What do you think?
Rate this book
The Little Book of Being: Practices and Guidance for Uncovering Your Natural Awareness
A practical guide for experiencing natural awareness ―an effortless and spacious state of resting in the depth of our being.
Do you recall, as a child, being enthralled by a drifting cloud, a rain-soaked leaf, a wandering ladybug? Or suddenly having a sense of timelessness, contentment, and ease? If so, then you've already had a taste of natural awareness .
Known and revered in many traditions as a complement to focused mindfulness training, natural awareness transcends even these wondrous childhood moments. Some describe it as a profound "awareness of awareness"―an effortless, boundless state of resting in the depth of our being.
For those new to meditation and experienced meditators alike, these 72 "mini-chapters" guide you on an in-depth odyssey into natural awareness, illuminated by many simple and enjoyable insights and exercises. The Little Book of Being invites you to The spectrum of awareness practices, from focused mindfulness to flexible mindfulness to natural awareness
• How classical mindfulness and effortless natural awareness enrich and shape each other, and how to practice both
• Three ways to move into natural awareness― relaxing effort, broadening awareness , and dropping objects
• A treasury of "glimpse practices" to spark natural awareness anytime, in just a few moments
• How to bring this way of "simply being" into your daily life, into your connection with others, and into the world
"At first natural awareness may seem far away, just a whisper, but then it will begin to grow and expand and permeate aspects of living. Over time we may feel more peace, more connection to ourselves. We may find ourselves taking life a bit more lightly. We may feel a sense of relaxed ‘beingness’ throughout the day, and when we do get caught in our dramas, we may find ourselves moving out of them quicker than we imagined we could." ― Diana Winston
Do you recall, as a child, being enthralled by a drifting cloud, a rain-soaked leaf, a wandering ladybug? Or suddenly having a sense of timelessness, contentment, and ease? If so, then you've already had a taste of natural awareness .
Known and revered in many traditions as a complement to focused mindfulness training, natural awareness transcends even these wondrous childhood moments. Some describe it as a profound "awareness of awareness"―an effortless, boundless state of resting in the depth of our being.
For those new to meditation and experienced meditators alike, these 72 "mini-chapters" guide you on an in-depth odyssey into natural awareness, illuminated by many simple and enjoyable insights and exercises. The Little Book of Being invites you to The spectrum of awareness practices, from focused mindfulness to flexible mindfulness to natural awareness
• How classical mindfulness and effortless natural awareness enrich and shape each other, and how to practice both
• Three ways to move into natural awareness― relaxing effort, broadening awareness , and dropping objects
• A treasury of "glimpse practices" to spark natural awareness anytime, in just a few moments
• How to bring this way of "simply being" into your daily life, into your connection with others, and into the world
"At first natural awareness may seem far away, just a whisper, but then it will begin to grow and expand and permeate aspects of living. Over time we may feel more peace, more connection to ourselves. We may find ourselves taking life a bit more lightly. We may feel a sense of relaxed ‘beingness’ throughout the day, and when we do get caught in our dramas, we may find ourselves moving out of them quicker than we imagined we could." ― Diana Winston
233 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2019
223 people are currently reading
1064 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 30, 2023
So…
The other week when I went into my dentist’s office for my regular cleaning, this book happened to be in the lobby. I was curious and began to read. I was fascinated by the simplicity of the meditative practices.
For example…
On page 61, it said…
Ask yourself…
“What is here now if there is no problem to solve?”
The idea was just simply to access our natural awareness. Not to analyze or ruminate, but to get centered and relax. When we listen deeply, we can hear the answers.
And…
That was just one page.
So…
I ordered the book from my local library, and it came, and I began to read more earnestly.
The author’s intention is for readers to become more naturally aware. Which she felt is a way of knowing and a state of being.
Relaxed. Effortless. Spacious.
Throughout the book she provides several glimpse practices. A specific technique or mental shift that readers can make to evoke or experience natural awareness.
And then…
Part II provides the techniques of meditating with natural awareness.
And…
Then we come to Part III Embodiment, Living Natural Awareness. Formal and informal practices that readers can adopt.
As an example…
On page 172, Practice with your Pets asks if you have any…
to “take the opportunity to just be with them.”
My corgis have taught me a lot about coming to a sense of calm. Whenever I do yoga, they are always with me.
This is a wonderful little resource book to turn to for anyone looking for simple meditative practices, or questions to contemplate and consider.
May 1, 2019
This! This book! I cannot tell you enough how helpful this book is!!! It's the simple and little things in our lives that makes us the happiest. Learn to focus on those! Get this book!
February 15, 2025
I had to read this book for one of my classes
It felt super repetitive while I was reading it, basically every little chapter seemed to use the exact same points as the others.
It felt super repetitive while I was reading it, basically every little chapter seemed to use the exact same points as the others.
February 25, 2021
This book focuses on natural awareness meditation: a more open, spacious meditation than traditional breath-focused mindfulness. The book also mentions flexible awareness meditation, which is about allowing focus to move instead of staying rigidly focused on breath.
I found the discussion of this spectrum (focused, flexible, natural) of awareness practices to be helpful and relatable. When she described how mindfulness can move in and out of these points all in one session, I felt like I had been given permission to do what I have been doing for years now.
The book contains several good ideas for bringing natural awareness off the mat, as well, which was nice.
I borrowed this audio book from the library and found that was good enough for me. What I mean is that there are what she calls "glimpse practices" throughout the book that might be nice to have on hand in a book or Kindle version, but I wasn't drawn to them enough to invest in either.
Note: The narration of this is clear and precise, almost clinical. In other words, it is functional but not at all engaging. If the book had been any longer, it might have made me abandon reading.
I found the discussion of this spectrum (focused, flexible, natural) of awareness practices to be helpful and relatable. When she described how mindfulness can move in and out of these points all in one session, I felt like I had been given permission to do what I have been doing for years now.
The book contains several good ideas for bringing natural awareness off the mat, as well, which was nice.
I borrowed this audio book from the library and found that was good enough for me. What I mean is that there are what she calls "glimpse practices" throughout the book that might be nice to have on hand in a book or Kindle version, but I wasn't drawn to them enough to invest in either.
Note: The narration of this is clear and precise, almost clinical. In other words, it is functional but not at all engaging. If the book had been any longer, it might have made me abandon reading.
April 3, 2020
This is the sweetest book on meditation! Diana is a very thoughtful teacher, funny, approachable, and able to break things down to fairly simple explanations. Useful for beginning and more advanced students.
October 22, 2023
terrific book. Grounded in science, written with modest authority and humour, and informed by long experience of meditation practices - I can imagine no better blend of skills for any non-fiction author.
September 14, 2021
A good read about mindfulness. Some tips on how to refocus your thoughts and staying aware in the present moment :) A little dry and clichéd at times, which is why I gave it a 3.
December 18, 2021
Borrowed this book from the library twice. I enjoyed the simplicity of it, being able to pick it up, read a few pages and then put it down. In all cases, it helped ground myself and my experience.
September 9, 2024
Good book for thinking about meditation and awareness in a different way.
April 12, 2025
Sometimes I didn't really get it but sometimes I GOT it, dude. Great digestible snippets to encourage mindfulness!
April 11, 2022
Journaling each chapter for a class made it clear to me that I have been practicing mindfulness for my whole life without having had a formal practice, and that the skill has made my life richer, easier, and more in tune with everything, making best practices easier to discover and practice, and protecting me from frustrations and maladaptive mental habits.
The afterword came to the same conclusion as I did - our society needs this. I now have an intention to teach mindfulness/awareness to others, and especially to young people so they can have agile minds from the beginning and be agents of peace throughout their lives.
The afterword came to the same conclusion as I did - our society needs this. I now have an intention to teach mindfulness/awareness to others, and especially to young people so they can have agile minds from the beginning and be agents of peace throughout their lives.
July 2, 2021
This is a book about Natural Awareness (NA), which I think is what others are referring to by Nature of Mind or nondual awareness. It's a very nice read, and my main takeaway is to be more kind to myself and more accepting of what is. What you're after is already here, and you don't have to become someone different from who you already are. I guess my main criticism would be that the book is almost a bit too soft at times, so that it becomes hard to get out any concrete message (other than, it's already ok). And the description of NA is very vague, which I guess it always is, but even in comparison to others' descriptions (especially thinking about Sam Harris, who is quite direct). Also, part 3 on daily life seems unnecessarily long and repetitive. It's a very important part of the book but I feel like its message could've been compressed.
Diana Winston had a spontaneous glimpse of NA as teenager, which she means is quite common when we're young, usually occurring in nature, arts, sports or similar, though we usually don't realize it for what it is or even as something special. Later she got into Vipassana and practiced very hard for many years, and even ordained as a Buddhist nun in Burma. There, after a year of very intense practice she collapsed after what she describes as enormous efforts to "do" the practice and become someone she wasn't. Then she discovered teachings of Tibetan Buddhism that taught her that what she sought was already there within her and that her biggest obstacle was self-hatred and generally not accepting who she is right now. So that's naturally become a key point in her teachings, and now she is teaching a mix of vipassana and Tibetan Buddhism in what she calls the spectrum of awareness. A bit similar to Sam Harris.
NA awareness is very hard to describe, especially because it's so "close" and ordinary, while we tend to think it's some special state we have to reach. But generally, you are aware of being aware without much, if any effort. It can feel like
- you're not identified with what's aware
- your mind feels at rest
- everything is happening on its own
- your mind is like wide open space containing everything
Often NA co-arises with pleasant qualities/flavors like deep peace, interconnection, love, compassion, ease, contentment, pure equanimity etc. They can be very varied, and she uses the multifaceted diamond metaphor to describe it like always experiencing a new facet of the diamond, expressing a new set/combination of qualities.
She distinguishes "flow" in sports/arts from NA by the fact that you're not usually aware of awareness in flow. But by having the intention to be so, flow can easily lead you into NA.
In general, there is much more talk about and emphasize on being with what is, feeling open, noting how everything just happens etc., than being aware of awareness, looking for what's looking, looking for the self or "I" etc. that other teachers focuses on (especially Sam Harris). And this is perhaps what is sometimes confusing me a little. It can feel like she is describing something that could be experienced without necessary also getting rid of the sense of self, and it makes it less clear what it is exactly that we're after.
She refers to mindfulness practice as classical mindfulness practice, which is to be aware of whatever arises in awareness with equanimity. The main distinction from NA is that it's object based. She acknowledge how useful and and beneficial it is in its own right, and that for many people it's best to first establish a classical mindfulness practice before trying to access NA.
RAIN: for dealing with (difficult) emotions
- Recognize the emotion as an emotion
- Allow it to be there
- Investigate the emotion, especially its physical component
- Nonidentification with the emotion. Usually comes naturally after objectifying it in the previous steps.
The spectrum of awareness:
- Focused awareness: focus on your "anchor" such as the breath: object based and effortful
- Flexible awareness: object based and variable effort
- Investigative awareness: investigate distractions, then go back to the breath/anchor: more effort
- Choiceless awareness: be aware of whatever comes up: less effort
- Natural Awareness: object less and effortless
There is no hierarchy here, as Buddhist traditions often might indicate (i.e that NA would be better or more advanced than the rest). She also promotes to practice at whichever point on the spectrum that comes most naturally to you right now rather than having a predetermined practice for your session. Often she moves along the spectrum within one session, or over longer time scales.
She provides three different meditation practices to shift into NA:
- Relaxing effort: after about 10 min of focused awareness, simply pause the effort you're making. Relax and just notice what happens when you're not trying to be aware. Are you still aware? Is everything, including awareness, just happening on its own?
- Broadening attention: after about 10 min of focused awareness, begin listening to the sounds around you. First the strong, nearby ones, then expanding outwards for a few minutes. Next notice the whole body for a few minutes. Finally open your eyes and let your gaze be very wide for a few minutes. Has anything happened to awareness?
- Dropping objects: objectless awareness, where awareness itself becomes the anchor. 3 typical ways to experience it. As:
- "That in which everything is contained" (for me this is what broadening attention is about)
- "That which knows" (turning attention upon itself)
- "That which just is" (for me this is what relaxing effort is about)
Throughout the book, she provides a number of 'glimpse' practices to shift into NA, that can be used during meditation or at any time really. Some of my favorites:
Short phrases to drop:
- "Is it OK to be aware of just this?"
- "Rest in the way things are"
- "Drop the stories and let the your mind rest"
- "Everything happens on its own"
- "What's here now if there's no problem to solve?"
- "Who is aware?"
- "Rest your mind like a mirror that purely reflects what's right here in front of you"
- "What is here in the wake of letting go?"
- After some meditation: "Who's meditating?"
- When you think NA is not here: "What's here instead?"
Read the following slowly:
"Your mind is luminous, aware, present, radiant.
It is vast, open and spacious.
There is nothing you have to do except shift into this recognition.
Try it now.
Shift. Relax your body. Relax your mind. Just be. Rest in awareness."
Notice the noticer:
"You can ask yourself, 'who is aware?'. At first you might identify a sense of a person looking out at things or noticing your experience, but then what is aware of that looker? You might even look forward and then flip your attention to the sense of being aware of what you're looking at. Really have fun with this practice, because it's challenging and there's not a right way to do it. Try not to get caught up in theories, but keep returning to the experience. Be open to whatever you find."
After having provided practices and glimpses to access NA, for a long time while reading I had the feeling that she assumed that the reader could access it or had at least done so once or a few times. And that much of the advice was rather about how to get back into NA and how to prolong it. It built up the feeling that I'm missing something that most people can see, and naturally a stronger desire to access NA for the first time, which obviously is counter productive. I felt I missed advice on how to tackle obstacles in accessing it for the first time, when you have less of a clue of what you're looking for. It made me even more uneasy that she'd often talk about how hard it can be to tell whether you're in NA or not. Eventually that came in ch. 40: "Doubt: Is this it?", although I'd have appreciated that to have been a larger part of the book. Anyway, she means that unless you're practicing with a very advanced master you will never truly know whether you're experiencing authentic NA or a similar, only slightly different, state of awareness. When you're in doubt if whether you're actually experiencing NA, here are a few signposts, anyone alone (gah?!) of which can indicate NA:
- clear, crisp perceiving?
- thoughts coming and going on their own, or am I reacting to them?
- effort relaxed?
- are you aware of awareness itself?
- is your mind very spacious?
- is everything happening on its own?
- are you aware of the space containing your present moment experience?
- do you sense awareness within and without your body?
- are there qualities of wellbeing present, like joy, love, ease, etc.?
You will slowly create your own reference point for what NA is, but it might take a while to feel confident about it, so be patient.
She thinks self-judgement is a massive obstacle, thinking that you're not good enough or not able to do the practice right. NA kind of balances this out by letting you experience that you're already perfect and that there's nothing missing. For her, there's much self-love associated with NA.
I really like that she acknowledges how different we all are, and how different our minds are. One expression of this is the huge variety of glimpse practices, because the same thing wont work for everyone. Her many descriptions of her own experiences are also comforting to hear, and it gives a feeling that she, in spite of all her experience, is just like the rest of us in many ways. My experience isn't crazy!
Diana Winston had a spontaneous glimpse of NA as teenager, which she means is quite common when we're young, usually occurring in nature, arts, sports or similar, though we usually don't realize it for what it is or even as something special. Later she got into Vipassana and practiced very hard for many years, and even ordained as a Buddhist nun in Burma. There, after a year of very intense practice she collapsed after what she describes as enormous efforts to "do" the practice and become someone she wasn't. Then she discovered teachings of Tibetan Buddhism that taught her that what she sought was already there within her and that her biggest obstacle was self-hatred and generally not accepting who she is right now. So that's naturally become a key point in her teachings, and now she is teaching a mix of vipassana and Tibetan Buddhism in what she calls the spectrum of awareness. A bit similar to Sam Harris.
NA awareness is very hard to describe, especially because it's so "close" and ordinary, while we tend to think it's some special state we have to reach. But generally, you are aware of being aware without much, if any effort. It can feel like
- you're not identified with what's aware
- your mind feels at rest
- everything is happening on its own
- your mind is like wide open space containing everything
Often NA co-arises with pleasant qualities/flavors like deep peace, interconnection, love, compassion, ease, contentment, pure equanimity etc. They can be very varied, and she uses the multifaceted diamond metaphor to describe it like always experiencing a new facet of the diamond, expressing a new set/combination of qualities.
She distinguishes "flow" in sports/arts from NA by the fact that you're not usually aware of awareness in flow. But by having the intention to be so, flow can easily lead you into NA.
In general, there is much more talk about and emphasize on being with what is, feeling open, noting how everything just happens etc., than being aware of awareness, looking for what's looking, looking for the self or "I" etc. that other teachers focuses on (especially Sam Harris). And this is perhaps what is sometimes confusing me a little. It can feel like she is describing something that could be experienced without necessary also getting rid of the sense of self, and it makes it less clear what it is exactly that we're after.
She refers to mindfulness practice as classical mindfulness practice, which is to be aware of whatever arises in awareness with equanimity. The main distinction from NA is that it's object based. She acknowledge how useful and and beneficial it is in its own right, and that for many people it's best to first establish a classical mindfulness practice before trying to access NA.
RAIN: for dealing with (difficult) emotions
- Recognize the emotion as an emotion
- Allow it to be there
- Investigate the emotion, especially its physical component
- Nonidentification with the emotion. Usually comes naturally after objectifying it in the previous steps.
The spectrum of awareness:
- Focused awareness: focus on your "anchor" such as the breath: object based and effortful
- Flexible awareness: object based and variable effort
- Investigative awareness: investigate distractions, then go back to the breath/anchor: more effort
- Choiceless awareness: be aware of whatever comes up: less effort
- Natural Awareness: object less and effortless
There is no hierarchy here, as Buddhist traditions often might indicate (i.e that NA would be better or more advanced than the rest). She also promotes to practice at whichever point on the spectrum that comes most naturally to you right now rather than having a predetermined practice for your session. Often she moves along the spectrum within one session, or over longer time scales.
She provides three different meditation practices to shift into NA:
- Relaxing effort: after about 10 min of focused awareness, simply pause the effort you're making. Relax and just notice what happens when you're not trying to be aware. Are you still aware? Is everything, including awareness, just happening on its own?
- Broadening attention: after about 10 min of focused awareness, begin listening to the sounds around you. First the strong, nearby ones, then expanding outwards for a few minutes. Next notice the whole body for a few minutes. Finally open your eyes and let your gaze be very wide for a few minutes. Has anything happened to awareness?
- Dropping objects: objectless awareness, where awareness itself becomes the anchor. 3 typical ways to experience it. As:
- "That in which everything is contained" (for me this is what broadening attention is about)
- "That which knows" (turning attention upon itself)
- "That which just is" (for me this is what relaxing effort is about)
Throughout the book, she provides a number of 'glimpse' practices to shift into NA, that can be used during meditation or at any time really. Some of my favorites:
Short phrases to drop:
- "Is it OK to be aware of just this?"
- "Rest in the way things are"
- "Drop the stories and let the your mind rest"
- "Everything happens on its own"
- "What's here now if there's no problem to solve?"
- "Who is aware?"
- "Rest your mind like a mirror that purely reflects what's right here in front of you"
- "What is here in the wake of letting go?"
- After some meditation: "Who's meditating?"
- When you think NA is not here: "What's here instead?"
Read the following slowly:
"Your mind is luminous, aware, present, radiant.
It is vast, open and spacious.
There is nothing you have to do except shift into this recognition.
Try it now.
Shift. Relax your body. Relax your mind. Just be. Rest in awareness."
Notice the noticer:
"You can ask yourself, 'who is aware?'. At first you might identify a sense of a person looking out at things or noticing your experience, but then what is aware of that looker? You might even look forward and then flip your attention to the sense of being aware of what you're looking at. Really have fun with this practice, because it's challenging and there's not a right way to do it. Try not to get caught up in theories, but keep returning to the experience. Be open to whatever you find."
After having provided practices and glimpses to access NA, for a long time while reading I had the feeling that she assumed that the reader could access it or had at least done so once or a few times. And that much of the advice was rather about how to get back into NA and how to prolong it. It built up the feeling that I'm missing something that most people can see, and naturally a stronger desire to access NA for the first time, which obviously is counter productive. I felt I missed advice on how to tackle obstacles in accessing it for the first time, when you have less of a clue of what you're looking for. It made me even more uneasy that she'd often talk about how hard it can be to tell whether you're in NA or not. Eventually that came in ch. 40: "Doubt: Is this it?", although I'd have appreciated that to have been a larger part of the book. Anyway, she means that unless you're practicing with a very advanced master you will never truly know whether you're experiencing authentic NA or a similar, only slightly different, state of awareness. When you're in doubt if whether you're actually experiencing NA, here are a few signposts, anyone alone (gah?!) of which can indicate NA:
- clear, crisp perceiving?
- thoughts coming and going on their own, or am I reacting to them?
- effort relaxed?
- are you aware of awareness itself?
- is your mind very spacious?
- is everything happening on its own?
- are you aware of the space containing your present moment experience?
- do you sense awareness within and without your body?
- are there qualities of wellbeing present, like joy, love, ease, etc.?
You will slowly create your own reference point for what NA is, but it might take a while to feel confident about it, so be patient.
She thinks self-judgement is a massive obstacle, thinking that you're not good enough or not able to do the practice right. NA kind of balances this out by letting you experience that you're already perfect and that there's nothing missing. For her, there's much self-love associated with NA.
I really like that she acknowledges how different we all are, and how different our minds are. One expression of this is the huge variety of glimpse practices, because the same thing wont work for everyone. Her many descriptions of her own experiences are also comforting to hear, and it gives a feeling that she, in spite of all her experience, is just like the rest of us in many ways. My experience isn't crazy!
April 11, 2020
The Little Book of Being was wonderful, filled with joy, love and wisdom. At times it felt like if I looked up, I'd see Diana in my living room, her writing was so vivid and personal. The lessons learned and practice of natural awareness will carry me forward with greater equanimity.
March 22, 2019
Funny thing happened when I finished this book. I normally ride on the train for my commute and finished the book just about at my stop. I was doing my best to stay in the moment and be aware, yet while walking some foot pain flared up. My concentration was there on the pain. By the time I got to my car I realized I had no idea where my phone was. It's always in my pocket. But not now. And I had to think back, on the short walk from getting off the train to my car I had my hand in my pocket. What was there in my hand, nothing or my phone? I didn't know. I certainly wasn't aware. I certain could have been more mindful of the moment. Of course what ensued after was much panic and emotions about the lost phone. Definite moments for drawing back and becoming more calm. At the end of my search I had to admit defeat and accept I lost the phone somehow.
This book with all the teachings and guidance on how to be in the moment, how to relax and watch the emotions float by like clouds were exactly what I needed in those moments of panic. It was difficult for me to accept the phone and all the digital data is out of my possession, but this book helped me accept it more easily. And I say this as someone who has not yet tried the meditation practices or guidance provided in the book.
This is a meditation book that feels more for someone who has been practicing for a while and not a beginner. I am truly a beginner. Yet I did find some use from the book. I enjoyed reading the small glimpse practices. I may not be able to reach the natural awareness quickly, but this book may be something I can return to. The small reminders and brief moments may be something to start building upon.
Thanks to Sounds True and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
This book with all the teachings and guidance on how to be in the moment, how to relax and watch the emotions float by like clouds were exactly what I needed in those moments of panic. It was difficult for me to accept the phone and all the digital data is out of my possession, but this book helped me accept it more easily. And I say this as someone who has not yet tried the meditation practices or guidance provided in the book.
This is a meditation book that feels more for someone who has been practicing for a while and not a beginner. I am truly a beginner. Yet I did find some use from the book. I enjoyed reading the small glimpse practices. I may not be able to reach the natural awareness quickly, but this book may be something I can return to. The small reminders and brief moments may be something to start building upon.
Thanks to Sounds True and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
April 27, 2019
I enjoyed much of this book. Seemingly written as a compilation of thoughts and practices, it offers the reader a basis for understanding and finding what the author calls, “natural awareness”. Sadly, the author lacks real world experience in the very thing she instructs others to find. I deduce this from the book. Were she a hunter, a soldier, a security guard, a poor woman in a dangerous neighborhood, or even a fighter, she might cultivate these skills as part of her daily routine; she might even realize the awareness she seeks without all the exercises. For many, such awareness is essential, a survival skill.
The author must hunt for her awareness so she might sustain a calm demeanor as she endures the rigors of life as a mom and teacher ... huh. Apparently, this requires meditative practice. When all is firing in her mind, she can play with her eight year old and really enjoy it.
Thankfully, she is not a prison guard, or a cop, or a soldier. Awareness is not natural to her. Personally, I would recommend Gavin D Becker or Rory Miller to anyone who wants to learn about natural awareness, and utilize similar exercises to find ways to sustain it in truly dangerous environments. This book contains some great hunting exercises, though here, they have been converted into simple listening exercises. Rather than listening for prey or watching the field of vision before you for movement that might fill your belly, she uses the exercises as pure meditative practice so she can quiet her mind and enjoy awareness. Okay. If you say so. Three stars.
The author must hunt for her awareness so she might sustain a calm demeanor as she endures the rigors of life as a mom and teacher ... huh. Apparently, this requires meditative practice. When all is firing in her mind, she can play with her eight year old and really enjoy it.
Thankfully, she is not a prison guard, or a cop, or a soldier. Awareness is not natural to her. Personally, I would recommend Gavin D Becker or Rory Miller to anyone who wants to learn about natural awareness, and utilize similar exercises to find ways to sustain it in truly dangerous environments. This book contains some great hunting exercises, though here, they have been converted into simple listening exercises. Rather than listening for prey or watching the field of vision before you for movement that might fill your belly, she uses the exercises as pure meditative practice so she can quiet her mind and enjoy awareness. Okay. If you say so. Three stars.
December 15, 2019
It’s not everyday that a book starts impacting and changing your experience of life AS you are reading it. This book does that - in spades.
I’m still a bit new to mindfulness practice. Started with Sam Harris’ Waking Up app back in May 2019. The approach utilized in that app I credit with the practice of mindfulness sticking for me and becoming a well loved daily practice.
This book has brought a lot of additional insight and depth of experience to my practice already. I’ll be getting a physical copy as well, which I anticipate will be well worn before the end of 2020. I’m also going to take her advice and record some of the “Glimpse” practices to utilize both during formal sittings and throughout the day.
Diana’s language and approach really helped unlock for me what some of this has been pointing to all along.
Highly Recommend.
I’m still a bit new to mindfulness practice. Started with Sam Harris’ Waking Up app back in May 2019. The approach utilized in that app I credit with the practice of mindfulness sticking for me and becoming a well loved daily practice.
This book has brought a lot of additional insight and depth of experience to my practice already. I’ll be getting a physical copy as well, which I anticipate will be well worn before the end of 2020. I’m also going to take her advice and record some of the “Glimpse” practices to utilize both during formal sittings and throughout the day.
Diana’s language and approach really helped unlock for me what some of this has been pointing to all along.
Highly Recommend.
June 6, 2019
I loved the brevity of the chapters in this book about "natural awareness." The practices contrast with the typical discipline of meditation, although they can certainly be used in concert with it. I use the practices throughout the day, when walking, driving, aware of my mind chattering, especially with unpleasant self-talk. The writer is a teacher at UCLA and it's clear she's investigated and practice formal meditation as well as this practice which incorporates formal techniques but is less prescribed. It's a book I plan to buy for several friends.
March 17, 2019
I just finished "The Little Book of Being" by Diana Winston and tomorrow am going to a day of mindfulness in which she teaches natural awareness practices in person.
The author's writing glistens beautifully.
Her original statement on boredom (which I grappled with in the middle of the book) heard during a webinar by the author was that boredom arises from not paying close enough attention. In this book, she writes that boredom can be alleviated not only by classical mindfulness, but also by the spacious luminosity of natural awareness. I'm gonna begin going in depth more by: examine problems (whether conjured up by boredom, or boredom itself, or neither of these) by experiencing accompanying thoughts and emotions in your physical body, then choosing one of the "glimpse" practices in this book, and then seeing what happens. Example glimpse: Who would you be if you were to fully be yourself?
This book is written from the point of view of belief in a physical reality outside of the experiencer, in concert with the author's position in a scientific institution of higher learning. The shantideva prayer Diana writes about in this book may provide comfort in times of doubt about whether an external physical reality is.
I finished this book sitting outside on a sunny deck in the company of family.
Note: this is not intended to be promotional review, as it would be against my interests if time with Diana were to become more limited.
The author's writing glistens beautifully.
Her original statement on boredom (which I grappled with in the middle of the book) heard during a webinar by the author was that boredom arises from not paying close enough attention. In this book, she writes that boredom can be alleviated not only by classical mindfulness, but also by the spacious luminosity of natural awareness. I'm gonna begin going in depth more by: examine problems (whether conjured up by boredom, or boredom itself, or neither of these) by experiencing accompanying thoughts and emotions in your physical body, then choosing one of the "glimpse" practices in this book, and then seeing what happens. Example glimpse: Who would you be if you were to fully be yourself?
This book is written from the point of view of belief in a physical reality outside of the experiencer, in concert with the author's position in a scientific institution of higher learning. The shantideva prayer Diana writes about in this book may provide comfort in times of doubt about whether an external physical reality is.
I finished this book sitting outside on a sunny deck in the company of family.
Note: this is not intended to be promotional review, as it would be against my interests if time with Diana were to become more limited.
March 11, 2019
This is a wonderful book on mindfulness. I love the idea of cultivating natural awareness, and how that can impact daily life. One of my favorite sections of the book was "Don't be a bliss ninny." The author takes an honest, insightful look at how important awareness is. It's not about creating a practice that gives you a view through rose-colored glasses, but rather helps you navigate the ups and downs of life with a little more ease and resilience.
I like that the book is equal parts how-to, reflection, inspiration, analogies, and ideas. I also appreciate the range of meditation options, schools of thought, questions that invite deeper exploration, emphasis on making the practices work for you, and ideas for overcoming common meditation pitfalls.
New and experienced meditation practitioners alike will enjoy the various practice options.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I like that the book is equal parts how-to, reflection, inspiration, analogies, and ideas. I also appreciate the range of meditation options, schools of thought, questions that invite deeper exploration, emphasis on making the practices work for you, and ideas for overcoming common meditation pitfalls.
New and experienced meditation practitioners alike will enjoy the various practice options.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2022
This book is one that a reader might want to return to again and again as they learn more about natural awareness and all that this involves. The author is well-credentialed and shares her experiences in getting to where she is, including some struggles when she was in Myanmar learning Vipassana practices.
The book consists of many small chapters. Those in the first section on foundations, for example, include: What is Natural Awareness?; Why is Natural Awareness so Hard to find?; What’s in It for Me?; and Developing a Natural Awareness Practice. The book includes many techniques and practices and can be helpful to those new to the topic and those who are wanting to expand their mindfulness practice.
Are you a person interested in this topic? Would you like to understand what natural awareness is? If yes, this title is definitely worth a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The book consists of many small chapters. Those in the first section on foundations, for example, include: What is Natural Awareness?; Why is Natural Awareness so Hard to find?; What’s in It for Me?; and Developing a Natural Awareness Practice. The book includes many techniques and practices and can be helpful to those new to the topic and those who are wanting to expand their mindfulness practice.
Are you a person interested in this topic? Would you like to understand what natural awareness is? If yes, this title is definitely worth a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
November 20, 2022
Natural awareness, just I want needed to read to practice awareness in the here and now.
Thanks Diana Winston for your wisdom and for your lovingkindness in the world.
I was lucky to join the UCLA mindfulness session and experience your work and you shared about Thay in the call. It's amazing how the universe brings folks together.
Thank you for what you do! Take care
Thoughts that resonated with me in the book:
- the ability to connect with a sense of just being is part of what it means to be human.
- Vipassana meditation—sometimes called insight meditation, as it is a pathway to deeper personal insight
- here is nothing to get and nowhere to go.
- awakening is actually inherent to human beings and that love and compassion and freedom are accessible here and now.
- In OM, the focus of awareness is the monitoring of awareness itself
Thanks Diana Winston for your wisdom and for your lovingkindness in the world.
I was lucky to join the UCLA mindfulness session and experience your work and you shared about Thay in the call. It's amazing how the universe brings folks together.
Thank you for what you do! Take care
Thoughts that resonated with me in the book:
- the ability to connect with a sense of just being is part of what it means to be human.
- Vipassana meditation—sometimes called insight meditation, as it is a pathway to deeper personal insight
- here is nothing to get and nowhere to go.
- awakening is actually inherent to human beings and that love and compassion and freedom are accessible here and now.
- In OM, the focus of awareness is the monitoring of awareness itself
November 8, 2020
An accessible modern translation of ancient non-dual, "direct path" meditation practices. This book illuminates a style of practice that has been shrouded in secrecy, often thought of as "advanced meditation" and too esoteric for most people. Moreover, because the roots of this practice come from ancient contemplative practices, they are steeped in religious traditions not relevant to modern Western culture. Diana cuts through this religiosity, and presents these practices in a refreshingly contemporary, secular way. In essence, this book brings a life-changing practice to a contemporary, Western culture that desperately needs it!
August 28, 2019
Drop the banana.
In some countries, monkeys are trapped with a makeshift bait where a banana is placed inside a recepticle whose opening is only big enough for the monkey to insert or withdraw a limb; the monkey is trapped because once they insert a limb and grab the banana, they would not let go, and the opening is not big enough for the monkey to withdraw his or her limb while holding on to the banana.
Glad I did not abort this book midway because the apply section helped me through this time.
In some countries, monkeys are trapped with a makeshift bait where a banana is placed inside a recepticle whose opening is only big enough for the monkey to insert or withdraw a limb; the monkey is trapped because once they insert a limb and grab the banana, they would not let go, and the opening is not big enough for the monkey to withdraw his or her limb while holding on to the banana.
Glad I did not abort this book midway because the apply section helped me through this time.
February 18, 2019
This book is really informative, it's just a little intimidating for beginners. I think it would be great for people that have a lot more experience with meditation practices. I will say this about it, the glimpse practices are a great addition, and are easy enough for anyone to engage in. They're a nice way to end each section and I think they add a really great touch to a meditation book that I've never seen before.
March 21, 2021
If the reader is already familiar with mindfulness meditation, part 1 and much of the part 2 would be repetitive. However there are many good reminders for anyone who is constantly looking for a piece of equanimity. Many insightful suggestions for even the experienced practitioner, so definitely a good read.
June 25, 2021
It's a very nice little book with short chapters with some glimpse practices in between. I liked the soothing attitude of "it's ok" because I needed it at that time. I did not really get my head around natural awareness since it includes so many "states". It did however support my practice during my month at BSR.
May 15, 2025
While there are some good principles and practices in this book, I just didn't really jive with the style of writing and the approach to mindfulness practice. I don't personally like when meditation and mindfulness are described as something almost mystical or something to ascend to, and that was the vibe I got from this book. It also had some anecdotes I felt were irrelevant or rambling.
July 7, 2020
The author has studied for many years under Sayadaw U Pandita of Burma, and a range of masters of Dzogchen, Zen Tradition, and Advaita Vedanta. This book is a culmination of her wisdom and insight. An Ideal book for anyone who is interested meditation or have been a long time practitioner.
September 26, 2021
For those interested in or already practicing mindfulness meditation, the author provides a description and helpful guide to becoming aware of awareness through glimpse practices. Practical and approachable, it encourages just being and resting the mind.
October 14, 2021
Core ideas and practices seem solid, but the book is repetitive, internally inconsistent and focused on the “what” instead of the “why” and “how”.
Skip this and check out author’s meditation series on waking up app for a much better and more useful presentation of these ideas.
Skip this and check out author’s meditation series on waking up app for a much better and more useful presentation of these ideas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews