Customer Reviews

Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation (Shambhala dragon editions)

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"Our life has been spent in sleep and sleepwalking," Jack Kornfield writes in this guide to insight meditation; "meditation means waking up" (p. 52). Coauthors Kornfield and Goldstein are also the cofounders of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. This book is based on "talks given at several intensive meditation retreats" there, and focuses "on the deepening of the inner meditative process, the hindrances one encounters, skillful means of mastering them, and the understanding and wisdom that can arise while in meditative silence" (p. 215). "To understand ourselves and our life is the point of insight meditation: to understand and be free" (p. 7), Kornfield writes. Goldstein tells us that "we practice to open, to balance, and to explore" (p. 18).

Practicing insight meditation is about "clearing or emptying" the mind and heart so that we can listen in a deep and new way" (p. 57). This introductory guide not only contains valuable exercises, but also offers trusted advice about working through the "difficulties and hindrances" that may arise while practicing--desire, aversion, torpor, restlessness, and doubt. "Through practice," we're told, "it is possible to train the heart and mind, to make them concentrated, to make them steady and luminous and free" (p. 39).

The book concludes with a discussion of "the seven factors of enlightenment," mindfulness, effort and energy, investigation, rapture, concentration, tranquility, and equanimity, also offering advice for integrating meditation practice into "our everday lives" (p. 215) so that we may live "a mindful life in the world" (p. 228). Like a finger pointing at "a bright, round moon" from this "floating world" (pp. 129-30), this book is sure to become a trusted resource for anyone interested in living a deeper, more meaningful life through the practice of insight meditation. For those interested in venturing further down "the path of insight meditation," I also highly recommend Goldstein and Salzburg's 12-cassette INSIGHT MEDITATION course.

G. Merritt

I picked up the pocket version of this book one day and happened to open to the page which talks about the accumulation of material items and the transitory happiness it brings -- how once the novelty of the item has worn off we go about buying more things-- all in the hopes of stimulating that "happiness" response. Boy did that hit the nail on the head!! I had to get the full length version and it has been very enlightening. A definte must for anyone who is at a point in their life where they are questioning their purpose, their "path" and want to know what to do to effect change. I loved it!!!

I was very impressed with the authors' ability to address concerns that I have had with meditation in the past: specifically, that meditation often sounds like an escape from reality, or a numbing mechanism that shields one from reality. The authors speak from a depth of experience when they explain that meditation is like "learning to surf": there will always be waves in life, and insight meditation provides a method of learning to "surf" those waves and remain standing. The authors admit that a successful meditation practice doesn't get rid of the problems inherent in day-to-day living. It simply equips us with the means to deal with problems as they arise in the moment.

Kora
toseeaworld.googlepages.com

I've read many books recently on Buddhism and meditation. I find quite a few of them hard to read; there are many says like, "it is your breath, but it is not your breath" that I try very much to wrap my head but never quite do. This book is much more straight forward for a western reader. I found it very easy to read and follow. It covers a lot, and I will probably have to reread chapters after I've done more zazen sitting, but it really is accessible and well written. If you are looking for a beginner's guide to Buddhist principals and teaching and want to start sitting meditation in a meaningful way, this is the book for you.

well-written, I liked the collaboration and different pearls of wisdom from the two authors. A very helpful book for understanding the full implications of karma and the Four Noble Truths of the Buddha.

This book kicked off meditation for me. It is easy to follow and offers lots of helpful guidance to deepening your meditation and bringing more meaning to life. One of those books I go back to when I need help centering.

This is an insightful book. I am drawn to eastern philosophy. I love the quiet thoughtfulness that this book illuminates for the reader. Just reading it would make me feel peace. I loved it. Terri Jo Lorz