How to Meditate: A Practical Guide
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Consumer Rating: 
By: Kathleen McDonald
Format: Paperback
From: Wisdom Publications
Pub. Date: September 2005
From: Wisdom Publications
Pub. Date: September 2005
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2005-10-03
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 224
Ean: 9780861713417
Isbn: 0861713419
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2005-10-03
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 224
Ean: 9780861713417
Isbn: 0861713419
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
In a world seemingly moving at hyperspeed, it can be daunting to simply slow down — or stop — even briefly to try to make sense of things. Meditation has been proven to help. But exactly what is it? Why practice it? Which techniques are best? This popular guide answers these and many more questions for anyone who wants to begin — or is struggling to maintain — a meditation practice. Written by a Western Buddhist nun with solid experience in both the practice and teaching of meditation, How to Meditate contains a wealth of practical advice on a variety of authentic techniques, from what to do with the mind, to how to sit, to visualizations and other traditional practices. Best of all, McDonald's warm, encouraging approach is as close to the intimacy of private instruction as a book can be.
USER REVIEWS
"I have been using this gem of a book for almost 25 years, every since its first edition in 1984. As a dharma teacher, meditation instructor, spiritual director and Buddhist chaplain, I have found Ven. Sangye Kkadro's (Kathleen McDonald) book to be an invaluable tool in guiding students of meditation, whether they be beginners or with many years on the cushion.
Ven. Claude d'Estree (Lopon Konchog Trinly Dorje / KhaYa, Sunim)
Professor and Buddhist Chaplain, University of Denver
How to Meditate: A Practical Guide
Mindfulness in Plain English, Updated and Expanded Edition"
~ Written on 2008-02-22
Ven. Claude d'Estree (Lopon Konchog Trinly Dorje / KhaYa, Sunim)
Professor and Buddhist Chaplain, University of Denver
How to Meditate: A Practical Guide
Mindfulness in Plain English, Updated and Expanded Edition"
~ Written on 2008-02-22
"You may think 'an excellent book for non-spiritual meditation' is a strange recommendation, but as a mostly non-spiritual (agnostic) person who nevertheless recognizes the benefits of meditation this is one of the few books out there that is suitable as a practical guide; the subtitle is spot on.
I apologize to those of you who are spiritual, but I just can't sit through a book that starts from the sutras and then uses meditation as a means to that end. It means nothing to me. 'How to Meditate,' while coming from the Mahayana and Theravada traditions, starts with solid practical advice on how to meditate - best positions, what a session should be like, how to breathe, common problems, and visualization.
The second part of the book consists of different subjects for meditation such as 'Meditation on Compassion and Tonglen (Giving and Taking),' 'Meditation on Love,' and 'Dealing with Negative Energy.' These also include subjects such as 'Prostrations to the Thirty-Five Buddhas' which are of little interest to me except culturally, but even an atheist should recognize the usefulness of considering and dealing with your negative energy: 'The methods explained in this chapter are practical ways of dealing with attachment, anger, depression, and fear.'
The is the only book on the shelf besides Meditation for Dummies which I would wholeheartedly recommend for aspiritual people like myself. It's considered a classic in the field for good reason.
"
~ Written on 2007-10-21
I apologize to those of you who are spiritual, but I just can't sit through a book that starts from the sutras and then uses meditation as a means to that end. It means nothing to me. 'How to Meditate,' while coming from the Mahayana and Theravada traditions, starts with solid practical advice on how to meditate - best positions, what a session should be like, how to breathe, common problems, and visualization.
The second part of the book consists of different subjects for meditation such as 'Meditation on Compassion and Tonglen (Giving and Taking),' 'Meditation on Love,' and 'Dealing with Negative Energy.' These also include subjects such as 'Prostrations to the Thirty-Five Buddhas' which are of little interest to me except culturally, but even an atheist should recognize the usefulness of considering and dealing with your negative energy: 'The methods explained in this chapter are practical ways of dealing with attachment, anger, depression, and fear.'
The is the only book on the shelf besides Meditation for Dummies which I would wholeheartedly recommend for aspiritual people like myself. It's considered a classic in the field for good reason.
"
~ Written on 2007-10-21
"What a practical book! Not only has it opened a whole new perspective in me in regards towards meditation, but as a beginner, it has also answered those nagging questions that kept me from doing it successfully.
With the rave of Hatha Yoga nowodays, you've problaby heard about meditating but you've been to scared to try it or you've put off as something silly. I can relate. I always wanted to bring meditation into my practice but I always felt it was such a waste of time and effort. If you are anything like me, you tried to meditate for at least 5 minutes, doubting yourself, and coming up frustrated and strained and asking yourself if you really did meditate that whole time. Boy, did that change.
The meditation sessions that Kathleen encourages are very engaging. She writes in such an inspiring and down-to-earth manner that you'll be meditating in minutes after reading this book.
I should add that this book and the meditations are inspired by the teachings of Buddhism. Dont let that discourage you. You dont have to be a Buddhist to do these meditations! The goal of any type of meditation is to take control of the mind. And you will. After performing the Clarity of Mind Meditation, an immidiate sense of peace and serenity will engulf you. You will take a calm approach to your everyday affairs and your ability to concentrate will improve vastly. These are but only a few benefits that I experienced.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this gem, now!"
~ Written on 2007-08-27
With the rave of Hatha Yoga nowodays, you've problaby heard about meditating but you've been to scared to try it or you've put off as something silly. I can relate. I always wanted to bring meditation into my practice but I always felt it was such a waste of time and effort. If you are anything like me, you tried to meditate for at least 5 minutes, doubting yourself, and coming up frustrated and strained and asking yourself if you really did meditate that whole time. Boy, did that change.
The meditation sessions that Kathleen encourages are very engaging. She writes in such an inspiring and down-to-earth manner that you'll be meditating in minutes after reading this book.
I should add that this book and the meditations are inspired by the teachings of Buddhism. Dont let that discourage you. You dont have to be a Buddhist to do these meditations! The goal of any type of meditation is to take control of the mind. And you will. After performing the Clarity of Mind Meditation, an immidiate sense of peace and serenity will engulf you. You will take a calm approach to your everyday affairs and your ability to concentrate will improve vastly. These are but only a few benefits that I experienced.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this gem, now!"
~ Written on 2007-08-27
"After purchasing 5 books on meditation this is the first book that actually teaches you how to meditate step by step. Most books on meditation tell you "what" to meditate on and seem to forget to tell you how to do it, this book tells you how to do it. It's very easy to read and it gives even the first time meditators the instructions needed to start meditating.
It starts with the very basic (but very effective) way of meditation and then progresses through the book to more in depth meditations covering many different ideas to meditate on.
I highly recommend this book to the beginners in meditation and also to the more experienced."
~ Written on 2006-08-12
It starts with the very basic (but very effective) way of meditation and then progresses through the book to more in depth meditations covering many different ideas to meditate on.
I highly recommend this book to the beginners in meditation and also to the more experienced."
~ Written on 2006-08-12
"This book has enormous value for anyone who wishes to begin a meditation practice. Kathleen McDonald is a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, but I feel that this book offers useful advice to anyone of any spiritual persuasion. I have to disagree with some of the other reviews who feel that this book is for aspiring Buddhists only. Meditation can be correctly seen as a highly effective technology that can be employed to tame the mind. In fact, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has stated that Tibetan Buddhism exists somewhere in between science and religion.
I also want to comment on the warmth with which McDonald has crafted this text. She writes with great simplicity, yet she manages to impart a great deal of valuable and sophisticated information. If a book can be described as being " friendly ", that would certainly apply here. Clearly interested in creating a book that in no way intimidates or overwhelms, her approach is gentle and reassuring. This is a wonderful book!"
~ Written on 2004-01-03
I also want to comment on the warmth with which McDonald has crafted this text. She writes with great simplicity, yet she manages to impart a great deal of valuable and sophisticated information. If a book can be described as being " friendly ", that would certainly apply here. Clearly interested in creating a book that in no way intimidates or overwhelms, her approach is gentle and reassuring. This is a wonderful book!"
~ Written on 2004-01-03