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12th out of 409 books
—
464 voters
Mindfulness in Plain English
With his distinctive clarity and wit, "Bhante G" takes us step by step through the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. We already have the foundation we need to live a more productive and peaceful life — Bhante simply points to each tool of meditation, tells us what it does, and how to make it work. This expanded edition includes t...more
Paperback, Revised, Expanded, 208 pages
Published
November 1st 1996
by Wisdom Publications
(first published 1993)
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Even those who don't plan to engage in Buddhist meditation will benefit from his descriptions of the many distractions (mental and physical) that we create for ourselves and which make it more difficult to lead aware lives full of compassion for those around us.
Excellent overview of Vipassana meditation and why it's worth your time. Also an excellent articulation of the need and benefits of cultivating "loving friendliness" toward yourself, those you love, strangers, and even eventually toward...more
Excellent overview of Vipassana meditation and why it's worth your time. Also an excellent articulation of the need and benefits of cultivating "loving friendliness" toward yourself, those you love, strangers, and even eventually toward...more
I expected an exceptional guide to meditation and was surprised to find the book also contained strong, clearly articulated reasons for cultivating mindfulness. This is the best, most concise book on the subject I've read to date. The directness with which ideas are expressed may be startling for some, but the rationale for practice offered throughout is solid. I think it will appeal to any rational person, whether they subscribe to a particular religion or have no faith at all. This is an excel...more
I was feeling overwhelmed and not really present in my life so I thought I'd try this book. I took a mindfulness workshop ages ago, and I've read several other books since, but I've never incorporated the practice into my life for more than a few weeks at a time. I always let it slide, return to old habits, then run back to mindfulness in desperation when I'm overwhelmed. This book might change that pattern for me. I borrowed it from the library a couple of months ago. It's a very good introduct...more
2 likes · like · see review
No review, just quotes. Each of the following paragraphs are direct quotes, in the order they are found in the text. The book is freely available online.
We have taken a flowing vortex of thought, feeling and sensation and we have solidified that into a mental construct. Then we have stuck a label onto it, 'me'. And forever after, we treat it as if it were a static and enduring entity. We view it as a thing separate from all other things. We pinch ourselves off from the rest of that process of et...more
We have taken a flowing vortex of thought, feeling and sensation and we have solidified that into a mental construct. Then we have stuck a label onto it, 'me'. And forever after, we treat it as if it were a static and enduring entity. We view it as a thing separate from all other things. We pinch ourselves off from the rest of that process of et...more
I'm not experienced at meditation, so I'm not particularly qualified to comment on the quality of the advice given in this book. What I can talk about is my impressions of the book, the clarity of its instructions, and its relevance to my own desire to start meditating.
With that in mind, I found this book excellent. It fully fulfills its promise of clear, straightforward advice on Vipassana meditation. There's no fluff here, no religious flights of fancy. This is a hands-on, practical book on me...more
With that in mind, I found this book excellent. It fully fulfills its promise of clear, straightforward advice on Vipassana meditation. There's no fluff here, no religious flights of fancy. This is a hands-on, practical book on me...more
Sep 25, 2012
WhiteKanye
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to WhiteKanye by:
http://therawness.com
Shelves:
for-the-mind,
read-in-2012
My previous source about meditation was Mingyur Rinpoche from the Tergar community sites (http://learning.tergar.org/). I expected a more practical guide to meditation, while this book is equally focused on teaching meditation as a way of life and/or an application of buddhism, so it spends a lot explaining the background and the paradigm vipassana meditation is conceived in. I got what i looked for but it was an harder read than i though, the practical part is only 10% of the book, and it will...more
Despite my reluctance to admit reading what might seem like "self-help" books to others, I am happy to have read this in public and to post my thoughts on it here. I chose it because I am interested in Buddhist meditation but have wanted to approach it on my own, from a secular perspective. This book provides a solid primer on the practice, both in technique and theory, without overdoing the religious element. There are moments when this book feels slightly redundant and where the organizational...more
1 like · like · see review
Probably one of the most practical, nuts-and-bolts guides to meditation practice I've read. The author is writing from the perspective of the vipassana tradition, but what is unique about this book is that it primarily stays away from the spiritual side of Buddhism. It's focus is almost entirely on the technique, problems, and solutions of mindfulness meditation. Of all the books I've read on Buddhism, this is the first I've come across like that. It is valuable information particularly to someo...more
An amazing book for the western meditator. This book does exactly what it says it will and taught me how to meditate. Not only that, it warned me of all the common pitfalls, how natural they are and how to overcome them. I tried meditating about 2 years ago and stopped mostly because of frustration that I wasn't getting anywhere and not sure what I was even doing. This book put those doubts to rest. A must read for anyone who wants to explore the amazing mental strength meditation gives you, wit...more
If you are to read one book on meditation this has to be it. It follows the theravada tradition of mediation, otherwise known as mindfulness, and it's a how to manual. The writing is lucid, the book's well organized, and you can easily find it for free on the web. There's a lot of wisdom and insight here both in terms of the practise as well as wrt our mental habits. It's not preachy and religiosity is at a minimal. The book manages to be practical, informative and a pleasure to read. One small...more
As the title says, it is mindfulness in plain English. And a little bit more. I enjoyed how the author articulated the reason why we may be interested in sitting on a pillow, seemingly wasting time without doing anything as "because we are human". The constant dissatisfaction as a part of our existential human experience could not be put in a more plain way.
When it comes to meditation part: It is something that is learned by doing, but the book gives a nice introduction on how to start by yours...more
When it comes to meditation part: It is something that is learned by doing, but the book gives a nice introduction on how to start by yours...more
Definitely the best of the 'beginner's' guides to Buddhism I've consulted so far. At times Mr. Gunaratana becomes repetitive, but there's good stuff between the repeated information, and repetition helps core ideas stick to the ole grey matter. I've begun my own vipassanta meditation based on the essential steps provided in this book, and though I'm not yet having much luck keeping my head on track (viz., there's much "sinking of the mind"), I'm already facing my days with more patience and vigi...more
This book provides an excellent foundation for vipassana, anapanasati, or any other type of meditation, Buddhist or otherwise. Bhante G is a terrific writer who has put together a meditation manual that isn't as dry and clinical as most. The instructions are excellent without being overly technical; even those who know nothing about Buddhist practice or terminology can benefit from this book. Anyone interested in meditation would do well to start here, this is a classic.
Expanded version has an a...more
Expanded version has an a...more
For a long time, I wondered how to gain mental discipline and effectively address problems as they arise in my life. Well, this is the answer.
Actually, this is not the edition I read. I read the one that is posted online for free, at this link:
http://www.vipassana.com/meditation/m...
For a non-religious discussion of how to snag each moment as it happens, so useful. Really, everyone ought to read this. It solves problems. Go on, try. You'll be glad you did.
I'm going to read it again.
Actually, this is not the edition I read. I read the one that is posted online for free, at this link:
http://www.vipassana.com/meditation/m...
For a non-religious discussion of how to snag each moment as it happens, so useful. Really, everyone ought to read this. It solves problems. Go on, try. You'll be glad you did.
I'm going to read it again.
Mindfulness In Plain English sets itself a lofty task: to describe the meditative process to a lay Western audience. Many books have tried; most of them have failed. This one does excellently for the first few chapters but soon falters under the weight of its own self-importance.
The beginning addresses the practical 'Dos and Don'ts' of achieving successful meditation. It focuses on Vispanna meditation specifically which professes the way to understanding the impermanence of all things is through...more
The beginning addresses the practical 'Dos and Don'ts' of achieving successful meditation. It focuses on Vispanna meditation specifically which professes the way to understanding the impermanence of all things is through...more
Hard to evaluate this book, because I've never read anything quite like it.
It is a basic meditation manual. It does not attempt to cover a broad range of approaches. Rather it's focused on one specific type, namely mindfulness meditation, also known as Vipassana or insight meditation. The author is coming from a Theravāda Buddhist tradition. However, as the title implies, the material is given a straightforward presentation with minimal metaphysical baggage.
That might sound dry. It's not. The w...more
It is a basic meditation manual. It does not attempt to cover a broad range of approaches. Rather it's focused on one specific type, namely mindfulness meditation, also known as Vipassana or insight meditation. The author is coming from a Theravāda Buddhist tradition. However, as the title implies, the material is given a straightforward presentation with minimal metaphysical baggage.
That might sound dry. It's not. The w...more
I finished this book a week ago and have mediated every day since. Here is an excerpt from the book that perfectly describes how I'm feeling...
Somewhere in this process, you will come face-to-face with the sudden and shocking realization that you are completely crazy. Your mind is a shrieking, gibbering madhouse on wheels barreling pell-mell down the hill, utterly out of control and hopeless.
Seriously, there is SO much going on up there. Meditation seems hopeless. But the author goes on...
No pro...more
Somewhere in this process, you will come face-to-face with the sudden and shocking realization that you are completely crazy. Your mind is a shrieking, gibbering madhouse on wheels barreling pell-mell down the hill, utterly out of control and hopeless.
Seriously, there is SO much going on up there. Meditation seems hopeless. But the author goes on...
No pro...more
"Mindfulness in Plain English" is a very good introduction to what meditation is all about. Having only read a few texts here and there (plus "Meditation for Dummies", which - I reckon - does not really count), this book took me by surprise with its detailed and down-to-earth description of what the goal of meditation really is. It also scared the hell out of me.
If you considered meditation to be simple relaxation, or maybe a way to train your concentration or forget the stress of daily live -...more
If you considered meditation to be simple relaxation, or maybe a way to train your concentration or forget the stress of daily live -...more
Gunaratana spends a lot of time setting up what meditation is and isn't, but then spends as much or more time discussing the actual thing in what is accurately described as "plain English". The book opens with a brief discussion of the different branches of Buddhism, and where the practice of vipassina meditation that he is describing fits in. He discusses many intricacies of what is at fist thought a pretty simple concept--you meditate. You sit on a cushion and focus on your breathing. But the...more
This book explains the philosophy and practice of Vipassana Buddhism, and for the most part, it does so in "plain English." I like how this book really spells it out in black and white, explaining the how and why behind everything. It answers a lot of questions I had, particularly the purpose of lovingkindness meditation. Some explanations in this book were some of the best I've heard yet.
However, several times this book loses its "plain English" approach. For example: "Vipassana meditation is t...more
However, several times this book loses its "plain English" approach. For example: "Vipassana meditation is t...more
This is a beautiful book, both in the message it conveys and in the way it conveys it.
If you stripped away the religious encrustation that has built up around the teachings of the Buddha, you would have a simple plan for life and Gunaratana shows the way by defining the purpose of meditation with a goal of insight.
The concept of the individual as a substantial thing and the endless pursuit of gain and avoidance of loss to the ego sentence us to misery. Through careful use of the mind, it is poss...more
If you stripped away the religious encrustation that has built up around the teachings of the Buddha, you would have a simple plan for life and Gunaratana shows the way by defining the purpose of meditation with a goal of insight.
The concept of the individual as a substantial thing and the endless pursuit of gain and avoidance of loss to the ego sentence us to misery. Through careful use of the mind, it is poss...more
Dec 31, 2010
David Katzman
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those with some experience meditating looking to explore further
I’m an armchair Buddhist. Meaning, I like to think about being Buddhist more than actually practicing. But I certainly have deep appreciation for much of Buddhist thought, and I occasionally meditate, and I want to do so more frequently. I almost joined a Zen Buddhist Temple about a mile away from where I live. Still thinking about doing so. Oddly enough, the Art Director who designed Death by Zamboni with me quit his job to become a monk there. I think I drove him crazy because I was so demandi...more
5 likes · like · see review
This is an amazing book with a perfectly apt title. The author treats the hard work of spiritual progress through practicing mindfulness in a pragmatic but humane way. I enjoyed his practical advice on how to begin and maintain a healthy meditation practice very useful. His discussions on the aims of mindfulness were also enlightening (get the joke...yuk yuk yuk).
This is an excellent book for beginning/intermediate meditators or anyone interested in practical philosophy (especially Buddhism).
This is an excellent book for beginning/intermediate meditators or anyone interested in practical philosophy (especially Buddhism).
Read this as an experiment to compare my meditation sessions with my reading sessions. After i played the video game Zen Bound 2, a meditation session stuffed smoothly within game mechanics (think labyrinths), i became intrigued with the blurring of sit-down-and-forget-your-"self" meditation and other modes of thoughtfulness.
It is a 100-page guided meditation; it does what it says, and then, it stops.
It is a 100-page guided meditation; it does what it says, and then, it stops.
Great book. I would have given it 5 stars if it was shorter, with less repetition and a bit better organized.
Now that I am in my 40s I have realized just how unaware I am. I am unaware of what I am thinking or feeling, what I am doing and why I am doing it. It's crazy.
In the West we pride ourselves on conceptualization & quick decision making. I am starting to wonder if these things are really that great.
The book gives you a methodology for building mindfulness through meditation. I have bee...more
Now that I am in my 40s I have realized just how unaware I am. I am unaware of what I am thinking or feeling, what I am doing and why I am doing it. It's crazy.
In the West we pride ourselves on conceptualization & quick decision making. I am starting to wonder if these things are really that great.
The book gives you a methodology for building mindfulness through meditation. I have bee...more
So far this book seems helpful in pursuing insight meditative practices.
The book gives passing credence to possessing psychic powers and other supernatural aspects, nevertheless, the central idea conveyed is to enter a state of mindfulness to become aware of ones feelings below the surface of thinking...to observe ones innerself without judgment and without allowing the thoughts themselves to dominate the internal dialogue.
I find that I can overcomplexify my thoughts and this book is helping me...more
The book gives passing credence to possessing psychic powers and other supernatural aspects, nevertheless, the central idea conveyed is to enter a state of mindfulness to become aware of ones feelings below the surface of thinking...to observe ones innerself without judgment and without allowing the thoughts themselves to dominate the internal dialogue.
I find that I can overcomplexify my thoughts and this book is helping me...more
I love how this book begins. Essentially, Bhante asks, "Why bother to meditate?" And he goes forward from there. It is a comprehensive (amazon calls it "nuts and bolts") look at mindfulness (insight) meditation as taught in possibly the oldest tradition of Buddhism, Theravada. After all these years, it's still my favorite and the book I most often mention to beginners. But even the veteran meditator will find easy-to-understand reminders of the basics.
Straightforward introduction to the concept of mindfulness and how to begin practicing vipassana meditation. No hype, no high-falutin mumbo-jumbo mysticism.
Even if you don't end up meditating, the author is a kind soul who informs without being didactic, particularly about how we can and should go about trying to see ourselves and the world we live in devoid of all of the pathologies we encounter (or create) each and every day.
Even if you don't end up meditating, the author is a kind soul who informs without being didactic, particularly about how we can and should go about trying to see ourselves and the world we live in devoid of all of the pathologies we encounter (or create) each and every day.
Possibly one of the more retarded books I've read in some time. Despite what the title would have you believe, rather than simply explaining the Vipaâsyanåa meditation technique the author feels he has to go on and on about suffering, talk about how superior he is (in a humble way), and how much clearer everything will be once you achieve this intangible state of being.
Oh but wait, you can't want to achieve this state. Woops! I get the whole Buddhist thing but you can lay something out with out...more
Oh but wait, you can't want to achieve this state. Woops! I get the whole Buddhist thing but you can lay something out with out...more
For those wishing to get a deeper understanding of what mindfulness really means, this book breaks it down in clear and simple language, as promised by the author, a prominent meditation master and Buddhist monk. I have been recommending it to everyone I know. It says it's a classic on the front of the book; since reading it, I know why. A must have for any Buddhist meditator or student of mindfulness.
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“Deeply buried in the mind, there lies a mechanism that accepts what the mind experiences as beautiful and pleasant and rejects those experiences that are perceived as ugly and painful. This mechanism gives rise to those states of mind that we are training ourselves to avoid-- things like greed, lust, hatred, aversion, and jealousy.”
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Mar 27, 2013 12:58pm