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Marcus Dwyer
15th June 2000, 01:06
Hi Guys,
Just sitting here wondering what you think would be a good book / tape to start learning meditation with. THis has been a subject of great interest to me over the years, and now I think I'd like to find out more. If possible could you include the ISBN numbers for any books

Cheers in advance......Marcus

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DJM
19th June 2000, 22:41
Hiya Marcus, welcome to the meditation forum..
I must confess, most of my meditation skills came courtesy of a postal course with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, but two books I've found very useful also are - The Long Road Turns to Joy:A Guide to Walking Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh (not sure of ISBN) and Barefoot Doctor's Handbook for the Urban Warrior:A Spiritual Survival Guide (ISBN:0-7499-1811-X).
I think the second book expecially will be of use, irrespective of whether or not you're interested in Taoism as a path..
The main thing with meditation is 'just do it', you can only get so much from any book until you've actually done it..
Good luck, and let us know how you get on..
Peace,
David

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Poetry of Birds,
A Thousand Voice Melody,
Dancing on the Waves
-- David Marshall

[This message has been edited by DJM (edited 06-19-2000).]

Tom Davidson
20th June 2000, 10:19
Hi Marcus -

Another useful book is "Meditation: the Buddhist Way of Tranquility and Insight"
Published by Windhorse, which is the imprint of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. Author is Kamalashila, 304 pages with photographs, charts and index!
ISBN: 1 899579 05 2

The book is for people interested in meditation, rather than martial artists specifically, but it gives some useful techniques and background info.

Good luck,

Tom

Marcus Dwyer
22nd June 2000, 00:08
Hey Guys,
Thanks for getting back so soon, and thanks for the information. If you have any more, keep'em coming!

Thanks again,

Marcus

DJM
1st July 2000, 18:23
Another book, one which I'm working with at the moment (in the sense of actually using the contents) is Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Han..
I'm finding the use of mindful meditation to be very good, and it's proving very useful at removing most of the bucket loads of stress I'm under at the moment!! Again, not specifically for the martial arts, but still very very good...
;)
Peace,
David

Basui
9th July 2000, 07:26
Hello Marcus!!!


I just thought about a book that you might like. It's title is "the three pillars of zen" and was written by Phillip Kaplaue (I'm not sure about the spelling of his name).
I think you'll like it.

Basui

Matthew W. Luedke
9th July 2000, 16:42
Hi Marcus,

My college, up until the end of this past semester, happened to have, by some strange twist of fate, a Zen Buddhist monk in the student body. Anyway, when asked if he could give me a bibliography for good books to read on the subject, he said that every time I think about reading about Zen or meditation, instead, just meditate. That's one thought on the matter. He also suggested, that if you want to read something and don't want to meditate, read the Sutras. That's another thought. One final thought, this one coming from me (so it's more than a little suspect :)), is that you might want to try and find a local Zen center, or meditation society, or something along those lines. Oral instruction and critical feedback can be more helpful than any book.

G'luck with your travel down the Middle Path.

yamatodamashii
9th July 2000, 22:10
Jion from Tendai Lotus shared with me that he has a meditation course coming out soon--you'll be able to get it off of their website. I'm getting tense waiting.

If you want something more non-denominational, but very effective: I must recommend Dr. Herbert Benson's The Relaxation Response. It's a clinical version of Transcendental Meditation (the big differences are that it's not religious and it only costs five bucks for the book).

Tony Peters
10th July 2000, 18:56
Personally I like Thich Nhat Hanh's books but many folks take umbrage to the Buddhist teaching contained within (My mother in law for instance) The one book that I have had to replace more than once because I've lent it out so many times is "Sitting (a buddhist guide)" written by Diana St Ruth. Regardless of it's title it contains nothing about buddhist thought to raise the ire of the christian right. A grat book for the basics of meditation.

jgtiger
18th July 2000, 00:01
There are three 'forms' of (non-religious) spiritual development: concentration (a'la zen), contemplation (candles, a fine sunset, mandalas) and meditation which seeks to 'transcend' thought and connect the individual's awareness with his or her consciousness. Fancy talk meaning 'aiki', centering, etc. If you have to 'try' and meditate, you are defeating your purpose, like telling yourself over and over during a sparring match that you won't let the guy hit you. Well, 'bing' - you get hit because that's what you're focusing on. Books on Transcendental Meditation - ones that include some research - will get you started. If you can live, think and act from 'the center', then your mind-body-spirit will be relaxed, fully energized and totally aware.

18th July 2000, 00:52
If you really want a good book on meditation, try "Secret Weapons of Jujutsu." You can get a preview at:

http://www.concentric.net/~Budokai/miscellany/new-book.htm

Okay, maybe it's not about meditation, but it's a good read. I promise. :) Another shameless plug from:

18th July 2000, 11:20
Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could please tell me where i could get some info on sutra's I no next to nothing anout them and was hoping to find out more.

thank you.


Daniel Blackburn.

jion
21st July 2000, 05:16
In response to sutras, although a number of reputable book stores offer many wonderful references, you might want to exhaust the plethora of sutras available online. I'm assuming you mean in English, and although this list is by no means exhaustive, here are a few links to have a gander at:


http://www.gosho.net/Buddhism/Lotus_Sutra/
http://home.att.net/~edwardchang/sutraindex/english.htm
http://www.tbsn.org/english/sutframe.htm
http://www.best.com/~mlee/
http://villa.lakes.com/cdpatton/Dharma/Canon/



If you are interested (Japanese):

http://www.l.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~sat/japan/down.html

jgtiger
21st July 2000, 18:44
To Hitokiri and Jion - the easiest to understand and most comprehensive book on sutras I know is "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali". The sutras are mantras specifically designed to make the connection between your consciousness and the Laws of Nature, both of which have their roots in the Transcendent. Sutras include ones for happiness, great strength, expanded perceptual abilities, levitation, and others. Happy flying!!