The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation as Taught by S.N. Goenka [Paperback]

 

 

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I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK HIGHLY ENOUGH!

For those new to Buddhism, this slim volume is the best concise, non-sectarian, comprehensive introduction I've found in twenty years. Answers the "basic" questions about such topics as: morality, training the mind in concentration, "what causes unhappiness?", "what is Mindfulness meditation?", "how can it help me?". No history or cultural baggage, just the fundamentals.

- I literally buy this book in volume quantities several times a year so I can give it away to people who are curious about Buddhism!

(For more detailed info on meditation theory and instruction, I highly recommend "Mindfulness in Plain English" by Venerable Henepola Gunaratana).

Please note: this is not a religious cult or phoney spiritual entertainment, this technique is a strictly practical & non-sectarian form of meditation.

If you've already experienced a 10 day Vipassana meditation course, this book will be a helpful & exhaustive reminder of many of the topics covered in Goenkaji's evening discourses. The book is divided into 10 well-structured chapters covering a particular aspect of the Art of Living: each contains a main text, a Q&A section with Goenkaji and a story depicting the lesson.

If you haven't yet taken a course, this book may represent a useful introduction to what this meditation technique is all about. Although - as Goenka himself says - reading about it without practicing is a bit like reciting a doctor's prescription over & over without actually taking the medicine.

I would strongly recommend giving this technique a shot. Even if you're the sort of person who wouldn't normally venture into this kind of activity (such as I was), the benefits in daily life are astounding.

Be happy!

First, a very wee bit about me: before learning the meditation technique taught by the Indian-Burmese meditation master S. N. Goenka, I'd practiced in other traditions for more than 15 years and completed many long retreats. Initially, I only attended a Goenka course because the 10-day retreat was offered for free (I'm a frugal sort of guy). But I left with a priceless gift, convinced this type of meditation truly works better than other kinds.

To call it a "Goenka course" is actually a little misleading since it suggests that Goenka invented this type of meditation. He didn't. He learned it in Burma, where it is believed that over the millennia Burmese monks and meditation teachers have preserved the exact method the Buddha himself used. Whether or not this meditation technique is truly the Buddha's original practice, doesn't really matter much; once you try it, it is so powerful, you're likely to see how this approach can truly free us from negativity.

Spread almost solely through word of mouth, Goenka's courses are now offered on every inhabitable continent on the globe. According to the independent Buddhist magazine Buddhadharma, each year an estimated 100,000 people take a Goenka course. This means he has probably taught more people Buddhist meditation than anyone in history--including the Buddha himself! (Admittedly, the comparison is a bit silly since the Buddha wasn't able to offer retreats via audio and videotape.)

It's worth noting, that although a layman, Mr Goenka, who is independently wealthy, has never made any money from teaching Buddhism. As already noted, his famous ten-day meditation courses are offered for free. After finishing a course, students may give a donation (to the nonprofit foundation that takes care of the expenses of running a meditation center), but contributions are totally voluntary and there is never any pressure to give.

Goenkaji, as his students call him, has a beautiful voice, a delightful accent, a grandfatherly warmth, and a terrific sense of humor. These qualities work well to balance his passion and seriousness of purpose. During a course, he gives a clear and accessible framework for understanding Buddhism and how to do this type of meditation. Through collaboration with the assistant teacher Bill Hart, The Art of Living faithfully presents Goenka's teachings from his 10-day course--minus the meditation instructions and, naturally, the sound of his lyrical voice.

The book's strength's are those of Mr. Goenka's: clarity and accessibility. Most of his explanations are illustrated with a traditional Buddhist parable or with a story from his extensive teaching experiences. The book's weakness is that Mr. Goenka's charisma is diminished in print. Like any great teacher or storyteller, the book can't recreate his uncanny sense of timing and his animated voices. Perhaps this weakness isn't apparent to those who read the book before taking a course (I took a course before reading the book). Calling this a "weakness," though, is not to dis' The Art of Living, which is a valuable resource in its own right. It is helpful to have Mr. Goenka's presentation written down and the book includes some Q & A not presented during a course (Mr. Goenka, who was born in 1924, and now has compromised health has retired from active teaching).

The Art of Living is generally read by two types: someone who has recently finished a ten-day Goenka retreat or by someone considering taking a course. For the first group or "old students", the book is a great refresher and offers details you may have missed on the video or audio tape. For the total newcomer, there is a minor dilemma: is it best to know what to expect before you go or to go fresh so you get the full impact of his words when you hear them "live." Since I took my first course before reading the book and had a powerful experience, that's what I'd recommend. But if you haven't made up your mind that you're definitely going to a course and you want more info, then by all means read the book first. The important thing is to get yourself to a course (yes, I know 10-days is a long time-except if you try to remember what you did over the last week and a half and it seems to have gone by in a flash).

If I could be immodest for a moment, the book I wrote--Beyond the Breath: Extraordinary Mindfulness Through Full-Body Vipassana Meditation (Tuttle Publishing)--is also likely to be of interest to anyone who has taken a Goenka course or who is considering taking one (and it is also likely to be of interest to anyone interested in meditation or Buddhism). While the book stands on it's own, in many ways it complements The Art of Living. To help explain why this meditation method works so well, Beyond the Breath is much more apt to refer to scientific research than a traditional parable. For instance, Beyond the Breath explains why Goenka and the Buddha's advice to live a moral life makes so much sense based on what we now know about evolutionary psychology; it also explains the essence of Buddhist practice on an easily understood biochemical basis. So while The Art of Living offers wonderful stories and great homespun analogies that make good common sense, Beyond the Breath, will be especially helpful for those who want to know WHY this method (and Buddhist practice in general) works so well. Such insight isn't just an intellectual exercise; greater understanding leads to greater confidence in actually doing the practice.

But whether or not you read either book, I encourage you to take a course. If you want to check out more about Goenka's organization and courses, go to www[dot]dhamma[dot]org.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A real gem
This little book is in all its simplicity a real gem. It gives us an easily understood presentation of the very essense of buddhism. Read more

Published 10 months ago by Merlov

1.0 out of 5 stars Dangerous, a crazy cult around the guru Goenka
This book is but a sell on a 10 day intensive meditation marathon. I did my retreat a couple of years ago after reading the book. What a disaster that was ! Read more

Published 11 months ago by Bunnyrabbit

5.0 out of 5 stars Vipassana Meditation
Excellent in all respect. Easy to find, order and get delivered.
Well written, easy to read and understand. A first class introduction to Vipassana Meditation.

Published 11 months ago by R. Field

5.0 out of 5 stars virtuous truth.
You could read loads of books, spend your whole life searching and still miss the valuable teachings of the buddha. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Mr. N. Evans

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice introduction
This book is a fairly succinct introduction to the ideas and belief system of Vipassana mediation. I think it is mainly useful as a primer for those considering taking part in a... Read more

Published 16 months ago by duncw

5.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction
In preparation of the 10 day course I am going to follow later this Summer, I wanted to read more about Vipassana. This book is excellent. Read more

Published on 30 July 2009 by Sander Claassen

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life
Goenka, an old man from Burma with a powerful commitment to spreading the understanding of the law of nature or Dhamma, and this book - changed my life. Read more

Published on 26 Aug 2008 by Philip J. Heaton

4.0 out of 5 stars a modern classic exposition of an ancient technique
This meditation can free you from migraine, as the teacher S.N. Goenka's own experience proves the happiness one may benefit from the meditation practise. Read more

Published on 18 Feb 1998

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