Unlocks the Vipassana technique-"the development of insight'"--that embodies the essence of the teaching of the Buddha, revealing an extraordinarily simple and effective path to self-awareness.
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All of us seek peace and harmony, because this is what we lack in our lives. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
All of us seek peace and harmony, because this is what we lack in our lives. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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).
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By duncw
Format:Paperback
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 10-day Vipassana retreat, which I haven't done myself. However, it is not a substitute for talking to people who have been on it themselves. It is perhaps the course textbook, but you would also want to hear about the students' experiences.
The book is not a manual on how to do Vipassana mediation. (Sources on the internet and books like Osho's Meditation do give specific instructions on Vipassana mediation technique, though I couldn't vouch for their authoritativeness.)
The book is not a manual on how to do Vipassana mediation. (Sources on the internet and books like Osho's Meditation do give specific instructions on Vipassana mediation technique, though I couldn't vouch for their authoritativeness.)
28 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
To Talk About the Book, You Have to First Talk About the 10-Day Course
5 Jun 2007
Format:Paperback
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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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. It encourages you to attend a practical 10 day course which is well organised and charges no amount from the student. A spirit motivated by conviction in dhamma and an international academy in bombay establishes itself to be a professional body in offering courses in vipassana and dhamma. If one visits the main centre in bombay, one can meet the principal teacher S.N. Goenka and see that his work is really commentable. One can sense his compassion and sincerity in his efforts to help people, and you can feel immeasurable happiness in seeing how he helps immates , prisoners who suffers so much mental agony by introducing meditation and how they are transformed after the noble dhamma is taught and practised. They return to society to become good people The art of living mindfully, by focusing on one's breathing and comtemplation of feeling are just some of the foundation of mindfulness so much exphasized in ancient buddhist texts. It is not a book written to just impress the general reader of any of its organised theory, but one of direct experience and aim at to encourage practical aspects of meditation. This book has no sectarism and it brings you to realise the nature of your own physical and mental structure, by observing ones bodily sensations. It is said that one can understand the emotional aspects of human and attain wisdom and compassion when one penetrates the true nature of ones aggregates, through mindful introspection . For example, a meditator contemplating of the sensations of his body experiences pain, happy and neutral sensations.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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. It is not a handbook "how to do Vipassana meditation", but instead Hart describes the ideas behind Vipassana in a very clear way. Some people say that one should go completely unprepared to the 10 day course, and let everything simply happen to you. Even though I have not yet followed the course, I expect I will have benefit from the more theoretical background as given in this book, once I start with the meditation itself.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
hopefully it's good
recommended by my brother,
bought this as a present for someone else. she hasn't complaint yet :)..... Read more
bought this as a present for someone else. she hasn't complaint yet :)..... Read more
Published 4 months ago by ohnmar thin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
I have been to the course and wanted to read the book as well. It's great, however I don't think it would give much without the course. Read more
Published 5 months ago by E. Bonardi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
I do not want to leave any feedback. I have not even read the book.The took a long time to arrive.
Margarita Morro Beltran
Margarita Morro Beltran
Published 9 months ago by Margarita
5.0 out of 5 stars
practical & concise Buddhist text
This is the best book that I have found for a practical and concise description of how Theravada Buddhism relates to modern life. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Michael Hopkins
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 on 18 Mar 2011 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 on 27 Feb 2011 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.
Well written, easy to read and understand. A first class introduction to Vipassana Meditation.
Published on 18 Feb 2011 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 on 2 Feb 2011 by Mr. N. Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
The ultimate Vipassana text
Please note: this is not a religious cult or phoney spiritual entertainment, this technique is a strictly practical & non-sectarian form of meditation. Read more
Published on 17 May 2010 by Holder Frances
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
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