Mindfulness in Plain English: 20th Anniversary Edition

What does it mean to truly pay attention—to be present with your life as it unfolds, moment by moment? Bhante Gunaratana's Mindfulness in Plain English is one of the most influential meditation guides ever written, a bestselling classic that has introduced millions of readers to the practice of mindfulness since its publication in 1994. Jon Kabat-Zinn calls it "a masterpiece," and it's easy to see why. With trademark clarity, warmth, and wit, Bhante Gunaratana—a renowned meditation master—takes us step by step through the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation, offering practical guidance that works for complete beginners and experienced practitioners alike. This is not abstract philosophy but a hands-on manual for transforming your relationship with your own mind, cultivating inner peace, and living with greater awareness and compassion.

Bhante doesn't promise quick fixes or mystical experiences; he offers something more valuable: a clear, honest path to understanding how meditation actually works and how to make it part of your life. The book asks: What is mindfulness, and why does it matter? How do we work with distraction, restlessness, and the wandering mind? What does it mean to observe without judgment, to be present without clinging? Bhante shows us that meditation is not about achieving special states but about seeing clearly, and that "the 'you' that goes in one side of the meditation experience is not the same 'you' that comes out the other side."

For readers seeking contemplative wisdom and practical guidance, Mindfulness in Plain English offers a complete introduction to Buddhist meditation in accessible, jargon-free language. This expanded 20th Anniversary Edition includes a new chapter on cultivating loving-kindness (metta), making it even more relevant for today's world. This is a book for anyone new to meditation who wants clear, practical instruction, for established practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding, for anyone drawn to mindfulness, inner peace, and the transformation that comes from simply paying attention.

What You'll Discover

• Bestselling classic introduction to mindfulness meditation since 1994
• Step-by-step guidance from renowned meditation master Bhante Gunaratana
• Clear, practical advice on developing and sustaining a meditation practice
• Chapters on mindfulness, concentration, loving-kindness, and working with obstacles
• 20th Anniversary Edition with new chapter on cultivating metta (loving-kindness)

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is a Buddhist monk and meditation master who has taught mindfulness and vipassana meditation for over five decades. Ordained at age twelve in Sri Lanka, he came to the United States in 1968 and founded the Bhavana Society, a monastery and meditation center in West Virginia. His clear, accessible teaching style has made him one of the most beloved meditation teachers in the West, and Mindfulness in Plain English remains his most influential work.

Perfect for: Readers new to meditation seeking clear, practical instruction, students of mindfulness and Buddhist meditation practice, those drawn to inner peace and contemplative living, anyone interested in vipassana and insight meditation, seekers exploring loving-kindness and compassion practices, students of Buddhist psychology and dharma, those looking for jargon-free spiritual guidance, readers interested in stress reduction and mental clarity, admirers of Jon Kabat-Zinn and Thich Nhat Hanh, anyone seeking to transform their relationship with their own mind and live with greater awareness.

Wisdom Publications 20th Anniversary Edition paperback. Bhante Gunaratana's bestselling masterpiece—offering clear, practical guidance on mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness, and the path to inner peace and transformation.