An Experiment in Mindfulness: An English Admiral's Experiences in a Buddhist Monastery

by E.H. Shattock

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most books about Buddhism are written by Buddhists, but this book is unique in that it's a memoir by a man who actually knew little about it. In a style surprisingly similar to Thoreau, the increasingly rushed but also increasingly meaninglessness and superfluity of the world compelled him to immerse himself in an experiment with different lifestyle, that of a Buddhist monastery in Burma. He articulated his experiences and speculations quite eloquently, although I lost interest a few times toward the end.

[Red Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

...that book should not be considered as containing full instructions on the Mahāsī Sayādaw’s method. Surely, it is not fair to rely solely on that book, which is also a travelogue. “The Heart of Buddhist Meditation” by Nyanaponika Thera is an authoritative book on Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation...

said by MyanAung-U Tin (Nāyaka-1977, Buddha Sāsanā Nuggaha Organization) who made brief explanation via correspondence with Christopher. Farny (NEWSWEEK) in regard to the Lama Govinda's criticism in his book “Creative meditation and Multi-Dimensional Consciousness”-1976: see Part-III section-5 under the title of 'The Foundations of mindfulness'.

Reading by comparing in these two articles, I do agree on his comment.

nhn

[Robert Kipa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engrossing and relatable account of an Englishman’s experience while on his first intensive meditation retreat.

The chapter on “Dimensions and Time” reads like a bad first draft of some high-school philosophy paper, but other than that, the book is a solid memoir that has absolved me of the need to write about my own experiences.

Shattock provides the global perspective that only an outsider can, while including more than enough inside detail to captivate the curious mind. Come and see for yourself...

[Bruce Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this twice and this gave me a strong inspiration on meditation.