The Tibetan Book of Meditation

by Christie McNally

Meditation helps us relax, sharpens our minds, and increases our creativity. In The Tibetan Book of Meditation , Lama Christie McNally demonstrates that meditation also provides a much greater gift. It awakens our innate potential to shape our reality, to make moments of joy last forever, and to bring us the peace and contentment that we all ultimately seek.

Written in an instructional yet intimate style, the author guides readers through a progression of meditations, from the simple concept of compassion to the transformative concept of emptiness. Teaching technique and content at the same time, this book is unique in its comprehensive approach and will find a special place in the hearts of novice and experienced meditators alike.

Christie McNally, a renowned master teacher and lecturer who has studied with some of the greatest Indian, Tibetan, and western Buddhist masters, explains the central tenets of Buddhism and reveals how they apply to everyday life. Combining ancient wisdom and contemporary teachings, she leads readers along the path to a richer, fuller life through resonant examples and eye-opening insights.

Her engaging tone and fresh approach to the art of meditation will appeal to followers of Pema Chödrön and to readers of Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, and Jon Kabat-Zinn. This down-to-earth guide to meditation brings the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism to a new generation.

Genres: Meditation, Nonfiction, Religion, Buddhism

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Lama Christie McNally trained in Tibetan monasteries in India and Nepal, and received extensive instruction in all the texts required for a Geshe degree, which is traditionally a 20-year course of study. From there, she immersed herself in the secret teachings of Buddhism. She is one of the first Western women to be recognized as a Lama. Through her efforts, she has begun to change the face of Buddhism that has historically been predominantly male.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a new-commer to Buddhism. I am a Catholic for some value thereof, and it was fascinating. I have also looked at the Dalai Lama's 'The Art of Happiness', and I sort of wanted a book that would tell me how to meditate having been instructed thusly that meditation was part of the answer. From that perspective this book was perfect. It offered a detailed and in-depth guide on Tibetan Buddhist meditation practices that could actively help me to alter my mental attitude. The more difficult aspect of it was the metaphysics. I understand that in order to really grasp some of these meditations, such a discussion was important to bind the whole thing together, but it was not deep enough. I came away feeling like I've gained a lot of knowledge on meditation, but am left feeling like I wanted more discussion on the metaphysics of buddhism and of emptiness. There were several passages that left me wanting and just flat had me floundering, not understanding at all he concepts and ideas that were put forward. The book also has a link to the website which has some audio for the meditations which is absolutely excellent, and helps to give one a sense of rhythm for the meditations, a guide to how fast to progress through each step in the meditation. The mind does not focus instantly, and it's interesting to see how long she spends on each step.
Overall I really liked this book and would recommend it.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is more a how-to meditate rather than an explanation of Tibetan Buddhism.


Reasons for meditation include to bring peace of mind, sharper and creative focus to the mind. Tibetan's believe there are 3 kinds of pain : 1) physical/emotional pain 2) pain when something good inevitably ends 3) lack of control in any area to one's life.

Tibetan's have 3 types of meditation: 1) analytic type in which one does not know the answer and thus has to debate it in ones head 2) Review meditation in which the outcome is certain but one reviews it anyway like a mental movie 3) Fixed meditation that is used to gain a deeper understanding upon a subject matter (contemplative prayer).

To Tibetan buddhist, the world and everything is empty and are merely projections of our mind. So if we can change the way we think about certain things our projections of that reality will also change so that our reality changes. As expected, Tibetan meditation prescription for happiness is to meditate for the well-being of others. Tibetan's believe that everyone in the world is just an extension of the self; thus to alleviate others suffering is really just alleviating your own suffering. The lack of boundaries between us and them; thus bringing a flowering of unconditional love characterizes Tibetan Buddhism. Meditation is used to visualize who they want to become and it is important to be consistent.

One way of understanding the world as empty is to meditate how everything constantly changes, once one accept this fact one can cease to feel pain for lose since everything is impermanent. In Tibet, the concept of individual does not exists it is always an individual in relation to something else. The subject and object are one entity. Similarly the concept that everything around us is empty and are simply projections gives rise to taking a proactive stance in creating the Karmic seed to create things that our positive for us in the future by having positive intentions and acting out those intentions in helping others.

Tibetan's think the best way to get yoiu want is to give others what you want with intension. That is, if one wants good health, one should intend others have good health and meditate on it and act on it. Likewise, if one wants money, then it behooves the person to give money to the homeless.

She talks about the lost value of apprenticeships in order to pass knowledge from this generation to the next.

When she says the beauty of stillness, she is talking about being in the zone during meditation when time passes. Again she stresses the 1st step to meditation is consistency.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

the perfect handbook for your bodhisattva practice, no matter where you are in your path. Lama Christie is such an amazingly clear writer and teacher. step-by-step she guides you toward getting the most out of your meditation. also loved the book's interior design. fonts that comfort and encourage at the same time, like her voice. nice b&w illustrations. thank you thank you.

12/2/11
just re-read for the third or 4th time. keeps getting better and better. the first time i read it, i was new to my practice, and i found much of the content awkward and foreign. now, nearly every sentence resonates deeply.

[Lori Mclane]

I buy multiple copies of this book and give one to people who I think will love it too. Lama Christie McNally is an amazing writer and if you are interested in anything at all about buddhism, she is amazingly clear and direct in her ability to help others find their own path to enlightenment. Even if you aren't a buddhist, her insights into making your world and the world around you a better place is incredible.

[Vladimir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a most helpful book - one of the best and most applicable instruction books on meditation I have found, and I have tried several over the last five years or so. Highly recommend it if you are into this kind of thing.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's concepts are profound but communicated in an understandable, conversational way. I also found the author's description of her three year retreat fascinating. This book has inspired me to revive my daily meditation practice.

[Darren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book may be a good primer for those very new to meditation. However, I do have some reservations even recommending it for that audience. Why? Because there is more dogma here than I think is helpful. One aspect of Zen that's so radical, and so potentially freeing, is that it is devoid of dogma -- by intention. To bring dogma to our meditation practice is to miss the point entirely. And while I'm not saying the author intentionally instructs new meditators to do so, some will hear her as recommending such. And that would set them on entirely the wrong course. Question your questions, yes. But don't simply adopt a new religious perspective to resolve the wrong questions.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a weird read knowing the drama behind the author's life. On one hand, dharma is dharma no matter who shares it, so some of this book is right and true. However, a good bit of it is also Michael Roach's weird new age interpretation of dharma involving an obsession with controlling karma, "angels," and solipsism, which McNally appeared to swallow and regurgitate wholesale.

[Bookish Chou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thiền thư Tây Tạng dạy bạn cách Thiền theo Mật Tông ở Tây Tạng, từng chủ điểm sẽ được hướng dẫn theo từng câu hỏi theo tiến trình để bạn ngẫm nghĩ. Cuốn sách không phải là thứ bạn đọc một lần rồi sau đó vứt lên giá sách cho đến khi nó bị bụi bặm giăng đầy. Quyển sách sẽ là thứ bạn cần khám khá và luyện tập thường xuyên để đúc kết được kinh nghiệm cho bản thân mình.

[Rita Vo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life-changing read.

[Jenneen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book can help some people spiritually and improve their meditation technique. That said, I read this book with mainly the intention of improving my meditation practice. Instead it turned out to be, for me, more a religious book. An additional reason for reading this was to learn to be more at peace with living through meditation, but the part about going through intense pain when you die unless you meditate..............................ya... didn't help. But it offers a youthful perspective for people who are interested in meditation and eastern religion. I think overall it was a good book, and worthwhile if you are interested in the religious aspect.

[Viet Hung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about meditation topic. I found quite many good points in practices for my meditation from the book. It's simple, it's clear, and it's practical. I would have to re-read this one more and more to learn and practice all of the things Lama Christie McNally has tried to shared in the book. That'll be a wonderful journey for me... to learn more and understand more about my true-self. Thanks for such clarity you have put into words, Lama Christie McNally.

[Cory Pontius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing book. I recommend this book to anyone looking for spiritual enlightenment as well as a meditation guide. Lama christie does an amazing job of making it easy for ppl to understand and visualize what's being taught. this ones at the top of my reading list.

[Dan Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really nice way to learn about meditation and take up a meditation practice. It contains step by step instructions on many meditations. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to start meditating.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for both Buddhists and no-Buddhists. The author writes clearly and with great insight. I particularly liked the gentle repetition, which so many of us need.

This is a good book for beginners as well as those practiced in the art of meditation.

[Michael E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was an interesting one, it gives many great ideas for meditative practices, mixed with Buddhist Philosophy. There so many times I was really into it, until things like "angels" were mentioned and I was pulled out due to my own way of thinking, still the merits outweigh the distractions.

[Dang Thi]

i like tibetan buddhism
I want to learn how to meditate