, posture advice, how to encourage positive mental states, etc. I bought it 2 years ago and still use it regularly.

Bit disappointed that Mr. Mathews book is NOT "The Sages of Meditation" by the great Indian/Tibetan Master Kamalashila. I guess I should have read the customer reviews - but it seems that if you are going to take the name of a great historical figure who wrote specific root texts on meditation that it should be made a little clearer who actually wrote the book and its title should more clearly destinguish it from the original work. I am sure the author was not intentionally deceptive and I do not mean to be harsh, but to prevent similar purchasing mistakes.