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Mindfulness in Plain English  By  cover art

Mindfulness in Plain English

By: Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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Publisher's summary

With over a quarter of a million copies sold, Mindfulness in Plain English is one of the most influential books in the burgeoning field of mindfulness and a timeless classic introduction to meditation. This is a book that people listen to, love, and share - a book that people talk about, write about, reflect on, and return to over and over again.

Bhante Gunaratana is also the author of Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness, Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English, The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English, and his memoir, Journey to Mindfulness.

©2011 Bhante Henepola Gunaratana (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Mindfulness in Plain English

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Direct, as the title suggests

This book is brimming with practical nuts and bolts advice and wisdom for someone with a regular meditation practice. It might(?) be a bit much for someone totally unfamiliar with meditation, but it would be excellent if you truly wanted to try sitting on a regular basis. There is a pretty serious discussion of concentration-one pointed attention on a single object, like the breath-as a means of strengthening mindfulness that i found very helpful. That theme of developing concentration in tandem with mindfulness and how they serve each other is something i don't think i had read or heard explained so clearly before. I would absolutely recommend this book if you sit or really no bullshit want to try sitting. I would say this book would be 100% amazing if you had tried meditating and wanted to have more direction and understand mindfulness more clearly. So, yea in that case, 100% amazing for anyone who meditates.

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107 people found this helpful

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absolutely loved it!

I've never really felt compelled to review products or servjces, but this book definitely deserves one! I absolutely love how it opened my mind to a new way of thinking and being! I read this book hoping to gain a new skill in the form of meditation and discovered sooo much more! will be recommending it to everyone feeling lost and looking for a path and purpose.

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73 people found this helpful

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Life changing...

This book changed how I handle my anxiety- allowed me the space and breath to be able to see things clearly and step back if needed.

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43 people found this helpful

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This no nonsense, empirical approach to the mind is changing my life.

This no nonsense, empirical approach to the mind is changing my life. After decades of disappointments from so called 'holy books' and religious dogma, this simple (yet difficult) task of living mindfully is giving me the satisfaction I could never find in organized, god centered religion.

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41 people found this helpful

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Interesting topic but poor presentation

The narrator had, in my opinion, added an irritating affect to his delivery that came across as phoney and put on.
Too massage parlour music.
These issues detracted from the information that was attempted to be passed along.

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29 people found this helpful

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Excellent

Don't hesitate to get this if you want a clear guide to mindfulness and meditation.

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29 people found this helpful

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excellent. one of the best books on mindfulness.

Narrator sounds like Henry Gibson, from Laugh-In. One of the best books about mindfulness on audio media. TWO THUMBS UP.

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25 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

In plain English, but not an introduction to meditation and mindfulness.

The book was well written and well read, but at times I felt like it was a superiority it's tone and it's teaching. However, it does cover The concept of mindfulness extremely well and very thoroughly. My sense is that I will continue to get a lot out of this book as I practice my meditation over the years.

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21 people found this helpful

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ANIEXTY, DEPRESSION, ETC, THIS BOOK WILL NOT HELP

Any additional comments?

I have meditated for two years & has had very beneficial effects with my terrible anxiety, so was keen to learn more from this book. I cannot say how bad it is. They have taken a basic breathing style of meditation & then just mention the word Mindfulness every now & then. It has VERY little to do with Mindfulness, and does not have practical mental exercises.

Example from this book. "If a dog keeps waking you at 3.00am, do not feel anger or upset connect with the sound waves from the barking by using a faster paced counting breathing meditation!" It also mentions in some years you may release supernatural powers, I kid you not.

This has little if anything to do with Mindfulness & in my mind is a re-hash of an older book that they have just slapped Mindfulness in Plain English on the cover. I do though highly recommend a book called The Confidence Gap, read the reviews on that one & that is in plain English & is a wonderful book to help learn mediation & Mindfulness & will walk you step by step on how to deal with anxiety, depression & alike.

Avoid this one at all costs.

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easy to understand the fine points.

loved it. reader was pleasant to hear. i recomend it for beginners and more advanced alike.

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18 people found this helpful