An Ancient Path: Talks on Vipassana Meditation as Taught by S.N. Goenka

by Paul R. Fleischman

A collection of talks given by Dr. Paul Fleischman on Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka, these selections explore subjects such as mental health, mindfulness, and cultivating inner peace. They were given to diverse audiences across the world in locations including Boston, Madrid, Vienna, and Dublin. These talks are a valuable introduction to Vipassana meditation, as well as an inspiring resource for those who are already practicing.

Genres: Meditation, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Buddhism

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Paul R.Fleischman’s legacy book, "Wonder: When and Why the World Appears Radiant" expresses Dr. Fleischman’s knowledge as a psychiatrist, scientist, meditator, poet, lover of literature, and world traveler. Each chapter builds on the next and takes the reader deeper and deeper into the understanding of human life’s connection to all life. Readers of the book say that the writing is powerful and the concepts build on themselves like a suspense novel. Wonder makes an impression that commands full attention. The book makes a significant contribution by bridging the two domains of scientific and religious cosmology, and it does so with inspiration and elegance. It connects the dots of biology, physics, and spirituality and helps to crystallize thoughts, and to generate new thoughts and insights. Paul R. Fleischman is also the author of, "Cultivating Inner Peace: Exploring the Psychology,Wisdom and Poetry of Gandhi, Thoreau, the Buddha, and Others," "Karma and Chaos," "You Can Never Speak Up Too Often for the Love of All Things," "The Healing Spirit: Explorations in Religion and Psychotherapy," "Spiritual Aspects of Psychiatric Practice," "Vipassana Meditation: Healing the Healer and the Experience of Impermanence," and "The Buddha Taught Nonviolence, Not Pacifism."

Reviews

[MsChris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book was really great, well-written and informative...the last half, well not so much. The last part is talks that he has given and it became repetitive. Still a worthwhile read.

[Nitin Khanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have done few 10 days vipassana courses.. this book is very helpful in getting better insight into the meditation.
I highly recommend it for beginners as well as expert mediators.

[Chetan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful introductory explanation of Vipassana meditation by psychiatrist Paul R. Fleischman. Explaining the whole field of meditation without teaching its technique. Highly recommend it to all my Dhamma brothers and sisters.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a psychiatrist but also a practitioner and lecturer of Vipassana Meditation who was trained by S.N. Goenka. S.N. Goenka became an influential teacher and played an important role in establishing non-commercial centers throughout the world. The author gives a unique insight and presentation of Vipassana Meditation from a mental healthy prospective but you do not have to be a mental health professional to benefit from this book. I believe the author alleviates many of the fears and concerns that one might have in attending a 10 day Vipassana Retreat. The teaching which is a tradition dating back to the Buddha is the way to "liberation" in which one observes the constantly changing nature of the mind and the body at the deepest level through which one gains a profound self knowledge and peace. The author emphasizes the fact that the cure of illness is not the focus of Vipassana Meditation although this may be the outgrowth of the technique. The author takes you through the steps you would encounter in attending the 10 day Vipassana Retreat and outlines the experiences one might encounter. I would highly recommend this book.

[Satya Brat Tiwari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mostly read and heard S.N. Goenka regarding Vipassana meditation. This book gave me a fresh perspective about it, especially a westerner's point of view. Being a psychiatrist, he gives a scientific, thorough, and objective analysis of the subject matter. Surely, my theoretical understanding of Vipassana has improved and I feel like reading actual sayings of the Buddha and the commentary on them.

[Vikrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have done a couple of 10-day Vipassana meditation camps, so I found this book really useful. I will most likely get more insights once I have been practicing for a few more years and done more camps. Although the title says introductory, I am not really sure it will help all beginners. Maybe those who already have a decent background in psychology and meditation.

[Kapuka · Rating 1 out of 5]

How can someone write and public a book so boring, lengthy, prolix, repetitive and discursive like that? Feel I just had a chat with my dad omg…tho he knows nothing about vipassana… OMG!