Abiding in Mindfulness, Volume 1: The Body

by Joseph Goldstein

Western Buddhists are coming of age, and eager for advanced teachings aimed at serious practitioners. There are few more qualified to offer such training than Joseph Goldstein, one of the West's foremost teachers of insight meditation for over thirty years. Now, this pre-eminent voice presents Abiding in Mindfulness, an in-depth course on the Satipatthana Sutta. Considered the core of Buddha's teachings, this vital discourse elucidates the four foundations of mindfulness meditation-the "direct path to awakening." On volumes one and two of these teachings-originally recorded live at the Forest Refuge in Massachusetts-listeners join Joseph Goldstein to The comprehensive structure of this seemingly simple teaching- A detailed investigation of how different meditation practices lead to realization- The Buddhist approach to engaging with the from progressive instruction on being with the breath to deconstruction of body concepts through awareness of the elements After more than thirty-five years studying and practicing this essential text, Joseph Goldstein concludes that the seeds of all the Buddha's teachings are contained within the Satipatthana Sutta. "When you open any one door into the dharma, it leads to all the rest," he explains. Targeted for experienced practitioners, yet accessible to those new to Buddhism, Abiding in Mindfulness offers more than twelve hours of insights and meditations for immersing oneself in this perennial jewel of Buddhist wisdom.

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

7 pages, Audio CD

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Joseph Goldstein (born 1944) is one of the first American vipassana teachers (Fronsdal, 1998), co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) with Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg, contemporary author of numerous popular books on Buddhism (see publications below), resident guiding teacher at IMS, and leader of retreats worldwide on insight (vipassana) and lovingkindness (metta) meditation.

While the majority of Goldstein's publications introduce Westerners to primarily Theravada concepts, practices and values, his 2002 work, "One Dharma", explored the creation of an integrated framework for the Theravada, Tibetan and Zen traditions.

Reviews

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of audio talks and lectures given over a period of months at a retreat centre by JG. This volume deals with the first part of the Satipatthana Sutta relating to the four foundations of mindfulness. This is chiefly about mindfulness of the body and related topics to that practice. I really like how the speak ties in an intellectual analysis of the sutta and words with his own practical experience and guides the listener into the nuances of the text and things to look out for when practicing body mindfulness. Great talks and great presentation.

[Stuti Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, relaxed tone, content is easy to grasp because of the way he talks. Grateful for this book.and expect to read the full series. This is beneficial for serious meditators to grow their practice.

[Linda Vituma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ietvarā, kurā problēma ir radusies, to nevar atrisināt. Lai atrisinātu problēmu, ir "jāizkāpj ārpus". Vai "jāiekāpj iekšpus". Man šķiet, ka es sāku aptvert problēmu, sāku skaudrāk izjust tās patiesumu un ietekmi uz savu dzīvi - sāku izprast ciešanas un to cēloņus, sāku sadzirdēt iespējamos risinājumus. Un sajūtu pretestību pret to. Jo pieķeršanas (kas arī ir viens no ciešanu cēloņiem), ir TIK liela. Un tad vēl tas paradokss, ka patiesībā man nekur nav jādodas - ne ārpus, ne iekšpus - ne uz priekšu, ne atpakaļ. Ka ciešanu izbeigšanai nepieciešamais ir jau manī, klātesošs ik brīdi. Man tikai tam jāļaujas. Ar katru savu ķermeņa šūnu. Nieki vien. Un neiespējami vienlaikus. Šajā brīdī.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great set of lectures on mindfulness meditation. Only the latter half seems to really focus on approaching the body specifically, but there was plenty of great insight there. Goldstein really makes you think about just how much of our body's movements throughout the day are predicated on avoiding tension and discomfort. The lecture on impermanence as a concept was really great too. Already listening to the next in this trilogy of audiobooks and it's great too.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of in-depth talks on mindfulness in the Buddhist tradition. I particularly liked Goldstein’s discussion of the different flavors of mindfulness practice - Zen, Tibetan, Burmese...

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the book mindfulness but in live talks with sometimes extra material not in the book or with something taken out. For example the poem he reads about mindfulness was missing two lines that were in the book. Can you figure out which ones? And the part about the balance of faith and wisdom had an extra insight from a zen master. Very good material if you’re interested in deepening the practice.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commendable in that Goldstein is able to convey these teachings in a manner that is understandable and even halfway approachable to the layperson. That being said, this is still an intellectual exploration of an ancient and rather esoteric teaching, so expect a bit of a 'thick' read.

[Volo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of Goldstein's 40 hour dharma talk series on the foundations of mindfulness, the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta. The early Buddhist texts have a useful classification scheme of experiential phenomena. This series was a nice aid for my own everyday mindfulness practice.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully insightful instruction.

[Davina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an audio collection of him teaching on various topics. I liked it. He's always seemed very down to Earth, and I appreciate how he tells on himself.

[Magdalena Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last part which refers to the body as energy, and the fact that sensing this can lead to a different state of mind was great

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Good dharma talks with some small gems but ultimately not worldview-changing

[Charles Sisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, impactful insights. "No preference."

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview, if I can call it that, of the importance and benefits of being mindful.

I do however disagree with some of the other reviews that state the works is 'instructional', yes there is discussion raised on posture and mindfulness methods, however the talks do not I would say have a specific practical instructional element. Goldstein never, for example, says 'to undertake mindfulness meditation do this this this and this, to undertake walking mediation do this this this and this' etc. Instead he raises the different types of mediation, mentions briefly how they're undertaken, but mainly raises what the benefits are and why one should remain motivated to undertake mindfulness at all times.

[Namita · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be listened again and again.......and again till the wisdom gets well established.

[Jerod Hammerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been extremely pertinent to my practice. Very clear and concise with many helpful examples.

It goes over the Satipatana sutta which contain the core teachings of the Insight/Vipassana practice.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pithy and thorough, drawing on many sources and lots of personal experience to explain Mindfulness of Body as a commentary on the Satipatthana Sutta.

Listened. Very calming. He's good at repeating what you need to hear several times for it to sink in. Very accessible.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audio program is fabulous! As with all of Joseph Goldstein's work, the truth of mindfulness is made clear in simple, kind, gentle yet very honest words.

[Dominic Gadoury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph Goldsteinhas such a way of providing solid Buddhist foundations in a easy to understand and practical view.

[Adi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent audio sessions. I love his voice, his pace and his inviting way of conveying the story of vipassana meditation. What a great guide and teacher.

[Chetan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my new favorite dhamma series on the Satipatthana Sutta. If you practice the meditation, this will deepen your understanding of the pariyatti.

[Amy Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series of dharma talks, very traditional format and content. He mixes teachings with his own experience. I think it is a good book to accompany an established meditation practice, but might not be the best starting point if you're just investigating for the first time.