Leeds Buddhist Centre

As the name suggests this book is a practical account of meditation practices within the Triratna tradition. It is a beautifully presented book and even the chapter headings resonate with a kind of poetry. The major sections are sit like a mountain (posture for meditation), mind like the clear blue sky (mindfulness of breathing) and heart like a sun (metta bhavna). There are shorter sections on walking meditation and loving kindness in everyday life.

First and foremost the book gives practical advice on meditation practice in a clear step by step format. In addition it unfailing puts practice into a wider context and the final section on compassion in the wider world broadens the work excellently. So whether you are struggling with posture, suffering distraction or just looking for ways to deepen and support your own practice then this may be the book for you.

My only criticism of the book is that it is a bit of an odd shape so might not fit on your book shelf so well. So if that's the worst that can be said of a book then it should be apparent what an excellent book it is.

At times there seems to be hundreds of books about meditation. Do we really need another one? Well if it is written by Paramananda I say that we do.

In the first half of the book Paramananda covers the fundamental elements of the Triratna system of meditation - posture, the body then chapters on mindfulness of breathing and the metta bhavna. In the second half of the book he takes a broader view and delves into positive and negative factors affecting meditation, insight and how meditation relates to ethics. This is rounded off by a lovely and inspiring chapter on what is the point of meditation at all.

The book is poetic, intensely human and frequently inspiring. Whereas many books are strong on the technicalities of meditation, Paramananda beautifully presents the emotional side of the practice. So whether you have meditated for a week, a year or a decade, this book is definitely worth a read.

The following books may also be of interest.

The Meditative Mind

By Daniel Goleman

Published By Putnam

An interesting comparative study of meditation in different religious traditions. Probably out of print but very much worth a read if you come across it.

Meditation

By Kamalashila

Published By Windhorse

A in depth study of the main Triratna meditation practices.

The Heart

By Vessantara

Published By Windhorse

A comprehensive guide to loving-kindness meditation in a pocket sized book. Excellent.