Minding Closely: The Four Applications of Mindfulness

Wallace (Mind in the Balance) brings more than 30 years of experience as a Buddhist teacher, author, and translator to this exploration of the "four applications of mindfulness"%E2%80%94awareness of body, feelings, mental events, and phenomena. Trained in Tibetan and Theravadin traditions, Wallace focuses on the progression from shamatha (meditation focused on calming the mind) to vipashyana (insight meditation), based on classic Buddhist texts. Using guided meditations, he leads the reader through increasingly complex mental inquiries, drawing on Dzogchen and Madhyamaka concepts, among others. Wallace is particularly fascinated by the intersection of Buddhist theory and practice with physics, psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience. Founder of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, Wallace communicates his enthusiasm for what he calls "contemplative science." He wears his erudition lightly even in his most broad-ranging discussions, and largely succeeds in writing effectively about very abstract topics. Both a systematic and encouraging practice guide and an inquiry into nature of the mind, this book serves as an introduction to subtle states of awareness. (May)