Download eBooks (PDF) on Insight and Loving-kindness Meditation

(182 KB) Practical Vipassana Exercises — Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw.

The late Mahasi Sayadaw was responsible for the modern revival of Vipassana or Insight meditation in Myanmar (Burma). This text is his basic instruction on the practice: the preparatory stages with a series of basic exercises. Part two, deals with the deals with the progressive practice and the practical vipassana exercises. The appendix explains the techniques involved in the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition.

(2,521 KB) Brahmavihara Dhamma — Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw.

This "Brahmavihara Dhamma" (Divine Abidings) expounded by the late Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw, reveals the systematic method of developing Metta, loving-kindness towards all beings and the way to lead a life of holiness. The style of presentation and the informative materials contained therein stand witness to the depth and wealth of spiritual and scriptural knowledge of the eminent author. A careful reading of this Dhamma or teachings, followed by an unfailing practice of meditation that has been clearly presented in this text will, I believe, amount to storing a fortune in the shape of happiness in the present lifetime as well as higher spiritual attainment.

(590 KB) The Four Sublime States — Ven. Nyanaponika Thera.

Four sublime states of mind have been taught by the Buddha: Loving-kindness (metta), Compassion (karuna), Sympathetic Joy (mudita), Equanimity (upekkha) These four atitudes are said to be excellent or sublime because they are the right or ideal way of conduct towards living beings They provide, in fact, the answer to all situations arising from social contact. They are the great removers of tension, the great peacemakers in social conflict, and the great healers of wounds suffered in the struggle of existence. They level social barriers, build harmonious communities, awaken slumbering magnanimity long forgotten, revive joy and hope long abandoned, and promote human brotherhood against the forces of egotism.

(435 KB) Seven Stages of Purification & Insight Knowledges — Ven. Matara Sri Nanarama.

A guide to the progressive stages of Buddhist meditation. The seven stages of purification provide the framework for the practising disciple’s gradual progress from the cultivation of virtue up to the attainment of the final goal. Integral to the higher stages of purification are the nine types of insight-knowledge, by which the disciple breaks through the delusions covering his mental vision and penetrates through to the real nature of phenomena.

(340 KB) Dhamma Discourses on Vipassana Meditation — Ven. Sayadaw U Kundala.

Sayadaw U Kundala is a renowned meditation master in the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition of Burma, noted for his loving-kindness. In these Dhamma talks the stages of the practice and the Insight Knowledges are explained. The method of meditation is given with detailed instruction. There is a detailed explanation of the Contemplation of Feelings, the second foundation of mindfulness, which, in the Theravada tradition, is the key to the Insight Knowledges. Overall, in the Sayadaw's teachings, there is much for the Vipassana or insight meditator to be inspired by.

(385 KB) A Guide to Awareness — H.H. Somdet Phra Ñanasamvara.

The Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthâna Sutta). This is a series of twenty-two talks given at Wat Bovornives, Bangkok by H.H.Somdet Phra Ñanasamvara, Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness is the Buddha's explanation of the practice of mindfulness meditation within the framework of four foundations of awareness: body, feelings, mind-states and the mental content. If you read this book, you will discover the truth of the 'knots' and problems that exist within you. In short, this can be described as the 'knot of suffering'. You may also then see the method to unravel and safeguard against this suffering.

(2,371 KB) On The Path To Freedom — Sayadaw U Pandita.

On The Path to Freedom - a mind of wise discernment and openness - by Burmese Meditation Master, Sayadaw U Pandita. This is a compilation of Dhamma discourses to foreign meditators at the Mahasi Meditation Centre, Rangoon, Myanmar, who came to practise under him in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) between August 1986 to March 1987. Translated from Myanmar by the late Mya Thaung.

(861 KB) Mindfulness: The Path of the Deathless — Ven. Ajahn Sumedho.

The aim of this book is to provide a clear instruction in and reflection on Buddhist meditation as taught by Ajahn Sumedho, a bhikkhu (monk) of the Theravadin tradition. It has been edited from talks Ajahn Sumedho has given to meditators as a practical approach to the wisdom of Buddhism. This wisdom is otherwise known as Dhamma or 'the way things are'. It is a step-by-step manual on the practice of meditation.

(671 KB) Frames of Reference — Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo.

"This book on the frames of reference is based to some extent on my own thoughts and opinions. In some spots it may not be directly in line with the original text (Satipatthâna Sutta), because my primary aim has been to get to the heart of the matter, so that it can be conveniently put into practice. The eBook also includes a section on the "Duties of the Sangha", that is, the laws and regulations and disciplinary standards (Vinaya).

(270 KB) Living Meditation, Living Insight — Dr. Thynn Thynn.

The Path of Mindfulness in Daily Life.  I wrote this book to encourage practitioners learning to meditate in daily life. In this sense, the articles are presented as a "hands-on" or, more accurately, a "minds-on" training manual. Although I discuss meditation in general, the real focus is on how the Dhamma brings us into spontaneous, wholesome and creative living. My objective in presenting the articles is to help the aspirant build up a solid foundation of mindfulness as a way of life rather than as a practice separated from daily living - Dr. Thynn Thynn.

(3,342 KB) Essentials of Insight Meditation Practice — Ven. Sujiva.

The ultimate aim of insight meditation is to “free” one from the unsatisfactoriness of cyclic existence. Readers may also find numerous quotations of the Buddha’s teaching on mindfulness, detachment and liberation throughout the entire book. Those verses act as a source of inspiration and purpose to put vipassana into practice — a practice that brings about insight into the three universal characteristics of unsatisfactoriness, impermanence and non-self which leads one into detachment and ultimate liberation.

(143 KB) For the Stilling of Volcanoes — Ven. Sujiva.

Insight Meditation as explained by Ven. Sujiva: "It is not an task easy to approach such a profound topic as Insight Meditation in simple terms. But we have got to start somewhere. After some years of introducing this type of meditation, I still find that there is a lack of introductory material for those without knowledge of Buddhism. What is available is often extremely technical and loaded with ancient Indian terminology. There are some words in the English vocabulary which we can never hope to substitute perfectly. Even in this booklet I have used some English words such as ‘conditioned’ and ‘suffering’ which need special explanation when used in a ‘Buddhist’ sense - but I have tried to come up with something easier to read and understand."

(211 KB) Loving-kindness Meditation — Ven. Sujiva.

Loving-kindness Meditation or Metta Bhavana and other Sublime States by Ven. Sujiva is a clear and comprehensive step-by-step explanation of the systematic practice. It is based on the Visuddhimagga or The Path of Purification by Buddhagosha. The texts describe metta as characterised by promoting the aspect of welfare. Amity, goodwill, friendliness and loving-kindness are some words used to describe this mental state. There is no better way to know it than to study it as it occurs in one's own and others' minds. It is a totally unselfish and pure state of mind that brings profit to oneself and others now and hereafter.

(100 KB) The Art of Attention — Ven. Pannyavaro.

This is a handbook on the art of meditative attention or meditating for insight.. It deals with the basics of awareness meditation. There is practical instruction on how to do sitting and walking meditation and how to apply awareness in daily activities based on the Insight Meditation (Vipassana) tradition. The purpose of this handbook is to give the beginner to awareness meditation a guide to the basics of the practice, with the emphasis on its practical application to daily life. • Arabic version: The Art of Attention (564KB)

(158 KB) Insight Meditation Workshop Online — Ven. Pannyavaro.

Meditation is the intelligent heart of the Buddha's way; the only criterion is that you should apply it to daily life. The purpose of this meditation course is not to create a system of beliefs, but rather to give guidance on how to see clearly into the nature of the mind. In this way, you can have firsthand understanding of the way things are, without reliance on opinions or theories - a direct experience, which has its own vitality.  This course has been prepared with both beginners and experienced practitioners in mind. A feature of this online workshop is that you can go online and ask your question/s on meditation as the practice develops.

(4,366 KB) Note Large File Size Settling back into the moment — Joseph Goldstein.

A selection of verses from the book 'Experience of Insight' , by Joseph Goldstein. This book belongs to a different genre, not a book in the sense of having a beginning and an end. It is a compilation of excerpts that stand alone in meaning whichever way your finger may flip open the page. Readers are strongly encouraged to read Joseph Goldstein's "Experience of Insight - a simple and direct guide to Buddhist meditation.

(1,043 KB) Contemplation of the Mind — Bhikkhu Khemavamsa.

To put it simply this is a 'hands on' manual for Satipatthana Vipassana yogis (meditators) who are interested in emphasizing the mind in their meditation practice. As you read through you are likely to find it different from your regular Vipassana practice but very interesting, beneficial and enriching. Also it could be helpful in understanding your own practice better without having to 'convert' or change the way you meditate. This is about 'the watching of the mind by the mind' but not separating the mind from the rest of the Foundations of Mindfulness (Kaya-body, Vedana-feelings and Dhamma-mental objects), as this is impossible.

(2,842 KB) Hello - with Love & Other Meditations — Ven. Visuddhacara.

The three most important things in life are love, kindness and wisdom. If we have made these three values the priorities of our life, then our life will have been well-lived. When we die we can only have happiness when we look back and not regrets. Wealth, fame, power, status, worldly success and pleasures — these are insignificant compared to love, kindness and wisdom. Cultivate the latter. If we spend our life cultivating this trio, our birth and life will have been worthwhile; it will not have been in vain. In this booklet, Ven. Visuddhàcàra shares his understanding of this practice of mindfulness and lovingkindness with a view to encourage all of us to walk the path.

(1,681 KB) Metta Bhavana, Loving-kindness Meditation — Ven. Dhammarakkhita.

This is short explanation on how to practise Metta Bhavana or Loving-kindness Meditation given as a three-day weekend retreat at Dhammodaya Meditation Centre in Nakhon Pathom in Thailand, by an Australian monk, Ven. Dhammarakkhita (Jeff Oliver).

(80 KB) Seeding the Heart — Gregory Kramer.

Loving-kindness Meditation with Children. The practice of loving-kindness, or metta, can be done in one of two ways: either in intensive prolonged meditation to develop deep states of concentration, or in daily life at any time one meets with people and animals or thinks about them. To learn about the radiating of metta to all beings with children, we have to tap into the store of knowledge accumulated by lay people and parents. It must be knowledge which has grown out of years of living and loving with children and young adults. Gregory Kramer, father of three boys, shows us here with what subtle but precise adjustments in the standard practice of loving-kindness he was able to anchor it in the lives of his children.