Lama Surya Das is one of the most well-regarded Buddhist teachers and scholars in America today. His books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and his seminars and retreats are continually in demand. In part, it is his straightforward, accessible, and humorous approach that audiences react so strongly to, and in The Mind Is Mightier Than the Sword, Surya brings that unique approach to a comprehensive guide to the most essential Buddhist teachings.
For beginners and experienced practitioners alike, Lama Surya Das outlines his Six Building Blocks of Spiritual Practice and offers insight and advice not only on how to find and develop a spiritual center, but how to integrate it into your daily life. From daily meditation and yoga to creative work, journaling, volunteering in your community, and finding teachers in unexpected places, Buddhist practice can and should be part of everything you do. The Mind Is Mightier Than the Sword is a practical guide to using the teachings of Buddhism to live a happier, healthier, more enlightened life.
SURYA DAS is the highest trained American lama in the Tibetan tradition. A poet, translator, and full time spiritual teacher, he is the author of the bestselling Awakening the Buddha Within and Awakening to the Sacred. Surya Das lectures and leads meditation retreats worldwide. Awakening the Buddhist Heart will be his fourth book, and his third published by Broadway Books.
Surya Das lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts
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Contents: THE MIND IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD: Enlightening
the Mind, Opening the Heart |
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Acknowledgments |
vii |
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Introduction: Living Dharma: Old Wine in New Bottles |
1 |
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part I SUSTAINING THE ESSENCE: You must Be present to
Win |
9 |
Chapter 1 |
Natural Meditation: The Power of Nowness |
11 |
Chapter 2 |
Enlightened Living: The Heart of Awakening |
27 |
Chapter 3 |
Swooping Down from Above While Climbing Up from Below: Absolute
Outlook and Relative Practice |
47 |
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part II THE FACTS OF LIFE FROM A BUDDHIST PERSPECTIVE:
Turn the Searchlight, the Spotlight, inward |
63 |
Chapter 4 |
Buddha's Enlightenment Experience |
65 |
Chapter 5 |
Suffering and the Cause of Suffering |
79 |
Chapter 6 |
The End of Suffering |
91 |
Chapter 7 |
The Three Trainings |
108 |
Chapter 8 |
The Eightfold Path to Enlightenment |
120 |
Chapter 9. |
The Five Skandhas and the Nature of Individuality |
132 |
Chapter 10 |
The Six Principles of Enlightened Living |
147 |
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part III PRACTICE IS PERFECT: Just Do It |
163 |
Chapter 11 |
Taking Refuge: Awakening Compassion |
165 |
Chapter 12 |
The Teacher: Learning from Both the Foolish and the Wise |
180 |
Chapter 13 |
The Lion's Roar: The Challenge of Dharma |
196 |
Chapter 14 |
Sangha Means Community |
207 |
Chapter 15 |
Chanting and Sacred Sound |
217 |
Chapter 16 |
Altar Practice |
230 |
Chapter 17 |
Tibetan Energy Yoga |
237 |
Chapter 18 |
Tibetan Dream Yoga |
253 |
Chapter 19 |
Deepening Practice Through Retreat |
269 |
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part IV CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPRESSIONS: Integrating
Dharma into Daily life |
279 |
Chapter 20 |
Spiritual Intelligence |
281 |
Chapter 21 |
Creativity and Spirituality |
298 |
Chapter 22 |
Living Up to Death |
314 |
Chapter 23 |
Opening the Third Ear: The Art of True Listening |
332 |
Chapter 24 |
Being Peace, Disarming the Heart: Anger and Nonviolence |
349 |
Chapter 25 |
Opening the Book of Nature |
369 |
Chapter 26 |
What I Teach and Why |
380 |
Afterword |
What I Teach and Why |
403 |
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Index |
413 |
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