Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is an important book for practitioners of mindful meditation. It offers insightful guidance for understanding and practicing mindfulness. The book explains the foundations of mindfulness practice and provides practical tips for cultivating a mindful state.
The author, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, is a respected monk of the Theravadan Buddhist tradition and the abbot of a monastery in the United States. He has been teaching meditation for over fifty years, and was awarded the Sri Lankan Order of Merit for his contributions to Buddhism in his home country. He has written numerous books on the topics of mindfulness and meditation and has given countless talks in the United States and abroad.
Mindfulness in Plain English delves into the core of mindfulness, particularly how to actually put it into practice in our daily lives. Gunatatana guides readers step-by-step through the meditation process and how to implement mindful attitudes and behaviors into our everyday lives.
The essence of mindfulness practice is simply paying attention to the present moment without judgement and allowing whatever arises without trying to change it. The book explains how to focus on your breathing, sense perceptions, and bodily sensations and emotions in order to practice being ‘present’.
Noteworthy topics discussed in Mindfulness in Plain English include: What is Awareness, How to Overcome Hindrances to Mindfulness and Theory vs. Practice.
In the first chapter, What is Awareness, the author defines awareness and explains how mindfulness yoga (meditation) can be used to focus on awareness and the present moment, along with guided breath and body awareness. He encourages us to see our body as an object of meditation, rather than something to be controlled or judged.
In the second chapter, How to Overcome Hindrances to Mindfulness, Gunaratana explains that although we all have the capacity to be mindful, we often get in our own way with thoughts, feelings and distractions that prevent us from reaching a true mindful state. He provides strategies on how to work through these hindrances, such as visualizing something happy, releasing physical tension, and cultivating patience and kindness.
The third chapter, Theory vs. Practice, highlights the importance of actually doing the practice itself to experience the benefits of mindfulness. Gunaratana explains the underlying theory of meditation and how to properly execute the practice in order to experience its transformative benefits. He emphasizes that mindfulness can be adapted to every person’s life and offers tips on how to make mindfulness practice a part of our day-to-day routines.
Throughout the book, Gunaratana provides insight into mindful living, such as how to let go of negative states of mind, how to be compassionate towards oneself and others, and the importance of dedication and discipline in practicing meditation over a long period of time.
Mindfulness in Plain English is a comprehensive guide to cultivating mindful awareness in our daily lives. It provides an understanding of the foundations of mindfulness practice and simple yet effective tips on how to incorporate mindfulness into our lives. With Bhante Henepola Gunaratana’s insightful guidance, readers can easily and confidently begin their journey into mindfulness and enjoy its many benefits.
