A Practical Guide to Buddhist Meditation

by Paramananda

Buddhists strive to improve and the most direct way is meditation. This volume focuses on Mindfulness of Breathing, the basis of all meditation practices, and Metta Bhavana, a self-confidence builder as well as awareness of others.

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Philosophy, Psychology

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Tom Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fundamental mindfulness practice is counting breaths. Inhale, exhale, one. Inhale, exhale, two. Keep going up to ten.

Before reading this book I had been meditating for 18 months and could occasionally count three breaths before becoming distracted.

After reading this book I have been meditating for 19 months and can often count five breaths before becoming distracted.

I hope if I continue meditating I will someday count ten breaths before becoming distracted. Wouldn't that be something!

5 stars. Really helped me improve my practice with clear and concrete suggestions.

[Meen · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, there's no way I can go into everything I learned from this book... Actually, it's all very simple, really, and he makes that point over and over. Simple, yet profound. Meditation has never made much sense to me before. Seriously, I never quite understood what was supposed to happen during it, and the times that I tried it, I always felt like I must be doing something wrong... This book is so excellent at making it all make sense--Buddhism and meditation, that I am going to keep on the always-reading shelf. Wow. I HIGHLY recommend this if Buddhism and meditation has seemed like this disengaged mystery to you. It all makes sense to me now. SOOOO simple. Yet profound. And all the while reading this I kept wondering if it was just this book or was it that I was at a place in my life where it just clicked? Maybe (probably) both. Whatever it is, I'm really thankful that I found this on a bargain table at Barnes & Noble. What a treasure!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear, useful, even-handed guide. Manages to simplify without getting too prosaic. I definitely recommend it to those interested in dhyana, as you come away with a pretty solid grasp of what is entailed. No too dogmatic, either. Author carefully couches his explanations so that non-Buddhists can feel free to try out the techniques.

[Viv JM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to meditation, particularly as taught by Triratna (mindfulness of breating and metta bhavana).

[Jacob Binder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up randomly from a friend and I'm so glad that I did. The meditation exercises in it have really helped me reduce my anxiety, find greater purpose in my life, and feel more present in my day to day. I'm hoping this book is just the beginning of a continued meditation practice for me.

[Nick G · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great guide to meditation - only reason I give it three stars is because I bought it after taking an intro to Buddhist meditation class, and a lot of the information was repeated from what I learned in the class. This book would serve anyone as a great indroduction to specific Buddhist meditations of Mindfulness of Breathing and Loving Kindness, in lieu of a class.

[Wolf Fortenberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and it offers some great info on how to start and improve meditation practices (which I really need to do)!! Meditation can be a wonderful boost to your mental health! However, this book was hard for me to read through, and one of the biggest issues I had was the punctuation... There are SO MANY punctuation errors, and when you’re an avid reader, correct punctuation makes reading and understanding material so much easier to follow along with. This book generally lacks commas and semi colons in the correct places, and it sometimes puts both where they do not belong. This is really my only complaint. Otherwise, I would recommend the book for its informational content. Just hope you can get through all the punctuation errors.

[Greg Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will stay with me, I have page marked it, I will be reading it again and again. This will form part of my journey on the Buddhist path, and has given me useful techniques for meditation and ways to make my life more altruistic

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a much better read than Stages of Meditation, although some of the content is similar. I will likely come back to this book again, even if it is just to re-read certain chapters as needed over time.

[Maria Calipari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first read has been completed. Now I feel like any new thing, that the second read and trial of these wonderful practices be put into place.
Some wonderful suggestions in here.

[Susan Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, gentle, insightful.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. I read a little bit each day before my daily meditation. Very helpful and simple practice suggestions. Highly recommended.

[cal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a beginners/novice book for someone hoping to expand/sharpen their mental faculties

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of books on meditation. This one is one of the best. Balanced well between theory and practice. Well written.

[sara ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

puts everything into perspective. i will reread this many many many times

[Frank Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to read what some 'experienced' practitioners might think of as 'basic' or 'beginner's books' and I suspect this is the kind of book they'd have in mind. However, whether you are a novice or have an established practice, this book can provide insight, inspiration and clarity. And while Paramananda is a member of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, this book is empty of any sectarian bias or proselytizing.

While mainly focused on concentration meditation, he does give some good general advice for insight or mindfulness practice, as well as loving-kindness meditation. Guiding points on establishing and sustaining a daily practice are down-to-earth and very accessible. I can totally recommend this book to anyone curious about starting a meditation practice!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I placed this on my "life-changing" shelf, not because it is the best book on meditation, but rather because it was the first one that I read. It started me on a path of meditation that now spans a decade. Although I have not always been consistent in my practice, I can definitely say it has been worthwhile.

I'm not sure what drew me to buy this book, but today I noticed the receipt for the purchase was still in the book. I bought it the week I started graduate school at the University of Texas in Austin. Looking back now I can see how important this moment of starting my meditation practice was in assisting me during those and subsequent years.

[George Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky. Hard to understand his meaning in parts. Somewhat convoluted, but beautifully written.

The question is: what exactly are you DOING when you meditate?

I think it is safe to say an accurate depiction of it is the attempt to get away from external standards, and to hold ourselves up to our OWN individual standards.

Basically: You're in a competition with your Self and no one else.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceedingly straight-forward, with all of the necessary how-to's. The revelation is the subtle joy and wonder that permeates the writing. One of the few meditation books I've read that is able to marry the pragmatism necessary for beginning a practice with the poetry necessary to sustain it.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice intro to meditation. Very practical, not burdened by odd philosophical constructions (which I don't mind, though they can be offputting for some) or the spacey wowness of authors like Eckhart Tolle (which I hate).

I'm not much of a Buddhist, but I admire the practice.

[Kazza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh... it was ok. Could have done without the references to the author's genitals/enjoyment of sex and I do not share his sense of humor so the attempts at jocularity fell flat, but not a bad 101 if you are new to meditation.

[Neen Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serene but practical

[Stantontas]

Yeah I'm such a hippie. So far this book is pretty well grounded though.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the best description of meditation by a westerner that I have ever read. I think he understands that meditation has benefits that go beyond his own field of inquiry to heal the mind.

[Rui Varela Morte · Rating 4 out of 5]

É o livro indicado para quem sente aquele primeiro chamamento que levará à prática da meditação.
Muito completo.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear description what to expect with meditation. Cool. This gives me a better understanding how this works.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to meditation and mindfulness. It is clearly written, simple and full of practical advice for beginners.

[Milena Roux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing. Clear fluid and practical, highly recommended for novice meditators

[Heather]

B C2 R6

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and intimate guide. What a lovely book to have in your back pocket for everything you need need to know about beginner's meditation!