Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha : An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book - Revised and Expanded Edition

* Author posits that enlightenment is an attainable goal* Argues that meditation is a method for examining reality. The very idea that the teachings of meditation can be mastered will arouse controversy within Buddhist circles. Even so, Ingram insists that enlightenment is an attainable goal, once our fanciful notions of it are stripped away, and we have learned to use meditation as a method for examining reality rather than an opportunity to wallow in self-absorbed mind-noise .Ingram sets out concisely the difference between concentration-based and insight (Vipassana) meditation; he provides example practices; and most importantly he presents detailed maps of the states of mind we are likely to encounter, and the stages we must negotiate as we move through clearly-defined cycles of insight. It s easy to feel overawed, at first, by Ingram s assurance and ease in the higher levels of consciousness, but consistently he writes as a down-to-earth and compassionate guide to the practitioner willing to commit themselves this is a glittering gift of a book." CONTENTS 6 FOREWORD AND WARNING 12 PART I THE FUNDAMENTALS 20 INTRODUCTION TO PART I 22 MORALITY, THE FIRST AND LAST TRAINING 25 CONCENTRATION, THE SECOND TRAINING 31 WISDOM, THE THIRD TRAINING 34 THE THREE CHARACTERISTICS 38 THE FIVE SPIRITUAL FACULTIES 56 THE SEVEN FACTORS OF ENLIGHTENMENT 61 THE THREE TRAININGS REVISITED 75 THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS 84 PRACTICAL MEDITATION CONSIDERATIONS 91 SUMMARY 108 CONCLUSION TO PART I 109 PART II LIGHT AND SHADOWS 112 INTRODUCTION TO PARTS II & III 114 BUDDHISM VS. THE BUDDHA 118 CONTENT AND ULTIMATE REALITY 123 WHAT WENT WRONG? 128 A CLEAR GOAL 137 HARNESSING THE ENERGY OF THE “DEFILEMENTS” 145 RIGHT THOUGHT AND THE AUGEAN STABLES 150 FROM CONTENT TO INSIGHT 154 PART III MASTERY 160 CONCENTRATION VS. INSIGHT 162 THE CONCENTRATION STATES (SAMATHA JHANAS) 168 NO-SELF VS. TRUE SELF 183 THE FORMLESS REALMS 189 THE PROGRESS OF INSIGHT 196 THE VIPASSANA JHANAS 247 HOW THE MAPS HELP 260 THE THREE DOORS 274 “WAS THAT EMPTINESS?” 279 BEYOND FIRST PATH (“WHAT NEXT?”) 286 MODELS OF THE STAGES OF ENLIGHTENMENT 295 SO WHAT’S “FULL ENLIGHTENMENT”? 364 INTEGRATION 368 IT IS POSSIBLE! 372 MORE ON THE “MUSHROOM FACTOR” 374 SO WHO THE HECK IS DANIEL M. INGRAM? 382 CONCLUSION AND BEST WISHES 388 APPENDIX: THE CESSATION OF PERCEPTION AND FEELING(NIRODHA SAMAPATTI) 390 INDEX 394 The very idea that the teachings can be mastered will arouse controversy within Buddhist circles. Even so, Ingram insists that enlightenment is an attainable goal, once our fanciful notions of it are stripped away, and we have learned to use meditation as a method for examining reality rather than an opportunity to wallow in self-absorbed mind-noise. Ingram sets out concisely the difference between concentration-based and insight (vipassana) meditation; he provides example practices; and most importantly he presents detailed maps of the states of mind we are likely to encounter, and the stages we must negotiate as we move through clearly-defined cycles of insight. Its easy to feel overawed, at first, by Ingram's assurance and ease in the higher levels of consciousness, but consistently he writes as a down-to-earth and compassionate guide, and to the practitioner willing to commit themselves this is a glittering gift of a book.In this new edition of the bestselling book, the author rearranges, revises and expands upon the original material, as well as adding new sections that bring further clarity to his ideas. Setting out the difference between concentration-based and insight (vipassana) meditation, this work provides example practices; and most importantly presents detailed maps of the states of mind we are likely to encounter, and the stages we must negotiate as we move through clearly-defined cycles of insight.