Description
This book contains two very important teachings: „The States of Consciousness” and „Meditation and Daily Life”. States of Consciousness deals with one of the most important topics in Buddhism. Mind or consciousness is not simply a theme common to religions and philosophies, but is, in fact, the centre point of all our experiences, the very characteristic that distinguishes beings from all other existing phenomena.
It is precisely because they possess mind that beings, regardless of their shape and size, come first in the Buddha's teachings. The Law of Karmei, reincarnation, Samsara (the cycle of existences) and Nirvana (liberation) make sense only because mind exists. Without it, all the criteria for evaluating our conceptual universe, such as good/bad, right/wrong, just/erroneous, important/unimportant, disappear, for they are based on the experiences of sentient beings.
The second part of the book, Meditation and Daily Life, contains indispensable instructions for anyone who wants to devote themselves seriously to the practice of meditation.
The meditation course presented here is a step-by-step approach to the practice adapted to the sincere beginner. Thanks to his pedagogical mastery, Gheșe Rabten has created a clear and accessible method, accessible to anyone who is committed to the practice.
„We are at present human beings endowed with all the faculties necessary for these spiritual acquisitions (...) Now, therefore, we must begin the practice of Dharma, and especially of the meditation of mental calmness and higher vision, for later on in the future it will be difficult for us to meet all these favourable conditions which demand the production of the necessary causes. On the other hand, we have no time to waste in postponing the practice of the Dharma, for we have not the slightest certainty that we shall remain long in this life.” (Geshe Rabten)
Almost like no one else, Geshe Rinpoche was able to bring the essence of Buddha's thoughts closer to his listeners. Whether the listener was from the West or the East, whoever followed his words felt all the fuzziness disappear, and his place taken by a clarity and calmness that filled his mind. His examples encouraged people to adopt a sincere way of acting. Whatever he explained, he gave the disciple the feeling that he was hearing a description of the past or the future, or their innermost secrets, as if all these were in the palm of his hand.
