Start Here, Start Now
A Short Guide to Mindfulness Meditation
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A new book distilling Wisdom’s definitive masterpiece on mindfulness and all-time bestseller, Mindfulness in Plain English, down to a pocket-sized guide with everything you need to get started practicing mindfulness right now.
In a clear, friendly voice, this concise collection of beloved and renowned meditation master Bhante G’s bestselling instructions will teach you everything you need to know to start—and maintain!—your mindfulness meditation practice. The book includes practical advice on
What to do with the body and mind in meditation;
What to do when the mind wanders and how to work with distraction;
How to deal with physical discomfort in meditation;
How to overcome drowsiness, boredom, and inability to concentrate;
How to work with fear and agitation, judgments, and self-criticism;
How to avoid trying too hard, expecting too much, or getting discouraged;
11 common misconceptions about meditation;
10 tips for effective practice; and how to get the most out of your practice.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gunaratana (Mindfulness in Plain English) offers a straightforward and informative introduction to mindfulness meditation, walking a fine line between familiar secularized instructions and careful guidance through difficult experiences that may challenge one's worldview. On the surface, Gunaratana's clear lessons provide the basics for sitting meditation, walking meditation, breath counting, the observation of negative and positive mental states, and other practices. There is little deviation from the forms of practice here, with no talk about personal experiences or analysis of Buddhist teachings; everything serves the practical purpose of teaching and guiding a meditation practice. These practical, simple instructions are rooted in the Buddhist tenets of emptiness, impermanence, and dissatisfaction that afflict the human experience, and Gunaratana spends the second half of the book discussing the implications of such thinking. Because "meditation takes gumption," Gunaratana sees meditation as an inherently difficult practice that requires a steady commitment to observe, study, and watch whatever arises in one's experiences, no matter how difficult or undesirable it may be. To this end he includes sections on "making pain the object of meditation" and dealing with distraction, restlessness, and boredom: "True mindfulness is never boring." Beginners will find a highly accessible and insightful guide to mindfulness meditation, and even experienced practitioners may find this text useful for revisiting the basics.
