Joseph Goldstein has studied and taught insight meditation and Buddhist practices for almost 50 years; Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening is a lucid, warm distillation of this experience and wisdom. Goldstein examines the Satipatthana Sutta, which contains the four foundations of Buddhist mindfulness, and presents it to modern audiences in an accessible and discerning manner.
Focusing on such tools as "ardency," "clear knowing" and "concentration," Goldstein makes a case for the use of Buddhist technique to survive the mundane daily grind and arrive at spiritual awakening. He breaks the concept of mindfulness down to four useful categories: the body, feelings (including sensory perceptions), mind and dhammas--Buddhist categories of experience that identify the hindrances and help-aids on the path to awakening.
Mindfulness is a master class in Buddhist teaching--and in more general wisdom suitable for an age in which mindfulness has become a centerpiece to new approaches in healthcare, addiction and business management. Goldstein stays true to his source material, but never gets bogged down by technical or non-English jargon. Each teaching is amply supported by compassion and the firm strength of one who's been there and done that. Throughout, one feels the love Goldstein has for this material, this path and for his fellow pilgrims on the way. His ample, big-hearted book will be useful for long-time practitioners or those new to Buddhism or meditation alike. --Donald Powell, freelance writer