Mindfulness in Plain English

Boston, Wisdom Publications, 1992.

This book is indispensable. It explains Vipassana, a distinctively Buddhist method of meditation, that frees the mind. Even if your primary practice is another method, this book will shed light on the Buddhist project of Waking Up (the term "Buddha" means "one who is awake").

Gunaratana writes in a style that is easy to read and accessible. There was one phenomenon he described that was confusing to me because I've never experienced it; I skipped over it and the rest of the book was no less useful without it.

When he describes the problems with ego, he does not take into account the need for ego in functioning within samsara, for example the need for boundaries to prevent codependence. This is a subject we need to see more feminists addressing, and he is not a feminist. (What he says about the need for transcending ego is nevertheless also true.) I recommend this book so highly because it explains so well the fundamental purpose of Buddhism: that freedom which feminists are striving for too.

This book is also available completely online!