Insight Meditation: An In-Depth Correspondence Course

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Although I was hesitant to spend this much money for a "correspondence course" in insight meditation. I decided to risk it and found that it exceeded my expectations. I had tried unsuccessfully to develop a regular sitting practice for several years. Joseph's and Sharon's precise, lucid pedagogical style, the practical "hands on" exercises at the end of each chapter, and access via email to a skilled Vipassana teacher enabled me to finally achieve that goal. Although I completed the course almost a year ago, I continue to work with my teacher online. The course also inspired me to attend a 10 day retreat at IMS which had a profound effect on my practice and my life. Bravo!!!

Rating:
Summary: A TRUE BODHISATTVA !
Review: I have read quite a few books on meditation, but this one has actually helped me to dig a little deeper past western thought, to understand the nature and philosophies of buddhism. I tore through this book- even missed a subway stop because I couldn't stop reading in the middle of the section on karma (go figure).In addition, I'm actually learning to be mindful - to see things differently. This book is, as its title suggests, insightful. Moreover, it is wonderful, in the true sense of wonder.

Rating:
Summary: A very useful introduction to the practice
Review: I purchased this book in 1994, when I first sought to begin the practice of meditation. Joseph Goldstein's writing gave me the understanding I needed to pursue the practice, and find my own meditative space. There are a number references to Buddhist concepts that some may not find useful, but those pale next to the foundation that this book can provide.

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Summary: It will change your life...
Review: I purchased this meditation kit over a year ago. Previous to this course I could not get a good sense of direction in terms of meditation. I read some books, and got bits and peces here and there.
This course is complete. It has everything you need to meditate... except something to sit on. The tapes are great. They start of really basic and gradually build on one another. One side of a tape is a teaching and the second is a guided meditation. It really makes you feel like you are there sitting with the instructor. I did an average of one course a month. With this I completed all the exercises in the book and wrote to my correspondence instructor every month. Most of the correspondence is pre-written but some is actual text from a live instructor. I had some problems/concerns and I wrote to the instructor. He answered all my question and was very attentive.
This is NOT something you can do in one weekend. This is a lengthy but very rewarding experience. You need to spend an average of 45 minutes a day on this. To complete this course I meditated 3-5 times a week, 45 minutes at a time for over a year.
The course really changed my life. I continue to meditate today. The way you look at the world will never be the same. I am more relaxed, I can control my emotions a lot easier, I fall asleep within 2 minutes or less etc. etc.
I highly recommend this course to anyone looking for a little peace in this crazy world.

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Summary: This couse is the greatest thing that has ever happed to me.
Review: I think we all want to be happy. This course is not really Buddhist or even a course of meditation. It's a road map to happiness and great peace. It's a road map home. You can do the meditations in a chair. Or you can sit in a variety of positions. It is asked that you meditate for 45 minutes daily. But, on certain days, you can only meditate for a few minutes if you so choose. I feel it's really best to start on the road to happiness with this couse rather than finding a teacher or a group. I've been that route many times, and I have always been left unfulfilled. This is simply a wonderful couse. It custom-tailors the practice of happiness tailored for you. It is for beginners as well as for advanced practioners. My instructor has completed a nine-month retreat in this meditative tradition. Several three-month retreats. Is the director of a meditation program in New Hampshire. Has a master's degree in Western and Eastern Psychology. On and on. I follow the guided meditations with the tapes being played. You can do this or pracice without the tapes after you've listened to them several times. I prefer the tapes on. Once again, this course allows you to custom-tailor your practice for you. You don't get this by joining a group. All these options. It is hard work. But it's also good to be alive and not asleep. Each meditation on side two of each tape, modifys or builds on the prededing one. You are really creating your own practice. Then if you want to join a group or find a personal teacher, fine. But you will be in the driver's seat. And with this course and the resorces that the workbook provides you, I'm beginning to wonder if this is absolutely necessary. I write to my instructor after each lesson. And she replies. I am also asked to contact her if there are any special problems with my practice. Using either letter or cassette tape. I use mail. I really love this course. It's just so concise. And each tape is user-fiendly. The talks are very inspiring, and the guided meditations gently glide you into the practices. If you really want happiness based on a 2,500 year study of the mind and the causes and the practices of happiness, here it is. Put the workbook under one arm, the cassette binder under the other, and follow the yellow brick road to happiness. There is one catch. It is hard work. And you do have to stick with it. Nothing is free. Good luck.

Rating:
Summary: Best Money Ever Spent
Review: I've never, ever gotten more out of a purchase in my life. This is a wonderful treat: 12 casettes with wonderful easy to follow talks on meditation, 12 guided mediation tapes, an easy to read guide, and a meditation teacher who writes to you after every lesson. I've gotten a tremendous amount of peace of mind and even insight out of this experience, and I recommend it highly to all of my friends -- well, except the very most skeptical types (though no doubt they need it most!).