What do you think?
Rate this book
Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening
The essential meditation guide for the twenty-first renowned mindfulness teacher Henry Shukman replaces the concept of original sin with original love, teaching us to tap into the love that shapes our world and can transform who we are.
An increasing number of people today feel disconnected, disengaged, and lonely. Many of us are seeking solace, beginning with ourselves. Original Love is the secular spiritual handbook we need to ease our troubles and find the highest possible happiness.
Henry Shukman, spiritual director of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, provides a way forward based on four paths—Mindfulness, Support, Absorption, and Awakening—that promote growth and healing through meditation for practitioners of any level. And it works! Shukman includes inspiring stories from the students of his Original Love program that reveal how it has transformed their lives.
Urgently needed, Original Love helps us create peace for ourselves and our times by
reducing stress, anxiety, and depression; relaxing the mind and body; easing feelings of worry, regret, anger, and irritation; and improving decision-making and executive functioning. Finding a sense of love is a critical purpose of meditation. Finding your way back to the loving peace that lives at the center of things is Original Love.
An increasing number of people today feel disconnected, disengaged, and lonely. Many of us are seeking solace, beginning with ourselves. Original Love is the secular spiritual handbook we need to ease our troubles and find the highest possible happiness.
Henry Shukman, spiritual director of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, provides a way forward based on four paths—Mindfulness, Support, Absorption, and Awakening—that promote growth and healing through meditation for practitioners of any level. And it works! Shukman includes inspiring stories from the students of his Original Love program that reveal how it has transformed their lives.
Urgently needed, Original Love helps us create peace for ourselves and our times by
reducing stress, anxiety, and depression; relaxing the mind and body; easing feelings of worry, regret, anger, and irritation; and improving decision-making and executive functioning. Finding a sense of love is a critical purpose of meditation. Finding your way back to the loving peace that lives at the center of things is Original Love.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2024
176 people are currently reading
603 people want to read
About the author
Henry Shukman
27 books74 followersHenry Shukman (IG: @henryshukman) is an authorized Zen Master in the Sanbo Zen lineage, and is spiritual director emeritus of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
He is the co-founder and lead meditation teacher for The Way, a meditation app that provides a modern update to the ancient path of meditation training. He also leads meditation courses and retreats.
Henry is an award-winning poet and author, whose memoir One Blade of Grass recounts his own journey through meditation practice. His new book Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening is a manual and map describing the four key zones of meditation practice. Original Love is now available for pre-order, and will be published in early July, 2024.
His struggles and traumatic experiences as a youth, combined with a spontaneous awakening experience at 19, and many years of training under several teachers, paved the way for his developing a well-rounded approach to healing and awakening through meditation.
(copied from Amazon Web page
He is the co-founder and lead meditation teacher for The Way, a meditation app that provides a modern update to the ancient path of meditation training. He also leads meditation courses and retreats.
Henry is an award-winning poet and author, whose memoir One Blade of Grass recounts his own journey through meditation practice. His new book Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening is a manual and map describing the four key zones of meditation practice. Original Love is now available for pre-order, and will be published in early July, 2024.
His struggles and traumatic experiences as a youth, combined with a spontaneous awakening experience at 19, and many years of training under several teachers, paved the way for his developing a well-rounded approach to healing and awakening through meditation.
(copied from Amazon Web page
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 28, 2024
I have been looking for a text (for myself and to recommend to others) that lays out a start to finish account, of meditation and awakening, written in plain English, for a broad audience.
Here it is.
And so much more.
Love this.
5/5 stars ⭐️
Here it is.
And so much more.
Love this.
5/5 stars ⭐️
July 12, 2024
An absolute masterpiece!
Read
January 26, 2025Not a strong enough love focus
September 29, 2024
aimed to be a radical type of self-enquiry? our ordinary sense of being a separate self is an illusion etc (a radical shift in life is possible when we begin awakening to fundamental truths of the mind)
Notes:
- the separate self is more fabrication than fact
- We are not isolated entities moving through a world that's external to us. Rather, we are inseparable parts of an indivisible whole.
- This insight isn't an intellectual or conceptual one. It's a shift that must be experienced directly and viscerally.
- It's the birthright of every human being, accessible to anyone willing to devote some time each day to turning inward
- First and foremost, our response to the hindrances is to simply observe them.
- Desire and aversion can often manifest as contractions or knots of tension in the belly or chest. Dullness can be felt as a heavy, sinking feeling, while restlessness may arise as a fluttery agitation or nervous energy. Doubt may show up as a hollowness or a sense of disconnection. Tune into the sensation and then see if you can soften around it. Simply be with it and allow it to be present.
- The bad news is that you have no parachute. The good news is that there is no ground.
- Through the practice of meditation, we can catch glimpses of the selfless dimension of consciousness and rest in the unconditional love which is native to it
The five hindrances, desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt:
Desire, is about what you want. It often cloaks itself in fantasies of the future, painting visions of satisfaction just beyond reach.
The second hindrance, aversion, is about what you don't want. It's a recoiling away from what is unpleasant, often seeking escape in distraction or denial. Dullness, hindrance number three, runs across the spectrum from spaciness to tiredness to lethargy. It's the opposite of vitality and zest. Hindrance number four, restlessness, means restlessness driven by worry or guilt. It's about rehashing the past and rehearsing the future in an endless loop.
And doubt, the fifth most insidious hindrance of all, refers to a lack of confidence in the practice or more often in oneself.
Notes:
- the separate self is more fabrication than fact
- We are not isolated entities moving through a world that's external to us. Rather, we are inseparable parts of an indivisible whole.
- This insight isn't an intellectual or conceptual one. It's a shift that must be experienced directly and viscerally.
- It's the birthright of every human being, accessible to anyone willing to devote some time each day to turning inward
- First and foremost, our response to the hindrances is to simply observe them.
- Desire and aversion can often manifest as contractions or knots of tension in the belly or chest. Dullness can be felt as a heavy, sinking feeling, while restlessness may arise as a fluttery agitation or nervous energy. Doubt may show up as a hollowness or a sense of disconnection. Tune into the sensation and then see if you can soften around it. Simply be with it and allow it to be present.
- The bad news is that you have no parachute. The good news is that there is no ground.
- Through the practice of meditation, we can catch glimpses of the selfless dimension of consciousness and rest in the unconditional love which is native to it
The five hindrances, desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt:
Desire, is about what you want. It often cloaks itself in fantasies of the future, painting visions of satisfaction just beyond reach.
The second hindrance, aversion, is about what you don't want. It's a recoiling away from what is unpleasant, often seeking escape in distraction or denial. Dullness, hindrance number three, runs across the spectrum from spaciness to tiredness to lethargy. It's the opposite of vitality and zest. Hindrance number four, restlessness, means restlessness driven by worry or guilt. It's about rehashing the past and rehearsing the future in an endless loop.
And doubt, the fifth most insidious hindrance of all, refers to a lack of confidence in the practice or more often in oneself.
September 29, 2024
In "Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening", Henry Shukman invites readers to explore the deeper reality beneath the surface of everyday life, using meditation as a gateway to awakening. The central premise of the book is the idea that the self, as we typically understand it, is an illusion. This separate self, shaped by memories, desires, and experiences, is not the full picture. Beneath it lies a more profound reality that is accessible through direct experience, particularly via contemplative practices like meditation.
Shukman emphasizes that the spiritual path is not about abandoning the world, but about embracing it fully with love. This process leads to an awakening, a realization of boundless, unconditional love that fundamentally transforms one’s relationship with existence. Awakening is described as a journey that involves overcoming obstacles and reconnecting with our innate capacity for compassion and joy. The author frames this process as a homecoming, where the practice of mindfulness and meditation serves as the vehicle for returning to our original nature.
At the core of this journey are the “Four Inns,” stages of the awakening path that offer shelter and nourishment to the seeker. The first inn is mindfulness, where individuals learn to bring kind, non-judgmental awareness to their present-moment experiences. By cultivating this mindful attention, we can awaken to the richness of the world around us and begin to see through the illusion of the separate self. The second inn is support, which reminds us that meditation is not a solitary endeavor. Whether through guidance, community, or companionship, having the support of others is crucial for deepening one’s practice. The third inn, absorption, refers to a state of deep immersion in the present moment, where the mind becomes still and the sense of “doing” falls away. Finally, the fourth inn is the awakening itself, where the illusion of separateness dissolves, revealing an interconnectedness with all of existence.
This journey, while deeply transformative, is not without its challenges. Meditation, Shukman notes, often confronts practitioners with the “Five Hindrances”—desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt. These hindrances can obstruct progress and make it difficult to remain present in meditation. However, Shukman provides practical advice on how to overcome these obstacles by simply observing them as they arise in the body. Rather than resisting them, he suggests welcoming them with compassion and curiosity, creating space for acceptance. Over time, this approach cultivates equanimity, allowing practitioners to move through challenges with greater ease.
In discussing the experience of awakening, Shukman delves into the profound shift in consciousness that occurs when one realizes the illusion of the separate self. He describes awakening as a direct, visceral insight into the fundamental nature of reality. This insight goes beyond intellectual understanding and becomes a lived experience of non-duality, where the boundaries between oneself and the world dissolve. Awakening is often accompanied by an outpouring of love, peace, and a sense of coming home to one’s true nature.
Despite the profound nature of this shift, Shukman emphasizes that awakening is not an escape from everyday life, but rather a deepening of engagement with it. By reconnecting with the boundless love at the heart of existence, individuals can approach life’s joys and sorrows with a newfound sense of compassion and presence. This process is described as both liberating and healing, transforming one’s relationship with the world and with oneself.
One of the key insights of the book is the notion that awakening is not a rarefied experience reserved for a select few, but the birthright of all human beings. Through dedicated practice, anyone can begin to uncover the deeper dimensions of consciousness and experience the unconditional love that lies at the heart of existence. The path to awakening, though challenging, is ultimately a journey of self-discovery and liberation.
Shukman also discusses the mysterious nature of awakening, describing it as an accident that can be facilitated by regular practice. He draws on the wisdom of various contemplative traditions to illustrate how awakening can manifest as a sense of oneness with the world, where the distinction between self and other dissolves. Alongside this experience of non-duality, practitioners often encounter two other aspects of awakening: emptiness and “blazing forth.” Emptiness, in this context, refers to the spaciousness or openness from which all phenomena arise, while “blazing forth” describes the dynamic and creative nature of reality, constantly manifesting as new experiences.
The final stages of awakening are described as crossing a threshold from which there is no return. Once this shift has occurred, the individual no longer oscillates between enlightened and deluded perspectives but remains grounded in the reality of non-duality. This permanent transformation brings a sense of freedom and peace beyond what was previously imaginable.
Throughout the book, Shukman weaves together teachings from Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and other contemplative traditions to provide a comprehensive guide to the path of awakening. He emphasizes the importance of direct experience over intellectual understanding, encouraging readers to explore meditation for themselves and discover the transformative power of mindfulness and awakening.
In conclusion, "Original Love" by Henry Shukman offers a profound exploration of the path to awakening through meditation and mindfulness. By recognizing the illusory nature of the separate self and reconnecting with the boundless love that lies at the heart of existence, individuals can experience a radical shift in consciousness that transforms their relationship with the world. The journey to awakening, while challenging, is ultimately a homecoming to one’s true nature, where love, compassion, and peace flow naturally from a deep sense of interconnectedness with all things. Through the practice of meditation, anyone can begin this transformative journey and discover the original love that resides within.
Shukman emphasizes that the spiritual path is not about abandoning the world, but about embracing it fully with love. This process leads to an awakening, a realization of boundless, unconditional love that fundamentally transforms one’s relationship with existence. Awakening is described as a journey that involves overcoming obstacles and reconnecting with our innate capacity for compassion and joy. The author frames this process as a homecoming, where the practice of mindfulness and meditation serves as the vehicle for returning to our original nature.
At the core of this journey are the “Four Inns,” stages of the awakening path that offer shelter and nourishment to the seeker. The first inn is mindfulness, where individuals learn to bring kind, non-judgmental awareness to their present-moment experiences. By cultivating this mindful attention, we can awaken to the richness of the world around us and begin to see through the illusion of the separate self. The second inn is support, which reminds us that meditation is not a solitary endeavor. Whether through guidance, community, or companionship, having the support of others is crucial for deepening one’s practice. The third inn, absorption, refers to a state of deep immersion in the present moment, where the mind becomes still and the sense of “doing” falls away. Finally, the fourth inn is the awakening itself, where the illusion of separateness dissolves, revealing an interconnectedness with all of existence.
This journey, while deeply transformative, is not without its challenges. Meditation, Shukman notes, often confronts practitioners with the “Five Hindrances”—desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt. These hindrances can obstruct progress and make it difficult to remain present in meditation. However, Shukman provides practical advice on how to overcome these obstacles by simply observing them as they arise in the body. Rather than resisting them, he suggests welcoming them with compassion and curiosity, creating space for acceptance. Over time, this approach cultivates equanimity, allowing practitioners to move through challenges with greater ease.
In discussing the experience of awakening, Shukman delves into the profound shift in consciousness that occurs when one realizes the illusion of the separate self. He describes awakening as a direct, visceral insight into the fundamental nature of reality. This insight goes beyond intellectual understanding and becomes a lived experience of non-duality, where the boundaries between oneself and the world dissolve. Awakening is often accompanied by an outpouring of love, peace, and a sense of coming home to one’s true nature.
Despite the profound nature of this shift, Shukman emphasizes that awakening is not an escape from everyday life, but rather a deepening of engagement with it. By reconnecting with the boundless love at the heart of existence, individuals can approach life’s joys and sorrows with a newfound sense of compassion and presence. This process is described as both liberating and healing, transforming one’s relationship with the world and with oneself.
One of the key insights of the book is the notion that awakening is not a rarefied experience reserved for a select few, but the birthright of all human beings. Through dedicated practice, anyone can begin to uncover the deeper dimensions of consciousness and experience the unconditional love that lies at the heart of existence. The path to awakening, though challenging, is ultimately a journey of self-discovery and liberation.
Shukman also discusses the mysterious nature of awakening, describing it as an accident that can be facilitated by regular practice. He draws on the wisdom of various contemplative traditions to illustrate how awakening can manifest as a sense of oneness with the world, where the distinction between self and other dissolves. Alongside this experience of non-duality, practitioners often encounter two other aspects of awakening: emptiness and “blazing forth.” Emptiness, in this context, refers to the spaciousness or openness from which all phenomena arise, while “blazing forth” describes the dynamic and creative nature of reality, constantly manifesting as new experiences.
The final stages of awakening are described as crossing a threshold from which there is no return. Once this shift has occurred, the individual no longer oscillates between enlightened and deluded perspectives but remains grounded in the reality of non-duality. This permanent transformation brings a sense of freedom and peace beyond what was previously imaginable.
Throughout the book, Shukman weaves together teachings from Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and other contemplative traditions to provide a comprehensive guide to the path of awakening. He emphasizes the importance of direct experience over intellectual understanding, encouraging readers to explore meditation for themselves and discover the transformative power of mindfulness and awakening.
In conclusion, "Original Love" by Henry Shukman offers a profound exploration of the path to awakening through meditation and mindfulness. By recognizing the illusory nature of the separate self and reconnecting with the boundless love that lies at the heart of existence, individuals can experience a radical shift in consciousness that transforms their relationship with the world. The journey to awakening, while challenging, is ultimately a homecoming to one’s true nature, where love, compassion, and peace flow naturally from a deep sense of interconnectedness with all things. Through the practice of meditation, anyone can begin this transformative journey and discover the original love that resides within.
September 29, 2024
The book is obscure as to where it wants to lead the readers to. It talks about meditations, mindfulness and awakening without actually defining any of them from an objective point of view. I see where the author is going with his writing and it's interesting too. I wish he manifested more.
I liked some of the ideas like spirituality is actually more about releasing oneself in the infinity than isolating from everything or how awakening might have two different interpretations - one based in science and the other in hardcore reality check.
Other than that, pretty strange book. Interesting nonetheless.
I liked some of the ideas like spirituality is actually more about releasing oneself in the infinity than isolating from everything or how awakening might have two different interpretations - one based in science and the other in hardcore reality check.
Other than that, pretty strange book. Interesting nonetheless.
January 29, 2025
I preferred One Blade of Grass; this was a mixed bag. Some gems, some of it a bit all over the place, which disrupted the flow for me.
February 21, 2025
My most precious wedding gift was a rectangular metalic rod, with one face emblazed with the message "one bright pearl". A gift from the universe, by way of Henry Skukman, it is a koan that I took up in my practice, and has some to mean something to my heart in a profound way. I'm sure all dharma teachers care less about the words, and more about the experience on the cushion, and yet, Henry Skukman's koan teachings have been profoudly inspiring. Like other great dhama teachers (Ajahn Brahm; Jon Kabatt Zinn; Robina Courtin), Skukman's teachings and path are personalized and reflect his character. And neverthless, are taught on a deeper more abiding love of the path.
I realy enjoyed reading Skukna's travel experiences with the dharma. I can imagine his deep attention-focused meditations in Ecudaor or the mystical sightings of a yellow fox in the Black Forest of Germany. Having had a chance to hearn Skukman's voice on Sam Harris's wakign up app, I am fortunate to hear his voice as I read this book. Describing conceptual ideas around attachment, emptiness, and jhanas, Skukman succeeds in bringing thoughtful examples for expainability. There is room for the spiritual expceriences, and though they may be fully beyond our understanding, I think Skukman really captuers the experience and effects of long-stannding meditation.
I reallly enjoyed with the mediations the idea he has to record in our own voice. I could see my monkey mind jumping pass these passages too quickly, but found them useful to come back to after my 1st read of the book. Skukman can land a devastatingly beautiful metaphor too. He describes how the ocean of realization has the possiblity of breaking the dam of the self. The endemic of narcassism at the root of rot in our culture, has the possibitiy of being transcended.
There is a lot of wonderful wisdom offered about -we get glimpses of Skukman's experience as a parent and caregiver. We get insights into the spiritual movement of our time, away from rigid dogma and religious intermediaries, and toward the affirming diaphanous sitting with fragileness.
Even simple ideas about how on to wait to mediate after eating or working with hindrances was sort of mind blowing.
I think there is a lot of joy and relief to be found in the teachings, particulary at a time when America is isolating and abandoning it's leadership role on the word stage. I thought this book to be a potent brew of down to earth experiences from mediation - and finding stability and strength from our experiences. Perhaps this enlightenment is the great hope to build a future planet of abudnance and compassion
I realy enjoyed reading Skukna's travel experiences with the dharma. I can imagine his deep attention-focused meditations in Ecudaor or the mystical sightings of a yellow fox in the Black Forest of Germany. Having had a chance to hearn Skukman's voice on Sam Harris's wakign up app, I am fortunate to hear his voice as I read this book. Describing conceptual ideas around attachment, emptiness, and jhanas, Skukman succeeds in bringing thoughtful examples for expainability. There is room for the spiritual expceriences, and though they may be fully beyond our understanding, I think Skukman really captuers the experience and effects of long-stannding meditation.
I reallly enjoyed with the mediations the idea he has to record in our own voice. I could see my monkey mind jumping pass these passages too quickly, but found them useful to come back to after my 1st read of the book. Skukman can land a devastatingly beautiful metaphor too. He describes how the ocean of realization has the possiblity of breaking the dam of the self. The endemic of narcassism at the root of rot in our culture, has the possibitiy of being transcended.
There is a lot of wonderful wisdom offered about -we get glimpses of Skukman's experience as a parent and caregiver. We get insights into the spiritual movement of our time, away from rigid dogma and religious intermediaries, and toward the affirming diaphanous sitting with fragileness.
Even simple ideas about how on to wait to mediate after eating or working with hindrances was sort of mind blowing.
I think there is a lot of joy and relief to be found in the teachings, particulary at a time when America is isolating and abandoning it's leadership role on the word stage. I thought this book to be a potent brew of down to earth experiences from mediation - and finding stability and strength from our experiences. Perhaps this enlightenment is the great hope to build a future planet of abudnance and compassion
May 26, 2025
“We just keep trying to do better while being at peace with the full range of human experience. Joy, ease, and wonder are natural — and so are sadness, fear, and irritation.” This quote is everything and so timely! It’s a daily reminder for myself; extend grace, and accept all of life’s experiences - each are essential and a part of my life. I get to choose how I experience and receive life.
I enjoyed this book though I felt it could have been shorter. Another one of those reads where it felt like they wanted to get to a set number of pages. It’s sprinkled with a lot of good nuggets, meditative practices, and valuable insights into the human experience and spirituality. I especially enjoy the authors reiterating our interconnectedness and how nature, beauty, love is all around us; we just have to go at a pace and have an awareness of it. Here are some other quotes I took away from this one:
“Our deepest longing - to unify with a boundless love at the heart of things - is always available…. All we have to do is slow down, notice, surrender our assumptions and preconceptions, and all we could ever want is right here. That is what meditation is for.”
“When people are talking about you, they are not talking about you, they’re talking about their conception of you. You have nothing to do with it. It’s like they’re shooting an arrow at nothing.” #OriginalLove #HenryShukman #ProgressNOTPerfection #StillHereStillROCKin
I enjoyed this book though I felt it could have been shorter. Another one of those reads where it felt like they wanted to get to a set number of pages. It’s sprinkled with a lot of good nuggets, meditative practices, and valuable insights into the human experience and spirituality. I especially enjoy the authors reiterating our interconnectedness and how nature, beauty, love is all around us; we just have to go at a pace and have an awareness of it. Here are some other quotes I took away from this one:
“Our deepest longing - to unify with a boundless love at the heart of things - is always available…. All we have to do is slow down, notice, surrender our assumptions and preconceptions, and all we could ever want is right here. That is what meditation is for.”
“When people are talking about you, they are not talking about you, they’re talking about their conception of you. You have nothing to do with it. It’s like they’re shooting an arrow at nothing.” #OriginalLove #HenryShukman #ProgressNOTPerfection #StillHereStillROCKin
June 5, 2025
Enjoyed this as a slow read (just a few pages a day). He seems like a normal enough dude who has had some deep experiences which opened up his spiritual life to a great extent.
It’s really too bad that he tries SO HARD to deny the existence of God because everything he has learned and experienced points directly to that fact. Yet, quite often, he says things like “I don’t believe in God but….” and then proceeds to describe exactly the kinds of experiences that point to the existence of an all loving God. It’s just a shame because it looks like he’s been hurt by the idea of modern religion to such an extent that he’s ignoring his own evidence so he can’t take the next step.
Anyway, all the things he points towards are wise and are a great picture of a path to deeper understanding about who we are and what we’re doing here. So it’s a truly fulfilling and encouraging book.
It’s really too bad that he tries SO HARD to deny the existence of God because everything he has learned and experienced points directly to that fact. Yet, quite often, he says things like “I don’t believe in God but….” and then proceeds to describe exactly the kinds of experiences that point to the existence of an all loving God. It’s just a shame because it looks like he’s been hurt by the idea of modern religion to such an extent that he’s ignoring his own evidence so he can’t take the next step.
Anyway, all the things he points towards are wise and are a great picture of a path to deeper understanding about who we are and what we’re doing here. So it’s a truly fulfilling and encouraging book.
Read
June 20, 2025A really welcoming, cherishing invitation to practice and its fruits. Sometimes vivid but always comfortably relaxed, simply experiential and accessible. It is mindfully catering to an appetite for developing mindfulness, rather than an appetite for history or philosophy. Its natural flow doesn't feel at all constrained while it is disciplined in staying on topic.
Shunryū Suzuki and Stephen Batchelor both are to be found right at home in his 'further reading' section at the back of this book, but I was surprised The Perennial Philosophy was not!
Recommended as a helpful, approachable, and well written introduction.
Shunryū Suzuki and Stephen Batchelor both are to be found right at home in his 'further reading' section at the back of this book, but I was surprised The Perennial Philosophy was not!
Recommended as a helpful, approachable, and well written introduction.
September 29, 2024
Summary:
A radical shift in life is possible when we begin awakening to fundamental truths of the mind. Through the practice of meditation, we can catch glimpses of the selfless dimension of consciousness and rest in the unconditional love which is native to it. The journey unfolds in stages, like a pilgrim trekking past four inns – mindfulness, support, absorption and awakening. When practicing meditation, it's helpful to realize that our challenges often take the same forms, known as the five hindrances – desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness and doubt.
A radical shift in life is possible when we begin awakening to fundamental truths of the mind. Through the practice of meditation, we can catch glimpses of the selfless dimension of consciousness and rest in the unconditional love which is native to it. The journey unfolds in stages, like a pilgrim trekking past four inns – mindfulness, support, absorption and awakening. When practicing meditation, it's helpful to realize that our challenges often take the same forms, known as the five hindrances – desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness and doubt.
October 4, 2024
I listened to this book on audiotape. It is a beautiful book to listen to on audio. There are medititation moments throughout the book. It is nice being able to listen while stopping to meditate with the author. This book would be better at night when there are not other tempting distractions around.
I can see it being a good physical read too but personally harder to read and meditate.
I can see it being a good physical read too but personally harder to read and meditate.
April 18, 2025
“Awakening is a force of nature that could turn our lives upside down.”
“Liberation is not exactly what we might think. It’s not a matter of: everything we know, but all free. It’s nothing we know. “ “The very going through it is the extraction of the part that could know. Do we really want that?”
Yes.
“Liberation is not exactly what we might think. It’s not a matter of: everything we know, but all free. It’s nothing we know. “ “The very going through it is the extraction of the part that could know. Do we really want that?”
Yes.
August 31, 2025
Good beginners mindfulness book for the practical, curious person. One concept that stuck with me from this book is the association of positive valences with expansion vs negative valences with contraction. Immediately this helped with noticing physical sensations of complex emotions, and has since deepened my day to day mindfulness practice.
September 29, 2024
Read twice with 81inklist at 1.6x speed.
I have the feeling that a very big and deep truth is being uncovered here. I am thrilled, excited and want to try it out straight away. I am totally fascinated by this captivating book.
I have the feeling that a very big and deep truth is being uncovered here. I am thrilled, excited and want to try it out straight away. I am totally fascinated by this captivating book.
October 18, 2025
If you are at all interested in meditation, or even if you have been meditating for years, this brilliant book will expand your senses and help you understand what it means to be "enlightened" at any level! Highly recommended! This is a keeper!
September 6, 2024
Good beginner book for meditation and contemplation, basic intro
September 29, 2024
Faccio fatica con questi libri
September 29, 2024
Pointless waffle sorry. I tried with this but it’s a no from me. I read half properly then speed read the rest to get it over with.
September 29, 2024
Hello restlessness,
I see you’ve come to visit again. I offer you kindness.
Be present with discomfort.
I see you’ve come to visit again. I offer you kindness.
Be present with discomfort.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
Shukman's clarity about complex concepts is so very welcome. I found the book quite readable, though I'm also going to go back through and review and additionally integrate some concepts.
December 30, 2024
Highly recommended- go with Henry reading the audiobook 👌
January 7, 2025
I will have to go back and read it again and again and again. I am currently using Henry's app, The Way, for guided meditation.
October 12, 2024
This is my favorite meditation book to come out in a while. Henry's style and personal story provide a very real world approach and an elegant way of explaining Zen. The book pairs really well with his meditation app, The Way, which uses a similar metaphor of Four Inns for a linear approach to making meditation a part of everyday life. There is a significant amount of wonderful free mediations, so the app is worth checking out with the book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews