The Art of Reflection

by Ratnaguna

It is all too easy either to think obsessively, or to not think enough. Like any art, reflection can be learnt and developed, but as far as we know, there has been no book - ancient or modern – that tells us how to go about it. How do we think usefully? How do we reflect? In The Art of Reflection, Ratnaguna provides a practical guide to thinking in its many forms, drawing on Buddhist teachings, Western philosophy, psychology and literature and his own experience.This is a book about reflection as spiritual practice, about its importance, about “what we think and how we think about it”. It is a book about contemplation and insight, and reflection as a way to discover the truth.

Genres: Buddhism

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2011

Reviews

[Suzie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the module ‘Towards Insight, Reflection and Meditation’ in my Buddhist study group. Very accessible and thought provoking - loved exploring how I can reflect and contemplate both on and off the meditation mat.

[Paul Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this to take a different angle on the contemplative life, I'm glad I did, this is a clear and helpful read on the subject.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had time to do justice to this deep book. When I was reading it I wondered if I'd read a book that was this good on impermanence. Then I thought of Living As A River, so OK, it's the second best book on impermanence.

It's the best, and only book I've read on thinking from the Buddhist tradition, and the many variations of that. It's got so many amazing little bits, like suggesting that Brahma Sahampati is the god of reflection; He suggests to the Buddha that he could talk about Enlightenment and others would get Enlightened. The Buddha just wanted to sit in blissful meditation and that his achievement was beyond words, so why talk about it. But he did.

In chapter 5: Buddhanussati is the imaginative practice of imagining the Buddha. It was mentioned by Pingiya (search his name to get the scriptural source).

I remember once at a practice day we were asked to go out and buy something to put on the shrine (that we could keep later) and to imagine the Buddha with us. I felt a sort of awe at a greater consciousness and empathy, it was hard to just walk past people on the street, and disengage. I bought bubbles, which I later gave to my kids later.

Also sometimes when I drive, I try to imagine I'm the Buddha, to try and move past impatience and think more about safety.

I have read a lot on the Buddha, done retreats on the Buddha jewel, and chanted the Sakyamuni mantra. I think this is an interesting practice. I have never really read a development of the practice, except in Ratnaguna's lovely book.

On p. 105 Ratnaguna discusses how to work with ideals. Don't compare yourself and feel inferior. Just use it in your becoming.

"In owning up to my foolishness I liberated my natural flow of energy." p. 55

I liked this book when in the first chapter Ratnaguna talks about papanca.

Reflection and doing nothing isn't a new idea to me. In talking to me about my solitary retreat, my friend suggested that I do nothing, not even meditate.

I've been thinking a lot lately that quitting blogging, twitter, Facebook, and other social media might be the best way I could simplify and open up my life to more spaciousness. I'm afraid the mello steve that move to NYC 21 years ago has succumbed to the hyper kinetic New Yorker intense way of being. Rushing is a way of life, where people honk before the light changes so you look up and see the light change.

I do like written public journal like reflection.

Anyway, chapter one was a good chapter. I feel like this is a ground breaking book, and that it's reinforcing the obvious. I don't know if I've been indoctrinated into the TBC/O way of thinking, which also encourages one to break the mould and think independently.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinatingly clear exploration and explanation of reflection.