Enlightened Reading
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(Me, age 4, pretending to read. Some things never change.)
These are the three most valuable and important books about meditation that I’ve ever read. You could spend your whole life reading and rereading them and would never get to the end of their depth and usefulness. In fact, if you or I were ever so lucky and diligent as to fully understand the content of any one of them, we would be enlightened. Seriously. Check them out!
What are your favorite books on meditation and spirituality? Would love to know. Please: recommend books to each other!
Turning the MInd Into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham
One of the most cogent, straightforward, and also heart-opening books ever written about our practice, Shamatha Meditation, aka The Practice of Tranquility. And I’m not just saying that because it’s written by my teacher and I love him beyond, beyond. Turning the Mind is the pith instruction for how and why we practice, and also beyond all the hows and whys we can dream up.
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
Written from the Zen perspective, there is no difference whatsoever in view or intention from Shamatha. This book may be the classic of modern times on meditation practice. Spare, direct, uncompromising, and deeply, deeply kind, it also gives you the flavor of Zen, or should I say the no-flavor flavor.
Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa
It’s one thing to practice meditation. A great thing! But it’s another thing entirely to practice with the correct view. “View” here means with an understanding of the intention, motivation, and inspiration behind the practice. Practicing with the right view is the way to super charge your practice, maybe even beyond what you expected, hoped, or wanted. (Reader beware: once you’re exposed to the brilliance, craziness, precision, and overwhelming compassion of Chogyam Trungpa, your life changes. You’ve been warned!)
9 comments
Thanks for the recs; can’t wait to check these out.
Also, love that pic! Is that a mischievous grin I spy? That doesn’t seem like you at all!
I know, right? What me, calling your bluff at 4 y.o.? Never.
LOL! So fun to look back on these pics of ourselves, isn’t it?
Without doubt. And also to know that who we are now is exactly who we were then and vice versa.
Yup–was totally just thinking the same thing. Happy weekend! xo
Susan,
These are great choices. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind and Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism are both very high on my own list. I haven’t read the Sakyong’s book yet.
My top three favorites are:
1) The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche
2) The Joy of Living, Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness
3) Now that’s tough. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind might be here. It does seem to cross all traditions.
Thanks for your recommendations.
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[...] am thoroughly enjoying Turning the Mind into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham, as recommended by Susan Piver and there’s a phrase that has had me thinking ever since I read [...]
You too! Cheers.