Voices of Insight - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1570623988 ISBN 13: 9781570623981

Publisher: Shambhala, 1999

Synopsis

The founding of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in 1975 heralded a fresh expression of Theravada Buddhism among lay practitioners in the West. Today this flourishing tradition offers a path to liberation suited to people of our own time and place, amidst our own families and communities. Here is the first collection of writings by leading teachers of insight meditation who have taught at IMS: Joseph Goldstein on "The Science and Art of Meditation," Jack Kornfield on "Path of Parenting, Path of Awakening," Larry Rosenberg on "Moving into Deep Silence," Sylvia Boorstein on "Perfecting the Heart," Carol Wilson on "The First Buddhist Women," and many others. In all, seventeen men and women—hailing from North America, Hawaii, England, Australia, and South Africa—share their intimate experiences of the practice of mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation; their understanding of the basic teachings of the Buddha; the lessons they learned from their own teachers; and advice on following the Buddha Dharma in relationships, work, and spiritual practice. Contributors include: Steve Armstrong, Sylvia Boorstein, Christina Feldman, Joseph Goldstein, Narayan Liebenson Grady, Bhante Gunaratana, Gavin Harrison, Jack Kornfield, Kamala Masters, Michele McDonald-Smith, Larry Rosenberg, Sharon Salzberg, Rodney Smith, Steven Smith, Ajahn Sumedho, Christopher Titmuss and Carol Wilson. All royalties from this book will be donated to Ram Dass—author of Be Here Now and other modern spiritual classics, who recently suffered a major stroke—in gratitude for his teachings and in support of his ongoing medical needs.

About this title

About the Author

Sharon Salzberg is one of America's leading spiritual teachers and authors. A practitioner of Buddhist meditation for over thirty years, she is a co-founder of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and the Insight Meditation Society, and she directs meditation retreats throughout the United States and abroad.

Reviews

In 1976, Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield, young Americans returned from studying Buddhism in Asia, founded Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass. Today, IMS, which conveys ancient Buddhist teachings to modern Westerners, serves on the front lines of American Buddhism. Seventeen IMS retreat leaders have now contributed essays, most original, to a collection that's extraordinary not only for the depth of wisdom made accessible through a range of approaches, from memoir to history to abstract analysis, but for the high quality of much of the prose. Goldstein's "The Science and Art of Meditation" is as clear and fresh an introduction to meditation practice as exists anywhere. "Natural Freedom of the Heart," Kornfield's recollection of hard studying in the Thai forest with the "meditation master" Ajahn Chan, conveys powerfully how determination and integrity are indispensable companions along the path. Sylvia Boorstein's two bright essays offer sound advice cloaked in welcome good humor. Other exceptional writings are offered by Gavin Harrison, Christopher Titmuss and Carol Wilson. Not every piece is exemplary: Larry Rosenberg kvetches too much about modern society before delivering a brilliant rumination on silence, and a few other contributors fail to anchor their thoughts in concrete examples. Woven throughout, via introductions and her concluding essay, "Becoming the Ally of All Beings," are Salzberg's own elegant words, which emphasize the practice of loving-kindness. This book is not only a major work of American Buddhism, but anyone who buys it does a good deed: all royalties will be donated to a fund for the care of the American spiritual pioneer Ram Dass, who is recovering from a stroke. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Shambhala
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1570623988
• ISBN 13: 9781570623981
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 281
• Editor: Sharon Salzberg