How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind

Meditation is the only way to work with our mind and feel happy and contented with the world. Pema Chödrön's book How to Meditate provides a step-by-step guide to meeting and relating with the mind, embracing the fullness of our experience, and living in a wholehearted way. It teaches the basics of meditation, such as getting settled and the six points of posture, working with the breath, and cultivating an attitude of unconditional friendliness. It also discusses the Seven Delights, Shamatha, thoughts and emotions as sheer delight, and why we practice meditation to become completely loving people.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2021
Publisher: Sounds True Inc

When something is bothering you, whether it's a person bugging you, a situation irritating you, or physical pain troubling you, you must work with your mind. This is done through meditation. Working with our mind is the only means through which we can truly begin to feel happy and contented with the world that we live in.

-Pema Chödrön

Pema Chödrön, a treasured figure around the world, is renowned for her exceptional ability to impart teachings and practices that bring peace, understanding, and compassion into our lives. In her groundbreaking book, How to Meditate, the American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun delves into the essentials for a lifelong meditation practice. Increasingly, people are recognizing a profound inner longing for authenticity, connection, and aliveness. According to Pema, meditation provides us with a golden key to address this yearning. This step-by-step guide offers readers a comprehensive exploration of the fundamentals of meditation, including getting settled, mastering the six points of posture, working with your breath, and cultivating an attitude of unconditional friendliness.

- The Basics of Meditation

The book begins by covering the basics of meditation, from settling into a comfortable position to understanding the importance of the six points of posture. It also guides readers on how to work with their breath, a crucial aspect of meditation practice. By mastering the art of breathing, readers can cultivate a sense of calm and stability, allowing them to remain present with whatever arises during their meditation session.

- The Seven Delights

One of the key insights offered by Pema is the concept of the Seven Delights. She explains that moments of difficulty or discomfort can actually become doorways to awakening and love. By embracing these moments with an open mind and a heart of compassion, readers can cultivate a deeper sense of mindfulness and understanding. Pema encourages readers to see thoughts and emotions as sheer delight, rather than obstacles, in their meditation practice.

- Shamatha (or Calm Abiding)

Shamatha, or calm abiding, is a practice that Pema emphasizes as a means of stabilizing the mind and remaining present with whatever arises. She explains that by developing this skill, readers can cultivate a sense of inner peace and clarity, even in the face of challenges and distractions. Through the practice of shamatha, readers can learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment or attachment, allowing them to flow naturally and effortlessly.

- Thoughts and Emotions as Sheer Delight

Pema encourages readers to view thoughts and emotions as sheer delight rather than obstacles in their meditation practice. She explains that by embracing these aspects of our experience, we can cultivate a deeper sense of joy and contentment. By recognizing that thoughts and emotions are simply fleeting phenomena, we can let go of the need to control or manipulate them, allowing them to pass through us without causing any harm.

- The Ultimate Goal of Meditation

Ultimately, why we practice meditation is to become completely loving people. Pema believes that this is what the world needs at this moment. By cultivating a sense of inner peace and compassion through meditation, we can radiate love and kindness to others, creating a positive ripple effect in our communities and beyond.

- How to Meditate as an Essential Book

How to Meditate is an essential book from this wise teacher, offering guidance and support to each one of us on our journey toward becoming completely loving people. Pema's teachings are grounded in her deep understanding of the human condition and her commitment to promoting peace and well-being. Whether you are a seasoned meditator or a beginner, this book will provide you with valuable insights and practices to enhance your meditation practice and deepen your understanding of the mind.

In conclusion, Pema Chödrön's How to Meditate is a groundbreaking book that offers a comprehensive and practical guide to meditation practice. Through her teachings, Pema empowers readers to embrace the fullness of their experience, cultivate inner peace, and become completely loving people. Whether you are seeking a means to address stress, cultivate mindfulness, or deepen your spiritual practice, this book is a valuable resource that will guide you on your journey toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 203 x 133 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781683648420