How to Meditate

This book is simply amazing! Concise, informative, inspirational, it has a clear message: Meditation is the path to bodhichitta and bodhichitta is the path to peace. I highly recommend you give yourself the pleasure of reading this book.

I enjoyed this book. Good info and I’d read again. Thanks.

In this 5 CD set, Pema Chodron expands on her prior works (but see Pure Meditation), honing in on Buddhist Shamatha (tranquil or calm abiding) meditation. This is a basic, eyes-open, being-fully-present technique (akin to mindfulness practice). It differs greatly from transcendental types as well as from Vipashyana (insight) meditation. Total time=5:52:48 in 46 tracks (CD1=65:18/9 tracks; CD2=63:29/10 tracks; CD3=69:54/9 tracks; CD4=74:53/9 tracks; CD5=79:14/tracks). Her presentation is comprehensive, including: Physical--much detail on 6 points of posture (seat, legs, torso, hands, eyes, & mouth); Emotional--being fully present, attention to tension, observing your pain/stress; Mental/Psychological--generosity, patience, sense of humor; & Spiritual/Mystical--(per Trungpa Rinpoche) "Mixing mind and space." Each CD includes a meditation experience & practices for the ensuing week.Ani Chodron explains the basic Tibetan Buddhist/Vajrayana approach of transforming poisons (kleshas or afflictions) into medicine (wisdom/enlightenment). This is similar to judo (vs. karate) & to transcendental alchemy (The Secret of the Golden Flower: A Chinese Book of Life) with kleshas being the prima materia. Tibetans differentiate between pain and suffering; the latter being more psychological than physical--reaction to pain vs. pain itself. She, thus explores Shenpa, the process of getting hooked--see Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions. Pema also briefly discusses Tonglen (exchanging oneself for others), a highly empathetic technique--see Tonglen, the Path of Transformation or Good Medicine: How to Turn Pain into Compassion with Tonglen Meditation; & includes some more advanced Mahamudra meditation, which I find particularly helpful, quoting a poet: "Thoughts are like clouds in the sky; they shimmer when they fly." Her use of sounds, sights, touch over the body is reminiscent of both the Western allover (or overall) exercise (Wisdom of the Mystic Masters) & the Dhyani Buddha families (The Mandala of the Enlightened Feminine). Overall, Pema's voice & presentation are extremely peaceful & meditative--quite conducive to these practices, though she aims at you becoming "your own meditation instructor." To have a more complete appreciation of Pema, see her Good Medicine video. This set is valuable for newbies (though some of the terminology may be unfamiliar) as well as those who have practiced meditation before. It is also a nice refresher.

If you only buy one book on how to meditate this is the one to get! I am reading a lot of books on how to meditate to prepare for a class I would like to give. I think this book really gives usable instructions on how to develop a personal meditation practice. I recommend any of the many books and videos and CDs produced by Pema Chodron as an excellent source of information on Buddhism. Her books are well written, personal, highly readable and easily understood. When I am reading or listening to her I feel as though she is speaking to me personally. You can't go wrong here.

This book has transformed my life: explains meditation in very simple and practical terms. You can’t go wrong on this book.

A direct and practical work that beginner meditators will find indispensable. Keeps the religious terminology at arms length. I wanted a book to help guide me in my mediation practice without drowning me in Buddhist terminology or relentlessly repeating to me why the life I have lead for 50 years is obviously fraudulent. This book serves the purpose. I have been meditating very regularly for a few months and I felt the need for some guidance as I extended the amount of time I sit at practice. This book gave immediate results. I have read certain chapters over an d over to remind myself of how to practice properly. The book has depth but is not overly wordy. While it can be immensely difficult and very frustrating, Meditation is simple and a book about it should reflect its simplicity.

These keen insights take us deep into an experience each person can only define for themselves. For those who are new to meditation, or fearing they are unable to do it, relax! The overwhelming message of this book is to relax and lean into those things we may find disturbing. We come to see that we’re larger than the things we allow to trap us. Meditation practice asks us to consider many things that are counterintuitive to beliefs we have spent a lifetime nurturing. Try the exercises in the book with an open mind and keep at them. In the end, only you have the power to define the relationship you develop with life. Making friends with your mind and heart will open many doors for you.

You will enjoy her teaching methods, enjoy!

I have been going to a meditation center of Buddhism and it has really changed my life for the best.This book is a surprise to me because it explains in detail how to enrich your meditation practice with useful explanations.I recommend this book to anyone that is following a spiritual path, or is a newbie at meditation because it is very practical and useful.I rate it with 5 stars because I am going to read it again and again.

Excellent book. It's written to be understood by the beginner, like a conversation. She lets you understand the purpose which teaches you how to be kind to yourself as you go. Wonderful.

Buon libro per chi si vuole avvicinare alla meditazione e partire col piglio giusto!!Come sempre affascinato dalla sua scrittura e dalla profondita' del suo libro.

This author helped me understand the way and intension behind meditating. Now I have to put into practice.Definitely would recommend.

Classifiquei esse livro como "Muito Bom" pelo estilo didático da técnica de meditação e que me faz pensar ser possível de fato meditar (apesar da profusão de pensamentos que passam apressadamente pela nossa mente!). Além do que, a autora dá conselhos de ordem prática de como se firmar na técnica de meditação. Recomendo fortemente!