Seeing That Frees: Meditations on Emptiness and Dependent Arising

This is a brilliant exposition of the architecture of the meditative path to the end of suffering - Robert Burbea covers much of the same territory Dan Brown does but does it in a way that is more immediately accessible to ordinary folk. This is not the complete journey (there are others who will guide once you have been shrived from the center), but - if you pay attention with responsiveness - this points to the moon in ways that will shape your attention and prepare you to move through the gateless gate of the initiation into the beginning of the deeper journey of the evaporation of that process which experiences the world as subject and object. Perhaps as important as the positive guidence as to what is actually happening beyond the preliminaries of a meditative practice, he identifies the traps and cul-de-sacs of the journey with skill and insight and back fills gaps of meditative experience for people who have taken direct paths and crashed through the initiatory gate without doing all of the ground work that the more gradual traditions demand. This back-filling, has been important, for like pebbles in shoes, movements of mind that are not examined in meditative awareness, integrated and dissolved become repetitive distractions on the long walk that follows initiation. In this work, Robert fillets superficial but commonly held confusions about mindfulnesss, detachment, causality and a number of other airy misconceptions generated by the industry that would sell you a gauzy and saccharine "enlightenment". His explanations are deeply rooted in ancient traditions but made current through clear, precise explanation shaped for the Western mind.

This is a great dharma book.I stumbled upon this book a few years ago on my path and lost my original copy, and now that I am in a settled position in life I had to order it again so I could put it back in my library.My favorite part of this book is that reading it really trains you to see emptiness intellectually from a broad perspective that is supported by references to original texts. The heart of this book is in the right place, yet I worry that it's teaching may be mishandled by those who attempt to walk the path early on, without much connection to sangha, and a rigid adherence to the idea of emptiness because of a strong desire to reach enlightenment. My personal experience has led me to mature in relation to avoidance and I am certain that as a younger me, I used emptiness as a way to avoid my own feelings and to mask the tenderness and pain that accompany life.Overall, such a wonderful book and I am very grateful to Rob Burbea for such a wonderful effort and work as this book. I highly recommend it to those seeking a deeper knowledge of emptiness.

So many books written on the Buddha’s teachings claim to being key to an individual’s awakening. This work is no exception, bringing emptiness and dependent arising to the fore as the “crown jewels”. You’ll have to decide that point, but here’s a well written book to help you make the determination. What sets this book above the rest is the approach. Buddhist authors agree the path must be experiential, and yet most then go on to write about their academic vision. Rob Burbea doesn’t’ fall into that trap. He lays out the academic explanations, but only in the course of explaining their use in meditation.This is truly an instructional book and you sense the author has walked the walk, writing from personal experience. He recommends the reader make it personal, looking at his or her own personal life and internal feelings. He knows it really can’t be any other way. You can be new to Buddhism and get a lot from this book, although some experience will certainly help. The author brings you along, layering the explanations and meditation exercises on top of each other. If you’re serious about having a Buddhist meditation practice add this book to your must reads.

Seeing That Frees is a meditation manual focused in vipashyana practice, based on the Mahayana teachings of the nature of ultimate reality, applyied madhyamaka , instructions for mindfulness meditation, teachings about dependent arising, emptiness and the nature of the mind. Each subject is accompanied by analytical meditation exercises.At the beginning and at the end of the book the author also uses excerpts from great tibetan and indian Masters to develop and support his own teachings and methods.I like the way Burbea easily explains subtleties of the functioning of our minds that help anyone to improve his intuitive-introspective practice. Clearly the book is dedicated for solitary meditation practitioners focused only in the development of wisdom. Burbea writes with a natural authority about meditation techniques and results, but I must say that I never purchase buddhist books from unknown instructors or teachers with no backup from traditional lineage. My problem was when Burbea introduce personal alternative meanings for specific words and in the key points of meditation practices - such as the concept of samadhi and awareness that he describes. Meditation instructions requires extreme precision on the meaning of vocabulary otherwise it could result in subtles distortions of the practice, failing to accomplish what was supposed intended for: Moksha, liberation. I couldn't trust on what was present it here.

Rob's book is a real time-saver in helping to understand what was once only available to a few highly developed mystics (and as I have hearing difficulties reading is very important to me now).Meditators often reach a plateau and can give up unless they keep an interest. I visited The Buddhist Centre in London to see the library accumulated over 100 years as the internet showed a massive expansion of these books since the Dalai Lama came west and intrigue followed.If you have meditated you will appreciate this book as Rob makes a deep subject readable like peeling a powerful onion's layers. Because the alternative books were more voluminous & academic, esoteric door-stoppers I was determined to read it in full. You have to be prepared to ponder and try its suggestions many times. That I managed it credits this book above many others. It is a tool-box that allows you to question everything you knew or assumed just as the Buddha himself recommended. (We all make our own world's after all).Searching in October 2015 where Rob is teaching I discovered he has been extremely ill and is now undergoing chemotherapy. We can only hope that he recovers to carry on what is a wonderful gift to us all. I would recommend this book to anyone who is not a shallow thinker on this subject and has the time to practice - otherwise I would recommend it to all.

One of those must have books that are meant for practice, yeah I know many will say all Buddhist books are meant as advice and for practice but people know what I mean, this is a HOW TO book and on the subject of emptiness this is extremely rare and along with the book Mind Illuminated which a a concentration/shamatha guide book I could not recommend better. Now, the "practice" to realise emptiness is no easy matter but this book starts from the basics and works its way to more complex enumerations, yes it can become hard going at times but think of what you're trying to accomplish ! So go for it ! And all the best.

I was recommended this book after a weekend retreat and wow was it a good recommendation, easy to follow and you notice the difference right from the start, I have been meditating coming on five years and Rob Burbea book has certainly put me on a better path of understanding energy and feelings, l also enjoy his led meditations which are easily accessible from the Net

Brilliant book & I can only echo all the other 5 star comments.Small point, the hard copy books dimensions are : 25.0 x 15.9 x 4.0 cma BIG difference in the width, which may mislead people into thinking it's in a very small font ?

Wonderful description of "emptiness" which has opened up the Buddha's teaching on Dependent Origination in a new way for me - and that's only chapter 1. Savouring this very rich but readable book with practical exercises to use which relieve suffering in everyday life.Thoroughly recommended.