How to Meditate

*****How to Meditate Has Been Named One of Library Journal s Best Books of 2013*****

Pema Chodron is treasured around the world for her unique ability to transmit teachings and practices that bring peace, understanding, and compassion into our lives. With How to Meditate, the American-born Tibetan nun presents her first program exploring in depth what she considers the essentials for a lifelong practice.

When we look for a meditation teacher, we want someone who has an intimate knowledge of the path. That's why so many have turned to Pema Chodron, whose gentle yet straightforward guidance has been a lifesaver for both first-time and experienced meditators.

More and more people are beginning to recognize a profound inner longing for authenticity, connection, compassion, and aliveness. Meditation, Pema explains, gives us a golden key to address this yearning. How to Meditate was recorded live, on retreat, at Gombo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada, over the course of a five-week retreat/ meditation program.

Through five CDs of traditional insights and her personal guidance in 12 sitting sessions, Pema Chodron will help you honestly meet and compassionately relate with your mind as you explore:

The basics of meditation, from getting settled and the six points of posture to learning to settle to breathing and relaxation

Gentleness, patience, and humor three ingredients for a well-balanced practice

The Seven Delights-how moments of difficulty can become doorways to awakening and love

Shamatha (or calm abiding), the art of stabilizing the mind to remain present with whatever arises

Thoughts and emotions as "sheer delight"-instead of obstacles-in meditation

Here is in indispensable program from the meditation teacher who remains a first choice for students the world over.

From my own experience and from listening to many people over the years, I ve tried to offer here what I feel are the essential points of mediation, explains Pema Chodron. Now this beloved voice shares with you her accessible approach simple and down to earth while informed by the highest traditions of Tibetan Buddhism on *How to Meditate with Pema Chodron*.

Disc One

Introduction

Becoming your own meditation instructor

The cause of suffering

Working with your mind

Learning to settle

Start with awareness

Working with posture

Being faithful to the technique

Meditation: Being present

Disc Two

Introduction

Our habitual patterns

Being right here

Meditation: Coming back to the breath

Coming back into presence

Meditation: Finding balance

Attention and relaxation

Discursive thought

Gentleness, patience, and humor

Meditation: Relaxation

Disc Three

Introduction

Meditation: Faithful to being present

Training in letting go

Uncovering Buddha nature

Meditation: Uncovering Buddha nature

Refreshing Your Body

Waiting for a thought to occur

Meditation: Waiting, occurrence, dissolve

Suggestions for your practice

Disc Four

Introduction

Balancing and settling

Meditation: working with thoughts

Fixation and the thinking process

Experiencing your emotions

Working with unfavorable conditions

Go to your body

Bringing up a strong emotion

Meditation: Working the feeling

Disc Five

Introduction

Fully here

No problem except identifying

Six sense perceptions

Non-dualistic experience

Meditation: Undivided awareness

Noticing when we go off

Meditation: working with sight

Meditation: working with touch

Pema is one of our most beloved and helpful teachers practical, compassionate, and wise. How to Meditate is a great way to take her teachings to heart and develop a meditation practice.

Jack Kornfield, author of *A Path with Heart* and *A Lamp in the Darkness*

This is a great compilation of meditation instruction which she has personal given to many of her students over the years. These instructions have brought so much help to others that it has made her one of the most loved and revered Buddhist teacher in this modern world. With a brilliant mind and an absolutely cheerful attitude toward life, she practices what she teaches.

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche"