Now ordinary meditators (and non-meditators) can understand how to attain non-ordinary states with relative ease. Blended with contemporary examples, pragmatic exercises, and "how to" instructions that anyone can try, Focused and Fearless provides a wealth of tools to cultivate non-distracted attention in daily life and on retreat. Shaila Catherine has a friendly, wise approach to rarely-talked-about meditative states that lead to liberating insight. Focused and Fearless is about much more than merely meditation or concentration. It offers a complete path towards bliss, fearlessness, and true awakening. --- from the publisher Praise and Reviews: "Focused and Fearless is a wonderful book. Shaila Catherine describes the paths of deep concentration and transforming insight in a way that both inspires and enriches our practice. Her prose and her understanding are exceptionally lucid. This book is a treat to read."—Joseph Goldstein, author of A Heart Full of Peace and One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism "This is the best book on these practices I have seen. It's five-star.”—Christopher Titmuss, author of Mindfulness for Everyday Living "The exercises are fun, plus they really work. I love this book."—Kate Wheeler, editor of In This Very Life: Liberation Teachings of the Buddha "The language here is so alluring thorough that readers will, I am certain, be inspired to redouble their zeal for practice."—Sylvia Boorstein, author of It's Easier Than You Think "Shaila Catherine represents a new generation of Dharma practitioner in the West."—Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness About the Author: Shaila Catherine has been practicing meditation since 1980, with seven years of accumulated silent retreat experience, and has been teaching since 1996 in the USA, India, Israel, England, and New Zealand. Shaila studied at the Sharpham College for Buddhist Studies in England and dedicated six years to studying with masters in India, Nepal, and Thailand including H. W. L. Poonja, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. She is the founder of Insight Meditation South Bay. She lives in Menlo Park, California. |