Books for Prep | |
 - Five Star Explanation and Credentials; Five Star Topic-"Attention" is written by an experienced and respected Buddhist practitioner, and summarizes an advanced method for improving Attentiveness with meditation (and vice-versa). The book also investigates how Attentiveness can be stabilized and trained in a positive manner (as opposed to simply correcting an attention deficit). Many spiritual traditions and Western psychologists (notably William James) have examined Attentiveness, but "Attention" focuses on a ten-stage training pioneered by an Indian Buddhist monk Kamalashila. This method simply works, in the studied experience of the author and other practitioners over several centuries. The book is most useful for those already familiar with Buddhism or advanced meditation methods. -The training first absolutely demands cultivating an attitude of decent kindness towards oneself and others, solid ethical integrity, attention cultivation, and refined insight development (these prerequisites clearly distinguish it from more psychological methods). As the mind, including the emotions, and consciousness settle into a more natural state, sustained but relaxed Attentiveness will allow Insight to be more predictable, prolonged, and wise (instead of a "flash of insight," one might develop more of a "path of insight"). The Goal includes reducing or eliminating suffering and developing what might be called eudaemonic happiness -- and I might add my opinion that science (for all its miracles in reducing unhappiness) has fallen flat on its face in providing this. "Attention" develops each step in a separate chapter, followed by a brief interlude discussing a relevant "aside" of mind training. Of course, any brief summary is unrealistic, but the ten steps sort of progressively evolve from a focused awareness of one's sensations and thoughts to a subtle dis-covery of the origins of those sensations and thoughts. Sort of. Although one may not master all ten steps in the program, it sure helps to have a reasonably good map and a valid idea of where one is going! -The author notes extensive mind training is like going on an expedition (clearly, given the practically infinite extent of the mind -- see Gerald Edelman's discussions -- it is among the most exciting expeditions imaginable). Alas, the schedule for complete Attentiveness training is rigorous, requiring several consistent hours per day with some "coaching" by a qualified teacher (the same could be true of being an Olympic medalist or a neurosurgery attending). Other reviewers have noted this. Reading "Attention" is therefore like receiving training or reading about high-altitude physical conditioning from Reinhold Messner or Matt Carpenter -- one may not duplicate their stamina, but it's surely worthwhile to know how the legitimate super-experts do it and one will more likely pick up very useful tips from them. Importantly, the author and the method, seem demonstrably qualified, gentle, trustable guides with credentials, perspective, and heart. This seems among the best recommendations of all, and one of the best reasons for dedicated practitioners to examine this book. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Rating:  - An Answer in Search of a QuestionMy impression is that the highly regarded author intended this book mostly for a Western audience unfamiliar with Buddhist practice, and chose a striking title to announce objective scientific-like findings about the value of cultivating "attention" through Buddhist meditation practice. Never mind than many books have "uncovered" this before. To his credit, the author, who evidently experienced the same rigorous sequential 10-stage meditation practice based upon the writings of an eighth century Indian contemplative, avoids over-interpretation and appears to deviate little from this traditional Theravadan/Hinayana instruction. Students already familiar with Buddhist meditation will likely gain helpful clarifications about how to better refine their practice, regardless of their level of experience or personal allignment with other branches of Buddhism. Nevertheless, this book's title promises much more than it delivers. I don't completely agree with the criticism that the author recomends (and the bulk of this book describes) practices that demand "meditation as a vocation", to use the author words. No harm in "reading ahead", since insights and temporary states along the path aren't sequential, and the author's worthy commentary about more advanced experiences may be very helpful. I can even understand (but disagree) with the author's suggestion that form-less meditation, as opposed to breath-as-an-object meditation, is best begun once one commits to practicing a full-time (stage four) eight or more hours a day, (running against the grain of most American Tibetan and Zen teaching methods). But what isn't delivered in this book is the "revolution", and what undermines the author's claims of scientific credence begins with the second paragraph of his introduction which launches a stereotypical fear-based infomational-like rant about greedy pharmaceutical companies, severe side effects, risks for addiction, inability to "cure", etc. about medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Despite not even having the attention for correct punctuatation (has the author ever read a medical journal?) we learn by page five that the meditation methods described "may be helpful for PREVENTING... ADHD", (good grief, a disorder that indisputeably arises from genetic and pre-natal influences). How bold to make such an amazing claim--almost as if meditation might be a cure for anything. And how unscientific. Is this the revolution referred to in the title? No, there isn't a single mention of ADHD, prevention or cure, in the remaining 170 pages of this book, because it was nothing but a sleazy pop-culture teaser to begin with. Regretfully, in one chapter, the author has revealed his bias and removed himself from serious scientific credibility. Overall, this book has the feel of a tremendous PhD.-like thesis in need of an editor. Brilliant and helpful paragraphs interupted by so many distractions. Why, for example should the reader learn that tremendous Vipashyana teachers such as Bhante G may not actually be teaching what the Buddha said, only to learn, chapters later, that it's largely semantics? Why the impossibly advanced chapters on daytime and dream yoga, other than for the author to boast about awareness of alternative states--are these helpful Buddhist teachings for the vast majority? Probably not. Why throw out the claim that Western scientists have "established" that it takes about 5000 hours to master a "task", any task, (the convenient inference is 50 hours per week of meditation for two years) without even a single Western psychology footnote? What are we talking about--playing piano well, dunking a basketball, one year of medical school, meditating without distraction for two hours? Are they really the same? The author may indeed be exploring cognitive science through objective observation of extended retreatants, but fundamentally the "scientific" aspects of this book are distressingly weak--so what's the "revolution"? There are so many good books about Buddhism today. For a more thorough and profound discussion about the role of attention within the context of Buddhist practice I would recomend Ken McLeod's "Wake Up to Your Life, Discovering the Buddhist Path of Attention". Rating: - Limited usefulnessThe book is well written and very informative about the practice of meditation. The ultimate goal of meditation in this book is the achievement of shamatha. But Dr. Wallace states that very few devout Buddhist monks rarely achieve this state. Even if you never achieve the ultimate level, it would take months and even years of long periods of daily meditation to become proficient at a mid-level of meditation. It simply does not seem possible for anyone living in western society to even contemplate becoming as deeply involved as Wallace writes about. If you are looking for a well documented study of meditation with significant references, then I would certainly recommend it. If on the other hand you are seeking something to be of immediate use to you in your daily life in the western world, I think you would be well advised to find something written specifically for that purpose. Rating: - Simply BrilliantI disagree with a previous review that states "a great deal of this book will not be of practical use to you." Just the opposite. It is not for a limited audience, it's for everyone at a time in history where disciplines such as this are highly needed. The instructions are simple, easy to follow. If you are a self starter and highly motivated then this book is an invaluable aid (the author also recommends a teacher as mentor in your efforts if one is available. If not, then the author's recommendations can still take you far by your own efforts). The book walks you through several stages of meditative practice. Even if you only master the 1st or 2nd stage, it will be of immense value to your life and to those around you. The inspirational guided meditations at the end of each chapter are wonderful. Yes, the advanced levels may be hard to reach, but it's good to know they are there and what they are...at least intellectually to give one a perspective on what is possible waiting to be uncovered. The diamond cutter chips away obscurity to reveal the perfect clarity that is always present. Maybe it will inspire someone to give up being a couch potatoe and dive into the wondrous depths of their mind and soul. Rating: - Fascinating bookWallace is a highly advanced practictioner of meditation. He is uniquely qualified to give a guided tour of the stages of achieving focused awareness, shamatha. Meditation, he convincingly argues, can be an effective antidote for problems like ADHD and the hectic, scattered lifestyle of the 21st century. His insights are precious and his intellectual and academic prowess shine through in his writing. Modern neuroscience research supports the claims made by meditators like Wallace, demonstrating that meditation physically develops the brain. Despite the potential for widespread use of meditation to improve peoples' cogntive and emotional well-being, Wallace points out that most will not be able to achieve these higher levels, and that attaining them is like the mental equivalent of an Olympic athlete. It is accomplished through extended meditation retreats, spending weeks or months at a time of doing nothing but meditating most of the day, that a person can achieve these levels. While most are not capable of devoting this kind of time exclusively to meditation, this book gives an interesting peek at what is achieved by those with such extensive meditation practice. Update: I have re-read this book a few times and find that I like it more each time that I read it. For me, it has matured from an informative source to something of a handbook or reference book. I cannot increase the number of stars, but if I could, I would rate this as a 5 star book. Wallace's has been guiding the Shamatha Project, which is a research study on the development of concentration and the psychological and neurobiological changes it brings about. See this website for updates: http://www.sbinstitute.com/research_Shamatha.html In association with Amazon.com | |