The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science for Greater Mindfulness Kindle Edition

My review will probably connect with a certain kind of reader and not with others. For me, this book is one of the finest works on meditation that I have ever read and I'd like to give you enough background to understand why I think that.I am reasonably experienced with meditation. I have practiced or attempted to practice several forms from TM, MBSR, Contemplation, Mindfulness, Vipassana and I'm sure others are in there over the last 25 years. I had no family meditation culture surrounding me and I attempted to make a go of it as a teenager learning from the books that I could find. Over the years, I have experienced some incredible and profound changes and experiences as a result of meditation. But also, I had times where I just didn't do it because I blew out or had lost confidence in the process, mostly not realizing what had happened at the time! I certainly never lost the desire to bring the benefits in my life, but just lost my way now and again because I couldn't identify what had gone wrong or what the next step was.I am not interested in Bhuddism per se, but by virtue of the meditation books I have read and retreats I have done I am familiar. My real interest is in the practical aspects that transcend culture and religion. To me Gautama was a super smart guy, a veritable uber-genius. But I don't believe he was a god or anything. Still he was able to really distill some ideas that are really a profound benefit to humanity. But he wasn't the only genius. Over X thousand years there has been a lot of different cultures that have practiced meditation and received great benefits. Over much of this time this knowledge though has been held largely in for-profit teaching structures that kept the concepts inaccessible or at other times there were societal opposition to these ideas (such as calling it witchcraft).But now we are here in the modern era as these ancient materials are pouring out. We have the benefits of modern teachers researching the accumulated brilliance of all of these years of practice. And to me that is the category for this book. I am really looking for is an experienced modern teacher who can elucidate the relevant meditation concepts with modern language.I have been reading with a highlighter where I highlight salient and concisely stated points, of which I have found many.The book (and the structure of practice it recommends) is organized in a clear and incremental way. The language is precise. When discussing these concepts, it is vital to have an agreed upon shared vocabulary. There are obviously concepts that need to be experienced to be fully understood. Though I am familiar (at this point) with many Sanskrit, Pali and Yoga terms at this point -- they doesn't resonate with me the same way a properly defined English conceptual definition would. I am not part of those cultures, nor do I really want to be. This book defines good descriptive English terms.The authors include a well-written glossary of terms in the back and then utilize and contextualize those concepts as they lay out an incremental development path. I read the glossary first and then I started working through the chapters (each person needs should take his or her own approach). For me, the authors have made very important distinctions that led to important insights that I wish I had years ago.I don't want to just leave a rah rah emotional review, but having read quite a few other meditation books -- this book feels like one that will be cherished for a long time. The authors are fully modern teachers. I also recommend The Science of Enlightenment by Shinzen Young which previously held the title as my outright #1 favorite. But "The Mind Illuminated" has such an intelligent layout and progressive structure (derived, I am sure, from years of practical teaching experience) -- it is at least equal to me in value.In short, this is an excellent book. I have benefited greatly from reading it. And I am not casual about things just giving an eBay "A++++++++++++" review.

I hesitate to post a review, there are so many already here, but there are a few thoughts I would like to share in hopes they will be useful to potential readers of this book. I hope these observations will be of use to some of you.I happen to be a licensed clinical psychologist who has also practiced meditation for the past couple of decades. I decided to put together a seminar on meditation for people in my area, but I wanted to take a neuropsychological perspective in organizing the materials. Like many people, I am hoping that the perspective emerging from empirical investigation into the brain will offer a trans-theoretical and trans-disciplinaryapproach to healing. This book appeared to be in line with my intentions, so I bought it expecting to have an enjoyable entrance into someone else's perspective that would also alert me to studies I might not have already found. While I certainly got a taste of Dr. Yates' perspective, and it is a perspective I very much appreciate, I found very little in the way of neuroscience. In fact, there were only a handful of studies referenced, and themajority of those were out of date. Oddly, this fact does not detract from my overall positive impression of the work, but I do feel compelled to make a point of it given the way the book was marketed. Both the subtitle and the "reviews" included by the publishers emphasized a scientific angle, and this is simply incorrect. I want to warn potential readers of this because, in what I can only assume was a hasty zeal on the part of the publishers to capitalize on the neuroscience zeitgeist, they have succeeded in potentially undermining the true value of the book.In my honest opinion, this book is best described as a modern synthesis and partial reinterpretation of the Abhidamma Sutta. As a modern synthesis it certainly owes much of its language and perspective to cognitive science, but not in an academically rigorous sense (the Mind and Life Dialogues between the Dalai Lama and various leading scientists might be a better place to start). It is more an attempt to bring a Theravadan perspective on the wisdom of two thousand plus years of phenomenological investigation by advanced meditators to the English speaking public, and in this it is an astounding success. Culadasa shows himself to be a first rate teacher of meditation who has obviously guided a great number of people through the years. His compassion and experience come through from the initial chapter on just establishing a regular time to practice, to the advanced stages where the reader will find a very fine grained description of common experiences and how to best focus one's energies. As a meditation guide, it is certainly the most thorough and clear book I have ever encountered, and I would venture to say buying this book is a no-brainer for anyone seriously interested in taking up a practice. Certainly for those already inclined towards a buddhist perspective this book comes as close to being complete as any non-living guide could be expected to.For those not commited to a buddhist world view, and even for those that are but are also willing to encounter some contradictory ideas, I would suggest that interested readers consider, "The Path of Liberation," by Adyashanti, the old gem, "Focusing," by Eugene Gendlin, and Judith Blackstone's several books. The first book will offer an interesting counterpoint to The Mind Illuminated that will help counteract the subtle but pervasive goal-orientedness that often leaks in to the types of practices Culadasa emphasizes. The second book offers an exceptionally useful method for working with feelings and emotions that come up in the middle and later stages of meditation. The third author provides a unique perspective that includes the body, feelings, and relationships in meditation. To Culadasa's credit, he clearly names many problems and offers his own suggestions, such as loving-kindness meditation as an adjunctive practice, but I have found over the years that many people are not best served by attempting to counteract negative emotions with positive ones. Rather than finding equanimity, they seem to more often feel guilty about their genuine experience and bypass the possibility of important psychological insight. They languish in the middle stages of their practice, and most eventually give up, discouraged and feeling like failures. I have found the authors above to be better medicine for people finding themselves awash in emotion and/or struggling with relationships. Of course, the best way to handle these kinds of technical questions that arise in the course of a consistent practice is on a case by case basis. No book or combination of books can replace a trusting relationship with a teacher and a community of supportive others, and again to Culadasa's credit, he is clear that there will be instances where people should consider therapeutic support, but I would suggest that later editions delve into the important issue of emotions and relationships more deeply. The basic stance that negative emotions are simple impedimets that should fade over time or be counteracted seems remarkably simplistic in the 21st century. Also, we are inherently relational creatures in many ways, so the experience of feeling angelic on the cushions only to immediately re-engage in old patterns with family and friends is legion. As Ram Dass quppied many years ago, "if you think you are enlightened, go spend a week with your family." I do not doubt that Culadasa has much useful advice on these questions, but there did not seem to be room in this volume.Finally, there is the question of post-awakening experience and practice. In this area Culadasa is completely silent. Again, not a crticism as his intent is clearly to support the establishment of a solid practice, but his input would be fascinating. Theravadan Buddhism in particular has a clearly articulated map of awakening, so discussion among advanced practitioners and teachers would be tremendously useful in continuing the project of forging a modern and clear language regarding how and why to practice meditation. I hope we will hear more from him in the future on these questions.I hope these reflections will be of some value to people looking for guidance on meditation, especially those without teachers who are encountering obstacles. I pray you find your way.

Great practical content for meditators although I'm not sure how well this finds someone without any background

OK, first my personal bias out of the way, I'm in my mid 50s, been a Buddhist for approximately 35 years and thus think Buddhism is the Bees-Knees...However people may look at it Buddhists have been meditating and investigating the nature of the Mind, its states and possible abilities and refining the technical language to explain such states for over 2500 years and where most contemplative traditions died out in India due to various historical reasons such practices and investigation continued in Tibet and the surrounding Theravadin countries... and has amassed a vast literature on this subject, it's for this reason that I personally think Buddhism is the best place to look for this type of information.NOW for the Book itself.Even though this book does draw it's information from various Buddhist sources (as well as science) the language used by Buddhists on meditation itself is of a technical and non religious nature which is reflected in this book thus anyone from any Contemplative Tradition may find this book useful, or even those who are purely secular in outlook.The method presented takes its approach from an ancient Buddhist model where a concentration (tranquil abiding, shamatha or samatha) is developed in certain stages. Where this book excels is the share amount of detail and practical advice for all stages of mental development.For those already familiar with the Buddhadhamma one very important point the author covers is access concentration which gives access to the Jhanas, he explains quite clearly that access concentration can arise even before Tranquil Abiding is accomplished, something I've NEVER seen covered else where and over which there is much confusion even among Tibetan Lamas (sorry but it's true). He also, in my honest opinion, ends the debate between Sutta & Abhidhamma type Jhanas, Thank you Culadasa & Saaadhu !Plus the book has what the author calls interludes which are chapters filling in essential information to progress to the next level and well as slowly presenting a more sophisticated model of mind/Consciousness as ones practice and experience develops.There is NO book on the market as detailed and comprehensive as this one, NONE, from the Tibetans, Theravadins or anyone else, and I say this after 35 years of experience and study, if YOU or anyone else can find better than please let me know.This author also has one or two other "tricks" up his sleeve, e.g. he explains why "laziness" might have actually been useful and is not necessarily always negative, never seen that before and, well a very useful way of seeing things, I'll let purchasers of the book learn why by reading the book...I cannot fault this book, it has everything you need to develop tranquil abiding and much more besides. I would recommend this book over all others.HAPPY MEDITATING.

Where shall I start?When I came across this book I had been meditating daily for about a year. I realised that while i knew meditation is for me, I couldn't tell it I was getting anywhere worth going. Then I read an article online referring to this book and thought I'd give it a try. I was NOT disappointed.It cuts through all the words and give a clear 10-stage progressive road map that anyone with persistance can reliably follow.It is very in depth but also offers concise overviews. There is very little mention of religious practices, this is primarily about you and your mind and what terrain your mind will encounter as you meditate. What I like so much about this approach is that is starts right at the beginning, explains what why and how. Then, as you move on it explains what challenges you will face and how to deal with them.I have made more progress with this approach than anything else. For those who say that meditation is not about progress, that's fine. But there are many people out there who don't have a teacher or are not going to be monks and if they don't see any progress, their motivation may crumble.I recommend this book for people who want clear instructions with a clear purpose. You can add the religious elements yourself

This is a life-changing book. (and I don't use the phrase lightly) It's also a profound labour of love. The detail over almost 500 pages is as inspiring as it is helpful. This is the best guidance out there for serious practitioners I've yet to find - by far.Before reading this book, I was struggling with my Vipassana practice, trapped in states of 'strong and subtle dullness' (as it turned out) and puzzled as to why I wasn't making progress. I've since started again from scratch and, following Culadasa's detailed and expert guidance, have transformed my practice and am now well on my way to becoming an adept.Importantly, as the author points out, there is no need to go on lengthy and arduous retreats to attain equanimity. Just follow the science.Could not recommend more highly.Thanks, Culadassa (out there on your retreat in the Arizona wilderness). Thanks to you I've cracked it! .

This book is long but that simply demonstrates the author's clearly vast experience of both practicing and teaching meditation. In each chapter he covers not only techniques, but also obstacles and how to overcome them. Critically - and almost uniquely amongst books of this kind - he also provides clear goals for each stage so you know when to move on to the next chapter.This book has straightened out several misconceptions I had about meditative technique, and has renewed my enthusiasm to practice. It's like he's written a book just for me since I've hit practically every one of the obstacles he's listed so far. I only wish this book had existed a decade or so ago when I began to meditate.If you only buy one meditation book in your life, let it be this one. I cannot recommended it highly enough.

I'm really pleased I got this book. For 20 years I've stumbled through meditation. At first not really realising that what I was drawn to was meditation and then picking up tidbits from books, interviews, podcasts and YouTube.Reading this book has provide a structure to meditation that feels obvious yet insightful. Where I previously blindly scrambled through my meditation sessions I now feel focussed and confident that I'm making positive progress in my meditation skills.The book is organised in 10 stages. Each stage guides the reader through meditation skills, clearly identifying what might arise to help or hinder at each stage. Each stage is broken down into relevant parts that are described clearly and concisely. I don't feel as though the steps are too big. I had considered my previous personal efforts in meditation might have influenced the else with which I understand the I structions, but as I approach chapters describing new unconscious experiences, I find it's the authors explanations, and incremental complexity that aids my understanding.I bought this book for about £16. I would happily pay £30 for it. As time goes by and my appreciation of the instructions increases, the value is approaching priceless.