Comments on: Meditation For Dummies

By: Matt B.

Matt B. — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:28:29 +0000

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: 3 / 5

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:46:54 +0000

I meditated for hours a day for twelve years earlier in my life. I wish I had had this book! Sometimes a few pieces of simple information can make all the difference, helping you through a blind spot or a thorny hedge that’s in your way. This book worked this way for me, and I highly recommend you check it out!
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:06:03 +0000

I never thought I’d write that a book with “for dummies” in the title was one of the most interesting and thorough books I’ve ever read, but Mr. Bodian’s work definitely deserves high praise. As he says in his own review above, this book’s title is a misnomer, anyway. It should be something like “Meditation for Just About Anyone/Everyone”.

This book is so thorough and well thought out that it is hard to imagine anyone who is interested in learning more about meditation not discovering something of value regardless of what sparked that interest in the first place. In fact, should someone with NO interest in meditation happen to pick it up, I think they would “discover” an interest in it. It’s that well done.

The reader will find information on “how-to”, applications in everyday life, the history of meditation, references to other resources and much more. All that is missing is someone to do the meditation for you!
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Adam Khan

Adam Khan — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:03:52 +0000

There are an incredible number of books on meditation, but this one is the largest collection of information on the subject I’ve ever seen, from the most broad perspective. Bodian is a Buddhist, but he covers many other kinds of meditation in an unbiased way. And he tells you step-by-step how to do them. I’m the author of the book, Self-Help Stuff That Works, and the only helpful thing I didn’t cover in my book was how to meditate, even though meditation is valuable, scientifically-validated, and good for your health, both psychological and physical. It wasn’t necessary to write about it because so many good books have been written, and Bodian’s is the most complete. This is a practical handbook anyone can use to learn to meditate, delivered in an interesting, easily-accessible format. I recommend it highly.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: JohnPrendergast@msn.com

JohnPrendergast@msn.com — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:27:00 +0000

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: 5 / 5