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Happy For No Good Reason (With CD): Learn to Medition:-Become stronger calmer and happier
This book explores the practice and philosophy of meditation including traditional techniques of mantra (the repetition of the phrase) and witness-consciousness (watching the thoughts). You will see how to apply these teachings in every day situations, by developing a moment ot moment awareness of the love, joy and peace that unfolds from the center of your being. The book comes with a CD that, after you read the first two chapters, will have you meditating for the first time within 30 minutes.
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 10, 2012
"A comprehensive manual of mediation and related topics, written by one of the first Western spiritual masters trained in the East."
I am severely ill with a disease called M.E. and have been housebound and bedbound for years now even though I am only in my early 30s. To me the title of the book seemed apt! It got my attention at least anyway, and seemed promising.
I wasn't disappointed. This book really changed the way I look at things.
Of course it can't completely erase the awfulness of living with something like M.E. but the idea that you can't control what happens to you only your reaction to it is a powerful one nevertheless. When you are very severely ill mediating becomes impossible (despite what this book says about it!) but the ideas from the book I still find helpful even though I can't actually meditate right now - the principles still hold true and I use them daily to cope with M.E. and everything else. It helps significantly.
I think the title says it all, when you have no good reason to be happy - read this book!
This is the best meditation book I know of and the free meditation CD is excellent.
The book is written with warmth and humour as well.
[Update: I wrote this review years ago and I have now improved to the point where I can sometimes meditate. This CD is one of my favourites and I find the voice very soothing and the content is also good and unlike many other meditation CDs I have. The part where you look at how you really feel about those closest to you has given me several valuable insights. I also appreciate having a mellow music only track to listen to for when I find the voice and music together too mentally stimulating and overwhelming.)
Quote:
"We can cultivate the strength that leads us to the freedom to choose how we react. If someone criticises you, there is a range of responses you can have. You might feel crushed and go to bed for a week, or you might shrug it off as nothing. You might consider the other person and graciously put it down to a cranky mood or a `bad hair day' and forgive the person. You might dismiss it by asking yourself: "Why should I listen to her?" When someone whose opinion you value criticises you, you probably feel quite hurt. However if a two-year-old criticises you, you are not affected. Our reaction is everything."
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
I am severely ill with a disease called M.E. and have been housebound and bedbound for years now even though I am only in my early 30s. To me the title of the book seemed apt! It got my attention at least anyway, and seemed promising.
I wasn't disappointed. This book really changed the way I look at things.
Of course it can't completely erase the awfulness of living with something like M.E. but the idea that you can't control what happens to you only your reaction to it is a powerful one nevertheless. When you are very severely ill mediating becomes impossible (despite what this book says about it!) but the ideas from the book I still find helpful even though I can't actually meditate right now - the principles still hold true and I use them daily to cope with M.E. and everything else. It helps significantly.
I think the title says it all, when you have no good reason to be happy - read this book!
This is the best meditation book I know of and the free meditation CD is excellent.
The book is written with warmth and humour as well.
[Update: I wrote this review years ago and I have now improved to the point where I can sometimes meditate. This CD is one of my favourites and I find the voice very soothing and the content is also good and unlike many other meditation CDs I have. The part where you look at how you really feel about those closest to you has given me several valuable insights. I also appreciate having a mellow music only track to listen to for when I find the voice and music together too mentally stimulating and overwhelming.)
Quote:
"We can cultivate the strength that leads us to the freedom to choose how we react. If someone criticises you, there is a range of responses you can have. You might feel crushed and go to bed for a week, or you might shrug it off as nothing. You might consider the other person and graciously put it down to a cranky mood or a `bad hair day' and forgive the person. You might dismiss it by asking yourself: "Why should I listen to her?" When someone whose opinion you value criticises you, you probably feel quite hurt. However if a two-year-old criticises you, you are not affected. Our reaction is everything."
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
March 10, 2020
Happy for no good reason has proved itself as foundational for my mediation practice. Swami Shankarananda offers multiple meditation techniques to suit the minds varying requirements, some of which can be practiced by listening to the guided mediation tracks (these are now available for free on the podcast app).
I adore these tracks and am always uplifted by them.
Happy for no good reason incorporates scriptural and contemporary concepts to navigate both the inner and outer worlds. Each time I read this book I find myself highlighting different lines and obtaining new understandings.
I adore these tracks and am always uplifted by them.
Happy for no good reason incorporates scriptural and contemporary concepts to navigate both the inner and outer worlds. Each time I read this book I find myself highlighting different lines and obtaining new understandings.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews