Minding Closely: The Four Applications of Mindfulness Paperback – July 16, 2011

It's amazing to me that Minding Closely hasn't inspired more reviews on Amazon. I've read a lot of books over the years covering many different Buddhist meditation practices and this is definitely one of the best.The book focuses on the satipaṭṭhâna meditations, commonly translated as the "Four Foundations of Mindfulness". This is a form of vipassana or insight meditation that goes right back to the Buddha's teachings in the Pali Canon. The Buddha stated that this form of meditation is the direct path to enlightenment - which sounds good to me since I am definitely not getting any younger!What I like most about Minding Closely is that it presents more than just the basic techniques. Yes it provides clear instructions and detailed discussion of the core satipaṭṭhâna practices as one would expect. But in addition, it gives instructions on other vital meditations from both the Theravada and Vajrayana traditions.These additional techniques include shamatha, based on mindfulness of the breath, which is considered by the author to be an indispensable prerequisite to the satipaṭṭhâna meditations. Also the metta or loving-kindness meditation is recommended for the development of compassion. Then, towards the end of the book, the author introduces what he calls Open Presence meditations, which are I believe part of the Dzogchen practices. All of these are woven skillfully together into a full program that could easily keep you occupied for the rest of this life and, if you believe in rebirth, several more to come.I have only met Alan Wallace on one occasion. Several years ago I attended a weekend meditation retreat that he led here in Santa Barbara County where I live. But I can tell you from that brief encounter that he is the real deal. The author's qualifications for presenting these teachings are exemplary, I won't bother to reiterate them here. His writing radiates the very wisdom and compassion that we all aspire to develop on the Buddhist path. This book is not just a set of dry instructions, it will also provide a good dollop of inspiration.In terms of Buddhist practice and philosophy the author is primarily from a Tibetan background. So while these mediation techniques are really universal in nature, you should be aware that they are presented with a distinctive Tibetan flavor. The author is also philosopher of science with a particular passion for bringing together the complementary disciplines of science and contemplative practice. So intermingled with the dharma teachings and meditation instructions in this book you will find a certain amount of discussion on this topic. Hopefully you won't find this distracting - I think it's fascinating.So, to wrap this up, this is a wonderful book by a brilliant writer and teacher. At this point in my life I feel the need to spend less time reading about meditation and more time actually doing it. So I have adopted Minding Closely as my primary meditation guide for now and into the foreseeable future. I highly recommend it and hope you treasure it as much as I do.

Explains a LOT

The only time I will review books is when I feel I can give it an unequivocal 5 star rating. B. Alan Wallace's book on mindfulness is a 5 star though it has taken me a very long time (months) to work through. Maybe that is a reflection of my need to grow in certain areas or a reflection of my desire to fully "get it", I don't know which or what. The result is that i can spend 5 or 10 minutes reading something and days reflecting on the writing. Or, I come back to the book and re-read what I have read and make no "progress" through the pages but just then get the framework built in my mind. This is not a problem for me. It adds richly to the experience.This book is well written, complete in thought and well constructed in clear and concise language so much so I have to really think about what was just said and let it sink in fully. There is a "thought density" to it that makes it rich like a heavy chocolate cake that can sit on your tongue and tantalize taste buds.I hope this review does not turn anyone off to picking it up in their study of mindfulness. It is not some staid tome written by an intellectual bore. It is beautiful and strong.

Alan Wallace delivers in a work that not only explains how to practice mindfulness but also to what end should it be dedicated. With increased mental stability, the meditator can pierce through notions of reified self and other, discover a dimension beyond the psyche (the substrate) and one beyond individuated consciousness (pristine awareness).. Shamatha leads to vipashyana. Clarity to investigate leads to insight. These experiences are tools that enable the individual’s aspiration to end suffering of one’s self and suffering of all sentient beings to realize.

Those interested in diving into mindfulness practice are often left to learn from books that leave them confused (heavy Eastern influence), or anemic (heavy Western watering down). In the latter (and popular) case, the reader may not be aware how much she or he is missing. This is unfortunate. A skillful way forward must forge a path for readers to adjust to difficult concepts so theory and practice illuminate one another. Both are necessary.In Minding Closely, B. Alan Wallace finds a precise, articulate balance between conveying traditionally inaccessible concepts with simple mindfulness that isn't too light on the heritage from which it sprang thousands of years ago. If we are too succeed in finding liberation we need to understand what the microscope is looking at within, what's in the mirror before us, and what the telescope may behold. This book does a fantastic job of making the harder points sensible, while at the same time, guiding the reader to effective practices.I'm on my second read and still mining gems.

In-depth and thorough analysis of what it means to be mindful. Insightful and profound, but a difficult read. Not for beginners.

I read this book before I bought it (public library), and I loved it enough to buy it, so I can re-read it and annotate it. An excellent guide to the subject, and I use the book and the techniques every day. Absolutely marvelous. And I will tell you what I did not supplement the book - which I again say is essential - I searched online and found free downloads of Alan Wallace leading meditations. These audio aids, with the book, are perfect.