Indispensable
Consumer Orientation: This collection is appropriate for anyone with a very serious interest in meditation. The content is probably most resonant for Theravadin Buddhists, but I would personally recommend the set to Buddhists of any persuasion, as well as to anyone in pursuit of the ultimate goal of enlightenment.
Value: The set contains a very comprehensive analysis of the Satipatthana Sutta and serious meditators will find Goldstein's insights and guidance to be both thought-provoking and helpful.
Strengths: Goldstein's treatment of the material is comprehensive and his command of it is extraordinary. Goldstein is a likeable speaker who is easy to listen to, and the course itself is well-structured.
Weaknesses: The richness of the material can make it cognitively demanding at times. (Realistically, though, this problem is probably unavoidable, given the profound nature of the subject matter.) Be advised that the recording could stand to be better equalized in parts, and that you may need to adjust the volume at times in order to compensate for this.
Notes: This set will be most appreciated by people who enjoy intense philosophical contemplation. I would probably not recommend it to beginning meditators or to people who are not particularly interested in the intricacies of Buddhist thought.
