Becoming Buddha is a comprehensive presentation of the foundational teachings of the Buddha in the context originally intended. Becoming Buddha clearly shows where individual and cultural influences have altered the Buddha's original teachings as preserved in the Sutta Pitaka - the second book of the Pali Canon. Beginning with the story of the Buddha's life, Simple Enlightenment Press explains in plain language:

• The Buddha's awakening
• The Authenticity of the Pali Canon
• The Historical Development of Buddhist Practice
• Dependent Origination
• The meaning of becoming
• Anicca, Anatta, Dukkha - Three Marks of Existence
• Four Noble Truths
• Five Clinging-Aggregates
• Shamatha-Vipassana Meditation
• Four Foundations of Mindfulness
• The Buddha's First Three Discourses
• Practical Development of The Buddha's Dhamma
• Twenty-Three supportive Suttas with commentary

The Buddha's original teachings are not difficult to understand or develop. There is nothing mystical or esoteric about these teachings. There are no rituals to perform or empowerment's to receive. There are no unfamiliar customs to adopt. There is a straightforward and easily developed path to gently engage with and become awakened, Become Buddha. For practicing Buddhists interested in what the Buddha actually taught you will find Becoming Buddha a clear and direct explanation of the Buddha's Dhamma in the context originally intended. For those new to meditation and mindfulness, you will find clear and direct explanations of these timeless practices.

Becoming Buddha: A Buddha's Timeless Path of Meditation, Mindfulness and Profound Wisdom; John Haspel; Simple Enlightenment Press; Paperback; 552 pages; $25.00

John Haspel is an author, meditation teacher, retreat and workshop leader. John's interest in Eastern philosophy began in his teens and developed further in his mid twenties. Having taken the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1981 as they were originally intended, John recovered from alcoholism and addiction and his interest in meditation deepened.

Upon a foundation of circumspection and service to others, John learned various meditation techniques. He came to study in many of the modern schools of Buddhism. John eventually focused his study on the direct teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Pali Canon, free of cultural and individual influences that led to the later developments common to modern Buddhism. This understanding provided the foundation and vision to , as of June 2023, restore more than 300 suttas found in the Sutta Piataka, the second book of the Pali Canon, to their original intent and focus: ending ignorance of Four Noble Truths

Through study and application of the direct teachings of the Buddha, John has found a deeply profound but accessible and understandable path for anyone interested in putting aside all confusion and suffering common to humankind.

Along with Matt Branham, John is the co-founder of Cross River Meditation Center in Frenchtown New Jersey. As of June 2023 John has published five books, four of which present these original teachings of Siddartha Gotama, the first human Buddha, and a fifth book, The Spiritual Solution, for those in the revelry community.

Additional information about John, his contact information, his weekly classes, retreats, Dhamma articles, Dhamma talks, and individual instruction can be found at Becoming-Buddha.com.

John leads Mindfulness Based Recovery(TM) workshops applying the principles of refined mindfulness developed through the Eightfold Path to the problem of addiction and compulsive behaviors. Additional information can be found at MindfulnessBasedRecovery.com

John leads 12 step workshops based on his book The Spiritual Solution - Simple and Effective Recovery Through the Taking and Teaching of the 12 Steps. Additional information about John, his recovery, and the Spiritual Solution 12 Steps workshops can be found at johnh12steps.com