When Awareness Becomes Natural

by Sayadaw U. Tejaniya, Steven Armstrong (Foreword), Robert French (Editor)

Finding awareness in any kind of ordinary daily activity... The first trade book from a Southeast Asian Buddhist monk-teacher who is becoming prominent worldwide, particularly in the insight meditation community. Meditation is great - but it's not what Buddhist practice is all about. That's the message of this engaging and funny Burmese Buddhist monk, and it's a message that is finding a significant following among Westerners in the insight meditation tradition. Sayadaw U Tejaniya teaches how to bring awareness to any sort of activity in order to discover deep insight and liberation from suffering. It works in sitting meditation, but it works just as well when sorting the laundry or doing data entry. "My teachings are nothing new," he says. "They are, as always, based on the four foundations of awareness of the body; awareness of feelings and sensations; awareness of mind; and understanding of dhamma or nature - i.e., mind and matter. These four foundations are as explained in the Buddha's discourse on mindfulness, the Satipatthana Sutta. How I offer these teachings is a reflection of my life and practice, and the way in which they are presented is to accommodate the way in which modern yogis live their lives."

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

MP3 CD

First published May 17, 2016

Reviews

[Aviva Shore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an awesome medley of part story (a personal account of the writer's struggles), part practical insight and instruction (with answers to common questions) and part inspiration/encouragement, like a yogi pep talk.

This book is not decidedly linear or even particularly well written but it gave me a more comprehensive understanding of meditation and it's function in my everyday life.

[Rome Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the best of the three U Tejaniya books I've read. I especially liked some of the personal disclosure he made about his history with drugs and depression. I'm not sure I'm going to go around with a Vicks inhaler up my nose to remind me to concentrate on my breath, however.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best meditation books I have read.
Sayadaw U Tejania really has a nack for getting at the root of the practice, dispelling confusion and potential pitfalls as he goes along.

[Charlotte Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has taken me a long time to listen to this book in dribs and drabs but it was worth it. The title says it all, vippasana meditation in daily life. Down to earth and easy to apply.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the audible version narration excellent, as I often realized I was thinking the narrator was the author, so in-sync was the narration with the subject matter.

My own path has not been Vipassana, but this was the best work on Vipassana I have encountered and highly educational for me. Tejaniya expertly weaves together the tapestry, theoretically and practically, of this Therevada way, strand-by-strand. He names each strand, clarifies its meaning, how to apply it, how it fits with others, and the results of fidelity to it. At the end, it all makes sense, and at the end, I felt disappointment that this book was ending.

Tejaniya superbly utilizes his own life-story, including depression in his younger years, and presents as a caring Teacher who expresses empathy for students and the human condition we share. While presenting with expertise, he does not present as an expert. He shows how we can all be on the path of, as he refers to it, enlightening, by applying the foundations of Mindfulness in everyday life. He, likewise, clarifies the benefits of this particular Buddhist path, possibly reflecting the original simplicity of the first Buddhist teachings better than most, if not all, other Buddhist wisdom traditions.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing extraordinary. When awareness becomes natural, according to the author, one will notice the defilements that our mind is being motivated by. And then we're able to make better decisions. The book takes a long time to go around this one idea.

The author has some pretty specific life experiences with drugs, depression, and all the troubled youth kinda stuff. While I haven't experienced problems with those, it didn't seem that he was offering overly-productive advice to those that do.

[ar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best practical guides to meditation I have ever read. Tejaniya completely changed how I meditate for the better. I have been flirting/dating mediation for years now, but Uncle Tenjy helped me advance to a full-on relationship with it. Since reading his book, I have a nearly unbroken streak of daily meditation, can meditate for far longer than I was able to prior, and feel as if the line between practice and daily life is fading.

What makes this technique different is that the object and focus of mediation is not the body, the breath, loving kindness, etc- it is simply awareness itself. This, and his unique ability to identify what he calls 'wrong attitudes' with amazing clarity, as well as the best antidotes for them, make Tejaniya a must read for Meditators who understand the value of the practice but are struggling to make it work on a day to day basis. It is hard to explain, so I will let Tejaniya do it, in his simple and relatable style. This would probably be the first of his books I would suggest, though if you enjoy a Q and A format Id consider his others as well.

[June Bash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even with an editor compiling this, I still have some major issues with Sayadaw U Tejaniya's communication. This is a rather difficult-to-convey set of ideas, but I can't help but think that after spending as much time meditating and teaching as he has that his ability to communicate some ideas leaves something to be desired. That said, some of the ways he emphasizes certain parts of the Dharma is very distinct from other teachers, and I find it to be a breath of fresh air in many respects. This book had a lot more personal background than others of his, and I appreciated that, though I think I prefer his other stuff a bit more in terms of useful information for practice.

[Vishnu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book 5 stars because I think Sayadaw U Tejaniya's approach to meditation and Buddhism are just amazing. That said, this book is not...perfectly designed, or structured, or even necessarily written. It's just that I think that the teachings are spot on, and I find it helpful to re-engage with them from time to time through different media.

If you're looking for an intro to Buddhism book, I don't think this is a good choice. Probably the best use of this book is to read pieces of it, over time, so that your wisdom can be sparked as an aid to building momentum in practice.

[Chetan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a Vipassana yogi myself. I found this book from a monk from the great Mahasi Sayadaw lineage a bit underwhelming.

I have no issue with the content pertaining to the dharma but the delivery is extremly poor. This is highly technical and I feel like this book is more complicated than what it needed to be. Hopefully those who are new to the path are able to understand the depth of the things that were said. Otherwise, I fear they just wasted their time.

[Ion Albu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most important contribution this book had on me is the “light awareness” concept, which was a game changer in my meditation practice

[Brijesh Bartwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: When Awareness Becomes Natural
Author: Sayadaw U Tejaniya
Reviewer: Brijesh Mohan Bartwal

*Spoiler Alert

I read When Awareness Becomes Natural twice in a row, and I know I will return to it many more times. Each page offers insights that caught my attention and prompted deep reflection. What makes this book especially compelling is the way the author shares his own journey through depression, anger, and drug use. These personal stories make the teachings feel accessible and relatable, rather than abstract or distant.

As the title suggests, the book centers on developing a natural, effortless form of awareness. Sayadaw U Tejaniya introduces core Buddhist principles, particularly the concept of Dhamma, to guide readers toward sustained mindfulness in everyday life. He emphasizes that true awareness is not something to be forced—it arises naturally through understanding and practice.

One of the most powerful lessons in the book is the explanation of the five spiritual faculties (indriya): awareness (sati), concentration or mental stability (samadhi), energy or right effort (viriya), faith and confidence (saddha), and wisdom (panna). These form the foundation for mindful living, and the author offers examples from his own life to illustrate how they can be applied in practice.

While the book is not directly about neuroscience, the author’s experiences and reflections offer meaningful insights into how our minds function. As someone deeply interested in self-awareness and inner transformation, I found this aspect particularly valuable. The techniques discussed helped me better understand and navigate my own mental habits and emotional reactions.
This book is not one to read just once. Its depth and simplicity invite repeated reading, allowing the teachings to gradually sink in and become part of one's daily awareness. For anyone seeking a practical, honest, and deeply personal guide to mindfulness, When Awareness Becomes Natural is a profound and enriching read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone on a path of personal growth or spiritual inquiry. Whether you are just beginning to explore awareness practices or have years of experience, Sayadaw U Tejaniya’s guidance offers both clarity and depth. This is a book that can support you at every stage of your journey

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been working with the type of Vipassana meditation Sayadaw U Tejaniya teaches, which involves continual awareness, for several years with great appreciation. This book is an in-depth look at how his own practice developed—a very rocky road over a long period—which I imagine would be especially helpful for those who have difficulty with depression and anger. One caveat: as Sayadaw U Tejaniya says, this practice is less intellectual than experiential and thus is rather hard to write about or understand by reading. He certainly orients us in the right direction. :)

[Shiju Varghese · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Burmese monk, Sayadaw U Tejaniya, provides practical guidance on practising mindfulness and insight (vipassana) meditation. These teachings and guidance on Buddhist wisdom are exceptionally brilliant, which will sharpen your practice of vipassana. As a vipassana practitioner, this book is extremely useful for my practice, and I highly recommend for everyone if you're a practitioner of vipassana.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When Awareness Becomes Natural" is a book about Vipassana meditation and how it can benefit us in our every day lives. It is unique in that it follows the author's life path through his many years of depression, his difficult childhood, his strained relationship with his parents and the decision to separate from is family in pursuit of a more intense practice. The author presents a compelling synopsis of the theory and practice of Vipassana vis a vis his own personal journey

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read provides meditation practice throughout the awareness experience; it offers right view to gain insight of the relationship between life and nature; and, inspires motivation to grow consistent awareness and wisdom.

[Tetrijeb · Rating 3 out of 5]

after reading a ton of meditation books, this one came out a bit underwhelming, with very little useful info for experienced practitioners. beginners could find it more helpful, but nothing revolutionary or groundbreaking here

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the delivery of this book...it is quite academic and not the helpful down to earth ideas and suggestions for becoming more mindful... I did not finish this book because I noticed my mind wandering rather than embracing the content.

[Deep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great simple read. Focuses on the essential. Raw and honest.

I like the playful, pragmatic, and non judgemental approach of Sayadaw U Tejaniya.

[Sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright I didn’t actually finish. I got 85% through the book and then found out he left his wife and son to go back to being a monk. At that point you lost all respect from me.

[Chris Duprey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far one of the most action oriented Dhamma books I’ve read. There is so much practical advice and instruction here. This is a must read for anyone on the path to liberation.

[Griffin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

lost in the self is a bad place to be

[Claus Appel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found nothing actionable nor insight-provoking in the book. DNF at 38%.

[Nanik Ram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most influential book /teacher in my life which helped and still helping me to purify my mind and rise above the suffering of life. A must read for every yogi.

[Chris Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up in March 2020, read about 30% and then dropped it, picking it back up in September 2020. It was a good book for me, and I will revisit it again when it makes sense. The reason for 4 stars is that I simply cannot fully take advantage of some of the guidance because I don’t have a ‘practice’...yet. I felt a layer or two of self awareness peeling back for me as I read through it. Very easy to read and follow. I probably wouldn’t have picked this up on my own simply because it’s currently outside of my reading choices as far as philosophy is concerned. So I appreciate the recommendation. All that said, it’s no surprise that there is a lot of overlap between western (where I focus most of my attention) and eastern philosophy, which I’m starting to appreciate a lot more as I read and learn from diverse sources of wisdom.

[PennsyLady (Bev)]

When Awareness Becomes Natural: A Guide to Cultivating Mindfulness in Everyday Life

by Sayadaw U Tejaniya

Shambhala Publications began in the late 1960's "in the back of a bookstore on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, California."

"Over the more than four decades of our adventure in independent publishing, we've watched the culture change around us: what was considered countercultural back in 1969—things like Buddhism, martial arts, yoga, or alternative medicine—has now become mainstream, even commercial."

" But each of our books, whatever its subject, is an expression of our belief that there's an enlightened way of approaching every aspect of our lives."
(quoted excerpts were taken from Shambhala publications
website)

The author, SAYADAW U TEJANIYA is a Burmese monk emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in everyday activity.
"He (the author) offers...the practice of perseverance
and mindful awareness in our daily lives, where we simply relax and attend to all experience, letting them all come and go.
From this, wisdom grows naturally."
(from the foreward of When Awareness Becomes Natural.")

The book is divided into three major segments:
Recognition of Wisdom
Wise Investigations of the Mind
A Commitment to Wisdom

I initially requested this book but now I feel totally inadequate in expressing my reaction to reading the offering.
I simply know it is much more than a read...it is a way of being.
What I can do is begin again and make this a long range
read.

I didn't feel qualified to rate this.
This book is a Goodreads giveaway

[Jim Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book! showed me where I was at in my practiice with ideas for making progress. I found out from this book where I am at in my practice and feels very good getting to my natural awareness. Thanks

Beins a part of nature was a great way to explain beings as egoless. This book is recommended for people in later stages of thier practice.

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read in the Theravada tradition, so the way that he talks about meditation is very different from what I'm used to.

The book shifts from biography to very specific, intense meditation instruction fairly quickly and unexpectedly. I enjoyed reading about the author's life experience; it really is quite a life! But I had trouble following how the book was organized. It made it hard to stick with, and I admit I've put it away for now. Maybe I'll finish later, or maybe not.

Really though, the important thing to say is that this book encouraged me. It felt uncomfortable and a bit nonsensical at times, but I felt encouraged to just keep practicing awareness. So I'm very grateful for the book.