Clear, straight to the point, essential meditation book
345564
This book is a must read if you are interested in the most simple, yet very challenging and profound, meditation techniques. I have had a good fortune to meet a living teacher, who has taught on the very same subject, but this book accompanies and wraps those teachings perfectly. Roaring Silence provides the stepping stones to start the journey into your very own mind and to the whole phenomenal universe that's dancing in front of our noses, all the time.
4434914
I've studied meditation for years, and benefited from books by some of the best known teachers of meditation: Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jon Kabat-Zinn, James Finley. But when I was asked to teach a class on meditation at my Presbyterian church, this was the one I turned to the most. It was also the very first book I read on the subject, many years ago. The instruction is simple (as it should be), the guided meditations are beautiful and the language is familiar to my own faith tradition. I highly recommend it!
3225502
I've been familiar with meditating for some time, but I've let my practice go for a few years. And sure enough, stress starts to creep back into my life.

I decided to get back meditating but I figured I should start afresh as a beginner. This was one of a few books I picked up to get back on track and on the right track.

What I liked about this book is that it is concise but practical. The author covers the history behind meditation, debunks some of the myths about meditation like the fact that not all folks who meditate are Buddhists. In fact, meditation can be practiced by folks of all faiths.

If you're looking for a concise, practical book to help you get started on your meditation journey and you're interested in finding more peace and serenity then this is a great book to start with.
3634999
This is a very straightforward, clear and simple introduction to including meditation practice as part of running. The author gives step-by-step practices for the reader to try. For readers with significant meditation experience, while some aspects of this book will seem familiar, the sections describing combining meditation and running may still be helpful.
4506660
I loved this book! It is so well written. The book helps teach techniques of meditation which was just what I needed to help lower my stress levels! The simple instructions are easy to follow and soon enough you'll all be as chilled out as I was when you purchase the book! I strongly recommend this if you are looking any kind of meditation book, this is one of the best!
4705416
I borrowed a copy of Stillness Speaks from the library, and soon realized I needed to own a copy. As a lover of simplicity, this book captures the essence of truth in a simple and clear fashion. I usually read a sentence or two prior to meditation, and this quickly takes me deep into silence.
2909440
Short, to the point, and enjoyable read. This book sums up as far as I want to go regarding any kind of meditation or New Age philosophy.
2654081
Meditation for beginners was a terrific book. I had just gotten started meditating and was looking for a book to teach me some good strategies and helpful tips for meditation. The book gave me it all. Easy to read, straight forward, practical and very informative. Thanks for a great guide!
1534648
I highly recommend this book for people new to Buddhism or meditation. It is written in a style that is clear and the author offers numerous examples when he introduces new concepts. Of the many basic books I have read this is one of the best.
4632324
A friend gave me this book as a birthday present recently and I am at present reading through it. It is just what I needed as I was in doubts as to where I was with my own awakening journey and unsure as to whether what I was doing was ok and if there was anything else I could be doing.
 The book is an easy to follow guide with clear instructions on the whole awakening process and provides step by step exercises to move deeper into your awakening.
After following some of the guided meditations my whole meditation experience changed, my mind quietened and my meditation went to a different, deeper level.
I certainly recommend this book.
3077643
I personally loved this book so much because it brings Meditation down into simple form. With breathing exercises and simple techniques, you can fully comprehend the power of meditation and why it's absolutely necessary to your every day life.
4047552
Meditation promises enormous benefits, among them clarity, serenity, peace of mind, calmness, physical health, happiness...

These claims are backed up by science in recent decades, as well as centuries of personal testimony and experience.

So why aren't more people meditating?

Perhaps because "things are really busy right not, I just don't have the time to learn what I need to know about it, but I'll start soon..."

Or perhaps: "There are so many different kinds of meditation, I don't know which is the best and I'll have to research, but I'll start soon when things slow down a bit..."

"I would if I knew more about it."

"Who's got twenty minutes a day to meditate?"

"I don't want to embrace some kind of weird Eastern religion. I don't want to worship a guru."

"I don't have the time or money to travel to take a class. Maybe someday..."

The reasons go on and on. And they are all good ones. And they will keep you from ever learning anything about meditating, let alone actually doing it.

Which is where this marvelous and humble little book comes in. In just a few pages David Harp answers those concerns and others you might have. Harp tells you what meditation is and gives you some easy ways to start meditating... right now.

In case you don't even have the time to read everything in this short book, Harp obligingly has boxed off the key paragraphs so you can read them in a few moments, get the essential understanding you need, and... start meditating, right now.

And you don't need to travel or clear up a big block of time or make any other changes to your life. It's this simple: Got 3 minutes? Or even less? You can start meditating, and you can do yourself a lot of good.

This short and humorous book will give you a basic understanding of meditation, offer you some simple yet profoundly effective classic techniques, and motivate you to begin.

Look, you can wait ten or twenty years or more until (you hope) you've totally straightened up your life, read all the books in the world on meditation, found the world's greatest teacher, and have the time and money to start meditating in the perfect way. Yeah, that's bound to happen.

OR... you can read a little bit of this simple short humorous easy to understand book and start effectively meditating... right now. Immediately.

This book gives you the knowledge and permission to do that. This review is of the original (I think) 1987 edition. It's been updated and rewritten since then, and no doubt it's even better in those later editions. But if edition this is the one you have handy, it's plenty to get you going.

The Three Minute Meditator isn't the last word on meditation... but it is a great first word. (Harp offers suggestions for learning more at the end of the book.) It's an easy downhill beginning to what could be a wonderful life changing journy/adventure.

The Three Minute Meditator lets you put your toe in the meditation pool and see what it's like. If you do, you're likely to find that the temperature is just right -- and that today is a great day to start swimming.

The Three Minute Meditator says "Come on in! The water's fine!"

Why wait a day longer to start enjoying the great benefits you know meditation holds for you?
167056
Highly recommend to anyone looking to get into meditation.
2682726
This beautifully guided meditation brings deep relaxation and serenity. Just look at the CD's cover to get an image of what you will experience in Alain Charise's 25 minute (or so) clearly and thoughtfully guided process of meditation. He will take you through breathing practice, focusing on the physical body, visualization, and finally a little silent meditation at the end. The several part process of this meditation works to transport the meditator gradually to a realm of extreme peace and stillness, and promotes brain waves of deep rest and relaxation. Alain's soothing voice adds to the tranquility, and anyone who feels stress or anxiety can find relief and benefit here. I have practiced various kinds of meditation for over 20 years, and this is one that really works! Not only do I feel peaceful vibes every time I listen, but that positivity tends to stay for many hours after as well, making the rest of the day feel lighter. The guidance is clearly detailed, too, so that it can be easily followed by a beginner or experienced meditator. Another point I love about this meditation is that it is truly for everyone - it requires no particular belief system and no adherence to any spiritual or religious path. It is simple, straightforward, and it does exactly as it's title promises. What could be more wonderful?
3805140
A lovely book that is really helpful. This book focuses on bring beginners into the world of meditation and is packed full of information. The writing style is clear and concise and can help with relaxation--something we could all do with these days! I hadn't considered meditation before, but I am so glad I picked this up! So worth the money.
4383852
Updated review for new edition as of July 2013, which includes a code to access seven guided meditations via audio!

This informative and accessible new book will be invaluable to the new meditator and to seasoned practitioners. Summers' book is divided into two sections: Principles and Techniques. Within each section are chapters that vary from the absolute basics on what meditation is and why it works to detailed information on executing thorough meditation based on what's going on in your life at the moment.

Summers' tone is conversational and accessible. It's clear throughout the book that the author has great personal experience with and knowledge of meditative practices, but she understands that not all readers will buy in to every bit of new age nuggets that are offered ("Now, having stepped way out there on the edge of New Age space, in the next chapter we return to Earth and turn to the subject of practical matters - the where, when, and how of meditation").

The author makes a point to make meditation accessible to all and leaves the reader feeling calm and competent rather than instructed in a rigid practice. Especially useful to beginners may be Summers' pronunciation guide to and background on various mantras; however, Summers' depth of understanding of meditation will be of use to even seasoned meditators.

Generous use of white space and a wide gutter contribute to the calm and accessible feeling of the book and at a length of 142 pages, the guide provides just the right amount of background with instructions that one can return to over and over. At the beginning of the book Summers' states that it is her "heartfelt hope that the insights offered" in Meditation: Deep & Blissful will transform readers' meditative experiences; her best wishes for each reader's personal growth can be felt throughout this excellent guide.
3475670
Very readable, straightforward and easy to follow guidelines for getting started toward adding Mindfullness, or Meditation to a typical, busy American lifestyle.