This is a complete meditation handbook with all the instructions to achieve the goal and all of the levels of knowledge along the way. Now integrates the full text of "A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM)," with detailed instructions, into the front section - also includes the full text of "A Guide to Forgiveness Meditation" as an appendix. Three books in one.
You will learn a different definition for Mindfulness that totally changes how you practice; and about a step in the text that has been left out of contemporary practices that is the key to the deepest levels of tranquility.
Learn the basics of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) which is really the practice of Loving-kindness and the Brahmaviharas from the earliest Buddhist texts: The Majjhima Nikaya and the Samyutta Nikaya. This book will guide you from the beginning stages to the highest attainments laid out clearly and concisely. Many previous students' experiences have been compiled and researched to create the basis for this book.
Additionally, other popular methods are compared here against the suttas to see if they match the Buddha's teachings and lead you to the enlightenment.
David Johnson wrote this book based on his insights as a senior student under Bhante Vimalaramsi, a 30-year monk living in the forests of Missouri. He came from a career in Silicon Valley to learn and study TWIM for the past seven years at the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center near St. Louis. He currently teaches Online Retreats and authored "A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation" along with Bhante, which is the detailed beginning instructions for TWIM Loving-kindness practice.
Chapters:
Chapter One - What Is Buddhism?: This chapter explores Buddhism as a supra-mundane science, the concept of awakening both mind and body, and the principle of Dependent Origination.
Chapter Two - Mindfulness Re-Defined: This section redefines mindfulness, discusses the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and differentiates feelings from emotions.
Chapter Three - What Is a Jhāna?: The chapter details different types of Jhānas (meditative absorptions), focusing on concentration absorption Jhāna and the Tranquil Aware Jhāna.
Chapter Four - Types of Concentration Practice: This part compares Aware and Concentration Jhāna, providing insight into different concentration practices.
Chapter Five - Beginning Practice: Here, a summary of meditation instructions is presented, marking the start of practical guidance.
Chapter Six- 13 ...Jhanas & Nibbana