Table of Contents
Preface ix
Introduction 1
An Invitation
Wake Up 9
Predictable Sufferings 15
Creating the Causes
Stepping onto the Noble Path 31
A Map of Awakening 43
Opening the Precious Package 67
The Special Conditions
Gathering the Special Conditions 77
Opening to Our Own Mortality: Meditation on Death 93
Withdrawal: Liberation from Habits 103
Silence: Liberation from Illusions 123
Solitude: Liberation from Attachment; Release into Sufficiency 133
Forgiveness: Liberation from Aversion; Freedom from Anger and Judgment 151
Humility: Liberation from Pride and the Illusions of Perfectionism; Release into Ordinariness 169
Presence: Liberation from Frivolity and Other Inessentials 187
Commitment: Liberation from Deception 205
Life Review and Resolution: Liberation from Our Story; Release into Freedom 229
Opening the Heart and Opening the Mind 245
Afterword: A Spiritual Inventory 263
Appendix: A Questionnaire on Aging 267
Citations 271
Index 273
About the Author 291