A Tibetan Buddhist anthology of accessible and authentic contemplative exercises to help cultivate innate yet undeveloped powers of mind, emotion, and body. A Penguin Classic ;;;;Drawn from Tibet''s rich contemplative literature, ;;;;Spiritual exercises introduce 1) the opportunity for self-betterment and to be of benefit to other living beings; 2) the inescapable persistence of suffering in life, and the reality of death; 3) the workings of ethical cause and effect, otherwise known as karma; and 4) the ever-repeating succession of frustration known as cyclic existence, or samsara. The second set of foundation practices provide tools to build upon including: 5) taking refuge in Buddhism--a deep formal commitment to integrate Buddhist contemplative and ethical teachings into one''s life; 6) cultivating love and compassion for all living beings; 7) clearing away cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impediments to actualizing love and compassion; 8) developing with wisdom and the experience and excellent qualities necessary to put love and compassion into practice; and 9) dedicating oneself to a spiritual mentor to serve as a guide through this intensive program of training. ;;;;Part existential philosophy, part ethics, part self-help program, part cosmology--the foundation exercises present a complete Buddhist picture of life, the ethical universe, and the first steps in making a positive impact in life for ourselves and others, steps anyone can begin to take by dedicating themselves to train in contemplative exercises....

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Kurtis R. Schaeffer is Frances Myers Ball Professor at the University of Virginia. He is the author or editor of several books, including The Life of the Buddha by Tenzin Chögyel (Penguin Classics 2015). He is co-director of the Religion, Race and Democracy Lab at the University of Virginia and co-host of the Sacred & Profane podcast. He is series editor of Lives of the Masters for Shambhala Publications.Kurtis R. Schaeffer is Frances Myers Ball Professor at the University of Virginia. He is the author or editor of several books, including The Life of the Buddha by Tenzin Chögyel (Penguin Classics 2015). He is co-director of the Religion, Race and Democracy Lab at the University of Virginia and co-host of the Sacred & Profane podcast. He is series editor of Lives of the Masters for Shambhala Publications.