Steve Armstrong, Founding teacher
Vipassana Metta Foundation, Kula, Hawaii
Every journey begins with a map: sketched in the sand, conjured in the mind, flowering in one’s imagination or detailed in a book. The more accurate the map the more likely one will reach the goal. So too with a journey of enlightenment on the middle way of the Buddha. Mapping the Dharma by Paul Gerhards is a concise guide for the awakening mind which indicates the general direction of progress along The Noble Eightfold Path awakening to the Three Characteristics of Existence. It highlights the necessary requisites of The Five Precepts, The Four Great Efforts and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness while pointing out the dangers of Craving and Ignorance on the path. Along the way one is bound to discover the Refuge of the Three Jewels, the challenge of the Hindrances, the truth of The Way including the beauty of the Perfections and the Factors for Awakening. Take a look at this map, study the terrain and take the journey of awakening.