Rating: 
Summary: I learned how to meditate!
Review: This book takes all of the mystery out of meditation. It's clear and concise language makes it highly readable, understandable, and easy to follow - without making you feel like a "dummy". What I like the most about it is that it doesn't teach meditation from an Eastern Religious perspective - the techniques taught are useful regardless of your religious views.
Rating: 
Summary: A good start but not a tell all for meditation
Review: This Dummies book is a good start for anyone interested in meditation for any reason. The strength of this book is that it is non-denominational. While the author does cast light on the importance of meditation in all of the world's religions, he does not advocate any one religious mediation over the others. The meditation taught in this book is non-religious meditation emphazising the use of meditation for all people. The weakness of the book is that the author seems to be overly enthusiastic about the yoga/tantra/spritual type of meditation and doesn't cover other types of meditation as well as it might. For anyone interested in learning meditation this is a good starting place to pick up your basic technique but futher study will be needed.-MB
Rating:
Summary: A good start but not a tell all for meditation
Review: This Dummies book is a good start for anyone interested in meditation for any reason. The strength of this book is that it is non-denominational. While the author does cast light on the importance of meditation in all of the world's religions, he does not advocate any one religious mediation over the others. The meditation taught in this book is non-religious meditation emphazising the use of meditation for all people. The weakness of the book is that the author seems to be overly enthusiastic about the yoga/tantra/spritual type of meditation and doesn't cover other types of meditation as well as it might. For anyone interested in learning meditation this is a good starting place to pick up your basic technique but futher study will be needed.-MB
Rating: 
Summary: Eloquent , insightful and good-humored
Review: This eloquent, insightful book thoroughly explores the simple yet subtle art of meditation. While user-friendly like all of the titles in the For Dummies series, it's also written with a wisdom born of the author's many years of direct experience as a meditator and teacher. Meditation For Dummies covers a range of subjects with humor and grace, from basic instructions to the discovery of our most profound spiritual depths.In Part 1 Bodian clariifes what meditation is (and isn't) and offers a number of compelling reasons to adopt this "advanced technology for the mind and heart." He also traces the historical roots of meditation and describes the important foundations of motivation, attitude, and beginner's mind, which ensure a fruitful practice. "Ultimately, the great meditation teachers advise that the best attitude to take toward meditation is an open mind, completely free from all preconceptions and expectations," Bodian explains. "One of my first meditation teachers, Zen master Shunryu Suzuki, calls this beginner's mind -- and he counsels that the goal of meditation is not to accumulate knowledge, learn something new, or achieve some special state of mind, but simply to maintain this fresh, uncluttered perspective." In Part 2, the author covers the basics of meditation practice, including pointers on posture and preparing for meditation, as well as a chapter on opening the heart and cultivating compassion. In Part 3, entitled "Trouble-shooting and Fine-tuning," he offer sage advice on developing the right relationship with troubling thoughts, feelings and sensations. The highlight of this section is a chapter on cultivating spirituality that explores the nature of self (or no-self), traditional paths of awakening, and the sensitive subject of finding a teacher (inner and outer), which the author recommends if one wishes to go more deeply into the practice. The book concludes with chapters on how to nurture self-awareness while engaged in daily life and on how to use meditation for healing and performance enhancement, followed by answers to ten commonly asked questions about meditation. Despite its one-size-fits-all title, Meditation For Dummies is the best book on meditation I've read -- at once subtle and comprehensive, spiritually sensitive yet pragmatic. Be prepared for an easy-to-read, good-humored, and discerning guide on the journey of discovering your true nature through the ancient but timely art of meditation.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful and Comprehensive
Review: This is a superb book which thoroughly explores the simple yet subtle art of meditation. While user-friendly like all of the Dummies series, it is also written with grace and insight that has obviously grown out of many years of the author's direct experience as a meditator and teacher. Meditation For Dummies covers a range of subjects, from basic how-to-do-it instructions to the discovery of our most profound spiritual depths, with humor and eloquence. Part 1, entitled 'Getting Acquainted', clarifies what meditation is (focused attention) and isn't (thinking, daydreaming, hypnosis, affirmations, prayers or sleep) and offer a number of compelling reasons to adopt this 'advanced technology for the mind and heart' such as cultivating a calmer mind and more relaxed body, deepening one's connection with oneself and others, being more grounded and centered, and awakening to a spiritual dimension of life. This section also traces the historical roots of meditation, describes important foundations of motivation, attitude and having a beginner's mind which ensure a fruitful practice. Also, having stopped caffeine beverages, I have been able to improve my concentration a lot. I now drink a caffeine free drink made from soya beans called "soyffee" which I found at www.S o y co f f e e.c o m. Now, this book also devotes a chapter to the important subjects of discipline, 'effortless' effort (not too tight, not too loose) and letting go, as well as a chapter on opening the heart and cultivating compassion. Be prepared for a comprehensive, easy-to-read, good-humored and discerning guide for the journey of discovering your true nature through the ancient but timely art of meditation.
Rating:
Summary: All you need for the first few years of practice
Review: This is a very good general introduction to meditation. This is probably the best beginners guide to the subject that I have read. It covers a great deal of material. As it is not written from any one specific religious background, everyone from atheists to committed Christians will find much in it which is useful. Contains lots of good, practical advice. Whether you are starting to meditate in order to lower your blood pressure, deal with stress, or to deepen your spiritual life, this is the best book on the market that I have found. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is one of the best books on meditation. The author is taking a very unbiased approach, and puts a lot of emphasis on the essense of meditation rather than form. He gives a lot of practical advice for beginners and experienced meditators, and shows different methods and techniques, emphasizing that it's not really the method and technique that matters - choose whatever appeals to you and works for you - what's important is the personal transformation you go through, the state of mind you reach. He compares different meditations to different pathways up the same mountain of self discovery and inner peace.
As a beginner I wanted a book that would step by step explain what meditation is all about, and how I start meditating myself. This is exactly what this book does, and much more!
If you then want to go on and read more about any specific tradition/school, or find a technic for a very specific spiritual or other purpose, go ahead! This book opens the door into the wonderful realm of personal understanding and growth. But you don't have to associate yourself with any religion or school to master the art of meditation and discover the love, joy, compassion and Truth within you, and that's exactly what this books allows you to do. Wonderful! Wholeheartedly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is one of the best books on meditation. The author is taking a very unbiased approach, and puts a lot of emphasis on the essense of meditation rather than form. He gives a lot of practical advice for beginners and experienced meditators, and shows different methods and techniques, emphasizing that it's not really the method and technique that matters - choose whatever appeals to you and works for you - what's important is the personal transformation you go through, the state of mind you reach. He compares different meditations to different pathways up the same mountain of self discovery and inner peace.
As a beginner I wanted a book that would step by step explain what meditation is all about, and how I start meditating myself. This is exactly what this book does, and much more!
If you then want to go on and read more about any specific tradition/school, or find a technic for a very specific spiritual or other purpose, go ahead! This book opens the door into the wonderful realm of personal understanding and growth. But you don't have to associate yourself with any religion or school to master the art of meditation and discover the love, joy, compassion and Truth within you, and that's exactly what this books allows you to do. Wonderful! Wholeheartedly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A soft guide to a deep subject
Review: This is such a good book. It touches practically all aspects of meditation. After reading it you will feel confident to start meditation or progress along your chosen path. It is an easy book to read and understand. However, because meditation is such a broad subject this book covers a lot of ground. This can be off-putting to someone who wants a quick introduction. If you are serious about taking meditation to higher levels, this book gives you a very good foundation. I read the book from cover to cover a few months ago and want to re-read it after having practiced meditation for a few months. This time I will make notes to guide me on what I will do to take my meditation to the next level. The book is chock full of tips. I know there are several tips that I will appreciate more now after some months of practice. As comprehensive as this book is, it did not cover two areas I would have liked to know more about - using earplugs while meditating on your inner sounds and meditating using electronic feedback devices. I will like to see these areas covered in a more advanced book by the author.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Well, what can I say? I loved this book. It's fairly long - 300 pages - which may discourage some potential readers, but what you learn is worth every moment of your time and cent of your money. A well-written introduction to Meditation, which I found extremely useful even before I finished reading it. If you're looking for a book on meditation, get THIS ONE!
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