Recommended reading

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
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bodom
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Recommended reading

Post by bodom »

A list of recommended reading on Vipassana for old and new meditators.

Mindfulness in Plain English, Updated and Expanded Edition by Bhante H. Gunaratana
http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Plain ... 0861713214" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path by Henepola Gunaratana
http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Mindful-Ste ... d_sim_b_27" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English: An Introductory guide to Deeper States of Meditation by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Mindfulnes ... pd_sim_b_2

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Foundations- ... pd_sim_b_5

Focused and Fearless: A Meditator's Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm, and Clarity by Shaila Catherine
http://www.amazon.com/Focused-Fearless- ... pd_sim_b_4

Wisdom Wide and Deep: A Practical Handbook for Mastering Jhana and Vipassana by Shaila Catherine
http://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Wide-Deep- ... gy_b_img_y

Pure and Simple: The Buddhist Teachings of a Thai Laywoman by Upasika Nanayon
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Simple-Buddh ... 459&sr=1-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Breath by Breath: The Liberating Practice of Insight Meditation by Larry Rosenberg
http://www.amazon.com/Breath-Liberating ... gy_b_img_c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom by Joseph Goldstein
http://www.amazon.com/Insight-Meditatio ... pd_sim_b_4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening by Joseph Goldstein
http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-A-Pra ... pd_sim_b_7

Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation by Joseph Goldstein
http://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Heart-Wis ... gy_b_img_b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mindfulness With Breathing : A Manual for Serious Beginners by Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Breat ... d_sim_b_42" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditator's Handbook by Ajahn Brahm
http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Bliss ... pd_sim_b_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Sound of Silence: The Selected Teachings of Ajahn Sumedho by Ajahn Sumedho
http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Silence-Sel ... pd_sim_b_6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Mind and the Way: Buddhist Reflections on Life by Ajahn Sumedho
http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Way-Buddhist ... gy_b_img_b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Heart of Buddhist Meditation: Satipatthna : A Handbook of Mental Training Based on the Buddha's Way of Mindfulness, With an Anthology of Relevant Texts Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Buddhist-Me ... d_sim_b_21" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Insight Meditation: A Step-By-Step Course on How to Meditate by Sharon Salzberg
http://www.amazon.com/Insight-Meditatio ... d_sim_b_18" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
http://www.amazon.com/Lovingkindness-Re ... pd_sim_b_1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Meditator's Atlas: A Roadmap to the Inner World by Matthew Flickstein
http://www.amazon.com/Meditators-Atlas- ... d_sim_b_44" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Journey to the Center: A Meditation Workbook by Matthew Flickstein
http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Center-Me ... pd_sim_b_1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dancing With Life: Buddhist insights for finding meaning and joy in the face of suffering
http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Life-Budd ... 023&sr=1-2

Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization by Analayo
http://www.amazon.com/Satipatthana-Dire ... d_sim_b_20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, 2nd Edition by U. Silananda
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Foundations- ... d_sim_b_31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In This Very Life : The Liberation Teachings of the Buddha by Sayadaw U. Pandita
http://www.amazon.com/This-Very-Life-Li ... d_sim_b_25" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The State of Mind Called Beautiful by Sayadaw U. Pandita
http://www.amazon.com/State-Mind-Called ... gy_b_img_b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Food for the Heart: The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah by Ajahn Chah
http://www.amazon.com/Food-Heart-Collec ... gy_b_img_c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering by Ajahn Chah
http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Arises ... gy_b_img_b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Being Dharma: The Essence of the Buddha's Teachings by Ajahn Chah
http://www.amazon.com/Being-Dharma-Esse ... pd_sim_b_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Still Forest Pool: The Insight Meditation of Achaan Chah by J. Kornfield
http://www.amazon.com/Still-Forest-Pool ... pd_sim_b_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Being Nobody, Going Nowhere, Revised: Meditations on the Buddhist Path by Ayya Khema
http://www.amazon.com/Being-Nobody-Goin ... d_sim_b_12" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When the Iron Eagle Flies: Buddhism for the West by Ayya Khema
http://www.amazon.com/When-Iron-Eagle-F ... d_sim_b_59" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Who is My Self?: A Guide to Buddhist Meditation by Ayya Khema
http://www.amazon.com/Who-My-Self-Buddh ... gy_b_img_b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Manuals of Dhamma by Ledi Sayadaw
http://www.pariyatti.org/Bookstore/prod ... cfm?PC=766" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Way to Ultimate Calm Selected Discourses by Webu Sayadaw
http://www.pariyatti.org/Bookstore/prod ... cfm?PC=588" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Available Online:

Talks from Upasika Kee Nanayon
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/kee/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Practical Advice for Meditators by Bhikkhu Khantipalo
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el116.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Progress of Insight A Modern Treatise on Buddhist Satipatthana Meditation by The Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... gress.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Satipatthana Vipassana by Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el370.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Benefits of Walking Meditation by Sayadaw U Silananda
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... bl137.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Way of Mindfulness: The Satipatthana Sutta and Its Commentary by Soma Thera
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... wayof.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Basic Breath Meditation Instructions by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... thmed.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Guided Meditation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... uided.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Meditations: Forty Dhamma Talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... tions.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Meditations 2: Dhamma Talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... ions2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Meditations 3: Dhamma Talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... ions3.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Path of Concentration & Mindfulness by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... cmind.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mindfulness Defined by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... fined.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Using Meditation to Deal with Pain, Illness & Death by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... nhelp.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Frames of Reference by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/lee/frames.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Keeping the Breath in Mind and Lessons in Samadhi by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/lee/inmind.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Starting Out Small A Collection of Talks for Beginning Meditators by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai ... small.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Starting Out Small A Collection of Talks for Beginning Meditators Portfolio 2 by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai ... mall2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Starting Out Small A Collection of Talks for Beginning Meditators Portfolio 3 by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai ... mall3.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Light of Discernment: Meditation Instructions, by Ajaan Suwat Suvaco
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:namaste:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
thecap
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by thecap »

Nice list. :thumbsup: Perhaps, it should be noted that Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante G. is also available online.
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bodom
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by bodom »

thecap wrote:Nice list. :thumbsup: Perhaps, it should be noted that Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante G. is also available online.
Thank you cap!

:namaste:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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mikenz66
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Location: Aotearoa, New Zealand

Re: Recommended reading

Post by mikenz66 »

Mahasi-style meditation resources on-line.

The meditation approach taught by Mahasi Sayadaw's meditation centres in Burma, and his students such as U Pandita and Chanmayay Sayadaw, are the basis for much (but not all) of what is marketed as "Vipassana" or "Insight Meditation" in the West.

I have found the following on-line resources particularly helpful.

Introduction: http://www.buddhanet.net/imol/wrkshp.htm

Various books by Mahasi Sayadaw and others, including U Pandita: "In this very life" are here:
http://aimwell.org/

Bhante Sujiva's book "Essentials of insight meditation practice ( A pragmatic approach to vipassana )" is a detailed manual of Mahasi-style meditation that I have found to be a very useful reference.
http://www.sujiva.wz.cz/english/books_eng.html

Meditation instructions from various teachers, including Mahasi Sayadaw and Chanmyay Sayadaw are here:
http://www.buddhanet.net/insight.htm

Joseph Goldstein, Steve Armstrong and Patrick Kearney were students of U Pandita, the latter two were monks in Burma for several years.
Talks by Joseph Goldstein and Steve Armstrong at:
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teachers/
http://www.audiodharma.org/talks-vipassana.html
Patrick Kearney has entire sets of his retreat talks at:
http://dharmasalon.net/
If you have the time, working through one of those sets is very worthwhile.

Metta
Mike
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sharanam
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by sharanam »

Don't Look Down on the Defilements by Sayadaw U Tejaniya is also available online and a wonderful resource:

http://sayadawutejaniya.org/teachings/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for the very comprehensive list!
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gavesako
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by gavesako »

This blog offers interesting comments on meditation retreats in Thailand as well as reviews of books dealing with this topic:

"Wandering Dhamma"
thoughts of an American meditator in Thailand

http://wanderingdhamma.wordpress.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Another Thai website offering information in English is http://www.kanlayanatam.com/english/Welcome.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
Ancient Buddhist Texts - Translations and history of Pali texts
Dhammatalks.org - Sutta translations
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Cittasanto
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by Cittasanto »

how about this one
Opening the spiritual heart by Michael Kewley
http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=10014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or just simply the Satipatthana sutta
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
sundara
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Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:55 pm

Re: Recommended reading

Post by sundara »

How about this one:
The Buddha's Ancient Path by Piyadassi Thera
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gavesako
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by gavesako »

The Retreat Infos website has been updated:

http://www.retreat-infos.de" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
Ancient Buddhist Texts - Translations and history of Pali texts
Dhammatalks.org - Sutta translations
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Khalil Bodhi
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by Khalil Bodhi »

Manapa wrote:how about this one
Opening the spiritual heart by Michael Kewley
http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=10014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or just simply the Satipatthana sutta
Manapa,

Looks like an excellent book! Once my book-fast is over on January 1st I may just have to purchase this one. Have you read it yourself? Mettaya.

Mike
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183

The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
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Cittasanto
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by Cittasanto »

Khalil Bodhi wrote:
Manapa wrote:how about this one
Opening the spiritual heart by Michael Kewley
http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=10014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or just simply the Satipatthana sutta
Manapa,

Looks like an excellent book! Once my book-fast is over on January 1st I may just have to purchase this one. Have you read it yourself? Mettaya.

Mike
Well he is my :quote: 'teacher' :quote: so yes, and the rest of his books will be etting his new one when he is over here in nov/dec.

I am abit uncomfortable calling him my teacher, all though fr simplicity he is!
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
Moggalana
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by Moggalana »

I have just finished reading Simply This Moment by Ajahn Brahm. It's a collection of Dhamma talks. Most of them were given during the rains retreat at Bodhinyana Monastery, and, accordingly, they are mainly about meditation, and to be more specific, about the relation between the five hindrances and samadhi. To all German readers: This has been published as Nur dieser Moment: Anleitungen für die buddhistische Praxis just recently.
Let it come. Let it be. Let it go.
Moggalana
Posts: 331
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by Moggalana »

A Swift Pair of Messengers by Ajahn Sujato
Seren­ity and insight are the two great wings of Bud­dhist med­i­ta­tion. They each have a spe­cial role to play in the path to Awak­en­ing. While some mod­ern approaches seek to mar­gin­al­ize seren­ity in favor of ‘dry’ insight, the Buddha’s own dis­courses place seren­ity right at the cen­ter of the path. This book col­lects vir­tu­ally all the sig­nif­i­cant pas­sages on this topic that are found in the early dis­courses, care­fully elu­ci­dated for the mod­ern reader.
Let it come. Let it be. Let it go.
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mettafuture
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by mettafuture »

Knowing and Seeing by Pa Auk Sayadaw
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/know-see.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"The Visuddhimagga compiled by the Venerable Buddhaghosa is an exposition of the three trainings. It is based on the Pali texts and commentaries, and explains the seven stages of purification, and sixteen insight-knowledges. But how to attain them has been a difficult question for all Buddhists for many generations. For this, we are fortunate to have the Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw. His teaching is the same as, indeed it is in much more detail than, what is described in the Visuddhimagga. Based on the very same sources, the Pali texts, commentaries and the Visuddhimagga, the Sayadaw teaches meditators, step by step, how to attain those stages of purification and insight-knowledges."

Mindfulness of Breathing and 4 Elements Meditation Pa Auk Sayadaw
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/fourelements.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Practicing the Jhanas by Stephen Snyder
http://www.amazon.com/dp/159030733X" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This book details breath, jhana, brahma-vihara, and 4 elements meditation.

Dhatu-vibhanga Sutta: An Analysis of the Properties (MN 140)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And section 14 of the Samyutta Nikaya has a lot of suttas on the elements.
Last edited by mettafuture on Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Cal
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Re: Recommended reading

Post by Cal »

I'm currently near the end of 'Kamma and the End of Kamma' by Ajahn Sucitto and really want to recommend it. I'm thinking of reading it right through again, I got so much out of it.

I've found this a great resource for more directed meditations. It gives some clear (for me at least) perspective on the relationship between building kamma and over-emphasis of self. I've found its explanations really helpful at a time when I have several difficult 'real-world' problems. It might just have been the right book at the right time for me, but I feel it pulls together issues of kamma, mindfulness and anatta in relation to everyday issues.

I have a paperback copy of this from Chithurst Monastery, but it's available online at: http://www.cittaviveka.org/talks.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Metta

Cal
Right Speech: It is spoken at the right time. It is spoken in truth. It is spoken affectionately. It is spoken beneficially. It is spoken with a mind of good-will. [AN 5.198]

Personally, I seem to gain the most insight when I am under the most pressure, when life is at its most unpleasant. There is something in me on those occasions which feels that there is nothing left but to be aware of 'this'. Ajahn Sumedho - Don't Take Your Life Personally, p288
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