Rating: 
Summary: truly in plain English
Review: I was so impressed that someone who has English as their second language could be so clear about such deep topics. I loved this book and am giving it to many of my friends. There are other books on Buddhism that I have read and liked, but which got bogged down in stuff that made me want to go to sleep. I never felt that way here, although I'm sure Gunraratana could be very esoteric if he wanted to be. I'd highly recommend it as a guide to being more in each moment and living life to the fullest.
Rating:
Summary: truly in plain English
Review: I was so impressed that someone who has English as their second language could be so clear about such deep topics. I loved this book and am giving it to many of my friends. There are other books on Buddhism that I have read and liked, but which got bogged down in stuff that made me want to go to sleep. I never felt that way here, although I'm sure Gunraratana could be very esoteric if he wanted to be. I'd highly recommend it as a guide to being more in each moment and living life to the fullest.
Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: I've been doing meditation for several years. In China the same method is called "zhi-guan" (stop and watch).Looking back, I found what I experienced very much like what's described in the book. Some may be waiting ahead. I hope I had this book earlier thus I didn't need to waste so much time correcting lots of problems in the practicing/searching process. Finally a few comments:
0. Zen is all about exploring by yourself. If you listen to somebody, put him at the same level as you thus you'll scrutinize his oponion using your own ideas and experiences. 1. Meditation is about release, not about constraint. You can't supress your desire (unless with some surgery). Instead you should understand that desire is totally valid if not good. Watching the necessity of the body, just don't be moved by it. Try to get rid of your desire may bring mental problems. 2. There's an analogy from Miyamoto Musashi about the heart of Zen, "a mirror in deep water".
Rating:
Summary: a simple "how-to" book
Review: If meditation can be made simple, this book is it. The author writes in a colloquial, easy to read style, anticipates most of the questions a learner may have about meditation, and takes the reader through an easy to understand step-by-step process. This book is a must read for anyone interested in learning about the mysteries of meditation.
Rating:
Summary: A handbook for the "old pros" of meditation, as well.
Review: It is understandable that new meditators are enthusiastic about this book. However, I have been practicing for 30 years steady, and I found many useful insights into solving the problems in one's practice. If I had this book two years ago, I would not have been compelled to change traditions. This book explains meditation in a stunningly logical way, adding the benefits of the writer's experience in every place needed. I think this is the "best written" book on meditation technique that has ever been published, amazing in how well it addresses beginners and experienced meditators in the same breath.
Rating:
Summary: The first book I recommend to friends
Review: It's true. Of the forty to fifty books I've read that deal with Buddhism and/or meditation, this is undoubtedly the best. It is very easy to read, but is not simplistic. It is very broad in its coverage, yet manages to delve deeply enough into each subject to give you a good, grounded understanding. It is practical, providing examples of several types of meditation. Best of all, it provides help in answering the questions that most frequently arise in someone who is just starting the practice (or long term practitioners, for that matter). In short, it is a 'must read' book.
Rating:
Summary: Educate Your Own Spiritual Breathing
Review: Mindfulness In Plain English This book is a first excellent step to understand the benefit of studying Buddhism.
The Path of Purification , The Power of Mindfulness and The Heart of Buddhist Meditation
should be your next books to get the real value of the "Mindfulness in Plain English". The most important to gain the whole benefits when reading this book is to "PRACTICE"
on your own and teach someone to practice the method described in the book. And then reread it,
you will realize that what you experienced develops your understanding of "Mindfulness" better
and better. Some will say that they understand the simple langauge of the author tried to imply in the book already.
But lot of Details in actual situation may appear to every individuals differently, thus, each must discover your own hidden assets. Nobody Can findout your own inner asset !!
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent beginning for your path to Liberation
Review: Mindfulness is not an easy concept to explain in words yet H. Gunaratana does a nice job of doing just that. First and foremost, this book is a beginner's guide to the practice of Vipassana (or Insight) meditation. Having it's roots in the Gutama Buddha's life over 2500 years ago, Vipassana meditation is a skill that takes only a short while to learn but a lifetime of dedication to master. The introduction gives a brief look at the roots of the practice and tells the reader that meditation is intrinsically experiential so the best way to get started is to just sit and try it. In the following chapters, Gunaratana helps the reader to understand exactly what meditation is and what it isn't. From there he goes into more detailed instructions as to what your mind and body should be doing while you meditate. This is accompanied with useful tips on dealing with problems that may arise in your practice, including the 5 major hindrances that nearly all meditators face. The book wraps up with a more in depth look at exactly what "mindfulness" is and how to "take it from the cushion" and integrate it into our daily lives. I found this book very easy to read and understand and feel it would be an excellent guide for people just getting into Buddhism and meditation. Already being the owner of a collection of books on Buddhism, this book didn't offer any new revelations but I was extrememly pleased with the sections on mindfulness and have already used some of the author's suggestions on integrating it into daily life. The main reason I did not give the book 5 stars is because it offers much more for the new reader than it does for one with more experience. If you buy this book and still feel like you could use more detailed instructions on meditation, I recommend you also purchase "Change Your Mind: A Practical Guide to Buddhist Meditation" by Paramananda (ISBN: 0904766810).
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and to the point
Review: Of all the books that I have read on the subject this book in the most concise, informative, and practical. It is well worth the price and I recommend it to you with enthusiasm and without reservation.
Rating:
Summary: Best available book but needs to offer better practical help
Review: One third of what you will learn about meditation will come from your teachers and your fellow class and retreat meditators; one third from yourself on your own patient journey - and one third from a good book. That book will sometimes seem the least important third, sometimes the most important part. Having read a shelf full, I find, Mindfulness in Plain English, to be the best available how to meditate guide - it is well written, clear, graceful and it covers all the issues tackled elsewhere. But it leaves out much advice that would have made it much better. 90% of those starting a meditation class drop out - meditation teachers such as Gunaratana rarely seek to find out why and so the small things that get in the way of even the most determined intentions. A good meditation book must tackle them - and Gunaratana like every writer does so only partially. Here is a list of a few of things that could be added. A beginner requires equipment to handle the 20, 30 or 40 minute duration of their meditation -- for example, a timer used in cooking (under something to dim its unpleasant alarm sound), or a CD burnt with silent tracks that end with one of bells. After a few months, time can be estimated by looking at a watch but in the initial days such checking just adds an additional and an unnecessary burden. Ear plugs (motor cyclist shops and internet sites are a good source), or ear muffs (internet sites again check for Bilsom or Peltor brands) might be an idea. Again after a few months, distracting sounds of kids, power tools, TVs in other rooms etc are not a problem, and can even add to the practice, but in the initial stages they add that extra difficulty. I guess that half of those that drop out would not if they were better prepared about these and other small practical issues. Also forget ideas about lotus positions, sitting Buddhas and Nirvana. Instead it is as if you have an old fashioned radio in your head. What is called 'meditation' is simply slowly and patiently learning how to shift its dial off its noisy stations. As you sit, you will find the radio dial keeps drifting back on to news or entertainment broadcasters. But carefully - the radio is delicate and needs a loving touch - you move using a focus upon your breath the dial back to silence. Slowly as you learn to move off the main stations your awareness becomes more sensitive. What was once emptiness is now discovered to be filled with the noise of distant stations and even static. Patiently with increasing tenderness and gentleness you keep moving the dial until you find yourself in awareness not of a silent radio but where you are. This kind of nonBuddhist practical advice is not in this book - or any other. Meditation books do not get written ground up from the problems that cause people to drop out. Nor do they give the practical tips that are soon forgotten by experienced meditators but that beginners need to stay the initial course. Sorry about being so negative about Gunaratana - you will not find a better book. Buy it, retake that mediation class that was dropped or never continued. But do not think meditation has yet to be written about in the way it should.
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