Buddhism plain and simple
by Steve Hagen · first published 1997
7mentions
6recommended by
6HN commenters
2009–2022first – last mentioned
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
Strips away cultural trappings and mysticism to give a plain introduction to the core ideas of Buddhism; suits readers new to the subject and those curious about meditation and awareness rather than ritual.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
In this book Steve Hagen puts the essence of Zen Buddhism in simple words - deceptively simple. Reading a page a day would not be too little. One should let the words sink in, instead of wanting to read page after page like a novel.
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I have the un-updated-and-expanded edition, and it is excellent. So is Buddhism Plain and Simple http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-Plain-Simple-Steve-Hagen/dp/0...
on “An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation” ↗A book that liked a lot is "Buddhism Plain and Simple", by Steve Hagen. It manages well to steer clear of all cultural trappings and mysticism and just gives an introduction into the core ideas of Buddhism (which as Hagen points out isn't even an -ism).
on “Zen Buddhism and Alan Watts” ↗I strongly recommend "Buddhism Plain & Simple" by Steve Hagen. It's much more meditation / awareness than Buddhist practice, so don't worry much about the title. I also really enjoyed "10% Happier" which was way more of a practical story vs. instruction manual. In general, meditation is NOT about "not thinking" - a major misconception about the practice. It's always helped me to view it less as a
on “How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body” ↗…meditation. This is a contact sport. No different from weight training. Beyond that, I would recommend "10% Happier" as it is very pragmatic and belief agnostic. Good for newcomers. Next, I'd recommend "Buddhism Plain And Simple" (Steve Hagen). You do not need to follow Buddhism or have any intention to engage with it as a philosophy to wring a ton of value from the book re: how the mind works.
on “Ask HN: How do you take care of yourself?” ↗…But really, you may as well say "Sleep! Wake up tomorrow!", "Then what?". I don't know if there is 'an answer', but you could consider the Buddhist style views (I liked Awareness by Anthony De Mello, Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. You might say they're a bit new agey or self helpey, but you're contemplating death so it's not like you've got a lot to fear from reading something…
on “If most of us won't escape wage slavery, how is humanity still a good idea?” ↗…philosophy is a combination of all the different sources I have been exposed too. My main influences would be the mustachian thought sphere (MMM, The Magic of Thinking Big, Stoicism), secular western buddhism (Buddhism Plain and Simple, In the realm of hungry ghosts, The magic of tidying up) Game theory probabilistic thinking (Poker background). When I first started reading MMM I was already a very tribal person. The us vs them mentality…
on “Interview with Mr. Money Mustache” ↗Have you read “Buddhism, plain and simple”? We share many ideas and have gone through a similar awakening. As most of the people commenting here, I wish we could all gather around a coffee table to discuss that book and others... Please, if…
on “Having Alzheimer’s at 38 (2015)” ↗