Meditation: The Buddhist Way

Meditation The Buddhist Way is a guidebook to the practice and benefits of the Buddhist meditation technique of loving kindness. Jinananda deftly elucidates the benefits of overriding emotions, cultivating love, and differentiating emotions from feelings and reactions. With a subtle English accent he soothes listeners through a guided loving kindness meditation session. Listeners learn how to connect with the innate human capacity for joy and compassion. Jinananda's work is accessible to newcomers while retaining the high degree of sophistication found in Buddhist scholarship. Listeners are drawn into a practice that encourages 'finding value in the moments between our practical affairs.' Jinananda skillfully presents Buddhist meditation not as a religion or as dogma but as a technique that 'points the way home.' --AudioFile

The author/narrator Jinananda's gentle cultured voice weaves a vibration of peace even as he begins speaking the introduction to Buddhist meditation known as Vipassana, the practice of mindfulness. He begins with preparation for meditation, insight into and guidance through the progressions of human thought and feelings as attention is paid to the breathing during the stages of meditation. Jinananda discusses the development of loving kindness as another level of Buddhist meditation, and shares methods for dealing with distractions and hindrances which often arise in meditation practice. In the fourth and final CD an actual meditation is led. The calm rich voice provides instructions and guidance for each stage of the meditation. A long entoned, clear vibration meditation bell rings, followed by a deep silence in which meditation happens. The bell rings again before the instruction for the next stage begins. The publisher includes helpful, printed album notes. A written essay on meditation follows the chapter outline. It helps to read this first to understand the direction and development of Jinanada's instructional book. This is culmination without denouement. The continuity of mindfulness, as taught by Jinanada remains, even as the CD ceases spinning. Do be certain to put this on its own playlist on your iPod so there is no next album which comes on to disturb the peaceful silence. --Rachel Claire, SoundCommentary.com

Why meditate? To let go of stress? To become more focused? To fathom life's mysteries? Buddhism is well-known for its meditation practices which are non-theistic, practical but profound. Whatever our purpose, Jinananda is a clear, experienced and friendly guide who can help us start meditating - right now. Find everything you need to begin your exploration of meditation: how to sit and simple instructions for two traditional practices that develop clarity, peace of mind and positive emotions. This guide also includes troubleshooting tips and ideas on how to take practice further. Jinananda is an English-born, London-based Buddhist teacher with 30 years of personal meditation practice.