Customer Reviews

Mindfulness With Breathing : A Manual for Serious Beginners

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I apologize that this is not an actual review of the book itself.
I just wanted to point out that this book can be obtained for free online. In fact it specifically says on the cover page "For Free Distribution Only (NOT FOR SALE)."
Url's are not allowed in amazon reviews or I would provide the exact location. However, if you google "974-8486-22-2 pdf" you should be able to locate it.
Metta.

The Anapanasati Sutta is a system of exercises and experiments in breathing and awareness applied to the body, feelings, mind, and spirit. It is presumed that by employing this method, the Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is difficult to imagine a more powerful exposition of these steps than that given by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (Ajan Buddhadasa). Buddhadasa Bhikkhu was perhaps the most influential teacher of Buddhism in the history of Thailand. Although he did not have much formal education, he was honored by many doctoral degrees. The translator, Santikaro Bhikkhu, after serving in the Peace Corps in Thailand, returned in l985 to become the translator for Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and today is the abbot of a monostery. From the translator's faithfulness to his task, the personality of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu emerges: clear, practical and posssessing gentle,good humor. Both Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Santikaro Bhikkhu felt that many Pali terms did not translate easily into English. Consequently their inclusion was necessary. The reader is given three ways to grasp these terms; 1). A glossary, 2). In-text definitions and, 3). Grasping the terms in context through reading and study of the text. Through the Pali terms and the clear presentation of the core ideas of Buddhism, the reader if not enlightened, will at least be well-educated. The reader is taken gently and closely through every step of the way, starting with suggestions for reading the text. Always the reader is encouraged to do his/her best with what is available, which is exactly how Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Santikaro Bhikkhu prepared this model of what a text book should be. The lectures this book were based on, were originally given to Westerners, consequently the reasoning behind ideas is emphasized. For instance, it is pointed out that any body process, not only breathing, can be used for this type of study. Should the reader not be prepared to undertake the path of "serious beginner" at this time, other less rigorous methods are described.

This book is a deep exploration of Insight Meditation based on the Anapanasati Sutra. It is very detailed and contains quite a few Pali terms, but it goes beyond most popular books in depth. It was translated from Thai and is not the smoothest book in the world to read. However, it covers lots of ground in a short space and is a good supplment to other texts such as Breath by Breath by Larry Rosenberg.

Larry Rosenberg's book covers a lot of the same material, but is geared more toward a Western audience and doesn't get as deeply into the Pali terminology, the underlying philosophy, etc. I see the two books as useful and complimentary. Together they constitute a good comprehensive introduction to Insight Meditation.

I study Taoism, which involves Taoist breathing, so what I am involved with is not exactly the same as the Bhuddist Pranayama presented here. I mention this only to state my objectivity in surveying the techniques of another tradition.

Bhuddism in the West is steeped in cultural misunderstandings, and often a result of this is that people associate Bhuddism with something it is not. This book is invaluable for presenting the practical aspects of Bhuddism that anyone from any culture or religious background can benefit from, while at the same time clarifying what Bhuddism is really about.

This text presents for Western readers the classic approach to Bhuddism, the Pranayama passed down by Gautama Bhudda. It is urgent you grasp the importance of "classical." In the West much of the information we receive is diluted in order to be digestable. This book reveals the complete way the information was intended to be passed on. The inclusion of Pali terms is purposeful; they have no translation in English and are essential to the practice. Serious students should by all means make the effort to grasp these concepts.

Bhuddism was the evolution of balance from Hinduism which is often extreme. In that light, people who practice Indian Yoga forms of Pranayama(breathing) will find this information to be evolutionary. Indian Pranayama often is practiced holding the breath, or while breathing rapidly, or forced breathing. This book emphasizes smooth, long, natural breathing, and shortly thereafter progresses to breathing with deeper and deeper aspects of ones "being" rather than emphasizing the physical breath.

Note that the entire book is a commentary on Gautama Bhudda's "Anapanasati Sutra." It is akin to a work by the Bhudda himself. Don't expect it to be a one time read. Expect to read it ten times, and then twenty times more. At the end of the day, the best way to learn the material is from a qualified instructor or by devoting time to practice in a monastery with qualified monks. Understanding the material in this book will give you the background for such training.

I sincerely hope this review is useful in helping at least one person come closer to finding inner peace.

As a newcomer to Buddhism and meditation I found this book rather difficult to get through due to the extensive use of Pali terms. There is a glossary which gets much use as one reads along going ,"now what did this word mean again?" It makes for very choppy reading and understanding , the concepts do not flow when you have to learn foreign terms every sentence. It is a very thorough explanation of the anapanasati sutta.

This book is a thorough and authoritative discussion of the "Mindfulness of Breathing" Sutta of Buddha. It treats the sixteen steps, or four groups of four, with great detail. It teaches how to watch the breath and what to be mindful of during the breathing exercises. Even though I have practiced vipassana meditation for years, I was surprised to see the specific, sequential, and direct instructions Buddhadasa gives. It is not just, "Pay attention to your breathing and make mental notes when your mind wanders." I have had to read the book two times just to begin to understand it. A third reading is coming. It is hard to comprehend all sixteen steps, but one can just use the first tetrad, the first four steps, and go a long way. A summary is given by the translator at the end. This book is for one who seriously wants to use mindfulness meditation of the Theravada kind to try to gain self-knowledge. For that it is excellent.

This isn't the type of book you blow through once and take away from it the main points or general feel. It is more detailed and in depth then other books I have encountered and an excellent reference manual. You can easily read and reread each chapter for more clarity on your current level of practice and move to the next when you feel comfortable enough. Highly recommended for the serious beginner.

Having read some less-than-perfect reviews here, I had to chime in. This book is very well done. It has been a help to me. I'm buying this book again because mine was stolen.

Ajahn Buddhadasa is a controversial figure in the annals of 20th century Theravada Buddhism, even having his works banned for a time in conservative strongholds like Burma. Still, I liked this book. It's nothing new if you are familiar with the Anapanasati sutta from the Pali Canon but Buddhadasa Bhikkhu turns aspects of the famous sutta into a system of training for the "serious beginner." If you're not serious about Buddhism or meditation then I don't think you ought to buy this since it will probably either bore you to death or frustrate you. However, if you really want to learn breath meditation and don't expect any serious results overnight or even over the course of a month or more I think it's a great book. I love it, but if you're into Buddhist scholarship and have no faith in meditation or Enlightenment you'll be wasting your money. There is no scholarship here, just a forest monks instructions on meditation from a life lived practicing it.

I show below a meaning of four items of the Four Noble Truths.
The Noble Truth of Suffering is a law that greed for basic survival lets samsara continue if there is ignorance.
The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering is a law that samsara stops if there is not ignorance.
The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering is various analyses of direct causes and assistant relationships letting samsara continue.
The Noble Truth of the Path that leads to the Cessation of Suffering is a practice guidance called the thirty-seven aids to enlightenment abolishing those causes and relasionships.

It is necessary for the Buddhism of the 21st century to arrange the Four Noble Truths for oneself according to the Logic of Buddha oneself. It becomes the deliverance manual for exclusive use of each person. I omit the detailed explanation, but show Me's original "Guidance of the Four Noble Truths " which I derived from the Five Aggregate and the Twelve Nidanas and the Noble Eightfold Path next.

<The Noble Eightfold Path> **********< the Path for the Cessation of Suffering >
Right understanding 1---------------------------------------Kaya 1 (Form)
Right intention ------------------------------------------------Vedana (Sensory Feelings)
Right(speech + action + livelihood)----------------------Citta 1 (Consciousness)
Right effort------------------------------------------------------Vedana (Sensory Feelings)
Right mindfulness---------------------------------------------Kaya 2 (Form)
Right concentration-------------------------------------------Citta 2 (Samskara + Samjna)
Right understanding 2---------------------------------------Ignorance (Avidya)

I show correspondency of the 37 Aids to Enlightenment and the Noble Eightfold Path which I arranged next to choose the practice method that is good for each person next. The reason why "Anapanasati Sutta" is said to be the highest peak of the ascetic practices system of Buddha becomes clear if you watch this. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness and the Seven Factors of Awakening included in "Anapanasati Sutta" completely cover the Noble Eightfold Path, and the reason is because it is given an explanation that the Noble Eightfold Path is detailed, besides.
In addition, this omits the details, but the Seven Factors of Awakening is nothing but the Four Foundations of Mindfulness where Right mindfulness acts on.

<Noble Eightfold Path>***< 4 frames of reference >***<7 Factors of Enlightenment>
Right understanding 1-------------Body
Right intention-----------------------Feeling
speech, action, livelihood----------Consciousness
Right effort
Right mindfulness---------------------------------------------------------Mindfulness
<><><><><><><><>--------------------------------Investigation + Energy + Joy + Tranquility
Right concentration-------------------------------------------------------Concentration
Right understanding 2-------------Mental qualities---------------Equanimity

<The Noble Eightfold Path>****< 4 bases of power >****<5 faculties / powers>
Right understanding 1
Right intention-----------------------------Will-------------------------Faith
Speech, action, livelihood---------------Consciousness
Right effort----------------------------------Energy---------------------Energy
Right mindfulness--------------------------------------------------------Mindfulness
Right concentration-----------------------Discrimination----------Concentration
Right understanding 2--------------------------------------------------Wisdom

<The Noble Eightfold Path>****<4 right exertions>
Right understanding 1-------------Skillful states(Body)
Right intention-----------------------Skillful states(Feeling)
Speech, action, livelihood----------Skillful states(Consciousness)
Right effort
Right mindfulness
<><><><><><><>---------------Unskillful states(Body / feeling / consciousness)
Right concentration
Right understanding 2

The ascetic practices of a daughter loving Ananda and Nanda which wants to marry a celestial maiden are the Four Bases of Success.
The ascetic practices of Cuuda-pantaka which attained realization by cleaning are the Five Faculties and the Five Powers.
The ascetic practices known as the story of Sona's harp and Anurudha's sleep are the Four Right Efforts.
These Aids to Enlightenment were used for an owner of strong personality.