Book · 2011 · Self-Help
Mindfulness in Plain English
20th Anniversary Edition
Why people recommend it
Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana is an exceptionally clear, accessible, and widely celebrated guide designed to introduce readers to the foundational practices of meditation and mental awareness. The book received high praise across multiple episodes of the Modern Wisdom podcast hosted by Chris Williamson. In a Life Hacks episode, the speaker recommended the title, noting that while there are many accessible meditation guides written by monks, this particular work by Bhante Gunaratana stands out as the most accessible and effective option for beginners looking to understand the practice. Later, during the Christmas Special titled Hacks, Fails & Lessons From 2019 - #129, Williamson briefly revisited the publication, affirming during a dedicated session recap that it truly is a really good book. Both mentions underscored the practical value of the text for individuals seeking straightforward, no nonsense instruction on how to cultivate inner calm, focus, and clarity in their daily lives without needing to navigate complex jargon or overly esoteric spiritual philosophies that often intimidate newcomers exploring meditation for the first time.
Who recommended it
- Chris Williamson Recommended
Chris Williamson — 1 mention
“mindfulness in plain English that was your session that's a really good book”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 1
“and I'd say we read a book on meditation that there's many very accessible ones by monks the the best one that I found this is well the most accessible one is mindfulness in plain English by Hennepin”