Minding Closely: The Four Applications of Mindfulness

by B. Alan Wallace

Overview

“Draws on wisdom from both Theravada and Vajrayana traditions to offer a systematic and practical approach to liberation through mindfulness.” —Jack Kornfield, author of The Wise Heart

Bringing his experience as a monk, scientist, and contemplative, Alan Wallace offers a rich synthesis of Eastern and Western traditions along with a comprehensive range of mindfulness meditation practices interwoven throughout the text. An ideal reference for both students and teachers, Minding Closely presents the guided meditations systematically, beginning with very basic instructions, which are then gradually built upon as one gains increasing familiarity with the practice.
 
This edition includes a new preface and three never-before-published translations by B. Alan Wallace from three renowned traditional Buddhist works on mindfulness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611809473
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	02/02/2021
Pages:	424
Sales rank:	1,081,006
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

B. Alan Wallace has authored, translated, edited, and contributed to more than forty books on Tibetan Buddhism, science, and culture. With fourteen years as a Buddhist monk, he earned a BA in physics and the philosophy of science and then a PhD in religious studies. After teaching in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, he founded the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies to explore the integration of scientific approaches and contemplative methods.

Editorial Reviews

"Its ingenious structure combines theoretical and philosophical discussions with guided meditations, leading readers simultaneously into deeper understandings and experiences of mindfulness. Wallace's writing is clear and often informal, providing readers with personal insights and reflections from an experienced meditator who is also a scholar. An impressive feature of this volume is that it allows those with little prior exposure to Buddhism to gain a solid introduction to numerous core Buddhist concepts and terms without the process seeming arduous. As a popular introduction to Buddhist traditions of mindfulness, this volume is superb and useful as background reading for any student of Buddhism. The exercises are especially valuable."—Choice 

"A comprehensive and rich teaching that combines skillful instruction and scholarly knowledge. Minding Closely draws on wisdom from both Theravada and Vajrayana traditions to offer a systematic and practical approach to liberation through mindfulness."—Jack Kornfield, author of The Wise Heart 

From the Publisher

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"—awareness 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)

Publishers Weekly