Table of Contents
Foreword ix
Introduction xiii
Part 1 Becoming Who we are
1 The Liberating Practice of Mindfulness 1
2 The Art of Awakening: The Way of Meditation 11
3 A Mind Like Sky: Learning to Rest in Awareness 17
4 Realizing Our Full Potential: Cultivating Love and Joy 22
5 Make Your Heart a Zone of Peace: Dharma and Politics 36
6 Our Children Will Learn What They Live: Becoming More Conscious Parents 41
7 The Art of Forgiveness 53
Part 2 Taking up the Spiritual Path
8 Spiritual Initiation: Monastic Rites of Wholeness and Commitment 61
9 Perils, Promises, and Spiritual Emergency on the Path 73
10 The Near Enemies of Awakening: Nonattachment Is Not Indifference 102
11 The Bodhisattva Way: Tending to the Suffering of All Beings 111
12 Samadhi: Developing a Steady, Concentrated Mind 125
13 Spiritual Maturity 133
Part 3 Lessons from Modern Masters
14 Natural Freedom of the Heart: The Teachings of Ajahn Chah 149
15 The Inspiration of Dipa Ma Barua 167
16 Holding the Banner of Dharma: Celebrating Chögyam Trungpa 175
Part 4 Practicing the Dharma in the West
17 American Buddhism: Preserving and Adapting the Dharma 193
18 This Fantastic, Unfolding Experiment: Establishing the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock 211
19 Sex Lives of the Gurus 225
20 Psychedelics, Antidepressants, and Spiritual Practice 235
21 Even the Best Meditators Have Old Wounds to Heal 245
22 The Sure Heart's Release: Healing Our Personal Pain 250
23 Enlightenments 258
Part 5 Practices
24 Take the One Seat: Basic Meditation Practice 269
25 Forgiveness Meditation 271
26 Loving-kindness Meditation (Metta) 273
Credits 277
About the Author 281