The Ease of Being

by Jean Klein

Jean Klein. a musicologist and doctor, spent several years in India where he met his Guru and was initiated into traditional wisdom. He was eventually sent back to Europe to teach Advaita Vedanta. This teaching employs a "direct approach" beyond any mental activity or striving, pointing straight to the ultimate where all that belongs to the mind, time, and space is integrated. What is sought is a sudden insight, a clear awakening to what we are, what we have been and what we shall be forever. --- from book's back cover

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Lisa Feder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I will ever finish reading this book, because I keep re-reading each section several times, they are so full of meaning. And continuing the journey through this book without finishing it is fine with me, because it supports the concept of just being instead of doing and finishing! This is not an easy read, but as a student and teacher of Yoga and meditation, and the author of a book about mindfulness, this is a lovely, lyrical, and deep exploration of what it means to abide in being. I know this book will be by my side for a long time to come.

[Louis Swagboy Galore · Rating 5 out of 5]

i guess it's like poetry to me, hunting for some meaning in ostensible non sequitur

listen with the body bro

something i wrote from my more detailed notes that i'll just copy paste here

I quite liked the section on improvisation. Over the past half year, I’ve been quite obsessed with what I know as the [artistic] impulse. Some call it the flow state, Jean Klein refers to it as improvisation, but in a more general sense than the artistic impulse. Tapping into it involves letting go of all sorts of mental barriers. An acceptance of improvisation in the passing moments is a cornerstone of the ease of being. We are talking, we are flowing, we are freestyling. Of course, we are all prone to moments of hesitation, but the absence of this ease is immediately apparent: these are the people overthinking the moment, the people pausing far too often for the next word, the people who hate small talk.

This ease exists in everyone. Everyone reaches for it, whenever they talk to somebody else, in unpremeditated conversation. They’re flowing, in that moment. It’s just a question of how often they can summon that flow.

Keep it going, keep it going.

[Sefiye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yıllardır kitaplığında duruyordu, birkaç kez de okumayı denedim ama gitmedi, tam da Gestalt ile yakından ilgilendiğim bu dönemde bana yaklaşımları çok benzer geldi ve hızla aktı. Özellikle doğu felsefesi ile ilgilenmelerin çok şey bulacağına eminim, bireysel olarak nasıl pratik yapabileceğinizi de anlatıyor. Tabii konu bırakmak olunca pratikler de alıştığımız metotlar olmuyor ancak denemeye değer. Zamansız farkındalık ve kendini kabul etme, her deneyime açıl olabilme tanımlarını çok beğendim. Anda olabilmek ancak böyle mümkün. Türkçe çevirisi yok ancak İngilizcesi akıcı ve yalın.

[Helfren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a profound spiritual guide rooted in Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing a direct path to self-realization beyond mental striving. Readers praise its lyrical depth, simplicity, and invitation to abide in pure awareness, welcoming life without manipulation. Though challenging, it fosters authentic being through non-dual insights and practical presence. Ideal for yoga enthusiasts seeking timeless wisdom on acceptance and the boundless body of existence.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a number of Klein's works, all based on his talks, I have received them as superb. The talks are denuded of spirituality jargon and religious dogma. Klein offers a simple but challenging way - for we are socialized otherwise - to live in the spirit of welcome, allowing life to unfold free of manipulation and the true personality - often called elsewhere True Self - to shine forth.

[cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

The depth of these words , in simplicity the love shines. Direct, honest, authentic knowing of being.
I enjoyed that Klein addresses the same body as all. Body without borders, an inner or outer. The body of being being all.
I've read many books on non duality, this one walks with truth.
So glad I found it.

[Hussein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small and very profound read, as all writing of mr klein, no wonder i have this immense energy after finishing every book of him, god bliss him 🙏

[Bridie Tulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Klein is a profound teacher.

[Tiziano Boccaccini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un altro libro con le parole di Jean Klein. Qui risponde alle domande dei ricercatori nei dialoghi sulla < via diretta >. Gli incontri registrati hanno avuto luogo in Europa e negli Stati Uniti tra il 1980 e il 1986.

" Esplori, indaghi come si sveglia al mattino e, cosa molto importante, come va a dormire la sera. La notte si liberi sistematicamente di tutte le qualificazioni. "

Titolo originale: The Ease of Being.

Edizione: Manganelli Edizioni; 1987

[Angelo Montinovo · Rating 4 out of 5]

All’inizio lo odi, poi ti rendi conto che sei dentro al tuo giudizio. Una volta letto vorresti rinascere o semplicemente hai fatto tabula rasa e cominci ad Essere.

[Christian Hedegaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will kill "you" :-)