The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English

In simple and straightforward language, Bhante Gunaratana shares the Buddha's teachings on mindfulness and how we can use these principles to improve our daily lives, deepen our mindfulness, and move closer to our spiritual goals.Based on the classic Satipatthana Sutta, one of the most succinct yet rich explanations of meditation, Bhante's presentation is nonetheless thoroughly modern. The Satipatthana Sutta has become the basis of all mindfulness meditation, and Bhante unveils it to the reader in his trademark ''plain English'' style. Contemplating the Four Foundations of Mindfulness—mindfulness of the body, of feelings, of the mind, and of phenomena themselves—is recommended for all practitioners. Newcomers will find The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English lays a strong groundwork for mindfulness practice and gives them all they need to get started right away, and old hands will find rich subtleties and insights to help consolidate and clarify what they may have begun to see for themselves. People at every state of the spiritual path will benefit from reading this book.

Bhante Gunaratana, in his trademark style, renders in plain English what the Buddha said about mindfulness, providing clear instructions on how these principles can be used to improve daily life, deepen mindfulness, and move closer to spiritual goals. Though his presentation is based on a classic text, the Satipatthana Sutta, it is thoroughly modern. The practice of contemplating the Four Foundations—mindfulness of the body, feelings, mind, and phenomena themselves—is recommended for people at every stage of the spiritual path. As the Buddha says, everyone “should be exhorted, settled, and established in the development of these Four Foundations of Mindfulness."