The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science

Description

Providing step-by-step guidance for every stage of the meditation path, this uniquely comprehensive guide for a Western audience combines the wisdom from the teachings of the Buddha with the latest research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Clear and friendly, this in-depth practice manual builds on the nine-stage model of meditation originally articulated by the ancient Indian sage Asanga, crystallizing the entire meditative journey into 10 clearly-defined stages. The book also introduces a new and fascinating model of how the mind works, and uses illustrations and charts to help the reader work through each stage. This manual is an essential read for the beginner to the seasoned veteran of meditation and can be read from front to back, or used as a reference guide, choosing chapters as needed based on the current state of the reader’s practice. Review “A systematic, hands-on manual, The Mind Illuminated will be a great help to anyone who wants to completely fathom the process of meditative development in all its stages. Culadasa gives us the full conceptual framework together with complete instructions for putting it into play. In largely Western language, with help from wonderful images and diagrams, this book brings the path of meditation to life.” —Sharon Salzberg, author, Real Happiness “[Culadasa] takes me through the science of the practice straight to the adventure of sitting, and offers context through sustainable, practical applications and tools. This book is full of wisdom, story, and creativity, and I'll be glad to have it as a reference for many years to come.” —Elena Brower, author, Art of Attention “This book is a rare and valuable treasure, providing a detailed, step-by-step account of how meditation practice progresses. Culadasa is the real deal, a living adept with decades of experience.” —Shinzen Young, author, Beginner’s Guide to Meditation “Essential reading for anyone interested in meditative development from any tradition. At once comprehensive and also very easy to read and follow in practice, this is the most thorough, straightforward, clear, and practical guide to training the mind that I have ever found. A remarkable achievement.” —Daniel Ingram, M.D., author, Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha “In a time where meditation and its twin sister, mindfulness, have become the fads du jour, Culadasa gives us the real deal in this encyclopedic handbook. If you're serious about meditation, The Mind Illuminated should be on your bookshelf.” —Lama Marut, author, A Spiritual Renegade's Guide to the Good Life “With wisdom, clarity and grace, Culadasa has written an invaluable manual for awakening. I believe this book will become one of the "Top 10 Must Reads" for anyone on the spiritual path for years to come. Helpful for beginning meditators, and valuable for advanced meditators who are already committed to meditation but have not yet experienced the fruits of consistent practice.” —Stephanie Nash, mindfulness coach and integrative counselor This book does an outstanding job of both constructing a cognitive theory of how the mind works and presenting a detailed handbook for learning and mastering meditation. The result is a beautiful integration of theory and practice, whose parallel strands lead to experientially, and account for conceptually, the radical shift in consciousness we call awakening.” —Richard P. Boyle, author, Realizing Awakened Consciousness About the Author Culadasa (John Yates, PhD), is the director of Dharma Treasure Buddhist Sangha in Tucson, Arizona and was a teacher of physiology and neuroscience. He has been ordained as an Upasaka (dedicated lay-practitioner) and has received ordination in the International Order of Buddhist ministers in Rosemead, California. He lives in Pearce, Arizona. Matthew Immergut, PhD is an associate professor of sociology. He is a longtime meditator and a dedicated student of Culadasa. He lives in Woodstock, New York. Jeremy Graves is a student of Culadasa and has accumulated roughly a year-and-a-half of extended retreat time under his teacher’s mentorship. His approach to Buddhist practice combines the insights of science, art, and devotional practice. He lives in Laguna Beach, California.