Meditation: A Simple Eight Point Program for Translating Spiritual Ideals into Daily Life

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Summary: Not much about meditation in here.
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This book may or may not be suitable for you depending on why exactly you are looking for a book on meditation.

If your intention is to get an overall idea about meditiation and the related lifestyle, this may work. But if you are looking for something profound or a book having instructions and exercises for different kinds of meditations, then look elsewhere.

This book touches meditation slightly, explains the most elementary method of meditating, which ironically is not hard to figure out by oneself. But most of the book is about the lifestyle you should lead with this, things like you should wake up early in the morning, sleep early, do not watch violence and sex on TV etc etc!
Personally, I wasn't really looking for a lecture on lifestyle, but a profound treatment of the subject, starting with the benefits of meditation, different styles of meditations, how they are different and a set of exercises to follow.

All I got from this book was to select a personal "mantra" for meditiation and focus on that either at early merning or evening in a lonely and silent place. Coming from a Hindu background, this is known to almost everybody. Now I'm looking elsewhere for a better treatise.

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Summary: A Gentle Presence Teaches Meditation
Review: Easwaran offers us a concise and complete method of meditation -- as well as a method of growing into our Christedness. His gentle expression draws us into his mind set, showing us how we may become similarly centered and "on purpose." A marvelous book from an enlightened being.

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Summary: A Gentle Presence Teaches Meditation
Review: Easwaran offers us a concise and complete method of meditation -- as well as a method of growing into our Christedness. His gentle expression draws us into his mind set, showing us how we may become similarly centered and "on purpose." A marvelous book from an enlightened being.

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Summary: The best book I have ever read on the subject
Review: Eknath Easwaran's "Meditation" is a book that came to me at a time in my life when it was sorely needed. Having read many books on the subject of meditation, I found Easwaran's approach to be both simple and practical. The affect this book has had upon me is very deep, and I recommend it as a fine companion for anyone who is embarking on a spiritual journey.

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Summary: Perfect book on meditation
Review: Excellent book on meditation. I wanted to practice meditation for a long time but was afraid of picking a book that wouldn't provide a good path to it but delve in some kind of abstract practice or ritual. I happened to buy "Upanishads" by the same author and was highly impressed by the simplicity but yet clear Upanishad translation. So I bought this book on meditation. The book is simply fabulous. Not attached to any religion or mysticism but encompassing the message of all, Eknath Easwaran clearly brings the importance of meditation in clear and lucid language. Now I regularly practice meditation. And have found a great deal of change in myself. The book on Bhagavad Gita and Dhammapada by the same author are also great reading. A series of great books from the true master.

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Summary: This book will change your life
Review: Given today's glut of "new age gurus," it's comforting to find a wise soul like Easwaran. In completely unpretentious, lucid, and humorous prose he describes how meditation and its allied principles will instantly transform your life. MEDITATION does not promise overnight change. Easwaran, rather, says in blunt terms that it's hard work to meditate on the scriptures each morning, put others first, and give one-pointed attention to every detail of our life. The difficulty lies in the fact that these principles go against our conditioning. But I and many other faithful individuals will ensure that this book will dramatically change your life if you give it the chance. To paraphrase the Buddha, Don't go by blind faith, try it out yourself and see if it works. I assure you the journey will be prosperous.

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Summary: This is a simple, practical guide to meditation.
Review: I came across Easwaran's book after having read a few others on the subject - nothing comes close to this one in making the concept of meditation come alive in the minds of people who are not clear on the subject. Easwaran has the knack of getting to the heart of the matter in a flash, and then gently explaining the concepts in a simple fashion, with wry, and sometimes subtle. This is a book by a man who's been there, and done that. Highly recommended for any individual who wants to try to rise above the stress and strain of daily life.

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Summary: Simple but life transforming
Review: I first read this book in search of a method of meditation I could actually practice on a daily basis. I was stuck by the clarity and common-sense approach of Eknath Easwaran. Each time I re-read the book, I'm amazed at the depth that is hidden in what seem like very simple, obvious guidelines to meditation and related spiritual practices.

Yes, it's true this book is not a comparison of different forms of meditation or an in-depth discussion about sitting in meditation. However, if you are hoping to read a book that you can put into practical use, you will soon find what seems basic on the surface leads to an amazingly effective method of meditation and a very rich set of spiritual tools that you can actually use in your daily life.

Meditation (in any style) is a practice that involves training your mind and directing your attention. Anyone who meditates daily will find it artificial to try to separate the period of time in which you meditate in the morning from the rest of what you think, say, and do during the day. The practices described in this book actually address this connection in a wholistic, down-to-earth way.

Another attraction this book has for me is that the method described in this book honors all religions and does not require the reader to change his or her religious affiliation to be able to meditate.

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Summary: Life changing
Review: I have been interested in spiritual development, but have found this type of literature to be difficult to understand. This author is clear and conversational. The book was wonderful and can be read over and over.

Rating:
Summary: Life changing
Review: I have been interested in spiritual development, but have found this type of literature to be difficult to understand. This author is clear and conversational. The book was wonderful and can be read over and over.