Meditation Now: Inner Peace through Inner Wisdom

by S.N. Goenka

Celebrated Vipassana meditation teacher S. N. Goenka interprets the Buddha’s teachings in this collection of lectures, essays, and interviews. These writings provide insights into how one of the most influential contemporary Buddhist practitioners defines Vipassana and how he uses it to achieve peace of mind and lead a happy, useful life. Included are transcripts of recent talks given at the World Economic Forum in Davos and at the Millennium World Peace Summit, and a previously unpublished interview conducted by Alan AtKisson, former editor of In Context magazine.

Genres: Meditation, Buddhism, Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality

126 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Braga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of various interviews, articles, speeches given by S.N.Goenka at various times during his life. For one who wants to understand what Vipassana is or a get a feeler of the same before committing to a 10-day course at the centres located all around the world, I would highly recommend giving this a read. I have been to one and have been practising Vipassana 2 hours every day for more than 6 months since induction and the results are phenomenal.

As Goenka keeps reiterating in various parts of his lectures, don't take the concepts because a Buddha says so, your teacher says so or your friend says so. It may be true for them, but if you want to understand the truth for yourself, the only way is to "experience" it. Experiential Wisdom is a different paradigm compared to Intellectual Wisdom.

Goenka during his discourses clearly mentions why Vipassana is not a sectarian technique of the race or religion or nationality. Anger is anger - there is no Christian anger, Muslim Anger, Hindu Anger, Jew Anger. Misery is misery and it is universal, the solution needs to be universal as well. And that solution is Vipasanna. I would urge anyone reading this review to take at least one 10-day course (it is 100% free) and "experience" the truth for yourself. This is not a dogma, a rite or ritual or even Buddhism for that matter. This is pure science; at the experiential level. This book keeps emphasizing this fact. Also for the ones who already went through such a course, why it is vital to keep continuing it.

May all beings be happy!

[Phil Calandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Meditation Now: Inner Peace through Inner Wisdom"is an overview of the theory and practice of Vipassana Meditation but should not be characterized as a how to book. Vipassana means "to see things as they truly are" by focusing one's attention on the breath and to the sensations of the body. The author encourages the reader to attend the 10 day Vipassana Retreat as the effectiveness of this technique can only be gained through the aspirant's personal experience. Mere intellectual efforts or seeking "truth" through devotional efforts are transient and generally ineffective. The author emphasizes the fact that Vipassana is not sectarian, is not based on any dogma and can be used in conjunction with one's chosen religion. I would highly recommend this book.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sister passed me this book after doing vipassana in the Philippines, and apart from receiving her texts while in Malaysia, my memories of Goenka are associated with two other circumstances: one, his gentle exhortations against the waves in the Maldives when I was not at peace but found it (I knew/know it was momentary and superficial, but it sufficed for me), and the second tiding me through my first two weeks in Shanghai, reminding me about the generation and chain reaction of anger in Seesaw Coffee and the IFC, up till waiting for Alex in the Ritz Carlton. Goenka reminds us that knowing the impermanence of things and emotions at the intellectual level will not do, we have to practice vipassana in order to experience it and change the habit pattern of the mind, but I know I am not ready for it, and will settle for the superficials. This is the same reason why I’m giving this book an average review — reading alone is not sufficient.
The next reminder: self love and acceptance; fill your cup before you can fill others’, as a Friday lunch reminded me.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been practicing Vipassana meditation since 2009. Meditation Now by S.N. Goenka presents 16 interviews, talks, articles collected to commemorate Goenkji's 2002 tour of North America.

For anyone curious about Vipassana it is an excellent introduction presenting this type of meditation with the scientific basis it holds and the logic and wisdom of experiential practice towards self liberation from misery.

The audience of the talks, etc is Vipassana meditators who have either sat an initial 10-day course as well as those with more years of experience.

A book I will read over and over as it strengthens my practice and deepens my understanding of the method.

Vipassana means "to see things as they really are". This book informs understanding of the difference between apparent reality and actual reality as evidenced by equanimous attention to the sensations in our body.

[Sakthivel Sekar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The core idea that mind and matter are interrelated is explained neatly and easily understandble. One who read 'The Power of Habit' by Duhig Charles where habit pattern is explained sceintifically, can relate with the bonding of mind and matter explained here. Defenetly a great book. I have given 4 stars just because I haven't started practising Vipasana, otherwise it would be 5.

[Jake Lance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow, constantly repeating the same ideas over and over, a few insights here and there, but mostly just an argument for the necessity of a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat.

"It is only through experience that you are able to realize that which is limitless, infinite"

(would have been better off just meditating)

[Annie Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuốn này người mới chưa bao giờ thiền đọc là tốt, mà đã thực hành thiền Vipassana đọc thì càng thấm nhuần hơn ~~

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great refresher on Vipassana. Despite the benefits of the meditation practice being experiential it was a good way to get my mind focused on this practice again for 2024.

[Rabin Rai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Explains the importance of why one needs to continue practicing Vipasanna meditation instead of only intellectualising or discussing or reading about it.

Back to my meditation now!

[Di Pan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redundant with Art of Living.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discovered after reading this book that I prefer listening to Goenka to reading his words on the page. His message works better for me when I hear his voice. This is a very thin little book; a collection of speeches Goenka delivered in the early 2000's. There are also some typos in this book, which are a bit annoying.

[Krishnakumar Kp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to understand Vipassana Meditation

This book by Mr. SN Goenka explain in simple words what Vipassana Meditation is and how to practice it. Great book.

[Paulo Behar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential for a good life. No words good enough to describe