Mindfulness in Plain English: Revised and Expanded Edition [Paperback]

But it leaves out much advice that would have made it much better. 90% of those starting a meditation class drop out - meditation teachers such as Gunaratana rarely seek to find out why and so the small things that get in the way of even the most determined intentions. A good meditation book must tackle them - and Gunaratana like every writer does so only partially.

Here is a list of a few of things that could be added.

A beginner requires equipment to handle the 20, 30 or 40 minute duration of their meditation -- for example, a timer used in cooking (under something to dim its unpleasant alarm sound), or a CD burnt with silent tracks that end with one of bells. After a few months, time can be estimated by looking at a watch but in the initial days such checking just adds an additional and an unnecessary burden.

Ear plugs (motor cyclist shops and internet sites are a good source), or ear muffs (internet sites again check for Bilsom or Peltor brands) might be an idea. Again after a few months, distracting sounds of kids, power tools, TVs in other rooms etc are not a problem, and can even add to the practice, but in the initial stages they add that extra difficulty.

I guess that half of those that drop out would not if they were better prepared about these and other small practical issues.

Also forget ideas about lotus positions, sitting Buddhas and Nirvana. Instead it is as if you have an old fashioned radio in your head. What is called 'meditation' is simply slowly and patiently learning how to shift its dial off its noisy stations. As you sit, you will find the radio dial keeps drifting back on to news or entertainment broadcasters. But carefully - the radio is delicate and needs a loving touch - you move using a focus upon your breath the dial back to silence. Slowly as you learn to move off the main stations your awareness becomes more sensitive. What was once emptiness is now discovered to be filled with the noise of distant stations and even static. Patiently with increasing tenderness and gentleness you keep moving the dial until you find yourself in awareness not of a silent radio but where you are.

This kind of nonBuddhist practical advice is not in this book - or any other. Meditation books do not get written ground up from the problems that cause people to drop out. Nor do they give the practical tips that are soon forgotten by experienced meditators but that beginners need to stay the initial course. Sorry about being so negative about Gunaratana - you will not find a better book. Buy it, retake that mediation class that was dropped or never continued. But do not think meditation has yet to be written about in the way it should.

While the "how-to" content was sufficient, the author's rambling was distracting. After a while, I found myself ultimately having to skim for the morcels of good stuff.

To the author: Please, next time, spare the editorialising and overuse of adjectives. I also purchased, but have yet to read, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness : Walking the Buddha's Path" (by this author). I hope it does not contain as many words serving only to fill space. I shall review that book after I read it.

Looking back, I found what I experienced very much like what's described in the book. Some may be waiting ahead. I hope I had this book earlier thus I didn't need to waste so much time correcting lots of problems in the practicing/searching process.

Finally a few comments:
0. Zen is all about exploring by yourself. If you listen to somebody, put him at the same level as you thus you'll scrutinize his oponion using your own ideas and experiences.

1. Meditation is about release, not about constraint. You can't supress your desire (unless with some surgery). Instead you should understand that desire is totally valid if not good. Watching the necessity of the body, just don't be moved by it. Try to get rid of your desire may bring mental problems.

2. There's an analogy from Miyamoto Musashi about the heart of Zen, "a mirror in deep water".