As countless meditators have learned firsthand, meditation practice can positively transform the way we see and experience our lives. This practical, accessible guide to the fundamentals of Buddhist meditation introduces you to the practice, explains how it is approached in the main schools of Buddhism, and offers advice and inspiration from Buddhism’s most renowned and effective meditation teachers, including Pema Chödrön, Thich Nhat Hanh, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Sharon Salzberg, Norman Fischer, Ajahn Chah, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Sylvia Boorstein, Noah Levine, Judy Lief, and many others. Topics include how to build excitement and energy to start a meditation routine and keep it going, setting up a meditation space, working with and through boredom, what to look for when seeking others to meditate with, how to know when it’s time to try doing a formal meditation retreat, how to bring the practice "off the cushion" with walking meditation and other practices, and much more.

"Six simple practices presented by leading Buddhist teachers"--Cover.

This pioneering guide to zazen—Zen-style seated meditation—provides practical instructions on how to begin or elevate your practice and progress along the Zen path Zen Training is a comprehensive handbook for zazen, seated meditation practice, and an authoritative presentation of the Zen path. The book marked a turning point in Zen literature in its critical reevaluation of the enlightenment experience, which the author believes has often been emphasized at the expense of other important aspects of Zen training. In addition, Zen Training goes beyond the first flashes of enlightenment to explore how one lives as well as trains in Zen. The author also draws many significant parallels between Zen and Western philosophy and psychology, comparing traditional Zen concepts with the theories of being and cognition of such thinkers as Heidegger and Husserl.

Spirituality.The search for happiness --Religion, East and West --Mindfulness --The truth of suffering --Enlightenment --The mystery of consciousness.The mind divided --Structure and function --Are our minds already split? --Conscious and unconscious processing in the brain --Consciousness is what matters --The riddle of the self.What are we calling "I"? --Consciousness without self --Lost in thought --The challenge of studying the self --Penetrating the illusion --Meditation.Gradual versus sudden realization --Dzogchen: taking the goal as the path --Having no head --The paradox of acceptance --Gurus, death, drugs, and other puzzles.Mind on the brink of death --The spiritual uses of pharmacology.

There are hundreds of meditation books out there. Many written by monks, and some written by hippies and spiritual gurus. But how many of these books are written by an ordinary dude? Someone who is just like you: someone who has a day job, whose preferred outfit is jeans and a t-shirt, and enjoys knocking back a few beers on Friday night? I'm as ordinary as they come. The only difference...I've been meditating for over 13 years. And I want to show you how you can meditate too—in a straightforward language that any ordinary dude or dudette can understand. Over a decade of practice, meditation has transformed my life, bringing more peace, calm and clarity into it than I could have ever imagined when I started at the age of 19. And now, I want to share how meditation can do the same for you.

NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS GOLD-MEDAL WINNER FOR 2015 There’s no trying in meditation. Just as water runs naturally downhill … just as leaves float naturally to the ground … we can all settle naturally into meditation. Not trying, just allowing—not doing, just being. The key is effortlessness. Whether you’re a complete novice or you’ve “tried it before,” if you can breathe you can meditate. Guided by veteran teacher Dean Sluyter’s easy-going, down-to-earth approach, you’ll test-drive a variety of meditative “vehicles,” such as breath, sound, the senses, the sky, and the simple sense of “I,” and discover which ones fit you best. You’ll find all the practical tips you need for adapting these methods to your daily life, even for a few minutes a day on the subway or in an office cubicle. And as your life opens to deep happiness, clarity, peace, and creative energy, you’ll be inspired to keep on practicing—naturally.

Some people think meditation is something that takes years to learn. The truth is, it's a very natural state of awareness that can be developed in just a few minutes each day. The benefits of meditation are infinite! Develop concentration Learn to focus your attention Relax your body and mind quickly and easily Release fears Increase your health and wellness Exchange old habits for new ones Identify personal goals and aspirations Discover which meditation method works best for you 2003 COVR Award Winner (Best Alternative Health Book)

Learn on-the-go meditation techniques to improve your concentration and memory and enhance your self-esteem, using this unique visual guide. Follow the clear, step-by-step instructions anytime, anywhere--at home, on the beach, or on a business trip. Practice meditations sitting on a simple, upright chair; there's no need to fold yourself into uncomfortable positions. Explore a variety of meditation techniques, from mindfulness meditation to tai chi, to find the practices that suit you. Use the short "mini-meditations" to sample a variety of different styles. Find out the benefits of meditation on your mind and brain, examining how it works and the scientific evidence behind its effects. Whether you are new to meditation or looking to expand your existing knowledge, this practical guide on how to meditate provides everything you need to start (or continue) your meditative journey.

#1 New York Times Bestseller REVISED WITH NEW MATIERAL Winner of the 2014 Living Now Book Award for Inspirational Memoir "An enormously smart, clear-eyed, brave-hearted, and quite personal look at the benefits of meditation." —Elizabeth Gilbert Nightline anchor Dan Harrisembarks on an unexpected, hilarious, and deeply skeptical odyssey through the strange worlds of spirituality and self-help, and discovers a way to get happier that is truly achievable. After having a nationally televised panic attack, Dan Harris knew he had to make some changes. A lifelong nonbeliever, he found himself on a bizarre adventure involving a disgraced pastor, a mysterious self-help guru, and a gaggle of brain scientists. Eventually, Harris realized that the source of his problems was the very thing he always thought was his greatest asset: the incessant, insatiable voice in his head, which had propelled him through the ranks of a hypercompetitive business, but had also led him to make the profoundly stupid decisions that provoked his on-air freak-out. Finally, Harris stumbled upon an effective way to rein in that voice, something he always assumed to be either impossible or useless: meditation, a tool that research suggests can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain. 10% Happier takes readers on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America’s spiritual scene, and leaves them with a takeaway that could actually change their lives.

Unlock the power of meditation with an easy 10-day plan The key to building a solid meditation practice is in the practice itself. From Zen and Vipassana to walking meditations and body scans, the basic practices outlined in Practical Meditation for Beginners help you build the meditation routine that works best for you, even if you've never meditated before. Written by experienced meditation teacher Benjamin Decker, this guide to meditation for beginners offers a comprehensive program for learning 10 different meditation techniques—one for each day of the program. Newcomers and experienced meditators alike will enjoy the variety of practices and the friendly guidance that makes it easy to get started. Go beyond other meditation books with: Thoughtful prompts—Find insightful questions and talking points alongside the exercises to help you stop and reflect on how you feel. A clear, organized format—Explore chapters for each new meditation technique, designed to help you build up your skills as you move through the book. Step-by-step instructions—Follow simple and concise guidance that walks you through each new meditation in a clear way. Practical Meditation for Beginners is an accessible how-to guide that will empower you to meditate with confidence right away.