The Path of Direct Awakening


Book Description

Unlike similar works, The Path of Direct Awakening references an impersonal divine expressed as Nature or Mind for meditators or seekers who resist the notion of a personalized divinity such as God, Krishna, or Yahweh. Selections in this illustrated collection are drawn from the Buddhist literature of India and China, and the Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist traditions of China. They include 70 poems and 10 prose pieces -- writings by such legendary figures as Lao-Tzu, Confucius, Buddha, Han Shan, Huang Po, and Wang Wei. Brief essays and annotations provide context, and four Chinese-style brush-stroke drawings enhance the text and help the reader address the Absolute directly.




Awakening to the Spirit World


Book Description

Today, practicing shamanism doesn't mean you have to live in a rain forest or a desert. Thanks to a modern renaissance of shamanic spirituality, practitioners from all walks of life now use powerful indigenous techniques for healing, insight, and spiritual growth. With Awakening to the Spirit World, teachers Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman bring together a circle of renowned Western shamanic elders Tom Cowan, Carol Proud foot-Edgar, Jose Stevens, and Alberto Villoldo to present a comprehensive manual for making these practices accessible and available in our daily lives, including; How the original practice of shamanism shaped the world's spiritual traditions and why it is still relevant today The art of the shamanic journey a time-tested meditative method for experiencing important spiritual lessons and truths Guidance for avoiding common pitfalls of shamanic practice Instruction for working with your dreams, connecting to your spirit guides, healing yourself and your environment A CD of drumming to facilitate your shamanic journeys.




The Direct Way


Book Description

Join renowned spiritual teacher Adyashanti for a practice-based journey out of the thinking mind and into the awakened awareness beyond perceptual reality. For renowned teacher Adyashanti, every single moment contains a doorway into spiritual awakening. But what does it actually mean to “wake up” to the truth of reality? And what does it take to recognize these opportunities? In The Direct Way, Adya (as his students call him) offers a sequence of 30 practices intended to connect with and cultivate ever-greater awareness of the unseen dimensions of your being. From the simple expression of “I am,” to an exploration of the Spiritual Heart, and all the way into the fundamental ground of being, these exercises emphasize that the process of awakening takes “many small glimpses, experienced many times.” Adya concludes with practical pointers on how to integrate transcendent experiences into the everyday fabric of life—including your career, personal goals, and intimate relationships. Here you will discover: How to dis-identify from conceptual, ego-based thinkingPerceiving the ego as a tool to navigate consciousness rather than an obstacleThe “knowing yet empty” quality of foundational awarenessThe surprising route to realizing awareness of the Spiritual HeartFeeling through the Spiritual Heart as a way to experience true interconnectionThe meaning of the Zen teaching phrase, “This very body is the Buddha”Exploring the exhilarating paradox of Being and BecomingHow to establish anchor points to stabilize your journey into the Ground of BeingWhat it means to live each day with “enlightened relativity”How awakening puts control of your experience in your hands—but also the responsibility for it No one experiences awakening quite the same. With The Direct Way, join Adya to discover pathways toward an awareness as wide as the sky and as personal as your innermost heart.




The Short Path to Enlightenment


Book Description

This new, expanded edition brings forward the importance of joy and love and grace in Short Path practice, with additional meditations and expanded teachings to help readers achieve their goals. These accessible teachings distill the essence of currently popular and traditional sudden-awakening teachings (Advaita, Zen, Dzogchen, etc.). Paul Brunton calls them "Short Path" teachings.--Publisher.




Being Myself


Book Description

Being Myself is a contemplative exploration of the essential nature of our self. Everyone has the sense of ‘being myself,' but not everyone knows their self clearly. In most cases, our sense of self is mixed up with the content of experience and, as a result, its natural condition of peace and happiness is veiled. Through investigation and analogy, the meditations in this collection take us back to our true nature again and again, until we begin to find our self naturally and effortlessly established there, as that. In time, experience loses its capacity to veil our being, and its innate peace and joy emerge from the background of experience. * * * The Essence of Meditation Series presents meditations on the essential, non-dual understanding that lies at the heart of all the great religious and spiritual traditions, compiled from contemplations led by Rupert Spira at his meetings and retreats. This simple, contemplative approach, which encourages a clear seeing of one’s experience rather than any kind of effort or discipline, leads the reader to an experiential understanding of their own essential being and the peace and fulfilment that are inherent within it.







Boundless Awareness


Book Description

Suffering is part of the human experience, and everyone in the world is seeking relief. But there is something greater, something that we all share, indeed something that we all are, that can alleviate that pain: it is the formless presence—the loving, boundless awareness—at the heart of all experience. This book cuts through the esotericism surrounding spiritual awakening to help you realize your true nature and show you how to integrate that realization into everyday life. In life, there is turmoil and inevitable pain. There is war, hunger, failure, heartbreak, and trauma. We struggle in relationships and with our attachments, thoughts, feelings, and memories, trapped in the prison of psychological self-consciousness. Most of us have been conditioned to believe that we are all separate individuals to whom uncomfortable or upsetting things happen. We feel alone and isolated from the world, and convince ourselves that the beauty, truth, and goodness we long for are out of our reach. Really, it’s this imaginary division that causes us to suffer. Boundless Awareness seeks to relieve this suffering by drawing attention to the beautiful, encompassing, cohesive nature of awareness itself, as found in your direct experience. Using practical, contemplative exercises and brief meditations, the author guides you along a broad path of spiritual awakening, deconstructing your delusions of self and separation and integrating a concept of existence that is free from the suffering of individual selfhood, but which acknowledges the attachments, traumatic experiences, and emotional pain of being human. With this book, you’ll come to realize your innate perfection as the uncreated light of boundless awareness, and soften into the open, spacious, and unconditionally loving essence of existence. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of pain and attachments, and learn to meet these experiences with a new resilience. Most importantly, you’ll find guidance on how to embody and express this awakening as love, joy, service, and creativity in your daily life.




How to Awaken and Direct It


Book Description

Embark on a transformative journey towards self-realization with "How to Awaken and Direct It: Navigating the Path of Self-Realization" by Paramahansa Yogananda. Discover the timeless wisdom and practical guidance that will lead you to a deeper understanding of yourself and the universe. As Yogananda's teachings unfold, immerse yourself in the ancient practices and spiritual principles that have guided seekers for millennia. Learn to awaken the dormant potential within you and direct it towards the realization of your highest self. But amidst the exploration of self-realization lies a fundamental question: How do we navigate the path towards enlightenment in the midst of life's challenges and distractions? Yogananda's compassionate guidance offers clarity and direction, empowering you to overcome obstacles and achieve spiritual growth. Experience the transformative power of spiritual practice as Yogananda's words inspire you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace. Let his teachings be your roadmap to a life of fulfillment, purpose, and harmony. Are you ready to awaken to your true potential and navigate the path of self-realization with Paramahansa Yogananda? Join Yogananda on a journey of spiritual awakening and inner transformation as you learn to harness the power of your mind and spirit. Let his timeless wisdom be your guide as you navigate the complexities of the human experience and discover the true meaning of life. Now is the time to embark on a journey towards self-realization and spiritual fulfillment. Embrace the wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda and unlock the secrets to a life of joy, peace, and purpose. Purchase your copy of "How to Awaken and Direct It" now and begin your journey towards spiritual enlightenment.




Natural Bravery


Book Description

Increasingly, we seem to live in a culture of fear, amid threats of terrorism, violence, environmental disasters, and distrust in our leaders. Fear and groundlessness are pervasive, but according to Buddhist teacher Gaylon Ferguson, it is the very potency of this fear that makes it such a powerful tool for personal and cultural transformation. Natural Bravery offers wise and pointed teachings for helping us to look at fear with immediacy and courage, and to engage with it as a path to transform ourselves—and the world. Walking this path, we learn to cultivate fearlessness and to connect more deeply with others and with the natural world.




Satipaṭṭhāna


Book Description

"This book helps to fill what has long been a glaring gap in the scholarship of early Buddhism, offering us a detailed textual study of the Satipatthāna Sutta, the foundational Buddhist discourse on meditation practice."--Back cover.