In the Lap of the Buddha

In this book a teacher of insight meditation offers personal testament, healing words, and wise instruction to help meet the suffering that comes with catastrophic life events. Speaking openly about his own struggles with memories of childhood sexual abuse and with the HIV diagnosis he received in 1989, Gavin Harrison reveals how compassion offers refuge and help for all who suffer from similar crises of body, heart, and spirit. Among the topics covered are: Dealing with fear, anger, and self-hatred Working with difficult relationships Confronting physical pain and the fear of death Transforming the legacy of sexual abuse The question of karma and "Why me?" Grappling with issues of faith, freedom, hope, and miracles Basic insight meditation instructions, plus guided meditations for forgiveness, compassion, and equanimity

Gavin Harrison teaches at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass.

Foreword
Preface
Approaching Suffering	p. 1
An Almost Perfect Dream	p. 3
Beyond the Walls	p. 8
The Spiritual Journey	p. 13
Opening to Suffering	p. 19
Suffering and Compassion	p. 21
The Way of Insight Meditation	p. 28
Instructions for Insight Meditation	p. 34
Our Personal Drama and Beyond	p. 48
Aspects of Meditation	p. 51
Beyond the Grip of Fear	p. 53
Working with Pain	p. 68
Face to Face with Mortality	p. 81
Fear of Death	p. 91
Working with Anger	p. 94
Self-Hatred and Self-Love	p. 109
Transforming the Legacy of Abuse	p. 119
Meditations of the Heart	p. 139
The Divine Abodes	p. 141
Lovingkindness	p. 145
Compassion	p. 147
Sympathetic Joy	p. 148
Equanimity	p. 149
Forgiveness	p. 151
Questioning	p. 167
Faith, Doubt, and Self-Acceptance	p. 169
Karma: "Why Me?"	p. 184
Living with Love	p. 203
A Healthy Foundation for Meditation	p. 205
Generosity and Selflessness	p. 207
Introducing the Precepts	p. 218
The First Precept: Refrain from Harming	p. 222
The Second Precept: Refrain from Stealing	p. 226
The Third Precept: Refrain from False Speech	p. 229
The Fourth Precept: Refrain from Sexual Misconduct	p. 238
The Fifth Precept: Refrain from Needless Use of Intoxicants	p. 244
Family and Community	p. 247
Dancing with Life and Death	p. 257
Notes	p. 269
Suggested Reading	p. 273
Meditation Center Information	p. 277
Acknowledgments and Credits	p. 281
Index	p. 285
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

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In the Lap of the Buddha

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials