The Power of Small Changes: Vipassana Meditation Through the Lens of Biology, Psychology, and Culture
Vipassana
- book, eBook
- 404 pages
- English
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This product is directly related to Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka.
- Author
- Fleischman, Dr. Paul R.
- Publisher
- Vipassana Research Publications
- Published
- September 2024
- Format
- book, eBook
- Pages
- 404
- Language
- English
- ISBN
- 978-1-68172-700-4 (paperback), 978-1-68172-701-1 (ePub), 978-1-68172-702-8 (Mobi), 978-1-68172-703-5 (PDF)
Description
Description
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What do modern disciplines like biology, psychology, and the study of culture contribute to the understanding and practice of a classical meditation like Vipassana? Following the encouragement given to him by the Vipassana teacher, S.N. Goenka, to explain this ancient tradition to contemporary audiences, Dr. Paul R. Fleischman unites science and spirituality, technical language and poetry, logic and intuition in a manner that is as virtuosic as it is understandable.
The Power of Small Changes is a collection of decades of public talks and university lectures that speak to readers who have no previous knowledge of Vipassana, as well as to experienced practitioners, using down to earth explanations reinforced by academic knowledge and rigor.
While many of the chapters in this book have previously been shared online in various formats, the present collection features newly revised and expanded content, focusing on practical issues like how to maintain daily meditation practice, coming to grips with the monkey mind, understanding the evolutionary biology that meditation utilizes, appreciating the role of teachers, community, and tradition; and preserving its nonsectarianism. The importance of a spiritual, rather than a financial basis for Vipassana, as well as the historical role of the Buddha are also clarified. A uniquely valuable chapter discusses the safety of Vipassana, explaining its contributions and limitations.
Note that while some of the chapters in this book are newly revised from past talks and essays, we've still included links to those past talks below in 'Related Items' (presented as video and audio).
Books, eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts, talks (all resources) by Paul R. Fleischman.
Pariyatti Presents... Part One: The Psychological and Social Wellsprings of Vipassana (May 4, 2025)
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Pariyatti Presents... Part Two: How the Brain and the Body Make Vipassana Possible (May 25, 2025)
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Pariyatti Presents... Part Three: Building a Sustainable Practice (Oct. 5, 2025)
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Pariyatti Presents... Part Four: Living as a Meditator in the Confusing, Pressured, and Tumultuous World (Oct. 19, 2025)
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Pariyatti Presents... Part Five
Safety of Meditation (Part 1 of 2, Nov. 9, 2025)
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Pariyatti Presents... Part Six
Safety of Meditation (Part 2 of 2, Nov. 16, 2025)
Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. More information about Vipassana as taught by S.N. Goenka is available at www.dhamma.org.
The tag Vipassana identifies products that are directly related to this tradition and differentiates them from other Theravada resources available on our site. While the main emphasis in Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka is on actual practice, this product may provide inspiration and guidance to a Vipassana meditator.
We also carry titles from the Theravada tradition, as we feel that by exploring the wider world of the Theravada texts, which include the Buddha’s discourses, commentaries, and scholarly articles and treatises, meditators have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Dhamma and thereby enrich their meditation practice. This kind of intellectual exploration also helps a meditator to gain an understanding of the evolution and historical context of their meditation tradition. This understanding in turn deepens their practice and understanding of the Dhamma.
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