The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science for Greater Mindfulness

by John Yates, Matthew Immergut, Jeremy Graves

Overview

A revolutionary, science-based approach to meditation from a neuroscientist turned meditation master, The Mind Illuminated is an accessible, step-by-step toolkit for anyone looking to start—or improve—their daily meditation practice.

The book that bestselling meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg raves “brings the path of meditation to life,” The Mind Illuminated is the first how-to meditation guide from a neuroscientist who is also an acclaimed meditation master. This innovative book offers a 10-stage program that is both deeply grounded in ancient spiritual teachings about mindfulness and holistic health, and also draws from the latest brain science to provide a roadmap for anyone interested in achieving the benefits of mindfulness. Dr. John Yates offers a new and fascinating model of how the mind works, including steps to overcome mind wandering and dullness, extending your attention span while meditating, and subduing subtle distractions.

This groundbreaking manual provides illustrations and charts to help you work through each stage of the process, offering tools that work across all types of meditation practices. The Mind Illuminated is an essential read, whether you are a beginner wanting to establish your practice or a seasoned veteran ready to master the deepest state of peace and mindfulness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781501156984
Publisher:	Atria Books
Publication date:	01/03/2017
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

John Yates, PhD (Culadasa) is a meditation master with more than four decades of experience in the Tibetan and Theravadin Buddhist traditions. A former professor, he taught physiology and neuroscience for many years, and later worked in the field of complementary and alternative medicine. He is the author of A Physician’s Guide to Therapeutic Massage, currently in its third edition. He is currently the director of Dharma Treasure Buddhist Sangha in Tucson, AZ.

Matthew Immergut, PhD is an associate professor of sociology. He is a longtime meditator and a dedicated student of Culadasa. He lives in Woodstock, NY.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Introduction xvii

An Overview of the Ten Stages 1

First Interlude: Conscious Experience and the Objectives of Meditation 19

Stage 1 Establishing a Practice 41

Second Interlude: The Hindrances and Problems 65

Stage 2 Interrupted Attention and Overcoming Mind-Wandering 79

Stage 3 Extended Continuity of Attention and Overcoming Forgetting 95

Third Interlude: How Mindfulness Works 113

Stage 4 Continuous Attention and Overcoming Gross Distraction and Strong Dullness 121

Fourth Interlude: The Moments of Consciousness Model 147

Stage 5 Overcoming Subtle Dullness and Increasing Mindfulness 167

Fifth Interlude: The Mind-System 181

Stage 6 Subduing Subtle Distractions 215

Sixth Interlude: The Stages of an Adept 235

Stage 7 Exclusive Attention and Unifying the Mind 261

Seventh Interlude: The Nature of Mind and Consciousness 279

Stage 8 Mental Pliancy and Pacifying the Senses 299

Stage 9 Mental and Physical Pliancy and Calming the Intensity of Meditative Joy 327

Stage 10 Tranquility and Equanimity 337

Final Thoughts 341

Acknowledgments 347

Appendices

Appendix A Walking Meditation 349

Appendix B Analytical Meditation 363

Appendix C Loving-Kindness Meditation 371

Appendix D The Jhanas 377

Appendix E Mindful Review 399

Appendix F Insight and the "Dark Night" 411

Glossary 419

Notes 431

Index 455

Editorial Reviews

This book does an outstanding job of both constructing a cognitive theory of how the mind works and presenting a detailed handbook for learning and mastering meditation. The result is a beautiful integration of theory and practice, whose parallel strands lead to experientially, and account for conceptually, the radical shift in consciousness we call awakening.

Richard P. Boyle

With wisdom, clarity and grace, Culadasa has written an invaluable manual for awakening. I believe this book will become one of the "Top 10 Must Reads" for anyone on the spiritual path for years to come. Helpful for beginning meditators, and valuable for advanced meditators who are already committed to meditation but have not yet experienced the fruits of consistent practice.

Stephanie Nash

In a time where meditation and its twin sister, mindfulness, have become the fads du jour, Culadasa gives us the real deal in this encyclopedic handbook. If you're serious about meditation, The Mind Illuminated should be on your bookshelf.

Lama Marut

Essential reading for anyone interested in meditative development from any tradition. At once comprehensive and also very easy to read and follow in practice, this is the most thorough, straightforward, clear, and practical guide to training the mind that I have ever found. A remarkable achievement.

Daniel Ingram

This book is a rare and valuable treasure, providing a detailed, step-by-step account of how meditation practice progresses. Culadasa is the real deal, a living adept with decades of experience.

Shinzen Young

[Culadasa] takes me through the science of the practice straight to the adventure of sitting, and offers context through sustainable, practical applications and tools. This book is full of wisdom, story, and creativity, and I'll be glad to have it as a reference for many years to come.

Elena Brower

A systematic, hands-on manual, The Mind Illuminated will be a great help to anyone who wants to completely fathom the process of meditative development in all its stages. Culadasa gives us the full conceptual framework together with complete instructions for putting it into play. In largely Western language,with help from wonderful images and diagrams, this book brings the path of meditation to life.

Sharon Salzberg