Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Boston : Wisdom Publications, 2002.
Description
Presents an introduction to meditation according to Buddhist principles, describing the advantages of the practice and addressing some of the difficulties that can come up.
User reviews
LibraryThing member RaviSankrit
This book tells what meditation is and what it is not. The meanings of meditation practice and mindfulness are explained with remarkable clarity. The book is structured around the practice of vipassana (insight) meditation and contains practical instructions for beginners.
LibraryThing member bookczuk
This was my second-favorite of three books on meditation, lent to me by guyczuk. There are some useful tips and info there. It's got a stronger bent reminiscent of some of the Indian spiritual works I have read, and has a lot about Buddhism in it, which is also interesting reading. I felt it
Show More
worthwhile and made some notes of certain things in case I actually have to return the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member ftong
A fascinating introduction to Buddhist meditation and philosophy. Though the author's explanations sometimes border on repetitive, they are, true to word, clear and direct.
LibraryThing member chaghi
I wanted to read something, preferably practical, short and straight to the point about meditation in general, and this concept of "mindfulness" in particular, directed to westerners, without going into the religious and spiritual aspects (or at least, without primarily approaching the subject from
Henepola Gunaratana claims to have written exactly what I wanted, and I must confess he mostly succeeds. The book is short, it gives some theory, explains what mindfulness is and what it isn't, and provides a methodology and a series of ideas and exercises aimed at beginners. It's quite repetitive in several aspects, though. It's not devoid of its share of "preaching" and subjective and semi-religious concepts, but it keeps them rather on the side. It's a pity that the new and revisited version of the book expands precisely on those aspects, as if the author had regretted not having gone deeper with them in the original version. In my opinion, the new edition is a step back from the original goals of the book.
Having said that, vipassana meditation comes from Buddhism, so I suppose it is impossible to study it or read about it or explain it completely isolated and detached from Buddhism, and then it's impossible to avoid completely the religious, spiritual and metaphysical aspects.
Show More
that point of view). And every source pointed me to this book. So I read it.Henepola Gunaratana claims to have written exactly what I wanted, and I must confess he mostly succeeds. The book is short, it gives some theory, explains what mindfulness is and what it isn't, and provides a methodology and a series of ideas and exercises aimed at beginners. It's quite repetitive in several aspects, though. It's not devoid of its share of "preaching" and subjective and semi-religious concepts, but it keeps them rather on the side. It's a pity that the new and revisited version of the book expands precisely on those aspects, as if the author had regretted not having gone deeper with them in the original version. In my opinion, the new edition is a step back from the original goals of the book.
Having said that, vipassana meditation comes from Buddhism, so I suppose it is impossible to study it or read about it or explain it completely isolated and detached from Buddhism, and then it's impossible to avoid completely the religious, spiritual and metaphysical aspects.
Show Less
LibraryThing member SeriousGrace
The title of this book does not lie. Gunaratana offers a how-to for insight mindfulness in a straight-forward and easy-to-understand language. This is not the deeply didactic philosophy of mindfulness, but rather a deep dive into South and Southeast Asian Buddhism. The first order of business is to
Show More
dispel the misconceptions surrounding mindfulness and meditation. For example, there is no magic to this vipassana style medication. You won't levitate. Instead, you become grounded in morality, concentration, and wisdom. Speaking of concentration, you learn the concept of shallow concentration which seems contrary to successful mindfulness. In other words, you won't lose yourself in mindfulness. Instead, you will train your mind to concentrate on a mental object, the breath being more convenient and ever-present. Despite the easy language and thin volume, Mindfulness is a treasure trove of information. Show Less
LibraryThing member proustitute
Despite having and constantly trying to deepen a daily meditation practice for years, I hadn't read this book. Since I'm slowly in the process of trying to reintegrate vipassana into my existing meditation practice—one rooted in the Kundalini yogic tradition—I found this book the be an
For those new to meditation and mindfulness practice, this book is perhaps the best place to start. With short chapters, it would be ideal to work through the ideas here slowly, reading and savoring and reflecting on each as they're presenting as one incorporates them into a daily practice at home. In all of my reading on meditation, yoga, Buddhism, and even some sometimes questionable, esoteric philosophical tracts on the training of the mind, I don't think I've encountered a book that has been so direct, accessible, and admirably put together.
This will help you to see why sitting daily is for everyone, not just Buddhists or those seeking enlightenment (whatever that might be). But, more importantly, this book will articulate how your practice of seated meditation carries over into your daily life, and how the point of meditation—and the most important part of meditation—begins after you have risen from your cushion.
Start or deepen your practice here... or, for those who might have fallen off the meditation bandwagon, and recall all of the positive effects it had on their daily lives (and perhaps bemoan daily something along these lines: "I wish I had more time to meditate again!"), this is the book for you to recommence your journey.
Show More
invaluable resource, not only as a reintroduction of sorts to vipassana (insight meditation), but also perhaps reminding me why I've always preferred vipassana practice to zazen ("just sitting").For those new to meditation and mindfulness practice, this book is perhaps the best place to start. With short chapters, it would be ideal to work through the ideas here slowly, reading and savoring and reflecting on each as they're presenting as one incorporates them into a daily practice at home. In all of my reading on meditation, yoga, Buddhism, and even some sometimes questionable, esoteric philosophical tracts on the training of the mind, I don't think I've encountered a book that has been so direct, accessible, and admirably put together.
This will help you to see why sitting daily is for everyone, not just Buddhists or those seeking enlightenment (whatever that might be). But, more importantly, this book will articulate how your practice of seated meditation carries over into your daily life, and how the point of meditation—and the most important part of meditation—begins after you have risen from your cushion.
Start or deepen your practice here... or, for those who might have fallen off the meditation bandwagon, and recall all of the positive effects it had on their daily lives (and perhaps bemoan daily something along these lines: "I wish I had more time to meditate again!"), this is the book for you to recommence your journey.
Show Less