This practical guide to meditation for beginners features the Western Thai Buddhist Monk Phra Noah Yuttadhammo teaching Vipassana meditation in the Theravada Tradition of Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo of Wat Phradhatu Sri Chom Tong Voravihara, Chiang Mai.

"Why should we be mindful? The Four Foundations of Mindfulness are a device that stops evil, stops bad deeds, stops defilement. ‘Sati nivaranam settham’ – Mindfulness is an exceptional preventer (of evil states). During the time when we are mindful, evil won’t enter in to reach our hearts. We will have pure hearts always. “It is like dark and shining light. Mindfulness is a shining light; all defilements, all evil states, are like darkness. When the bright light shines, the darkness disappears. For this reason, we should be mindful at all times – our mind will be bright, clean and peaceful all of the time." Ajaan Tong, Wat Phradhatu Sri Chom Tong Voravihara, Chiang Mai, 2003