The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English

there are many books on the satipatthana sutta. however most are very much a focused interpretation of the sutta in light of a single teachers ideas about it. they may for example only focus on breathing or another of the practices and only vaguely touch on everything else in the sutta. some of these are wonderful books that surely can lead one to nibbana. but i have been searching for one that details the whole sutta as there's a lot more to it than just a couple of practices.bhante covers everything from start to finish. it is still colored with his own interpretation of the sutta but it's not even possible to write a commentary on a sutta without personal interpretation and he sticks to fairly traditional explanations, keeping it largely impersonal. my only critiques are:1. that he could have included the sutta itself but at least it's a widely available sutta. just web search "satipatthana" and you'll have no problem finding it. and2. that he doesn't give a definitive answer too the question of how many of the exercises you are supposed too practice and when to do them. there are a ton of exercises in the sutta and i have yet to see an author explain this problem (although i imagine analayo covers it in "satipatthana")! the wikipedia page on the satipatthana sutta gives these options:"Single-focused, successive and simultaneous practices:There are a variety of ways that one could use the methods described in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta including:1.Focus on a single method. The method most written about in the English language is that of mindfulness of breath.2.Practice the various methods individually in succession.3.Maintain breath mindfulness as a primary object while using other methods to address non-breath stimuli.4.Practice multiple methods either in tandem or in a context-driven manner."i would add to option three that there are other options of what to pick as the primary object (it doesn't have to be the breath if one is using this interpretation, for example one could use the modes of deportment as the primary object) and then use the other methods to address whatever else arises that is not the primary object.as is typical for the author he puts everything in very easily understood wording and easily digested logic.he talks you through how to use the methods found in the sutta to see impermanence, suffering, and not self in your own life, day by day. if you follow his instructions carefully and earnestly you will start to see light shining through the cracks in the walls that make up reality. and who knows, maybe this will lead you to full on nibbana!one note: on page 96 bhante writes "Remember that you do want to die with anger". knowing enough about buddhism i'm 99.9999% sure he meant "Remember that you do NOT want to die with anger". just so everyone is clear on that point. it would be VERY bad for the path to deliberately die with anger. we are supposed to make great efforts to die without anger.update: i contacted the publisher and they confirmed it is an error that will be fixed in later editions.

Solid practical instruction. I bring it with me to my meditation practice. A good read, but really meant to be applied. It's an instruction manual, not just philosophy. I highly recommend to anyone at any stage of their practice.

Bhante G, as the author is fondly called, has written another beautiful book. It is so concise and profound. His words are clear so everyone can understand. The Four Foundations are what Buddhism is built upon. Bhante G never takes liberty with Buddha's teachings; he quotes The Buddha throughout. Read this book and relish in the 2500 year old foundations of mindfulness in "Plain English". Bhante G is the leading Theraveda Buddhist Monk in the Western World. He is a world renown author, translated into many, many languages. When you are done reading this read the Autobiography of Bhante G and you will be inspired to live a noble life as he does. He continues to write the most eloquent books on Buddhism I think. After studying Buddhism for 37 years I can say this with conviction.

This book is very, very good. You don't have to be an expert and/or even a Buddhist to benefit from this book. Anybody can use these techniques. The key is that they are "GROUNDING" techniques to help get you out of your head and/or get you out of the world. Get you back into your body. Amazing, ancient techniques. Not hard at all. It covers, basically, everything in Buddhism but also you "Do" these techniques. Anyway, if you don't like this stuff, don't bother. Myself, I love this stuff.Chuck H.

I am new to mindfulness. A recent trip to Myanmar and the death of my parent made me think deeper about life, about purpose and about myself. I wasn't really seeking mindfulness or buddhism perse. Its more like I went on a trip and did some tourist activities and then realized I really liked what I saw and heard. So I came back to the States and wanted to read more. Basically, I was looking at a beginner-intermediate book (not so beginner that its like those "mindfulness for dummies" books but something that was deeper and would take you through a journey of learning)He explains everything well, which is exactly what I needed. I do wish there was a bit of history in it. I would like to know more about the life of Buddha (maybe one chapter?). The book goes right into mindfulness.In terms of mindfulness itself: it really is written in plain-English. I like how it tells you EXACTLY what sitting, walking and sleeping meditation is and what actions/behaviors you have to focus on when you are doing it.I read through it really slowly and practice it everyday now because he writes in a very encouraging way. For example, he mentions how folks who try lotus position may find it very difficult the first time around and he talks about how you should persevere. It took him a while too even though he was meditating (in another position) for decades!This was a great starting place for getting into mindfulness. As you progress and become more intermediate, it serves as a great reminder (through re-reading) of your foundation.

four foundations is a resonance of contemplation unobstructed by reasoning of corporeal intellect... such asks one to investigate current perspective through this venue... make a more informed choice

What an enjoyable read. This book, although with some errors, explains in readable contextual language what the Dharma teaches. Its' focus on mindfulness as a possibility for all to be able to grasp is encouraging. It takes the guilt of behavior we feel in a winner-take-all society and lays the foundation for the possibility of enlightenment for any who choose to follow the Dharma teachings. This short, simple book is something you can pick up and re-read often. Every time you do so you can gain insight you may have missed the first time around.

Good book on mindfulness written in accessible language and style