In “An Experiment in Mindfulness,” E. H. Shattock describes his experience with the Satipatthana method of meditation, particularly focusing on the rising and falling movement of the abdomen during breathing. This specific technique is a central aspect of the practice and serves both as a tool for aiding meditation and as a subject of meditation itself. In fact, he utilized just two uncomplicated yet powerful meditation techniques: directing attention towards breathing and directing attention towards walking.

Mindfulness is a non-elaborative, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment The concept of mindfulness, aligns well with contemporary understandings and research findings on the subject. Mindfulness, often originating from Buddhist traditions, is understood as a non-elaborative, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. It’s a practice of paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. This form of meditation involves both focused attention (FA) and open monitoring (OM), with the former being about maintaining focus on a specific object and the latter about staying present and attentive to one’s experiences without getting lost in thought.

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book is recommended for those who want to understand the mindfulness meditation method. It provides enough nuance without being overly complicated or overloaded with details. It is an easy read and easy to digest. The book is an older read, yet it remains highly valuable today. “An Experiment in Mindfulness” by E. H. Shattock is a detailed account of the author’s personal experience with a specialized course of meditation at the Thathana Yeiktha in Rangoon.