Into the Mirror

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This book presents an integrative view of Mahayana Buddhism, blending insights from modern Western philosophy, science, and physics to guide readers on an experiential journey. The author invites readers to engage with complex Buddhist ideas through contemplative practices that explore the nature of thoughts and feelings during meditation, the imputation of qualities onto desired objects, and the cultivation of compassion without attachment to concrete essences. By challenging the classical mind-body problem, the book encourages investigation into how the mind shapes experiences of the external world. Divided into three parts, the first offers an accessible summary of the Buddhist path to alleviating suffering, covering foundational concepts like the four truths, enlightenment, and meditation. The second part delves into methods for deconstructing assumptions about consciousness and matter, merging modern philosophy and science with traditional Buddhist views on the mind's true nature. The final section examines the progressive stages of insight within the Mahayana tradition, introducing key historical figures like Nagarjuna and Asanga. This exploration of Indian Buddhist thought, particularly the Yogacara tradition, serves as a guide for an inquisitive journey, providing transformative insights into ordinary human experience.