A really beautiful introduction to mindfulness

I really enjoyed this book, the only problem being it ended. I enjoyed the timber of the voice, the joy and humour of the speaker as difficult concepts were explored in simple terms. Thank you

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2 people found this helpful

Epic book

Amazing book, just wish that Sounds true/ audible had copied the chapter titles into the playlist here.

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Awesome blend of Buddhism and Science!

Shinzen Young presents a comprehensive survey of the different flavours of Buddhism and blends his knowledge of scientific matters in a very persuasive and pallatable way. His analogies are very good and help understand a potentially complex subject. I particularly liked his space and time descritpions using the analogy of microscope and oscilloscope, something every scienctist and student of science can relate to on a practical level. A very high quality and rewarding audio book indeed. What's more, it's never been done before with such expertise and unlikely to be matched.

Note to general listener: there are many blank segments as part of the meditation exercises - these are intentional!

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7 people found this helpful

Sublime

This book is a piece of gold, but just for people who is interested in enlightenment, for the ones who look for entertainment for the mind, you can go to look for spiritual fantasy books and entertainment.

This book is very powerful to understand really the path to enlightenment, and it requires from you to practice everyday too, because enlightenment is not mind stuff, its cuting trough the mind and the self with meditation practice, gaining concentration and wisdom as Buddha said.

If you want to improve your life in every aspect, and you want to go straight into enlightenment (even if your mind will not like this), this one is a good book as long as you do the practices too.

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Fantastic

Absolutely loved this book. Shinzen Young’s voice is just beautiful to listen to.
So much to learn, will definitely be listening to it again and again.
The Meditations are very insightful and the background and theory is very well executed.

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Excellent

Full of information and wisdom - experiential and useful - fabulous if you are on the path

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2 people found this helpful

Awesome book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, absolutely

What did you like best about this story?

Shinzen uses lots of 'stories' to illustrate the teaching - but it's not a work of fiction

What about Shinzen Young’s performance did you like?

Liked his style

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not at 8 hours plus!

Any additional comments?

Great audiobook. I don't claim to understand it but found myself listening again and again.

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The best introduction to mindfulness

Shinzen has put together the most complete introduction and explanation of mindfulness practice and it’s origins from the mystic traditions with emphasis on the Buddhist teachings. A masterpiece.

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The Only Book Ever To Change My Life

This series has changed my life. I first listened to this when I was 17, and now 24, I'm hundreds of hours of meditation in and my life is undoubtedly much richer because of it. Shinzen has a clarity and 'matter of factness' that cuts through the jungle of contradictions, mysticism and lies of modern spirituality and refines the lessons of old into a way which follows a clear set of logic throughout. My improvement in quality of life is not due to some divine blessing of the gods or some other mystical explanation, but through a logical process of developing relaxation and concentration as Shinzen teaches.

Shinzen is not a master nor does he claim to be, but as his analogy states, you do not need to be a master to understand one. He communicates the spiritual path in the clearest way and most helpful I have ever known. I have read many books of the old zen masters, but most are very hard to understand and they have a 'sink or swim' mentality - if you don't get it, tough. The Science of Enlightenment clearly sets out why you should do meditation, how to do it, and some of the obstacles along the way. It also has very insightful analogies on the mind and I refer back to them constantly.

Another way it has changed my life is by opening my eyes to the universality of all religion. Whether it be Mind, God, Allah, The Great Sprit, it fundamentally points to the same thing - the source of everything. This completely changed my views on religion and I am a lot more tolerant of others beliefs. It has broken down barriers I had unconsciously set up, and allowed me to connect with people in a way I had not thought possible before.

I owe a great deal to this book. I urge anyone to give it a chance - if this series does not convince you meditation is worth it, nothing will.

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5 people found this helpful

Stunning

Mystical wisdom for westerners without the new age cul-de-sac's. Although somewhat Pythagorean by its speculative end. A unique resource.

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