Mindfulness in Plain English

About the Author

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, affectionately known as Bhante G, is a revered figure in the world of Buddhist teachings, especially in the realm of mindfulness meditation. Born in Sri Lanka in 1927, Bhante G entered the monastic life at the tender age of 12, beginning a journey that would lead him to become one of the foremost teachers of Vipassana, or insight meditation, in the West. His teachings are rooted in the Theravada tradition, the oldest form of Buddhism, which emphasizes the teachings of the Buddha as recorded in the earliest scriptures.

Bhante G's approach to meditation is both profound and accessible. He has spent decades distilling the complex teachings of Buddhism into practical guidance for laypeople, especially those in the West who may be encountering these ideas for the first time. His writing, particularly in the book "Mindfulness in Plain English," is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and warmth. Bhante G doesn't just teach meditation as a practice; he teaches it as a way of life, a path to deep inner peace and understanding.

Main Idea

The central thesis of "Mindfulness in Plain English" is that meditation is not just a practice but a way of life. Through mindfulness, we can learn to observe our thoughts and feelings without being caught up in them, breaking free from the endless cycle of desire and aversion that leads to suffering. Bhante G presents meditation as a tool for cultivating awareness, a state of being fully present in the moment. This awareness, or mindfulness, is the foundation of true happiness, as it allows us to see things as they really are, free from the distortions of our desires and fears.

Table of Contents

1. Why Meditate?
2. What Meditation Is
3. The Mindset of Meditating
4. How to Start Meditating
5. How to Continue Meditating
6. Wishing Kindness on Others
7. Benefits of Mindfulness

Why Meditate?

Many of us go through life feeling a constant sense of dissatisfaction. We may have moments of happiness, but they are fleeting, quickly replaced by new desires and unmet needs. This is the human condition, as Bhante G explains, where we are trapped in a cycle of wanting, getting, and then wanting more. Meditation offers a way out of this cycle. It allows us to step back from our thoughts and emotions, to observe them without getting caught up in them.

Meditation, according to Bhante G, is the path to mental peace. It helps purify the mind of what he calls "psychic irritants"—those negative thoughts and emotions that disturb our inner tranquility. By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to recognize these irritants as they arise and let them go, rather than allowing them to control us. This is the first step toward breaking free from the cycle of desire and aversion that causes so much of our suffering.

"Is there another way to live? You can control your mind to step outside the endless cycle of desire and aversion." – Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

What Meditation Is

Meditation is often misunderstood as a process of emptying the mind or achieving some kind of trance-like state. But Bhante G is quick to clarify that meditation is about awareness, not escapism. In meditation, we concentrate our mind, but the goal is not just concentration for its own sake. The ultimate goal is mindfulness—being fully aware of what is happening in our mind and body at each moment.