Why Is the Buddha Smiling? : Mindfulness As a Means of Bringing Calm and Insight to Your Life

by Mark Magill

This text offers readers the chance to explore ways of bringing clarity and insight to their everyday lives using the Buddhist principle of mindfulness. Mindfulness involves a re-examination of every aspect of life, from our relationships with ourselves and others to our behaviour and thought patterns in every situation - the workplace, at home and in the outdoors - in a way that shows us things clearly as they are and frees us from habitual reactions. The book includes exercises and practices that should help readers to live life with awareness of the present moment and to increase their connection with life. This awareness offers freedom from the grip of negative emotions, which lead to suffering. Mindfulness helps to steady, stabilize and strengthen the power of our attention and increases our "centre of gravity" so we are less easily distracted. In learning this practice, we will realize that the Buddha is smiling because he has discovered that there is a path to freedom from suffering. The path begins with mindfulness and it is open to everyone.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Taha Tariq · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book in the waiting room of the emergency room of a hospital right after I fell bouldering where I tore several ligaments and fractured multiple bones in my knee. My two best friends brought me this book as some reading material for what would turn out to be 27 hours of waiting between two separate hospitals.

This book turns out to be right what I needed as I adjusted to the complete upending of my life. The section on suffering was particularly useful to me.

I assume you will arrive at this book at various points in your life and each time you will find something new. It’s very concise and an easy read. It’s littered with mindfulness practices that are useful.

An excellent book that at times lacks depth. That’s the only disappointing part. However, I look forward to coming back to it in the future.

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helder. Bevattelijk. Bondig. Een soort van stepping stone om je daarna verder te verdiepen.