Wonder of Presence (eBook)

Toni Packer (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2002 | 1. Auflage
144 Seiten
Shambhala (Verlag)
978-0-8348-2571-0 (ISBN)

Infos

Inthis compelling collection of talks, interviews, and letters, Toni Packerprovides a comprehensive overview of the path of meditative inquiry—anondenominational approach to spiritual growth that emphasizes the directexperience of the present moment. 'The immense challenge for each one ofus,' Packer writes, 'is can we live our lives, at least for momentsat a time, in the wonder of presence that is the creative source ofeverything?' She shows how we can transform fear, anger, guilt, andattachment to our self-image through simple, direct awareness. Having recentlylost her husband of fifty years, Packer also speaks with candor and tendernessabout the convulsions of a grieving heart and the peace that undividedawareness can bring.
ToniPacker began studying Zen in 1967 with Roshi Philip Kapleau (author of TheThree Pillars of Zen)at the Rochester Zen Center and was eventually named his successor. Seeing thepotentially destructive effects of relying too much on tradition, however, shedid not accept the position. Packer is strongly influenced by the teachings ofKrishnamurti and has turned away from the traditional forms and hierarchiesthat are prevalent in many Buddhist schools. Her approach is appealing to manyWesterners who find institutionalized practices such as chanting, bowing, andburning incense to be alien and unnecessary.

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In this compelling collection of talks, interviews, and letters, Toni Packer provides a comprehensive overview of the path of meditative inquiry—a nondenominational approach to spiritual growth that emphasizes the direct experience of the present moment. "e;The immense challenge for each one of us,"e; Packer writes, "e;is can we live our lives, at least for moments at a time, in the wonder of presence that is the creative source of everything?"e; She shows how we can transform fear, anger, guilt, and attachment to our self-image through simple, direct awareness. Having recently lost her husband of fifty years, Packer also speaks with candor and tenderness about the convulsions of a grieving heart and the peace that undivided awareness can bring. Toni Packer began studying Zen in 1967 with Roshi Philip Kapleau (author of The Three Pillars of Zen ) at the Rochester Zen Center and was eventually named his successor. Seeing the potentially destructive effects of relying too much on tradition, however, she did not accept the position. Packer is strongly influenced by the teachings of Krishnamurti and has turned away from the traditional forms and hierarchies that are prevalent in many Buddhist schools. Her approach is appealing to many Westerners who find institutionalized practices such as chanting, bowing, and burning incense to be alien and unnecessary.

Textauszug

Chapter1: The Wonder of Presence Whata quiet Sunday it is, overflowing with golden light! Taking a walk this morningalong the driveway, with the sound of crunching white snow, evergreen branchesshedding sprays of glistening crystals when touched by the breeze, the taste oftiny flakes on lips and cheeks, descending to the freezing creek with itsgurgling waters splashing over icy rocks playfully sparkling in the light ofthe sun, crows calling loudly to each other throughout the woods—,what heartwould not be gladdened? Undera vast blue sky this wondrous presence is here, replacing habitual worrisomethoughts and feelings. They can't survive the deep silence of open being. It isnot brought about by anything or anyone—,it is here without effort, without time. Inthis sunlit hall with green plants cascading down the wall, sitting together,listening, breathing, and wondering in stillness, we are all alone and yet allone. When thoughts about my problems, my fears, my needs and desires abate insilent presence, what could possibly divide us? Ifthoughts are whirling about, let them be like dancing snowflakes in emptyspace! This moment of light and warmth and cool air, inhaling and exhalingsoftly—,are we here? This instant of opening eyes and ears widely, beholdingthe wooden floor, the distant blue hills, and silent people all around, whatelse is there? Isthe mind thinking about all this, or can it quiet down in simple wonderingwithout knowing?

Produkt-Details

• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Gesundheit / Leben / Psychologie ► Entspannung / Meditation / Yoga
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Buddhismus
• ISBN-10: 0-8348-2571-6 / 0834825716
• ISBN-13: 978-0-8348-2571-0 / 9780834825710