Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness Paperback – August 31, 2016

If there were more that 5 stars to give, I would given that. This book takes us step by step into the Budhist concept of Sunyata. This concept is of immense use in the practical life as well as in spritual pursuits. If correctly understood, this has a power to remove all suffering (not pain) from our lives.

This book shows up again and again in bibliographies and is an absolute delight to read. After reading and underlining much of the text the first time I immediately re-read while taking many pages of notes.The explanation of the differentiation between Shentong (Yogacara) as 5th level of realizing emptiness and Cittamatra as a level two realization inspired much further reading to look into the Shentong/Rangtong debate. Many of the Rangtong school will confuse what is level 5 with level 2, according to the Shentong perspective put forth here.The author states that one should not adhere to either view as being right and the other wrong as they are both useful and people of different temperaments will be naturally inclined towards one view or the other. Like just about everything within Buddhism, the Middle Way between the extremes lights the path. Both the 3rd turning and 2nd turnings have their strengths and weaknesses it's very inportant to be well aware of all sides of the teachings and to integrate them into a whole that is a larger container for both.

This book explains view on emptiness and how it evolved through different Buddhist schools over time. Not to be read in one go, requires reading and contemplating; and to truly make it yours requires practical experience.To quote from book: "Although [intellectual] insight may come quickly, stability comes slowly."It is very down to earth, on point and super helpful with its examples. An absolute gem of a book!

If technicality is removed and studied in plain English, it is an excellent treat. I made notes for my practice from each chapter to sit with a given concept. I didn’t give up concepts until end or until I was ready to see the underlying nothingness- there is really nothing. To see there is nothing and then rely on it (emptiness) as if it is something is indeed scary. This book is a good read.

The gist of the teachings seems to be this......Most of Buddhism, any doctrine or instruction, school or formal organization's directive for students....above and beyond.......THOUGHTS...... WILL COME AND GO......SO BE IT........RELAX!......everything else, ignore it!Seems right me...... and, by the way The Buddha Himself...... Just read the book....

I am only halfway through the book, and while yes, I am finding the writing quality and expression of these very subtle and complex concepts extremely well presented, I am still finding myself hung up on what seems to be very noticeable flaws in logic and coherence. If we are to understand the inseparability of external phenomenon with the internal phenomena of consciousness, as being a unity, and moreover, if this unity ultimately leads us to the conclusion that a separate perceiving ego and all it’s perceived objects are illusory, thus not in fact real, and thus our very “self” also not real, then how is the entire system of I’m perceivable biological phenomenon to be explained?. For example, the function of mitochondria, or even more simply the operation of one’s own liver which unless one is a trained medical practitioner would be very unlikely to be understood, or the automatic release of hormones throughout the body and the incredibly complex molecular occurrences that enable these hormones to do what they do. There are countless such examples of non-conscious events for which our lives depend on. I mention this only to say that most of what keeps us living and breathing occurs beyond the capacity for consciousness. If so, then does this not provide a simple proof for the existence of a physical independent reality functioning without any relationship to personal consciousness. Are we not immersed in a physical universe upon which we depend, regardless of whatever our conscious or unconscious thought may be? Indeed, we can understand the unity of a beautiful sight with the object and consciousness, such as a sunset or the listening to of a song, in such cases the object would have no inherent meaning or nature unless there were a subject to engage with it. Entire philosophy of phenomenology is premised on this very reasonable observation . However, once we reach the microscopic or even the macroscopic level of events, it is virtually impossible to assign any reasonable relationship between the object (or process) and mental phenomenon, As the event must occur while there is no mental phenomena. This leaves me in a state of great confusion as to whether the premise upon which this book is based is false or if I am simply misunderstanding the whole thing somehow. If anyone would like to comment or point me in a better direction of understanding which synthesizes the information and thought of the book with the examples I brought up I would be very happy to hear your remarks,.

This is the single best introduction + advanced meditative implementation of shunyata process. Superb from both intellectual and meditative points of view. Highly recommended for all levels of practitioners. Read. Many. Times. And practice this material daily.

This is an incredibly concise, clear, and authoritative description of the practices and stages to achieve the clear bright light of eternal being according to the Buddhist tradition.