Customer Reviews

Transformation and Healing: Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness

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Thich Nhat Hanh's structure of how he presents and reviews the suttas of the Pali cannon is very easy to follow and broken down into manageable portions. For a novice Buddhist like myself, I find this format very helpful. So many other discussions on the suttas make my head spin!

In this text, as in others, the sutta in its entirety is presented in the Therevada translation. He then follows this with a section by section explanation of what the sutta means and how to apply it. The last sections of the book include other translations of the sutta, which are quite interesting because you see how these translations change sometimes the meaning of the sutta.

This book is very helpful for beginning meditators as well because it gives you the basics of breathing and how to use your breathing for meditation and contemplation. Once you master one step, the sutta provides you with the next step to take. I am so happy I have found this and the other books by Thich Nhat Hanh. My life is already the better for it.

This is the author's presentation of the Satipatthana Sutra, the basic sutra on mindfullness. As in all of his works he does the work of a good Dharma teacher very well. He keeps his own personality and teaching idiosyncrasies out of the way so that the student's understanding can arise naturally. There are more elaborate and academic descriptions of the Sutra available and more detailed descriptions of how to use the Sutra in meditation. But this is good basic information presented in a good manner with no frills or personal quirks. The author gives a good commentary on the Sutra and explains why he translates certain passages, but he also gives the alternate interpretations.

This is a fine basic introduction to the central issue in Vapassana meditation. Highly recommended.

No one explains the essential elements of Buddhism bettter Thich Nhat Hanh. Here he continues to examine the basic teachings of meditation as taught by the Buddha and handed down through the Pali Canon. A perfect companion to his book, Breathe! You Are Alive, this work carefully explains for both the novice and more experienced pratitioner the nuances of deeper mediatation techniques as laid out in the Satipatthana Sutta. Thich Nhat Hanh writes with clarity and and makes the joy of meditation accessable to everyone with the desire find true happiness.

If you really pratice the meditation techiniques of this book you will change your life. Thich Nhat Hanh talks in details about the Satipatthanasutta and how to practice the Sutta in the daily life.
He uses to explain all his interpretation presenting a Sutta as source.

Always a wonderful read, he delivers the message of choice, for each book he writes in a way that is easy to follow and understand. Anyone looking for spiritual growth could benefit for any of his books, if only one were to read them.

I have a small and ever growing collection of his works and each stand on their own and have become favorites to read. One is always near my reading place waiting for the next time I pick it up.

I can't recommend his books enough !!

This is one of the best commentaries on a fundamental Buddhist meditation text. An excellent guide to a friendly and deep meditation practice by one of the best teachers of our time.

Thich Nhat Hanh is not only a masterful teacher of mindfulness meditation, but he is also a well respected scholar on Buddhist texts. The teachings that the Buddha gave on the practice of mindfulness, the satipatthana sutta is absolutely central for developing a deep understanding of insight meditation. This understanding combined with the compassionate attitude that Thich brings to the practice is truly special. If you wish to explore more about the theory and practice of mindfulness meditation for personal transformation, I also recommend 'The Path of Mindfulness Meditation' by Dr Peter Strong, an in-depth exploration of mindfulness meditation.

My first copy fell apart in the sauna after a few days.
It doesn't get much better then this. I could still use the first copy but I know I will be using this book for many years to come. So I bought a new copy.The practices are so on the money and will help me on my path.
I had to skip the begining of the book because it is the Sutras with all it's repatition as it has been for many centuries before they had it writen down.
Thank you for such a great guide.

No matter what level you are at, this book makes the Satipatthana Sutra much more understandable. Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings in the book make it very clear how to apply the understanding to improve your Meditation and, of course, Mindfullness.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough; it should be in every Buddhist and Mindfullness library/book collection. I also suggest you get "Breath, you are alive!" also, as these two books are pretty much companions.

I will read this book again, and again. It is full of answers to many questions I've had and makes a lot of the dharma understandable and usable.