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The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation
 
 
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The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation [Paperback]

William Hart (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

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Book Description

March 11, 1987

The Ancient Meditation Technique that Brings Real Peace of Mind

Vipassand-bhavand, "the development of insight," embodies the essence of the teaching of the Buddha. As taught by S. N. Goenka, this path to self-awareness is extraordinary in its simplicity, its lack of dogma and, above all, its results. The Vipassana technique can be successfully applied by anyone.

Based on the lectures and writings of S. N. Goenka--and prepared under his direct guidance--The Art of Living shows how this technique can be used to solve problems, develop unused potential, and lead a peaceful, productive life. It includes stories by S. N. Goenka, as well as answers to students' questions, that convey a vivid sense of his teaching.

S. N. Goenka's Vipassana courses have attracted thousands of people of every background. Unique among teachers of meditation, Goenka is a retired industrialist and former leader of the Indian Community in Burma. Although a layman, his teaching has won the approval of senior Buddhist monks in Burma, India, and Sri Lanka, a number of whom have taken courses under his guidance. Despite his magnetism, he has no wish to be a "guru" --instead he teaches self-responsibility. This is the first systematic study of his teachings to appear in English.


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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Unlocks the Vipassana technique-"the development of insight'"--that embodies the essence of the teaching of the Buddha, revealing an extraordinarily simple and effective path to self-awareness.

About the Author

William Hart has studied Vipassana for many years. Since 1982, he has been conducting Vipassana courses in the West as an assistant teacher of S.N. Goenka.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (March 11, 1987)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060637242
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060637248
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

41 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (41 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Not really about meditation per se, but very good., October 31, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation (Paperback)
If you're looking for a book on "how to meditate" you should look elsewhere. This book is not about Vipassana meditation technique, it's more about the philosophy that underlies it. So the title may mislead, depending on what you're looking for. However, having said that I found the discussions that are contained in the book to be extremely good and very useful from the point of view of Vipassana as an approach to life in general. So if you think of LIFE as an extended meditation, then perhaps the book really is about Vipassana meditation. Anyway, as long as you're not expecting a book on meditation technique, I highly recommend this one. Good stuff.
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55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing, August 26, 2005
This review is from: The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation (Paperback)
This book and the accompanying 10 day course changed my entire life. This happened because my mind actually transformed, completely reinvented itself into a rational, sensible self. I too was a hard sell- a highly educated, argumentative, self-centered business person- and have in no way given up my worldly life because of the program. I have cleaned out my mind of the negativities, so now I can continue to pursue excellence and success with a clean, positive, and radiant mind instead on an insecure, unsure, angry, and frightened mind. Every person in my life has appreciated the change, and not once have I tried to sell this technique to anyone else. It is too special. However, whenever people ask me about how I am able to live my life with the level of clarity, lack of fear, and boundless dreams and goals that I do, I love to share with them my secret, so they too can learn the amazing Vipassana. I am in no way a master, and I know I will need to study for a lifetime to make small steps. However, I will be eternally grateful for the changes I have already seen.
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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive textbook for Mr. Goenka's world-famous meditation courses, January 27, 2006
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This review is from: The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation (Paperback)
"The Art of Living" is an excellent introduction to Vipassana meditation. Prepared by William Hart and based on the lectures and writings of S. N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, it could easily be considered the textbook for Mr. Goenka's world-famous Vipassana courses.

Although Vipassana is primarily experiential, I consider the intellectual framework provided in this book as key to fully accepting the positive impact of the technique. As the saying goes, success happens when preparation meets opportunity. Here, in my opinion, are two key passages from the book:

"Every thought, every emotion, every mental action is accompanied by a corresponding sensation within the body. Therefore, by observing our physical sensations, we also observe our mind."

"We observe the sensation without reacting, neither liking it nor disliking it. It has no chance to develop into craving or aversion, into powerful emotion that can overwhelm us; it simply arises and passes away. The mind remains balanced and peaceful. We are happy now and we can anticipate happiness in the future, because we have not reacted."

You can access your mind through your body. By viewing and dissolving areas of blocked consciousness in our body we systematically de-condition our mind. The result is increased clarity, happiness, certainty and true self-expression. In a world not overly abundant in these qualities that's an excellent contribution to make. I have completed two 10-Day Vipassana courses as taught by Mr. Goenka and they were the most positive transforming experiences I've ever been a part of.

In The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, Eckhart Tolle says that we can use our inner body as an anchor to the Now. I agree. The menu, however, is not the meal. If you want to anchor yourself to the Now, I recommend "The Art of Living" and the 10-Day Vipassana course it points to.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
All of us seek peace and harmony, because this is what we lack in our lives. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
ariya atthangika magga, conditioned arising, observing sensations, neutral sensation, unwholesome actions, practicing awareness, sweet mangoes, blind reaction, experiential wisdom, right awareness, sensation arises, past reactions, apparent reality
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
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