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Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening
The mind contains the seeds of its own awakening―seeds that we can cultivate to bring forth the fruits of a life lived consciously. With Mindfulness , Joseph Goldstein shares the wisdom of his four decades of teaching and practice in a book that will serve as a lifelong companion for anyone committed to mindful living and the realization of inner freedom. Goldstein’s source teaching is the Satipa??hana Sutta, the Buddha’s legendary discourse on the four foundations of mindfulness that became the basis for the many types of Vipassana (or insight meditation) found today. Exquisite in detail yet wholly accessible and relevant for the modern student, Mindfulness takes us through a profound study
• Mindfulness of body, including the breath, postures, activities, and physical characteristics
• Mindfulness of feelings―how the experience of our sense perceptions influences our inner and outer worlds
• Mindfulness of mind―learning to recognize skillful and unskillful states of mind and thought
• Mindfulness of dhammas (or categories of experience), including the Five Hindrances, the Six Sense Spheres, and the Seven Factors of Awakening
"There is a wealth of meaning and nuance in the experience of mindfulness that can enrich our lives in unimagined ways," writes Goldstein. In Mindfulness you have the tools to mine these riches for yourself.
• Mindfulness of body, including the breath, postures, activities, and physical characteristics
• Mindfulness of feelings―how the experience of our sense perceptions influences our inner and outer worlds
• Mindfulness of mind―learning to recognize skillful and unskillful states of mind and thought
• Mindfulness of dhammas (or categories of experience), including the Five Hindrances, the Six Sense Spheres, and the Seven Factors of Awakening
"There is a wealth of meaning and nuance in the experience of mindfulness that can enrich our lives in unimagined ways," writes Goldstein. In Mindfulness you have the tools to mine these riches for yourself.
459 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
1635 people are currently reading
8292 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Goldstein
83 books548 followersJoseph 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
February 9, 2016
I couldn't believe this book when I first came across it. Buddhism and meditation has become so populist and simplistic in the West with mantras and chanting and "just let go" instructions that I was blown away to find this rare gem of the book which doesn't flinch away from the hardcore intellectual components of Buddhist philosophy. One of the few books that has greatly deepened my meditation practice. Something switched on in me after reading the book and I evolved from a concentration based meditation practice to an awareness based practice of my own accord.
August 9, 2014
A treasury of practical advice and insights.
November 25, 2019
Summary: This is a pretty deep book that will take more than 1 reading unless you are already far into your journey. I did not realize what precisely mindfulness was in relationship to meditation. If you are interested in meditation, you likely should read this as well.
This was suggested to me by someone who has practicing meditation for quite a long while. It was to answer the question of whether or not I'm doing it correctly. Although some of it is addressed, not all of my questions are answered here. However, I learned a lot.
First, I did not realize that mindfulness practice in meditation is about practicing mind control and emotional balance. Usually when people say, meditate it will call you down, but that is actually slightly off. The idea is that when you meditate you have specific moments to learn about your mind's tendancies. I have a thought or an emotion. Now I'm going to ignore it b/c that's not what we're doing right now. Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't. If you practice 1x per day, you'll find you can even do it when you are not meditating. This is SOOOO important, not just for everyday life, but for anyone that is trying to be successful with others.
My second big takeaway has to do with the way it talks about selflessness. Often, we think of this in terms of doing acts of kindness for others. But their way of thinking of it really is about the self not existing. We are not doing anything. I am not doing anything. It is just happening at all times. My awareness is not required, but if I am aware! This ability to separate out of free will is powerful. It allows you to see yourself as the other just as you would the other. You become a 3rd person able to have compassion for both the person that might be talking to you and driving you mad or making you happy, but also for yourself. In meditation, this is what you are doing as you are clearing you mind of notions and emotions.
It has a ton of stuff that I don't understand about Dharma. In this regard, I am too ignorant to appreciate it at this time. I will have to just come back after I get farther in my practice and I also read more on the topic.
Similarly, there is a lot on past-present- and future. This can be helpful, but at this current moment, my mind isn't quite there to really have it be impactful to me.
This was suggested to me by someone who has practicing meditation for quite a long while. It was to answer the question of whether or not I'm doing it correctly. Although some of it is addressed, not all of my questions are answered here. However, I learned a lot.
First, I did not realize that mindfulness practice in meditation is about practicing mind control and emotional balance. Usually when people say, meditate it will call you down, but that is actually slightly off. The idea is that when you meditate you have specific moments to learn about your mind's tendancies. I have a thought or an emotion. Now I'm going to ignore it b/c that's not what we're doing right now. Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't. If you practice 1x per day, you'll find you can even do it when you are not meditating. This is SOOOO important, not just for everyday life, but for anyone that is trying to be successful with others.
My second big takeaway has to do with the way it talks about selflessness. Often, we think of this in terms of doing acts of kindness for others. But their way of thinking of it really is about the self not existing. We are not doing anything. I am not doing anything. It is just happening at all times. My awareness is not required, but if I am aware! This ability to separate out of free will is powerful. It allows you to see yourself as the other just as you would the other. You become a 3rd person able to have compassion for both the person that might be talking to you and driving you mad or making you happy, but also for yourself. In meditation, this is what you are doing as you are clearing you mind of notions and emotions.
It has a ton of stuff that I don't understand about Dharma. In this regard, I am too ignorant to appreciate it at this time. I will have to just come back after I get farther in my practice and I also read more on the topic.
Similarly, there is a lot on past-present- and future. This can be helpful, but at this current moment, my mind isn't quite there to really have it be impactful to me.
March 30, 2026
I'm finding this an extremely interesting read, as I am not a Buddhist nor do I practice a Buddhist based meditation, but feel a great yearning for mindfulness in daily life. It is a book which requires engagement, to pick up each piece and examine it and check in with your own belief system/philosophy and weigh its usefulness to the outsider versus its 'inside-baseball-ness.' That said, I admire its comprehensiveness and depth, its systematic pulling apart of the issue of awareness and mindfulness, examining each aspect in turn, making it worth the engagement, even though its touchstone is the Buddhist idea of non-attachment to the things of this world--for this Taoist, sense-positive, joy-positive reader, taken to the extreme, not really living at all. But so much to think about! I find myself applying aspects of it even as I'm reading. Not even consciously, but simply by exposure to the concepts. (Non-effort being part of the Taoist approach).
For example--I always bristle at the description of earthy pleasures being "defilements". think that insistence on purity in anything always takes us on a wrong road. But in the system of trying to liberate the human from attachments that cause suffering, it's all of a piece. So much in here is so valuable, who's to say you have to accept it all to benefit?
>>>>>>>
What a fascinating book. It took a great deal of time because of the necessary mental engagement. I don't think I've done as much close reading of a text in years--the concepts were not particularly difficult but sorting out how they matched my world view, stretching out what I consider possible and useful, was quite the task. But ultimately, it has brought me a world of useful new concepts and a welcome relief from the production/achievement-oriented life that surrounds me day to day.
As a writer, I found myself substituting "writing" for "meditation" when the word "practice" comes around--for instance, in. terms of concentration, restlessness, anxiety and so on. Though meditation is part of my practice, I am not a monk nor am I interested in perfecting my meditation practice, But so many of these ideas are useful across the board. I especially find the sections dealing with the hindrances (worry, restlessness, doubt etc.) useful on a personal level, on the creative level as well as in terms of my spiritual development, such as it is.
The mindfulness quality of "skillful" was particularly useful in daily life. Is this a "skillful" action? Thought? Utterance? Rather than say good or bad, is it skillful? Also the idea of anxiety--the paper tigers of anticipated problems, which fall away as you are actually in the situation, only to have new ones arise... I actually find myself saying "paper tiger, paper tiger" when obsessing about some future event.
Concentration being an enormous factor in meditation, much is devoted to what increases it and what hinders it--and as a writer, concentration is equally central, so much of it seemed like a manual for me as much as any monk. It did take me almost five months to work through this book (reading other things, of course) and finishing it (having written on every page, arguing, filtering through my own sense of true and useful) I think I'll be reading it again, perhaps every year.
For example--I always bristle at the description of earthy pleasures being "defilements". think that insistence on purity in anything always takes us on a wrong road. But in the system of trying to liberate the human from attachments that cause suffering, it's all of a piece. So much in here is so valuable, who's to say you have to accept it all to benefit?
>>>>>>>
What a fascinating book. It took a great deal of time because of the necessary mental engagement. I don't think I've done as much close reading of a text in years--the concepts were not particularly difficult but sorting out how they matched my world view, stretching out what I consider possible and useful, was quite the task. But ultimately, it has brought me a world of useful new concepts and a welcome relief from the production/achievement-oriented life that surrounds me day to day.
As a writer, I found myself substituting "writing" for "meditation" when the word "practice" comes around--for instance, in. terms of concentration, restlessness, anxiety and so on. Though meditation is part of my practice, I am not a monk nor am I interested in perfecting my meditation practice, But so many of these ideas are useful across the board. I especially find the sections dealing with the hindrances (worry, restlessness, doubt etc.) useful on a personal level, on the creative level as well as in terms of my spiritual development, such as it is.
The mindfulness quality of "skillful" was particularly useful in daily life. Is this a "skillful" action? Thought? Utterance? Rather than say good or bad, is it skillful? Also the idea of anxiety--the paper tigers of anticipated problems, which fall away as you are actually in the situation, only to have new ones arise... I actually find myself saying "paper tiger, paper tiger" when obsessing about some future event.
Concentration being an enormous factor in meditation, much is devoted to what increases it and what hinders it--and as a writer, concentration is equally central, so much of it seemed like a manual for me as much as any monk. It did take me almost five months to work through this book (reading other things, of course) and finishing it (having written on every page, arguing, filtering through my own sense of true and useful) I think I'll be reading it again, perhaps every year.
September 19, 2020
Joseph Goldstein read the amazingly good and extremely detailed Satipattana: The Direct Path to Realization by the monk, Analayo and was inspired to offer a long series of talks and discussions based upon it that became the basis of Goldstein's book under review. I have assigned Analayo's book to students of mine who are involved in dharma training to become a dharma teacher and it is brilliant. However, it is also very academic/scholarly and not an easy read, especially for anyone not already fairly well-versed in the teachings of the Buddha. Goldstein, without dumbing down the material, has digested it and offers a much more reader-friendly, accessible account of this profound practice. He does this by getting personal, and offering tales from his own life and from the practice experiences of his students.
The only reason I gave this book 4 rather than 5 stars is that Goldstein also, like many contemporary Buddhist teachers, flinches at times from the radical implications of anatta (the "not-self" teaching of the Buddha) as well as showing a "suspension of disbelief" that in my opinion turns away from what we know about the physical laws of nature. In a book over 400 pages, my first significant criticism doesn't arise until page 249 where, in talking about rapture, he says "In the Buddhist texts, there are many stories of people levitating in the air. Although this may be outside the range of our own experience, according to the teachings and from actual accounts of advanced yogis, this can happen either as a spontaneous manifestation or through mastery of this uplifting rapture." No, it can't! This is a concretizing of a phenomenological subjective experience. I have felt like I was levitating many times in meditation, but what we know of physics, this is just not plausible. If a student told me, like one told Goldstein that, "as he was doing lying-down meditation in his room, he felt his body actually rise a couple of inches off the bed" I would tell him that such sensations can be relatively common and ask him what he noted while experiencing this, which is ultimately what Goldstein said: "Did you note it?" But in Goldstein's case, he writes "I didn't know whether it was just a perception of floating or if it really happened." We might expect better from a scientifically literate person.
But, my biggest, and most serious criticism is when he talks about how some Thai masters teach of "a distinction made between the consciousness that is included in the five aggregates and that arises dependent on one of the six sense objects, and another kind of consciousness... beyond the aggregates." The Buddha repeatedly said that there was no self to be found in the skandhas (aggregates) or outside them and in speaking of consciousness, he emphasized again and again as he does in the nagara-sutta, "When there is name-and-form (nāma-rūpa, the collective name of the five skandhas) then consciousness exists; with name-and-form as condition, there is consciousness." That some Thai masters teach otherwise is evidence of how challengingly radical the concept of anatta is that even Buddhist teachers flinch and assert what some critics call a "subtle atman."
My last criticism that I feel significant is for those practitioners who do not accept rebirth, or the continuity of consciousness from one body to another. Goldstein asks, "...if we consider the possibility of rebirth and other planes of existence, would it change in any way how we live, the choices we make, the stress or ease in our lives?" and then shares that in accepting rebirth as a reality, has "taken a certain pressure off my life" in that "If I don't become an expert skier in this life, or whatever the desire may be, maybe I'll accomplish it in the next." REALLY???? First of all, in the traditional Buddhist understanding of rebirth -- which is not the same thing as reincarnation, it isn't the same personality that is reborn (it's not completely separate or different, but definitely also not the same and if you don't remember previous lives, what difference does it make if you become a sky expert in the next life? You don't have any recollection of that being a goal in the previous life... Besides, I don't need to believe in rebirth to "prioritize what seems important without thinking that I'm missing out on other things I don't get to do" which is apparently the benefit such belief gives Goldstein.
So, with these criticisms aside, this is still a really good book and one I assign in my Mindfulness Yoga Training. If you wish to go beyond the superficial and distorted McMindfulness that has grown so viral, and learn about the deeper analytical aspects of the meditation taught by the Buddha, this is the book for you.
UNLESS you wish to go to his source and check out the even deeper presentation of Analayo.
The only reason I gave this book 4 rather than 5 stars is that Goldstein also, like many contemporary Buddhist teachers, flinches at times from the radical implications of anatta (the "not-self" teaching of the Buddha) as well as showing a "suspension of disbelief" that in my opinion turns away from what we know about the physical laws of nature. In a book over 400 pages, my first significant criticism doesn't arise until page 249 where, in talking about rapture, he says "In the Buddhist texts, there are many stories of people levitating in the air. Although this may be outside the range of our own experience, according to the teachings and from actual accounts of advanced yogis, this can happen either as a spontaneous manifestation or through mastery of this uplifting rapture." No, it can't! This is a concretizing of a phenomenological subjective experience. I have felt like I was levitating many times in meditation, but what we know of physics, this is just not plausible. If a student told me, like one told Goldstein that, "as he was doing lying-down meditation in his room, he felt his body actually rise a couple of inches off the bed" I would tell him that such sensations can be relatively common and ask him what he noted while experiencing this, which is ultimately what Goldstein said: "Did you note it?" But in Goldstein's case, he writes "I didn't know whether it was just a perception of floating or if it really happened." We might expect better from a scientifically literate person.
But, my biggest, and most serious criticism is when he talks about how some Thai masters teach of "a distinction made between the consciousness that is included in the five aggregates and that arises dependent on one of the six sense objects, and another kind of consciousness... beyond the aggregates." The Buddha repeatedly said that there was no self to be found in the skandhas (aggregates) or outside them and in speaking of consciousness, he emphasized again and again as he does in the nagara-sutta, "When there is name-and-form (nāma-rūpa, the collective name of the five skandhas) then consciousness exists; with name-and-form as condition, there is consciousness." That some Thai masters teach otherwise is evidence of how challengingly radical the concept of anatta is that even Buddhist teachers flinch and assert what some critics call a "subtle atman."
My last criticism that I feel significant is for those practitioners who do not accept rebirth, or the continuity of consciousness from one body to another. Goldstein asks, "...if we consider the possibility of rebirth and other planes of existence, would it change in any way how we live, the choices we make, the stress or ease in our lives?" and then shares that in accepting rebirth as a reality, has "taken a certain pressure off my life" in that "If I don't become an expert skier in this life, or whatever the desire may be, maybe I'll accomplish it in the next." REALLY???? First of all, in the traditional Buddhist understanding of rebirth -- which is not the same thing as reincarnation, it isn't the same personality that is reborn (it's not completely separate or different, but definitely also not the same and if you don't remember previous lives, what difference does it make if you become a sky expert in the next life? You don't have any recollection of that being a goal in the previous life... Besides, I don't need to believe in rebirth to "prioritize what seems important without thinking that I'm missing out on other things I don't get to do" which is apparently the benefit such belief gives Goldstein.
So, with these criticisms aside, this is still a really good book and one I assign in my Mindfulness Yoga Training. If you wish to go beyond the superficial and distorted McMindfulness that has grown so viral, and learn about the deeper analytical aspects of the meditation taught by the Buddha, this is the book for you.
UNLESS you wish to go to his source and check out the even deeper presentation of Analayo.
March 20, 2022
What an incredible read, also added this to my favourite books of all times. Why? There is so much perceived truth in here — my heart, mind, entire being wanted to scream for the entire duration of this almost 500 pages reading journey — yes, yes, yes!! Learned so much about mindfulness, buddhism, how important it is to actually take control of one‘s mind. Feel like this should be an essential read for everyone, would for sure bring forward more peace in this world. 🤍✨
July 2, 2014
Five word review: Failed to keep me awake.
December 21, 2023
وقتی شروعش کردم توقع نداشتم اینهمه اطلاعات راجع به بودا بده.
باعث شد دلم بخواد راجع به بودا و اعتقادات بوداییسم بخونم.
باعث شد دلم بخواد راجع به بودا و اعتقادات بوداییسم بخونم.
One thing you need to remember and understand is that you cannot leave the mind alone. It needs to be watched constantly. If you do not look after your garden it will overgrow with weeds. If you do not watch your mind, defilements will grow and multiply. The mind does not belong to you, but you are responsible for it.
the only things that can be said to truly belong to us are our actions and their results
March 5, 2020
Excellent supplement for serious mindfulness meditators. This can take your practice to the next level.
Reading this book will be more useful if have already been practicing mindfulness meditation for sometime and have some familiarity with its literature.
Reading this book will be more useful if have already been practicing mindfulness meditation for sometime and have some familiarity with its literature.
October 10, 2016
This book is a serious tome. He dives (400 pages) deep into a discourse by the Buddha, the Satipatthana Sutta. I would recommend this to people who have been meditating for a bit and know some of the basic concepts behind Buddhism, and have some interest in learning more about the philosophy to strengthen and guide their practice. I don't think I'd recommend it to a beginner to meditation or Buddhist thought.
This could easily be used as a weekly study guide. I borrowed from the library so didn't have the luxury of time, but I could see myself buying the book and working through a chapter (or section) a week as a way to deepen my practice.
+ Very thorough - after reading the text, I felt like I could actually understand the Sutta (which is printed at the end of the book). I also feel like I understand a lot of the basic tenets and foundations of Buddhism at a deeper level than before
+ Extremely well-researched; many references to other books and quotes
- Some parts are pretty esoteric (non-self) and could have used a bit more explanation
- Even though many ideas get very deep treatment, some important terms don't get much of an explanation at all (e.g., "delusion")
This could easily be used as a weekly study guide. I borrowed from the library so didn't have the luxury of time, but I could see myself buying the book and working through a chapter (or section) a week as a way to deepen my practice.
+ Very thorough - after reading the text, I felt like I could actually understand the Sutta (which is printed at the end of the book). I also feel like I understand a lot of the basic tenets and foundations of Buddhism at a deeper level than before
+ Extremely well-researched; many references to other books and quotes
- Some parts are pretty esoteric (non-self) and could have used a bit more explanation
- Even though many ideas get very deep treatment, some important terms don't get much of an explanation at all (e.g., "delusion")
October 4, 2016
Wow. An excellent primer on Buddhist thought derived primarily from a single sutta by the Buddha, but also with Goldstein's years of knowledge and experience to supplement the seemingly archaic text, providing context and additional insights, or simply additional perspectives on the same material.
And the content itself is kind of mind blowing. He rarely mentioned anything metaphysical, and when he does he gives fair warning. But largely everything suggested can be directly practiced and experienced.
It does seem to take a basic knowledge of mindfulness and related practices and concepts, but beginners and advanced readers alike can find a lot to dig into here. I know I'll definitely be revisiting this book before too long.
And the content itself is kind of mind blowing. He rarely mentioned anything metaphysical, and when he does he gives fair warning. But largely everything suggested can be directly practiced and experienced.
It does seem to take a basic knowledge of mindfulness and related practices and concepts, but beginners and advanced readers alike can find a lot to dig into here. I know I'll definitely be revisiting this book before too long.
January 10, 2025
Mindfulness has been gaining popularity and recognition lately as a worthwhile practice in the west. However, I think in the western adoption of this practice, we oftentimes miss out on a lot of the Buddhist wisdom and philosophy that grew up together with the practice. For me at least, I know I for a time shied away from Buddhist discourse as I consider myself atheistic. But I’ve found that there really is a practical side to Buddhism that requires no particular set of beliefs. In this book, Joseph does a wonderful job of offering these philosophies in a very pragmatic form, while still paying respect to the dharmic roots of mindfulness.
The book is certainly dense, however, and I did find certain parts more helpful than others. But on the whole, this book gave me a lot to reflect on, and Joseph’s teachings (along with the many teachers he cites) have greatly helped in cultivating my mindfulness practice.
The book is certainly dense, however, and I did find certain parts more helpful than others. But on the whole, this book gave me a lot to reflect on, and Joseph’s teachings (along with the many teachers he cites) have greatly helped in cultivating my mindfulness practice.
January 12, 2019
This is a life-changing book. I hesitate to recommend it to people just beginning on their meditation journey, because some of its wisdom would have been difficult for me to hear when I was not more comfortable with the spiritual aspects of meditation. Yet Goldstein's book is simultaneously so practical and so transforming that I will no doubt return to it sometime in the future.
November 11, 2014
Meh. The long silences are good for guided meditation, but it's a pretty empty book. The same sentences over and over as if repetition would help. I had enough of the droning of "look directly at your own mind"...
May 3, 2019
Phew, a deep dive into the Satipatthana Sutta. This is not for beginning meditators nor should it be the first introduction to this Sutta. It is quite dense and reads almost like a textbook for the most part - and this is coming from someone who has sat a number of long retreats with Joseph and has already heard most of the ancedotes in the book at his talks (which BTW, if you ever have a chance to, is an experience not to be missed!!). I could not (or maybe did not want to?) read more than a few pages a day - I felt like I needed to go slow to process it fully. I had been planning to read Analayo's tome after this, but given that it took me about six months to finish this book, I think I should wait for a bit before starting on that one ^_^ But jokes aside, I highly recommend this book to anyone trying to gain a deeper understanding of the Buddha's first discourse after his enlightenment. The clarity is worth it!
December 6, 2019
SO GOOD
This not only deepened my meditation practice, it also guided my understanding of the ‘big picture’ of the mindfulness practice as a way of training the mind to experience the world in a certain way - and encouraged me to seek out the lessons offered by the book through deepening my awareness of experiences.
The practice of being mindful is not isolated to sitting time meditating, but is available to me at any time when I am awake and mindful.
This book is a solid reference point to a practical lifestyle/philosophy. Very accessible. Something I would definitely recommend to anybody interested in deepening an understanding of the roots of their meditation practice. I feel more connected to why I meditate, where the practice originated from and what it means to be a master of the mind.
COOL
This not only deepened my meditation practice, it also guided my understanding of the ‘big picture’ of the mindfulness practice as a way of training the mind to experience the world in a certain way - and encouraged me to seek out the lessons offered by the book through deepening my awareness of experiences.
The practice of being mindful is not isolated to sitting time meditating, but is available to me at any time when I am awake and mindful.
This book is a solid reference point to a practical lifestyle/philosophy. Very accessible. Something I would definitely recommend to anybody interested in deepening an understanding of the roots of their meditation practice. I feel more connected to why I meditate, where the practice originated from and what it means to be a master of the mind.
COOL
May 15, 2018
most of what I've learned about Mindfulness meditation has been through a western-psychology lense. I often would prioritize scientific insights into how the human mind works over the effects Mindfulness and it's home culture of Buddhism have significant ethical and psychological effects on people.
this book has really challenged my worldview, and might have given me something I didn't know I was looking for. Atheist is a passive claim about ones worldview and doesn't produce much enthusiasm, or anything positive, in most people. For comparison, imagine someone asking you what you do for fun, and you respond with, "I don't play basketball." it's confusing and doesn't get to the heart of the question.
'Mindfulness', which sets out to teach the foundational insights of mindfulness meditation through a Buddhist lense while retaining some Western nuance, has not only motivated me to continue to practice my meditation with more wisdom. it has given me insight into a version of Buddhism that is compatible with a secular/atheist worldview.
In short, Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein, partnered with my daily practice of Mindfulness mediation, has inspired me to start responding to the question, "what are you/what is your worldview" with "I'm a secular Buddhist."
what are some key take aways? as briefly as possible: the self is an illusion, and a great deal of our suffering comes from us believing it. the value of being honest with the Law of Impermanence; nothing will last forever, not our feelings, not mankind, not life itself. the nature of how anything can arrise can and must pass away. craving is the source of all unnecessary suffering. All this and much more.
This is a must read.
this book has really challenged my worldview, and might have given me something I didn't know I was looking for. Atheist is a passive claim about ones worldview and doesn't produce much enthusiasm, or anything positive, in most people. For comparison, imagine someone asking you what you do for fun, and you respond with, "I don't play basketball." it's confusing and doesn't get to the heart of the question.
'Mindfulness', which sets out to teach the foundational insights of mindfulness meditation through a Buddhist lense while retaining some Western nuance, has not only motivated me to continue to practice my meditation with more wisdom. it has given me insight into a version of Buddhism that is compatible with a secular/atheist worldview.
In short, Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein, partnered with my daily practice of Mindfulness mediation, has inspired me to start responding to the question, "what are you/what is your worldview" with "I'm a secular Buddhist."
what are some key take aways? as briefly as possible: the self is an illusion, and a great deal of our suffering comes from us believing it. the value of being honest with the Law of Impermanence; nothing will last forever, not our feelings, not mankind, not life itself. the nature of how anything can arrise can and must pass away. craving is the source of all unnecessary suffering. All this and much more.
This is a must read.
January 28, 2019
One of the longest-running programmes on radio in the UK is a thing called Desert Island Discs, where the guest picks eight records (remember them?) that would be the eight they'd be happy to be stuck on a desert island with. In addition to the vinyl, you get to pick a book to be stuck on the island with for years - The Bible and The Complete Works of Shakespeare are already there, to save you the bother (perhaps left by a previous inhabitant?).
Well, now I know. This is my Desert Island Book. It is an astonishing work, which works through a deceptively simple Buddhist text (the Satipatthana Sutta), using its discourse on the four foundations of mindfulness as a map to many many teachings and approaches to meditation. The depth and wisdom is extraordinary, and although it's not necessarily going to be easy for a beginner, it has pretty much everything in there.
Think of it as a kit: all the parts are there, all clearly labelled. You just have to do the work of putting them together, finding which bit is going to solve the problem you're currently facing, and applying it in the right way. There is broad guidance, but basically everyone is going to need to find their own path, because in all honesty we are all going to hit different sets of problems in different orders. But it's all in there.
Don't pick this up as your introduction to meditation - but if you want to take your practice further than the app you bought yourself on January 1st last year and stopped using regularly by about March, and if you're prepared to do the work, then this is a truly profound guide for you. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Well, now I know. This is my Desert Island Book. It is an astonishing work, which works through a deceptively simple Buddhist text (the Satipatthana Sutta), using its discourse on the four foundations of mindfulness as a map to many many teachings and approaches to meditation. The depth and wisdom is extraordinary, and although it's not necessarily going to be easy for a beginner, it has pretty much everything in there.
Think of it as a kit: all the parts are there, all clearly labelled. You just have to do the work of putting them together, finding which bit is going to solve the problem you're currently facing, and applying it in the right way. There is broad guidance, but basically everyone is going to need to find their own path, because in all honesty we are all going to hit different sets of problems in different orders. But it's all in there.
Don't pick this up as your introduction to meditation - but if you want to take your practice further than the app you bought yourself on January 1st last year and stopped using regularly by about March, and if you're prepared to do the work, then this is a truly profound guide for you. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
April 7, 2023
It's an incredible book that goes into the very depth of fundamentals of mindfulness. This book is based on Satipatthana Sutta (Buddhas original commentary on mindfulness), so can't get more closer to the truth than that!
I came across Satipatthana Sutta many years ago, bought the original commentary and found it extremely difficult to understand. Perhaps this was because at the time of Buddhas commentary people were much more wiser than now or perhaps I have a long way to go on understanding these very complex topics such as Impermanence, four noble truths and selflessness :)
Having said that, I couldn't stop reading Joseph Goldsteins translation of the Sutta from the moment I started reading it. This book has been much more easier to make sense of such complex topics.
What I find extremely fascinating is that without necessarily gaining a full comprehension of all there is to Meditation and mindfulness, we can start the journey NOW! and Buddha, through his teachings, provided very practical examples of how we should live our lives which I believe are as relevant today as they would have been at the time of his sermons 2,500 years ago.
I am going to keep this book as a reference guide for many months and years to come. Sections in relation to "The noble eightfold path" providing guidance on what constitutes right speech, right livelihood etc. are something I hope to adopt and learn from and the authors very real and practical examples of how we can achieve this path makes it much much easier to understand.
I came across Satipatthana Sutta many years ago, bought the original commentary and found it extremely difficult to understand. Perhaps this was because at the time of Buddhas commentary people were much more wiser than now or perhaps I have a long way to go on understanding these very complex topics such as Impermanence, four noble truths and selflessness :)
Having said that, I couldn't stop reading Joseph Goldsteins translation of the Sutta from the moment I started reading it. This book has been much more easier to make sense of such complex topics.
What I find extremely fascinating is that without necessarily gaining a full comprehension of all there is to Meditation and mindfulness, we can start the journey NOW! and Buddha, through his teachings, provided very practical examples of how we should live our lives which I believe are as relevant today as they would have been at the time of his sermons 2,500 years ago.
I am going to keep this book as a reference guide for many months and years to come. Sections in relation to "The noble eightfold path" providing guidance on what constitutes right speech, right livelihood etc. are something I hope to adopt and learn from and the authors very real and practical examples of how we can achieve this path makes it much much easier to understand.
July 17, 2018
This is my first modern big book about Buddhism in particular, rather than meditation in particular. It's not really about meditation at all --- I mean, it assumes you're meditating but isn't really giving meditation instructions. The book follows the structure of Satipatthana Sutta, which seems to be (I remain inexpert) a good summary of the Buddha's teaching. The book provides in-depth discussion of the five hindrances, the aggregates, the four noble truths, the noble eightfold paths, and many other things.
My own relationship to Buddhism is still developing. I find myself constantly noticing and marveling at how someone thousands of years ago could get so many things about human psychology so very very right in ways that remain deeply relevant. At the same time, I often feel that Buddhism is a combination of one part deeply relevant and valuable wisdom, one part "this is what you get when you put infinite value on reducing or eliminating a certain kind of mental suffering and zero value on all other parts of your utility function", and one part philosophically incoherent nonsense. But I am deeply inexpert, so it's a low confidence opinion. This book gave me a ton to think about, I recommend it, and it's an easy five stars.
My own relationship to Buddhism is still developing. I find myself constantly noticing and marveling at how someone thousands of years ago could get so many things about human psychology so very very right in ways that remain deeply relevant. At the same time, I often feel that Buddhism is a combination of one part deeply relevant and valuable wisdom, one part "this is what you get when you put infinite value on reducing or eliminating a certain kind of mental suffering and zero value on all other parts of your utility function", and one part philosophically incoherent nonsense. But I am deeply inexpert, so it's a low confidence opinion. This book gave me a ton to think about, I recommend it, and it's an easy five stars.
March 19, 2025
One of the most impactful books I’ve ever read. A step by step guide to Buddha’s teachings. Goldstein clearly articulates how to practice mindfulness and all that it entails by calling upon both personal experiences and Buddha’s teachings. For the first time mindfulness and meditation do not seem intimidating. These practices have already made an impact on my mind. This book should be a required reading for everyone
February 2, 2020
This is a detailed exploration of the Satipatthana Sutta - one of the core suttas for Insight Meditation practice in the Vipassanna tradition of Buddhism. I found this very valuable and helpful. But you really have to be ready for it, I think. This is NOT for beginning meditators. If you are new to meditation and mindfulness, this will most likely confuse you more than help you. If you have been meditating for a while, though, and want to explore in detail some of the deeper concepts and practices of Vipassana meditation and Buddhism, this can be very illuminating. The core of the book is built on a series of dharma talks Goldstein gave at an extended meditation retreat in the Forest Refuge outside Barre Massachusetts.
March 6, 2015
Bringing mindfulness back to its Buddhist origins, Goldstein opens up the Satipatthana Sutta in a comprehensive, interesting and practical manner that informs and inspires. Sharing insights and many helpful hints that have helped shape his own practice, this will help others make mindfulness a life practice. Deserves to be read more than once and will be referred to again and again.
December 9, 2020
This book is not a beginner's starting point. Now that we've got that off the chest, this book is a gold mine!
Nothing makes things relatable and as realistic as what this book helps you do with your practice in real life.
This book draws a tonne from Analayo's Satipattana Sutta, and it shows 💙
Recommended for people wanting to practice meditation off their cushion.
Nothing makes things relatable and as realistic as what this book helps you do with your practice in real life.
This book draws a tonne from Analayo's Satipattana Sutta, and it shows 💙
Recommended for people wanting to practice meditation off their cushion.
June 28, 2021
This is the best book for Buddhist practitioners. I loved the author included Buddha's text and tried to explain what he meant.
I think this book will now be a reference book when my meditation practice goes odd.
The only thing I disliked was the fact of repetitive of concepts. I know Buddha use this technique and the author try to exemplify, but for me is a lot of unnecessary text.
I think this book will now be a reference book when my meditation practice goes odd.
The only thing I disliked was the fact of repetitive of concepts. I know Buddha use this technique and the author try to exemplify, but for me is a lot of unnecessary text.
March 28, 2018
A clear and meaningful exploration of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Goldstein frames the dharma in contemporary settings without watering it down. I read the book in five page increments to give myself time to absorb. I may start right over again from page one.
April 7, 2020
Lengthy but wonderful. Now more than ever we get to be Mindful. We get to be mindful of our hygiene, personal space, how we interact with others either by phone, zoom, and/in person. We each get to be a force for good. Share some love and light today. Thanks Jospeh for your book.
February 3, 2021
I really like Joseph Goldstein's meditations and I have taken his classes which I also recommend. But I could not get through this book. It reads like a text book. It is very dry and seemingly repetitive. I am going to spend some more time on the pillow and tackle this again in the future.
May 17, 2021
Not really a book to write a review of; but one I'll go back to many times. An invaluable resource for understanding one of the most basic and foundational Buddhist texts and the vast depth of knowledge and practice that underlies the term "mindfulness".
March 13, 2015
Fantastic, will read again.
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