Meditation in Action
by Chögyam Trungpa
In a very short read, Chögyam Trungpa describes the life of the Buddha in very simple terms, emphasizing that, like the Buddha, we must find the truth for ourselves, rather than following someone else’s example.
This is a classic on Buddhist meditation by Tibetan master Chögyam Trungpa. He teaches that meditation is based on trying to see what is, rather than trying to achieve a higher mental or physical state. Another important takeaway from the book is that meditation extends beyond the formal practice of sitting to every part of your life. The key is to develop mindfulness and the six activities associated with meditation in action – generosity, discipline, patience, energy, clarity, and wisdom. This is not a “how-to” book on seated meditation. However, if you want to build a foundation of heightened awareness, then this book is a good start.
FAVORITE INSIGHTS
“In order to follow the spiritual path one must first overcome the initial excitement…For unless one is able to overcome this excitement, one will not be able to learn, because any form of emotional excitement has a blinding effect.” (p. 5)
“Whatever one is trying to learn, it is necessary to have firsthand experience, rather than learning from books or from teachers or by merely conforming to an already established pattern.” (pp. 6-7)
“Everything must be seen through one’s own microscope and one has to reach one’s own conclusions in one’s own way.” (p. 9)
“Speech alone is not the only method of communication. There is already communication before we say anything.” (p. 17)
“As long as we never retreat from the situation, it will always present itself as a vehicle and we will be able to make use of it.” (p. 17)
“Since Buddha-nature pervades all beings there is no such thing as an unsuitable candidate.” (p. 22)
“It is through simple, direct and ordinary things in the person’s mind and behavior that he arrives at the realization of the awakened state of mind.” (p. 24)
“Fundamentally, discipline comes down to the shamatha practice of developing awareness, through which one merely sees what is. Every moment is now, and one acts through the experience of the present moment.” (pp. 48-49)
“When a person is able to see what is now without being influenced by the past or any expectation of the future, but seeing the very moment of now, then at that moment there is no barrier at all.” (p. 67)
“Patience is the key to the development of an open center and the establishment of a stable base for the practice of meditation.” (p. 72)
“The clarity of our consciousness is veiled by prefabricated concepts.” (p. 78)
“Darkness is an aspect of light, and light is an aspect of darkness, so one can’t really condemn one side and build up everything on the other.” (p. 89)
“One should not try to suppress thoughts in meditation, but one should just try to see the transitory nature, the translucent nature of thoughts.” (p. 98)
“Only knowledge makes one wise.” (p. 100)
“So every action, every step we take, is conditioned by ego. It is conditioned by the illusory concept of ‘I.’ which has not even been questioned.” (p. 112)
“One must practice meditation directly without expectation or judgment and without thinking in terms of the future at all.” (p. 113)
“Meditation is just trying to see what is.” (p. 114)
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