What we need to know about meditation and mindfulness to eliminate "stress" in our lives is contained in this book. This book follows and discusses the Satipatthana meditation scheme (pronunciation: sati-Patana), too often neglected in the West. Many additional details about Buddhism are discussed including the very nature of spirituality. This as a mysterious human capacity in the way that electricity or mechanics are for most people - but more like a puzzle, once understood it becomes useful. Reading this is a way of doing Buddhism as long as the reader continues meditation. The virtue of participating in chanting and other rituals is also explained. This is intended as a thorough, well documented and simply written presentation. Teachings about Purification, Anapanasati, Heart, Precious Bodhicitta, Realization, Enlightenment and many other "technical" Buddhist concepts are described.

There is an extensive glossary and bibliography.

Higher Truth: Precious Bodhicitta, Irv Jacob, Author House, Paperback, 570 pages, $26.95

Irv Jacob was a serious student of rational philosophy and has come to the religion of Buddhism reluctantly and recently. Why accept and follow a religion? That is the question young people ask who haven't acknowledged that they suffer or that they can overcome their suffering. Jacob was one of those who sought entertainment and relationships to overcome the voids in his life. He began his study of Buddhism in the early 70's, but the information in the West was largely misguided, or connected to Hindu superstitions and other mysticism. It was only after traveling to Thailand in 2003 that he began a serious search for the truth about Buddhism. He has met monks and masters and studied their writings and talks to gain an appreciation of these ancient truths. His preparation for writing began with his first college English writing class where he excelled and was inspired to continue. Writing has been part of his vocation (he wrote a newspaper column for ten years) and a passionate avocation.