Meditation For Dummies (Book and CD edition)
by Stephan Bodian
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Book Summary Information
Author: Stephan BodianForeword: Dean Ornish
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-02-06
ISBN: 0471777749
Number of pages: 360
Publisher: Wiley Pub.
Book Reviews of Meditation For Dummies (Book and CD edition)
Book Review: Life Changing
Summary: 5 Stars
This book gives you reasons why meditation is beneficial as well as the how-to. And given that it is written by a therapist as well as an experienced meditator, the guy knows what he's talking about. I meditated the first time using this book, with amazing results. Chapter 6 is the how-to chapter should you want to cut to the chase. I definitely recommend this book because it is packed with neat info and you can get meditating the same day if you read the right passage. But, it covers the subtle fine points that enable you to work thru the challenges life throws your way. And it has the potential to make you a better person along the way. "When you practice accepting yourself fully, you soften & open your heart not only to yourself but ultimately to others as well." The world needs more meditators. It won't make you perfect, but it will make you better than you were.
According to this book, there is no wrong way to meditate. You can even meditate lying down--good news if you're still half asleep on a Sunday morning.
Here is the basics of meditation. First, buy some incense and a candle. With your insence and candle burning, sit down and cross your legs (different positions are given) and hold one hand in the other between your legs. A small cushion under you butt helps, and you'll incline forward which focuses your attention on the candle better with improved posture as well. With your eyes half closed, and focused on the candle, count your breaths. Just count each breath as it comes. Nothing complicated. Once you count to ten, you can start over. But I perfer to count to 100, which is about ten minutes, which is not a bad meditation session. But 20 min is better and 40 is even better. I have a friend who claims to have meditated 3 hours!!
So why meditate? What are the benefits? The benefits are many. A quote from the book: "If you meditate regularly, you're going to have spiritual experiences--guaranteed."
More benefits:
>Decreased heart rate during quiet meditation
>Lower blood pressure in normal and moderately hypertensive individuals.
>Quicker recovery from stress
>Increased alpha rhythms
>Sychronization between left & right hemispheres of the brain.
>Reduced cholesterol levels
>Decreased consumption of energy and need for oxygen.
>Deeper, slower breathing
>Muscle relaxation
>Reduced pain levels
>Enhanced creativity
>Heightened perception and sensitivity
>Reduction in anxiety
>Complement to psychotherapy and treatment approaches of addiction.
Also, here's a few dreams I had after my first meditation session after starting meditation. I had all but forgotten about the dream(s) when I got on the main highway the next day. In the first one, I was quick off the light as I accelerated in my Infiniti I-30, and this rad monster truck was off to my right. We were side by side, and about to race really. In one of my dreams just the night before I had exactly that in my dream!!!! The truck in my dream raced me, and it was a large full size monster truck, essentially the same as the one I was next to only hours later. (I immediately snapped, recalling the dream, wow!!) In real life, he accelerated to full throttle and I let him have my lane, which he wanted. I didnt race him--no reason to. In the dream there was someone stopped up ahead anyway and in real life the next light was just up ahead, with stopped cars.
The other dream I had I was observing a scene of something or other and at the center of my vision it just peeled away, like a movie screen, showing something different like a pattern instead. This dream was telling my that reality is not reality. I was stunned because I had a differing opinion. Anyway, that shows the potential. It's kinda spooky. Granted the dream is not reality so it's not really logical when you think about it, unless you buy into the notion that a dream can teach about reality. Maybe....it can.
Summary of Meditation For Dummies (Book and CD edition)
The popular guide-over 80,000 copies sold of the first edition-now revised and enhanced with an audio CD of guided meditationsAccording to Time magazine, over 15 million Americans now practice meditation regularly. It's a great way to reduce stress, increase energy, and enjoy better health. This fun and easy guide has long been a favorite with meditation newcomers. And now it's even better. For this new edition, author Stephan Bodian has added an audio CD with more than 70 minutes of guided meditations that are keyed to topics in the book, from tuning in to one's body, transforming suffering, and replacing negative patterns to grounding oneself, consulting the guru within, and finding a peaceful place. The book also discusses the latest research on the health benefits of meditation, along with new advice on how to get the most out of meditation in today's fast-paced world.
Stephan Bodian (Fairfax, CA and Sedona, AZ) is a licensed psychotherapist and the former editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal. He has written for Fitness, Alternative Medicine, Cooking Light, and Tricycle and is the coauthor of Buddhism For Dummies (0-7645-5359-3).
"To tell you the truth, you can learn the basics of meditation in five minutes," asserts Stephan Bodian, meditation instructor, psychotherapist, and former editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal. You can also study meditation for years, exploring its subtleties. Meditation for Dummies is a simple, clear introduction to the basics of meditation, including an overview of dozens of techniques, practices, and specific meditations, plus direction for going deeper. You get step-by-step instructions for a variety of meditations, including body position, mental concentration, where to put your attention, what to contemplate or notice, physical movements, and breathing. A nice touch is the recurring "traditional wisdom": ancient stories or anecdotes that make a point. This book is useful whether you want the nuts and bolts for getting started in the next minute or you want to dip your mind into different practices and philosophies. Nothing is too elementary to explain: "how to sit up straight--and live to tell about it," what to wear, dealing with fear and self-judgment, and what to do when you get "stuck." You also get plenty of information about the benefits and varieties of meditation. You're bound find and develop a practice that feels right for you. --Joan Price
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