Product Description

This book is a rich suite of practices that open the heart, counter the distortions in our relationships to ourselves, and deepen our relationship to others.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #181778 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-25
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

in Inquiring Mind
. . . a one-of-a-kind book that helps educate as well as inspire.

From the Back Cover
This book is a rich suite of practices that open the heart, counter the distortions in our relationships to ourselves, and deepen our relationships to others. Alan Wallace presents a unique interweaving of teachings on the Four Immeasurables (the cultivation of loving-kindness, compassion, equanimity, and empathetic joy) with instruction on quiescence or shamatha meditation practices to empower the mind and render it "fit for service." The book includes both guided meditations and lively discussions on the implications of these teachings for our own lives.

"Alan Wallace is one of the great Western Buddhist thinkers of our day." --Howard Cutler, co-author with H.H. the Dalai Lama of The Art of Happiness at Work

"These four immeasurables are underlying essentials on the path of freedom. Any person on a spiritual path, Buddhist or not, will find in this book fresh, practical insights for 'cultivating a boundless heart.' A thought-provoking, useful, encouraging read."-- Sophia Tarila, ForeWord Magazine

"...provides an excellent roadmap on how to develop the Four Immeasurables that empower the mind--lovingkindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity... a one-of-a-kind book that helps educate as well as inspire."--Inquiring Mind

B. Alan Wallace trained for many years as a monk in Buddhist monasteries in India and Switzerland. He has taught Buddhist theory and practice in Europe and America since 1976 and has served as interpreter for numerous Tibetan scholars and contemplatives, including H.H. the Dalai Lama. He has published many books on Tibetan Buddhism, including Buddhism with an Attitude, and currently lives in Santa Barbara, CA.

Formerly titled: Boundless Heart.

About the Author
B. Alan Wallace trained for many years as a monk in Buddhist monasteries in India and Switzerland. He has taught Buddhist theory and practice in Europe and America since 1976 and has served as interpreter for numerous Tibetan scholars and contemplatives, including H.H. the Dalai Lama. He has published many books on Tibetan Buddhism, including Buddhism with an Attitude, and currently lives in Santa Barbara, CA.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book
This book focuses on cultivating the brahma-viharas: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Wallace offers incisive insights on these topics, as well as a nice summary of the meditation practice of samatha. Samatha is geared towards sharpening one's attention, which on the surface may not seem to have much in common with the four positive emotions that are the core of this book. Wallace demonstrates however that they are inextricably linked, and cultivation of attention serves as a foundation for achieving greater emotional virtue. He gives several examples for deepening understanding and practicing guided meditation.

Wallace trained in the east but he is a westerner and also a scholar. Nonetheless, his writing is very articulate and reader-friendly. As such he is very qualified to bring these practices to the west. If these types of practices were made widely available, my guess is that many psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, anger-related problems, and ADHD would significantly diminish.

P.S. I meant to give this 5 stars.

Applying the wisdom found in Buddhist faith
Knowledgeably written by an instructor in Tibetan Buddhist theory and practice who trained for many years in monasteries in India and Switzerland, The Four Immeasurables: Cultivating A Boundless Heart is an inspirational collection of guided meditations, and reflections upon the "Four Immeasurables" (cultivation of loving kind-ness, compassion, equanimity, and empathic joy) that touch upon the lives of readers of all faiths. A deeply spiritual discussion offering a gateway to applying the wisdom found in Buddhist faith and practice to dilemmas of daily reality.