Probably closer to five stars than four.

Other than "The Power of Now", this book has been the most helpful guide for my own spiritual path.

Since spirituality varies widely from person to person, that may not be the base for everyone, of course.

However, if you're exploring Buddhism, this is a very good place to visit along your path.

The author presents the teachings in a clear and accessible way, making it easy for readers to understand and apply them to their own lives.

The book covers a wide range of topics, including meditation, mindfulness, and the nature of reality.

Each chapter is filled with practical advice and exercises that can help you deepen your understanding of Buddhism and enhance your spiritual practice.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, this book has something to offer.

It's a must-read for anyone who is interested in exploring the teachings of Buddhism and seeking a more fulfilling spiritual life.

There is an excellent book that delves into the profound topic of how to lead a happy life. It emphasizes the importance of embracing various qualities such as wisdom, mindfulness, kindness, compassion, and virtuous behavior and speech. At its core, the author presents the Eight Fold Path of Buddhist philosophy or religion. This path offers a comprehensive framework for individuals to follow in their pursuit of a fulfilling and contented life. By cultivating wisdom, one can gain a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around. Mindfulness helps in staying present and fully engaged in each moment. Kindness and compassion towards others not only bring joy to those around but also nourish our own souls. Virtuous behavior and speech create a positive impact on our relationships and society as a whole. This book serves as a valuable guide, providing practical insights and teachings that can be applied in our daily lives to achieve true happiness and inner peace.

Ciekawy poczatek slaby koniec. This simple phrase holds a certain charm and mystery. It makes one wonder what kind of story lies behind it. Perhaps it refers to an event that started off interestingly but ended disappointingly. It could be a project that had great potential in the beginning but failed to deliver in the end. Or maybe it's about a relationship that began with excitement and promise but fizzled out over time. The possibilities are endless, and that's what makes this phrase so captivating. It leaves room for our imagination to run wild and creates a sense of anticipation. We can't help but be curious about what exactly led to this "ciekawy poczatek slaby koniec".

I picked up this book after reading the author's other book on mindful meditation.

If you have read that book and were captivated by its simple and straightforward style, you'll likely appreciate the writing style of this one as well.

This book delves into the eight steps to happiness. The author endeavors to explain each step in a simple and direct manner.

If you're curious about Buddha's teachings regarding the eight skills for attaining happiness, this could be an excellent book to begin with.

This book is not intended to be a highly complex philosophical treatise. Instead, it serves as a practical and simple manual, offering suggestions on specific actions you can take when practicing the eight steps.

It provides valuable insights and practical guidance that can help you on your journey towards greater happiness and fulfillment.

Whether you're new to the concept of the eight steps to happiness or looking to deepen your understanding, this book has something to offer.

So, if you're seeking a practical and accessible resource on the path to happiness, give this book a try.

You might just find that it has the potential to transform your life.

The Buddhist path is a profound and wonderful exploration of the human spirit.

It offers a unique perspective on life, suffering, and the pursuit of inner peace and enlightenment.

Buddhism teaches that through mindfulness, meditation, and ethical living, one can gradually transform their consciousness and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

The path is not about following a set of rigid rules or dogmas, but rather about cultivating a sense of compassion, wisdom, and detachment.

It encourages us to look within ourselves, to face our fears and desires, and to let go of the things that hold us back.

By walking the Buddhist path, we can learn to live more fully in the present moment, to appreciate the beauty and wonder of life, and to find true happiness and fulfillment.

It is a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and grow.

But the rewards are immeasurable, and the path leads to a place of profound peace and contentment.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, the Buddhist path has something to offer everyone.

So why not take the first step and start exploring this wonderful path today?

It took me several weeks to carefully review numerous books on Buddhism.

After much consideration, I finally settled on this particular one.

I purchased it in audible format, which was extremely convenient for my commute to work.

This turned out to be a truly excellent choice.

The narrator's performance was flawless, enhancing the overall listening experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed the format, as it presented the teachings in an engaging and accessible way.

The stories within the book were not only interesting but also provided valuable insights into the Buddhist philosophy.

The clarity with which the concepts were explained made it easy for me to understand and apply them to my own life.

Although I faced a few challenges in the final few chapters, I recognize that this is simply a reflection of where I am in my spiritual journey.

Nevertheless, this book will undoubtedly be a regular fixture in my yearly routine of re-reading or re-listening.

I highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the profound teachings of Buddhism.

I initially believed that this would serve as a secular guide to the Eight Steps, and in a sense, it was.

It began along those lines, but as it progressed, it veered into certain non-secular aspects and also seemed to become mired in a fair amount of structure, such as the stages of enlightenment and suchlike.

Based on what I have just written, typically I would state that a book of this nature did not resonate with me. However, there were certain sections on impermanence that I will be rereading for some time. He really opened my mind on several matters.

Thank you, teacher.

This isn't the kind of Buddhism that simply goes with the flow, without any worries, and is just part of the pop culture.

Rather, it is a comprehensive system of mind training and an entirely different perspective for seeing the world.

It has truly made me think deeply.

When I first encountered this form of Buddhism, I was initially skeptical. However, as I delved deeper into its teachings and practices, I began to realize the profound impact it could have on one's life.

The mind training aspect helps to cultivate qualities such as mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom.

By learning to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment, we can gain greater control over our inner world.

This, in turn, allows us to respond more skillfully to the challenges and difficulties that we encounter in life.

The different way of seeing the world that Buddhism offers also broadens our perspective.

It encourages us to look beyond the surface level of things and to see the interconnectedness of all phenomena.

This can lead to a greater sense of empathy and a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

Overall, this form of Buddhism has opened my eyes to new possibilities and has inspired me to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

I am excited to see where this path will lead me and how it will continue to shape my life.

Life changing experiences can have a profound impact on our lives.

These experiences can come in many forms, such as a new job, a relationship, or a personal achievement.

They can also be the result of a difficult situation, like a loss or a failure.

Regardless of how they occur, life changing experiences have the power to transform us.

They can make us more resilient, more confident, and more aware of our true potential.

Sometimes, a life changing experience can even lead us to a completely new path in life.

It's important to embrace these experiences and learn from them, as they can help us grow and become the best version of ourselves.

So, the next time you encounter a life changing experience, don't be afraid.

Instead, welcome it with open arms and see where it takes you.

This is a light and easy read that contains several gems for enhancing one's meditation practice.

It offers simple yet profound insights that can be easily incorporated into daily life.

The book presents practical tips and techniques that can help beginners as well as experienced meditators to deepen their practice.

Whether it's learning to focus the mind, manage stress, or cultivate inner peace, this book has something to offer.

With its clear and concise writing style, it makes meditation accessible to everyone.

Overall, it's a great resource for anyone looking to improve their meditation practice and enhance their well-being.

Gunaratana has a remarkable ability to simplify the complex and convey Eastern ideas to Western audiences. This book, although not as captivating as "Mindfulness in Plain English", offers a comprehensive review of the path towards enlightenment, specifically the 8 steps.

I read this book over a period of a couple of months, sometimes putting it aside for a while and then picking it up again. I rarely read for an extended period. I found this approach quite beneficial as it allowed me to absorb the content and reflect on it. As a relative beginner in Buddhist teachings, I still find the eightfold path somewhat overwhelming. Each of the eight steps seems to have infinite depth and potential for misunderstanding.

Here are my key takeaways, along with some supporting quotes:

* Happiness lies in "not" (refraining). "Happiness is wiping out all negative states of mind — all desire, all hatred, all ignorance." "When we do not cling, our mind is always at peace."

* Resentment is your own issue. "If you are resentful, that is your own shortcoming, no matter what your partner did. Are you clinging to something? Attachment and genuine love are far apart."

* Skillful Speech is characterized by truthfulness, upliftingness, gentleness, and moderation. "Skillful Speech, the Buddha told us, has four qualities: It is always truthful. It is uplifting, not malicious or unkind. It is gentle, not crude or harsh. It is moderate, not useless or meaningless."

* "Belief in the existence of a permanent self or soul" is a fetter.

This is an outstanding treatment of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. It is presented in the context of self-help spirituality, at least to the extent that it refers to the noble eightfold path as 8 steps (as seen in the 12 steps). However, that is truly the only concession to the language of self-help. Otherwise, it is pure Theravada Buddhism as expounded by a wise old monk.

Theravada Buddhism is known for its emphasis on individual effort and the pursuit of enlightenment through the practice of the eightfold path. The wise old monk likely has a deep understanding and experience of these teachings, and is able to present them in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern seekers.

By couching the teachings in terms of self-help spirituality, the author may be hoping to reach a wider audience and encourage more people to explore the profound wisdom of Buddhism. This approach can be effective in attracting those who are interested in personal growth and self-improvement, but may also raise some questions about the authenticity and purity of the teachings.

Nevertheless, if the essence of the Buddhist teachings is preserved and presented accurately, then this treatment can be a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Buddhism and apply its principles to their daily lives.