The Mindfulness in Plain English Collection by Bhante Gunaratana Summary

The Mindfulness in Plain English Collection offers a comprehensive guide to mindfulness and meditation, merging three classics by Bhante Gunaratana. It covers foundational techniques, advanced practices like the jhanas (deep concentration states), and mindfulness applications for everyday life. Rooted in Buddhist Vipassana (insight) meditation, the teachings are presented in accessible, secular language.

This collection suits both beginners and experienced meditators seeking structured guidance. It’s ideal for readers interested in mindfulness benefits—stress reduction, clarity, emotional balance—without religious dogma. Those exploring Buddhist meditation traditions or deepening their practice will find actionable insights.

Yes, praised for its clarity and practicality, the book is endorsed by experts like Jon Kabat-Zinn. It avoids esoteric jargon, focusing instead on actionable steps for building sustainable meditation habits and achieving transformative self-awareness.

Bhante Gunaratana (“Bhante G”) is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk with over 80 years of teaching experience. Ordained at 12, he later founded the Bhavana Society and authored seminal works on mindfulness. His teachings blend scholarly rigor with compassionate guidance, making Buddhist principles accessible globally.

The book provides step-by-step instructions on posture, breathing, and managing distractions. It distinguishes mindfulness (awareness of the present) from concentration (focusing the mind), emphasizing their complementary roles in cultivating mental clarity and emotional resilience.

The Four Foundations—mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, and mental objects—are explored as frameworks for observing experiences non-judgmentally. This systematic approach helps practitioners develop deeper awareness of physical sensations, emotional reactions, and thought patterns.

Yes, Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English introduces the jhanas: profound states of concentration leading to insight and inner peace. These advanced techniques build on basic mindfulness to foster heightened mental stillness and joy.

Regular practice cultivates present-moment awareness, reducing stress and enhancing decision-making. Bhante G emphasizes that mindfulness isn’t about “sublime thoughts” but living authentically: “You become sensitive to the actual experience of living.”

The 20th-anniversary edition includes a chapter on metta (loving-kindness) meditation. It teaches methods to foster compassion toward oneself and others, framed as a natural extension of mindfulness practice.

Some note its heavy focus on technique over theoretical context. While ideal for practitioners, those seeking philosophical depth may need supplementary material.

Unlike academic texts, it prioritizes hands-on guidance. Compared to Jon Kabat-Zinn’s secular approach, Bhante G’s work retains Buddhist roots while remaining accessible to all.

Notable lines include:

• “In meditation, you become sensitive to the actual experience of living”.
• “The result is freedom”.
• “You do not sit around developing sublime thoughts about living. You live”.