Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2973 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Synopsis
Mindfulness in Plain English is a book that people give to everyone they know - a book that people talk about, write about, think about, and return to repeatedly. With his distinctive clarity and wit, "Bhante G" - as he is affectionately known - extends a hand to readers of all backgrounds; he takes us step by step through the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. He reveals that we already have the foundation we need to live a more mindful, productive, and peaceful life. This expanded edition includes the complete text of its bestselling predecessor and a new chapter on the cultivation of loving-kindness, an especially important subject in today's fractious world. Mindfulness in Plain English is like meditation itself: spacious, personal, rewarding - and simpler than you might think.

Customer Reviews

Look no further - the best meditation manual available.
I have been interested in Buddhism and meditation for many years and have been waiting all that time for a book that is a true 'nuts and bolts' manual of how to meditate. This is the first book I have found that I can totally recommend. It covers the subject with honesty, humour and an amazing level of clarity. For a beginner or experienced meditator, there is no better book that I have seen.

Also, the author has integrity and comes from the traditional Theravada school of Buddhism - beware that there are quite a few dodgy modern 'schools' that use the name of Buddhism in vain. If you are new to Buddhism, I strongly recommend the Theravada school (e.g. Amaravati monastery in the UK).

A minor point and it doesn't detract at all from the book, but I feel that maybe the title is a bit misleading as it isn't very clear that it is a 'manual' of meditation - perhaps 'Meditation demystified' or 'How to meditate' would be clearer.

See for yourself
I do not have much too add not already said by other reviewers, but would like to point out that the whole book can be found online so you can preview it before you order the book. Just search for the title.

A True Meditation Manual
This book is fantastic! From the reviews, I was expecting a manual on Vipassana (insight) meditation only. But Bhante G covers both Shamatha (concentration) and Vipassana (insight) meditation in thorough detail, in a step-by-step, very user-friendly and practical way. By far the best book I have read on the two core Buddhist meditation practices. He deals in great detail with the things us beginners struggle with, like the many distractions that can assail us during our practice, & the five hindrances, along with very useful techniques for over-coming these obstacles. If you are at all interested in Buddhist meditation, then I am sure you will find this book invaluable.