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Total Meditation: Practices in Living the Awakened Life
The definitive book of meditation that will help you achieve new dimensions of stress-free living
For the past thirty years, Deepak Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution in the West. Total Meditation offers a complete exploration and reinterpretation of the physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual benefits that this practice can bring. Deepak guides readers on how to wake up to new levels of awareness that will ultimately cultivate a clear vision, heal suffering in your mind and body, and help recover who you really are. Readers will undergo a transformative process, which will result in an awakening of the body, mind, and spirit that will allow you to live in a state of open, free, creative, and blissful awareness twenty-four hours a day.
With this book, Deepak elevates the practice of meditation to a life-changing quest for higher consciousness and a more fulfilling existence. He also incorporates new research on meditation and its benefits, provides practical awareness exercises, and concludes with a 52-week program of meditations to help revolutionize every aspect of your life.
For the past thirty years, Deepak Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution in the West. Total Meditation offers a complete exploration and reinterpretation of the physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual benefits that this practice can bring. Deepak guides readers on how to wake up to new levels of awareness that will ultimately cultivate a clear vision, heal suffering in your mind and body, and help recover who you really are. Readers will undergo a transformative process, which will result in an awakening of the body, mind, and spirit that will allow you to live in a state of open, free, creative, and blissful awareness twenty-four hours a day.
With this book, Deepak elevates the practice of meditation to a life-changing quest for higher consciousness and a more fulfilling existence. He also incorporates new research on meditation and its benefits, provides practical awareness exercises, and concludes with a 52-week program of meditations to help revolutionize every aspect of your life.
336 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2023
931 people are currently reading
4761 people want to read
About the author
Deepak Chopra
690 books19.1k followersDeepak Chopra, MD serves as the Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Foundation, and Co-Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.
As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.
Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.
GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."
As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.
Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.
GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
January 23, 2023
Wow! I am blown away by the author's audacity to disassociate Hindu mantras with Hinduism and repackage and sell it all without calling it Hindu! As I flipped through the book once I finished reading this, got to say, I was amazed by the lengths he went to, to be super succesful at this.
Towards the end, he lists out 52 mantras, that apparently can be used as a year's course in 'mantra meditation'. He goes onto list those out along with mantra-specific 'affirmation', and then few sentences about each mantra.
He gives mantras starting from 'om' to 'aham brahmasmi', 'om dum durgayei namah', 'on namo narayana', etc. etc. without mentioning a word about the Hindu deities that most of the mantras are attached to. How re?!
--------
EXAMPLE of one of the mantras given:
31. OM GAM GANESHAYA NAMAH
[Ohm Gum Guh-nesh-uh-yuh Nuh-mah]
I invite Nature's infinite intelligence.
This mantra invites the support of Nature into your life. nature abounds in the creative intelligence of pure consciousness. Your true self was created tomexpress every gift Nature has to offer. Here the gift is intelligence, which knows everything and can colve anything.
(If you find long mantras difficult to say, use the centring thought as your meditation.)
------
🙄😕🤦🏾♀️
Also, 'dum' isn't pronounced as 'doom' 🤦🏾♀️
what absolute nonsense? If you are stealing something as potent as mantras and sharing it with your readers, atleast have the basic common-sense to direct them to audios/videos on the internet that have the correct pronunciation.
My advice to anyone who is attempting the one-year mantra meditation course- please do not rely only on the pronunciation given in the book. Not all Sanskrit sounds can be translated perfectly into English. Please search for mantra audio/videos on the internet. Few sources that I can think of as I write this are 'meditative mind, Armonian, bhakti bhajan mantra'.
In the book, he mentioned 'Vedic civilization', Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, 4 stages of traditional 'Indian' life, etc..
Anybody notice what is happening here?
So, I wanted to know his views on Hinduism to understand a bit as to why he wrote the way he did.
I came across a piece by him wherein he accepts the terms 'sanatana dharma', 'vedic knowledge' , and says something about Hinduism falling short of its ideal 'sanatana dharma'.
He claims yoga doesn't have its origins in Hinduism, separates 'vedic civilization' and 'hinduism', and blah blah blah.
Either he is ignorant or willfully turning blind to the fact that Vedanta is one of the schools of Hinduism philosophy.
Also, Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma/Hindutva are all synonyms.
The extent one goes to and the narrative that one can spin just to discredit and defame Hinduism and Hindus 🤦🏾♀️
As much as I am glad that Hinduism is giving solace to millions across the world via its yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, it would be great to acknowledge the source as well atleast once in a while if not all the time.
---
As I began reading this book, I kept thinking, 'well, this ain't for me, it's probably the writing style. While it does seem practical, it lacks depth, this isn't enough for me, I should probably read another book of his, and see if that works for me'.
But for someone who says and writes so much about 'consciousness' and about how everything is connected, and is one, and all that, how come he has issues with giving credit to Hinduism where it's due. Isn't Hinduism part of that very consciousness he is talking about?
In short - this book is a great example of how to appropriate, steal from Hinduism and its philosophies; repackage and sell it successfully without calling any of it 'Hinduism'.
My first and last book of Deepak Chopra.
Towards the end, he lists out 52 mantras, that apparently can be used as a year's course in 'mantra meditation'. He goes onto list those out along with mantra-specific 'affirmation', and then few sentences about each mantra.
He gives mantras starting from 'om' to 'aham brahmasmi', 'om dum durgayei namah', 'on namo narayana', etc. etc. without mentioning a word about the Hindu deities that most of the mantras are attached to. How re?!
--------
EXAMPLE of one of the mantras given:
31. OM GAM GANESHAYA NAMAH
[Ohm Gum Guh-nesh-uh-yuh Nuh-mah]
I invite Nature's infinite intelligence.
This mantra invites the support of Nature into your life. nature abounds in the creative intelligence of pure consciousness. Your true self was created tomexpress every gift Nature has to offer. Here the gift is intelligence, which knows everything and can colve anything.
(If you find long mantras difficult to say, use the centring thought as your meditation.)
------
🙄😕🤦🏾♀️
Also, 'dum' isn't pronounced as 'doom' 🤦🏾♀️
what absolute nonsense? If you are stealing something as potent as mantras and sharing it with your readers, atleast have the basic common-sense to direct them to audios/videos on the internet that have the correct pronunciation.
My advice to anyone who is attempting the one-year mantra meditation course- please do not rely only on the pronunciation given in the book. Not all Sanskrit sounds can be translated perfectly into English. Please search for mantra audio/videos on the internet. Few sources that I can think of as I write this are 'meditative mind, Armonian, bhakti bhajan mantra'.
In the book, he mentioned 'Vedic civilization', Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, 4 stages of traditional 'Indian' life, etc..
Anybody notice what is happening here?
So, I wanted to know his views on Hinduism to understand a bit as to why he wrote the way he did.
I came across a piece by him wherein he accepts the terms 'sanatana dharma', 'vedic knowledge' , and says something about Hinduism falling short of its ideal 'sanatana dharma'.
He claims yoga doesn't have its origins in Hinduism, separates 'vedic civilization' and 'hinduism', and blah blah blah.
Either he is ignorant or willfully turning blind to the fact that Vedanta is one of the schools of Hinduism philosophy.
Also, Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma/Hindutva are all synonyms.
The extent one goes to and the narrative that one can spin just to discredit and defame Hinduism and Hindus 🤦🏾♀️
As much as I am glad that Hinduism is giving solace to millions across the world via its yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, it would be great to acknowledge the source as well atleast once in a while if not all the time.
---
As I began reading this book, I kept thinking, 'well, this ain't for me, it's probably the writing style. While it does seem practical, it lacks depth, this isn't enough for me, I should probably read another book of his, and see if that works for me'.
But for someone who says and writes so much about 'consciousness' and about how everything is connected, and is one, and all that, how come he has issues with giving credit to Hinduism where it's due. Isn't Hinduism part of that very consciousness he is talking about?
In short - this book is a great example of how to appropriate, steal from Hinduism and its philosophies; repackage and sell it successfully without calling any of it 'Hinduism'.
My first and last book of Deepak Chopra.
September 24, 2020
The definitive book of meditation that will help you achieve new dimensions of stress-free living. For the past thirty years, Deepak Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution in the West. Total Meditation offers a complete exploration and reinterpretation of the physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual benefits that this practice can bring. Deepak guides readers on how to wake up to new levels of awareness that will ultimately cultivate a clear vision, heal suffering in your mind and body, and help recover who you really are. Readers will undergo a transformative process, which will result in an awakening of the body, mind, and spirit that will allow you to live in a state of open, free, creative, and blissful awareness twenty-four hours a day.
With this book, Deepak elevates the practice of meditation to a life-changing quest for higher consciousness and a more fulfilling existence. He also incorporates new research on meditation and its benefits, provides practical awareness exercises, and concludes with a 52-week program of meditations to help revolutionise every aspect of your life. I found this an accessible, informative guide laden with actionable tips to help you understand, in-depth, the usefulness of meditation, how to get it to work for you by elevating your state of living and how to use it to be in the moment rather than being concerned about the past or have anxieties about the future. A book that is most helpful for beginners and those new to meditation although I definitely learned one or two new things from the master of meditation. Many thanks to Rider for an ARC.
With this book, Deepak elevates the practice of meditation to a life-changing quest for higher consciousness and a more fulfilling existence. He also incorporates new research on meditation and its benefits, provides practical awareness exercises, and concludes with a 52-week program of meditations to help revolutionise every aspect of your life. I found this an accessible, informative guide laden with actionable tips to help you understand, in-depth, the usefulness of meditation, how to get it to work for you by elevating your state of living and how to use it to be in the moment rather than being concerned about the past or have anxieties about the future. A book that is most helpful for beginners and those new to meditation although I definitely learned one or two new things from the master of meditation. Many thanks to Rider for an ARC.
October 18, 2020
As someone struggling at the moment like many others,I suffer from anxiety and have had periods of depression before so I’ve used meditation previously , so this book was a welcome addition to me so I could learn more and hopefully help ease my own problems. This book offers a 7 day program to help us connect with ourselves, to help ease the stresses from everyday life of the modern age, this book has really helped me and made a difference to me, it’s reminded me to take time for self care and setting time aside each day. A wonderful book, well written and I highly recommend this as it’s truly made a difference to me.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
did-not-finish
July 14, 2021Returning to the library for now. I think I’ll end up buying a copy so I can continue reading it at the leisurely pace I prefer for this type of book.
August 20, 2022
2,5 ⭐️
Il est très difficile pour un scientifique comme moi de comprendre et rentrer dans des choses irrationnelles. Je qualifie ces théories et pratiques venues souvent d’Inde de proches de la religion et donc inexplicables scientifiquement ( même si l’auteur Deepak Chopra essaie de rapprocher les mantras et la vibration qu’ils créent de la physique quantique !…). Par conséquent, il faut les prendre telles qu’elles sont et y croire sans essayer de les expliquer.
La première partie du livre est intéressante car elle essaie de démontrer ce que c’est la conscience, l’éveil, le bien-être…par contre la seconde partie est écrite sous forme de leçons de méditation de la complétude et là dessus je pense que cela ne s’adresse qu’à des gens qui pourraient y être réceptifs et de toutes manière cela ne peut pas être généralisé à tout le monde.
Il est très difficile pour un scientifique comme moi de comprendre et rentrer dans des choses irrationnelles. Je qualifie ces théories et pratiques venues souvent d’Inde de proches de la religion et donc inexplicables scientifiquement ( même si l’auteur Deepak Chopra essaie de rapprocher les mantras et la vibration qu’ils créent de la physique quantique !…). Par conséquent, il faut les prendre telles qu’elles sont et y croire sans essayer de les expliquer.
La première partie du livre est intéressante car elle essaie de démontrer ce que c’est la conscience, l’éveil, le bien-être…par contre la seconde partie est écrite sous forme de leçons de méditation de la complétude et là dessus je pense que cela ne s’adresse qu’à des gens qui pourraient y être réceptifs et de toutes manière cela ne peut pas être généralisé à tout le monde.
August 24, 2021
Meditation und spirituelles Erwachen sind durchaus bodenständig und alltagstauglich, dabei weder esoterisch noch abgehoben, aber immer sehr bereichernd und lohnenswert
Deepak Chopra, seines Zeichens Professor für Familienmedizin und öffentliche Gesundheit, beschäftigt sich schon immer mit den Themen des Lebens und der Welt, die das Wohlbefinden nicht nur des einzelnen Individuums, sondern das globale Wohlbefinden aller Menschen betreffen.
In seinem neuen Buch „Vollkommene Meditation – das Leben transformieren – von mehr Gelassenheit bis zum spirituellen Erwachen“ zeigt er wissenschaftlich untermauert in einer sehr anschaulichen Sprache, versehen mit vielen verständnisfördernden Beispielen auf, was genau er damit meint und, was dies für unseren Alltag bedeuten kann.
Für den Autor ist die vollkommene Meditation nichts anderes als das sich immerwährende Bewusstmachen, was man gerade denkt, tut, fühlt, möchte, sagt... Dieses sich immerwährende Bewusstmachen und damit sich Reflektieren bezeichnet er als „erwacht sein“.
Damit rückt er den sehr spirituellen Begriff des „Erwachens“, des „Erleuchtet - sein“ in eine sehr greifbare Nähe, nimmt ihm so den befremdlich esoterischen Touch und zeigt sogar nebenbei, dass im Grunde jeder Mensch spirituell ist und mit spirituellen Fähigkeiten betraut ist.
Genau dieser Ansatz ließ mich das Buch von der ersten Seite an, begeistert und voller Interesse weiterlesen. Sind es doch genau die Schlüsse, die ich selbst beim Lesen all der Bücher zu den Themen wie Selbstfindung, innere Wahrheit, Herzintelligenz, Intuition, innere - Kind - Heilung, Meditation, Yoga, etc. gezogen habe.
Für mich selbst ist das Erwachen stets meine eigene Fähigkeit gewesen, mich selbst in bestimmten Situationen zu durchleuchten, zu hinterfragen, einzuschätzen, zu reflektieren und auch, wenn nötig positiv zu beeinflussen und das Ego im Innern zu entlarven, um herzoffen und bewusst zu agieren, zu sprechen, zu fühlen und zu leben.
Deepak Chopra schafft es all diese Erkenntnisse, die ich mir in mühevoller Kleinarbeit bis zu meiner Erkenntnis zusammengetragen habe, in sehr kompakter, anschaulicher und wirklich bodenständiger Weise dem Leser zu vermitteln. Seine Gedanken umfassen, wie sein Meditationsgedanke umfassend ist, den gesamten Bereich des Menschen: Denken, Vorstellungskraft, Wissen, Bewusstsein, Haltung Ego, innere Überzeugungen, Erziehungslasten, inneres Kind und die in uns allen vorhandenen Glaubenssätze. All diese zum Teil biologisch, neurologisch und wissenschaftlich beschriebenen Sachverhalte verbindet er für das geistig bessere Verständnis stets mit passenden und nachvollziehbaren Alltagsbeispielen. Den Bereich des bewussten Nachempfindens fördert er dabei sowohl im vorangestellten Teil der theoretischen Grundlegung als auch und besonders im sich anschließenden Praxisteil mit zahlreichen einfachen Übungen und Beschreibungen, die es dem Leser ermöglichen, die dargestellten Erkenntnisse direkt zu üben und nachzuspüren, um sie dann im Alltag mit wenig Aufwand zu nutzen und zu integrieren.
Für mich ist dieses Buch, obwohl oder gerade, weil ich schon sehr viele Bücher dieser Thematik gelesen habe, eine absolute Bereicherung und auch Bestätigung meines persönlichen Weges. Um das Buch schätzen zu können, muss man kein Vorwissen haben. Es reicht sich mit Offenheit und Neugierde einfach in diese Gedankenwelt zu begeben und sich unvoreingenommen darauf einzulassen. Gerade der völlig unbedarfte Leser, da bin ich mir sicher, wird viele Aha-Momente und Erkenntnisse während des Lesens erfahren, die seinen Blick, seine Einstellung auf das eigene Leben und sich selbst im Anschluss an diese Lektüre nachhaltig verändert haben werden.
Ein wirklich tolles und umfassendes Buch, welches, wenn ich es früher hätte lesen können, mir einige andere Bücher erspart hätte. Doch auch hier weiß ich mittlerweile: alles kommt zur rechten Zeit und in der rechten Form, genau dann, wenn es kommen soll.
Deepak Chopra, seines Zeichens Professor für Familienmedizin und öffentliche Gesundheit, beschäftigt sich schon immer mit den Themen des Lebens und der Welt, die das Wohlbefinden nicht nur des einzelnen Individuums, sondern das globale Wohlbefinden aller Menschen betreffen.
In seinem neuen Buch „Vollkommene Meditation – das Leben transformieren – von mehr Gelassenheit bis zum spirituellen Erwachen“ zeigt er wissenschaftlich untermauert in einer sehr anschaulichen Sprache, versehen mit vielen verständnisfördernden Beispielen auf, was genau er damit meint und, was dies für unseren Alltag bedeuten kann.
Für den Autor ist die vollkommene Meditation nichts anderes als das sich immerwährende Bewusstmachen, was man gerade denkt, tut, fühlt, möchte, sagt... Dieses sich immerwährende Bewusstmachen und damit sich Reflektieren bezeichnet er als „erwacht sein“.
Damit rückt er den sehr spirituellen Begriff des „Erwachens“, des „Erleuchtet - sein“ in eine sehr greifbare Nähe, nimmt ihm so den befremdlich esoterischen Touch und zeigt sogar nebenbei, dass im Grunde jeder Mensch spirituell ist und mit spirituellen Fähigkeiten betraut ist.
Genau dieser Ansatz ließ mich das Buch von der ersten Seite an, begeistert und voller Interesse weiterlesen. Sind es doch genau die Schlüsse, die ich selbst beim Lesen all der Bücher zu den Themen wie Selbstfindung, innere Wahrheit, Herzintelligenz, Intuition, innere - Kind - Heilung, Meditation, Yoga, etc. gezogen habe.
Für mich selbst ist das Erwachen stets meine eigene Fähigkeit gewesen, mich selbst in bestimmten Situationen zu durchleuchten, zu hinterfragen, einzuschätzen, zu reflektieren und auch, wenn nötig positiv zu beeinflussen und das Ego im Innern zu entlarven, um herzoffen und bewusst zu agieren, zu sprechen, zu fühlen und zu leben.
Deepak Chopra schafft es all diese Erkenntnisse, die ich mir in mühevoller Kleinarbeit bis zu meiner Erkenntnis zusammengetragen habe, in sehr kompakter, anschaulicher und wirklich bodenständiger Weise dem Leser zu vermitteln. Seine Gedanken umfassen, wie sein Meditationsgedanke umfassend ist, den gesamten Bereich des Menschen: Denken, Vorstellungskraft, Wissen, Bewusstsein, Haltung Ego, innere Überzeugungen, Erziehungslasten, inneres Kind und die in uns allen vorhandenen Glaubenssätze. All diese zum Teil biologisch, neurologisch und wissenschaftlich beschriebenen Sachverhalte verbindet er für das geistig bessere Verständnis stets mit passenden und nachvollziehbaren Alltagsbeispielen. Den Bereich des bewussten Nachempfindens fördert er dabei sowohl im vorangestellten Teil der theoretischen Grundlegung als auch und besonders im sich anschließenden Praxisteil mit zahlreichen einfachen Übungen und Beschreibungen, die es dem Leser ermöglichen, die dargestellten Erkenntnisse direkt zu üben und nachzuspüren, um sie dann im Alltag mit wenig Aufwand zu nutzen und zu integrieren.
Für mich ist dieses Buch, obwohl oder gerade, weil ich schon sehr viele Bücher dieser Thematik gelesen habe, eine absolute Bereicherung und auch Bestätigung meines persönlichen Weges. Um das Buch schätzen zu können, muss man kein Vorwissen haben. Es reicht sich mit Offenheit und Neugierde einfach in diese Gedankenwelt zu begeben und sich unvoreingenommen darauf einzulassen. Gerade der völlig unbedarfte Leser, da bin ich mir sicher, wird viele Aha-Momente und Erkenntnisse während des Lesens erfahren, die seinen Blick, seine Einstellung auf das eigene Leben und sich selbst im Anschluss an diese Lektüre nachhaltig verändert haben werden.
Ein wirklich tolles und umfassendes Buch, welches, wenn ich es früher hätte lesen können, mir einige andere Bücher erspart hätte. Doch auch hier weiß ich mittlerweile: alles kommt zur rechten Zeit und in der rechten Form, genau dann, wenn es kommen soll.
October 16, 2020
Just finished this book.
For me this book is one of Deepak Chopra’s best books.
I’m not a writer so this is going to be a short review.
But the amount of information in this book is enough for a lifetime of learning. So much new information and, for me a very new way of looking at consciousness and every day living.
After reading the book I’m now listing to the audio book. A great way to get even deeper into the material and wisdom in the book.
For me this book is one of Deepak Chopra’s best books.
I’m not a writer so this is going to be a short review.
But the amount of information in this book is enough for a lifetime of learning. So much new information and, for me a very new way of looking at consciousness and every day living.
After reading the book I’m now listing to the audio book. A great way to get even deeper into the material and wisdom in the book.
September 22, 2020
Total Meditation by Deepak Chopra is a book designed to help the reader develop their meditation practice and make a part of their daily life. I am familiar with Deepak Chopra's work and approach to meditation through his podcast and have enjoyed his guided meditations. The author provides a variety of breathing exercises and mini-lessons throughout the chapters. One unique lesson was lesson 2 which points out how our experience and consciousness are simultaneously "in here" and "out there", using dreams as an example which we typically don't consider "real" despite how vivid they may be. I found the examples to be powerful throughout the book and have helped me reconsider the state of being, experience, and presence, which feels a bit woo-woo for me but demonstrates the power of the author's writing. I also found the chapter defining self-inquiry, reflection, contemplation, concentration, prayer, quiet mind, controlled breathing, and bliss helpful as some of these words are used interchangeably which is not accurate. This also provided a deeper understanding of how to approach different aspects of my meditation. Overall I enjoyed this book and highly recommend for anyone hoping to get into meditation!
Many thanks to the publisher Rodale Inc. - Harmony and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Many thanks to the publisher Rodale Inc. - Harmony and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
February 2, 2025
Me encantó!!!
March 5, 2023
I love the idea, the goal of life as a meditation. Recognize when the monkey mind is wandering in past or future and come back to the present moment, in all the waking hours. Great mantras at the end and I love the 7 day meditation on the 7 goals of life: safety/security, success/achievement, love/belonging, personal meaning/value, creativity/discovery, higher purpose/spirituality, wholeness/unity.
August 11, 2025
Oh ja, Erlösung für den gedankengeplagten Wellness-Konsumenten. Wir sind in der Lage, in jedem Augenblick die vollkommene Meditation zu praktizieren, mühelos und natürlich. No further books needed…..
November 2, 2020
I’ve had a meditation practice for something like 25 years, sometimes more deliberate than at other times. Since COVID forced us all indoors I have been working on a mindfulness practice. I mention all of this as a way of saying I approach ‘Total Meditation’ with a little bit of experience having read lots of books about various forms of meditation including several books by the prolific writer Deepak Chopra.
While always interested in the literature on mediation, I approached ‘Total Mindfulness’ with some skepticism and trepidation. I was hoping for something different than yet another introduction to meditation; ‘Total Meditation’ exceeded my expectations. The book is in two parts: The first is Chopra’s philosophy of Total Meditation and its roots in consciousness; The second part is an eminently practical plan for integrating Total Meditation in your daily life.
Total Meditation is a kind of meditation that must have its roots in Chopra’s years of practice and writing, which he is now able to articulate in a way that enfolds the principles of consciousness that are results of many years of research in cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology and fundamental ideas that go back to John Wheeler in the 1950s - and the conference that HH Dalai Lama held at MIT in 2003. I think to be able to appreciate and integrate this section of the book requires some previous experience with meditation, or perhaps a teacher or a ‘Total Meditation’ study group, with a teacher.
In my mind, the real gift of ‘Total Meditation’ is the second part of the book which is entitled ‘Making Your Practice Richer’, in which Chopra lays out several different sets of daily or weekly practices to enrich your meditation practice to work towards the goal of Total Meditation: Feeling the Miracle; a 7-day Meditation Course that is wonderful; 52 mantras; and the Master Meditation. I have started with the weekly mantras, each of which has an affirmation to study for the week.
In sum, what I was afraid would be yet another meditation book was exactly the opposite. I think ‘Total Meditation’ represents Chopra’s lifetime’s work in health and wellness and he gives us a manual for, as Chopra quotes Thich Nhat Hanh, “a serene encounter with reality.”
You will not be disappointed with ‘Total Meditation.’ It may not be the beginner’s book, but part 2, ‘Making Your Practice Richer’ is invaluable with something for everyone.
I would like to thank Harmony Press and NetGalley for the copy. I have voluntarily left this review.
While always interested in the literature on mediation, I approached ‘Total Mindfulness’ with some skepticism and trepidation. I was hoping for something different than yet another introduction to meditation; ‘Total Meditation’ exceeded my expectations. The book is in two parts: The first is Chopra’s philosophy of Total Meditation and its roots in consciousness; The second part is an eminently practical plan for integrating Total Meditation in your daily life.
Total Meditation is a kind of meditation that must have its roots in Chopra’s years of practice and writing, which he is now able to articulate in a way that enfolds the principles of consciousness that are results of many years of research in cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology and fundamental ideas that go back to John Wheeler in the 1950s - and the conference that HH Dalai Lama held at MIT in 2003. I think to be able to appreciate and integrate this section of the book requires some previous experience with meditation, or perhaps a teacher or a ‘Total Meditation’ study group, with a teacher.
In my mind, the real gift of ‘Total Meditation’ is the second part of the book which is entitled ‘Making Your Practice Richer’, in which Chopra lays out several different sets of daily or weekly practices to enrich your meditation practice to work towards the goal of Total Meditation: Feeling the Miracle; a 7-day Meditation Course that is wonderful; 52 mantras; and the Master Meditation. I have started with the weekly mantras, each of which has an affirmation to study for the week.
In sum, what I was afraid would be yet another meditation book was exactly the opposite. I think ‘Total Meditation’ represents Chopra’s lifetime’s work in health and wellness and he gives us a manual for, as Chopra quotes Thich Nhat Hanh, “a serene encounter with reality.”
You will not be disappointed with ‘Total Meditation.’ It may not be the beginner’s book, but part 2, ‘Making Your Practice Richer’ is invaluable with something for everyone.
I would like to thank Harmony Press and NetGalley for the copy. I have voluntarily left this review.
September 1, 2022
Read my full review here: https://www.between-bookends.com/2020...
I have started meditating after reading Gabrielle Bernstein's The Universe Has Your Back and therefore became interested in reading Deepak Chopra. I recently started listening to Chopra's podcast called Daily Breath which is actually featuring highlights from this book. It enhanced my reading experience by reinforcing the ideas with short, daily meditation exercises.
I really liked the main take-away from this book: to live an awakened life. Being more aware of your mind and body and how they connect is the gist of it. I really like this approach and this has truly helped me shape my life in a different way. I saved many quotes that stuck out to me and that I wanted to remember.
The book had an interesting structure, with different formats throughout. I often felt like I was reading a lot of filler and was waiting to get to the meat. I don't know that I needed the whole book. I found many gems throughout but I was not captivated by every section. The first part of the book talks about the evidence and benefits of living an awakened life but I mostly found myself just waiting to figure out how to live an awakened life.
The last part of the book is set up as daily exercises in practicing the concepts. I have not physically practiced the exercises but I did like the examples of implementing them into your life.
Overall, I thought this book was OK. There were many interesting things to read in it that I am adapting to my daily life but I would have preferred the cliff notes on this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harmony for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I have started meditating after reading Gabrielle Bernstein's The Universe Has Your Back and therefore became interested in reading Deepak Chopra. I recently started listening to Chopra's podcast called Daily Breath which is actually featuring highlights from this book. It enhanced my reading experience by reinforcing the ideas with short, daily meditation exercises.
I really liked the main take-away from this book: to live an awakened life. Being more aware of your mind and body and how they connect is the gist of it. I really like this approach and this has truly helped me shape my life in a different way. I saved many quotes that stuck out to me and that I wanted to remember.
The book had an interesting structure, with different formats throughout. I often felt like I was reading a lot of filler and was waiting to get to the meat. I don't know that I needed the whole book. I found many gems throughout but I was not captivated by every section. The first part of the book talks about the evidence and benefits of living an awakened life but I mostly found myself just waiting to figure out how to live an awakened life.
The last part of the book is set up as daily exercises in practicing the concepts. I have not physically practiced the exercises but I did like the examples of implementing them into your life.
Overall, I thought this book was OK. There were many interesting things to read in it that I am adapting to my daily life but I would have preferred the cliff notes on this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harmony for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Read
May 23, 2021Deepak Chopra takes a very different approach on Meditation and suggests an alternative lifestyle in this book.I found the book really interesting and was fascinated from the very first page.
This is the first book on Meditation that I have read and honestly I don't know much about it. It was an attempt to incorporate the practice or Meditation into my life but I didnt know what to expect from the book.
There is a seven day Meditation program and certain exercises in various chapters and I personally found them very helpful. This book certainly made it possible to imagine a stress free life for myself.
But after the first half , it felt like a repetition of the same thing and I kept waiting for something new to come to light. That did not happen. But having said all that , I still don't know a lot about Meditation at the moment .
I might edit this review once I know more.
This is the first book on Meditation that I have read and honestly I don't know much about it. It was an attempt to incorporate the practice or Meditation into my life but I didnt know what to expect from the book.
There is a seven day Meditation program and certain exercises in various chapters and I personally found them very helpful. This book certainly made it possible to imagine a stress free life for myself.
But after the first half , it felt like a repetition of the same thing and I kept waiting for something new to come to light. That did not happen. But having said all that , I still don't know a lot about Meditation at the moment .
I might edit this review once I know more.
December 30, 2020
I’ve read several books by Deepak’s Chopra, and this one does not disappoint. It’s different from many books about HOW to meditate; this book encourages the reader (meditator) to take the next step toward mindful living,. What I found intriguing is that meditation takes time, effort and dedication, and this book encourages going deeper into our own thoughts and actions; exploring the whys of why we are as we are and where our lives evolve from. It is not a book to pick up and read in one sitting, but it is a book to contemplate and savor, Some parts will reach out and touch our thoughts; others may be not what we are looking for at this moment. It’s a book to read, then to reread again and again. Each day will bring a different mindset and a different type of connecting moment.
September 15, 2023
This book presents nothing truly groundbreaking if you’re someone who already feels in touch with your awareness or has been meditating for a long time. By the title of the book, I expected something a little more enlightening or world-shattering. In reality, this book touches on incredibly simple aspects of awareness that any mature adult should have already mastered (like think before you speak, planning ahead, not jumping to conclusions, etc.) I found this book barely touched on the topic of meditation at all and focused more on exploring human psyche. If you’re already familiar with meditation and stoicism, this book presents nothing new.
February 12, 2024
DNF.
⭐️: 1
📅: 28 April - 10 May 1023
⭐️: 1
📅: 28 April - 10 May 1023
March 22, 2024
This book is super cool! It's the kind of book where even if you don't understand everything he's talking about, you just feel lighter, happier. More awake, which I guess is the whole point. I love how inclusive everything is, how
"the goal is to be awake, so just act like you are and it'll work out".
Enlightenment feels so unattainable, so difficult and drawn out, but anyone can wake up. Anyone can be spiritually awake right now. Even if the only thing you take away from this book is to sit up, close your eyes, and breathe, it's a win.
Anything is enough, because you are everything. It was so positive and hopeful, and just the perfect book to read the week before and during winter quarter finals, which are always a doozy. I just feel better.
I'd totally recommend this book to anyone who wants to be more aware of their surrounds and themselves, because the world is a beautiful place, and there are infinite possibilities, if you just look for them.
It'll all be okay.
I really liked it.
"the goal is to be awake, so just act like you are and it'll work out".
Enlightenment feels so unattainable, so difficult and drawn out, but anyone can wake up. Anyone can be spiritually awake right now. Even if the only thing you take away from this book is to sit up, close your eyes, and breathe, it's a win.
Anything is enough, because you are everything. It was so positive and hopeful, and just the perfect book to read the week before and during winter quarter finals, which are always a doozy. I just feel better.
I'd totally recommend this book to anyone who wants to be more aware of their surrounds and themselves, because the world is a beautiful place, and there are infinite possibilities, if you just look for them.
It'll all be okay.
I really liked it.
January 27, 2021
I had this book as an ARC for a while but started it about two weeks ago.
I couldn't have read it at a more opportune time as the practice and techniques of meditation came in super handy for the way things were going for me lately, having a lot of stress and anxiety in my life of late.
A very informative and easy book to follow and a definite keeper as a reference.
Mr. Chopra wrote a clear, concise and easy for all to follow way to find peaceful and relaxing of the mind and soul through meditation.
Thank you to Netgally, Harmony books and the Author, Deepak Chopra for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn't have read it at a more opportune time as the practice and techniques of meditation came in super handy for the way things were going for me lately, having a lot of stress and anxiety in my life of late.
A very informative and easy book to follow and a definite keeper as a reference.
Mr. Chopra wrote a clear, concise and easy for all to follow way to find peaceful and relaxing of the mind and soul through meditation.
Thank you to Netgally, Harmony books and the Author, Deepak Chopra for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2023
An extensive amount of theory along with practical exercises to grasp each concept he's referring to. I love the tone of Deepak Chopra, and I couldn't help but read some of it in his voice. I recommend for people just getting into meditation, as well as those with experience.
June 14, 2024
It's really a functional guide to be used in everyday life. Quite a journey and possibly life changing. I combine it with IFS work and readings of The Daily Stoic. This book will be well worn soon!
March 11, 2024
excelent!! Not only talks about meditation but about the victim mentality, being stuck, self empowerment and all the other things that come from being awake and present
August 6, 2025
terrible
July 5, 2021
Loved this book. Highly recommend. Definitely taught me many new things and I know I will be revisiting this one for years to come.
October 30, 2020
This was my first time delving into Deepak Chopra's work, and I got a lot out of it. I have been half-heartedly meditating for several years using Headspace and 10% Happier, but was in a rut. I found myself able to get into a meditative state while listening to the guided sessions, but it wasn't carrying over to my day-to-day mentality. Total Meditation offers a guide to complete immersion and feels like the missing link I need to deepen my practice. My sole pseudo-complaint is the staggering amount of information provided, it was a bit long and overwhelming to read straight through. But that is a good problem to have, and just meant that I highlighted a lot of sections to go back and review. Also, the practical suggestions were greatly appreciated and made this guidance much more approachable.
December 21, 2020
As someone who has been devouring a Yogic path of meditation in discovering peace and oneness for years–I can say I agree with every eye-opening titbit that Mr. Chopra has richly offered in this book.
This book accounts for how we live in a conditioned state of mind, divided and broken self unconsciously fueled by the ego, even as impressions carried us forward through generations known as 'samskaras' in Yogic traditions.
He says how total meditation by simply being awake through life can break that unconscious pattern and reframe our lives–zeroing us to the true selves we authentically are. I do believe that the best life for us happens not by pushing and pulling what the ego believes is best for us but by simply getting in touch with our real selves or pure consciousness and being open to our intuition. He lays out practices and exercises to embark on in each segment, recent research, and scientific vibrations of sound that can enrich our silence to uncover our higher consciousness.
I wonder this book could get hard to grasp for someone new to the science of meditation–it might require some deep contemplation. I also think that–one would need more than a few minutes of regular practice aided with mudras to deepen the experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed everything that this book had to offer. It has a grand promise for the world today, and I highly suggest grabbing a copy of this book if you want to get connected to your true limitless self and live miraculously from that place of joy, meaning, and success that's true to you. It is indeed coming home.
This book accounts for how we live in a conditioned state of mind, divided and broken self unconsciously fueled by the ego, even as impressions carried us forward through generations known as 'samskaras' in Yogic traditions.
He says how total meditation by simply being awake through life can break that unconscious pattern and reframe our lives–zeroing us to the true selves we authentically are. I do believe that the best life for us happens not by pushing and pulling what the ego believes is best for us but by simply getting in touch with our real selves or pure consciousness and being open to our intuition. He lays out practices and exercises to embark on in each segment, recent research, and scientific vibrations of sound that can enrich our silence to uncover our higher consciousness.
I wonder this book could get hard to grasp for someone new to the science of meditation–it might require some deep contemplation. I also think that–one would need more than a few minutes of regular practice aided with mudras to deepen the experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed everything that this book had to offer. It has a grand promise for the world today, and I highly suggest grabbing a copy of this book if you want to get connected to your true limitless self and live miraculously from that place of joy, meaning, and success that's true to you. It is indeed coming home.
November 23, 2020
An easy book to read with lots of new and inspiring information. The timing of this book is perfect and Deepak Chopra provides many exercises to deepen meditation practices
January 3, 2025
An interesting and eye opening, spiritual read. Chopra discusses consciousness as what guides all - earth, us, the universe. Consciousness, he claims, exists underneath everything and if we can tap into consciousness, our source, then we can find total meditation or enlightenment.
He stands firm that enlightenment is not something that only those who give up their time to meditation can achieve, it’s one anyone can achieve through mindful perspective shifts. We struggle to find consciousness due to the divided self, the self that wants to heal and the self that wants to stay stuck, the unattached mind and the ego mind.
He discusses that until recently, science has focused on the brain as the center for all, yet historically it used to be thought that the heart is the center. He mentions that science on the soul and on the phenomena we still don’t have answers for, ie memory and dreams, is new and upcoming.
He uses scientific facts and natural phenomena to defend that consciousness is the guiding force - ie he talks about how DNA determines what proteins are written and how our structure is built, but it does not include blueprints for love. He asserts that love is something driven by consciousness. Beauty, look at a picture of a loved one, you can recognize the beauty of the photo. Now turn the photo upside down and where did the beauty go? The photo is still of the person, but you can no longer recognize the beauty. He asserts that if beauty was determined by the brain, that your brain would still be able to see it when the photo was turned upside down as all the “parts” or “components” are there. Bc the brain does not see the beauty when the photo is upside down means, in his opinion, that beauty comes from consciousness, from something beyond the brain.
To me, consciousness seems to be compared to the soul - the intangible factors within that guide our thoughts and emotions - which is part of the web of more, the universe, the source.
He believes that consciousness will always steer us in the right direction, but we must tap into it and listen to it to follow our true path. Total meditation will allow you to hear this intention, the intention of the consciousness that will carry you to where you need to be.
He ends the book with 7 in depth meditations and self discovery questions as well as 52 mediation mantras.
Essentially, he offers up meditation as an avenue for living your best life, by tapping into a calm mind and your own intuition, by living for yourself and escaping the loud ego who only perpetuates anxiety and depression. He gives a thoughtful and realistic approach to meditation that can be achieved by anyone, day to day, especially in this crazy, modern world. He discusses the science behind meditation (including the vagus nerve and deep breathing) the ego, and the brain.
Through his guide to reaching total meditation, one cannot help but feel the spiritual message woven throughout as the focus is on “consciousness”. For those like me who are deeply interested in exploring one’s own spirituality, I found his thoughts exhilarating and stimulating - it fed a thirst I didn’t realize I had and has inspired me to learn more about myself outside of the ego, the universe and metaphysics
I found this enlightening and fun to read.
He stands firm that enlightenment is not something that only those who give up their time to meditation can achieve, it’s one anyone can achieve through mindful perspective shifts. We struggle to find consciousness due to the divided self, the self that wants to heal and the self that wants to stay stuck, the unattached mind and the ego mind.
He discusses that until recently, science has focused on the brain as the center for all, yet historically it used to be thought that the heart is the center. He mentions that science on the soul and on the phenomena we still don’t have answers for, ie memory and dreams, is new and upcoming.
He uses scientific facts and natural phenomena to defend that consciousness is the guiding force - ie he talks about how DNA determines what proteins are written and how our structure is built, but it does not include blueprints for love. He asserts that love is something driven by consciousness. Beauty, look at a picture of a loved one, you can recognize the beauty of the photo. Now turn the photo upside down and where did the beauty go? The photo is still of the person, but you can no longer recognize the beauty. He asserts that if beauty was determined by the brain, that your brain would still be able to see it when the photo was turned upside down as all the “parts” or “components” are there. Bc the brain does not see the beauty when the photo is upside down means, in his opinion, that beauty comes from consciousness, from something beyond the brain.
To me, consciousness seems to be compared to the soul - the intangible factors within that guide our thoughts and emotions - which is part of the web of more, the universe, the source.
He believes that consciousness will always steer us in the right direction, but we must tap into it and listen to it to follow our true path. Total meditation will allow you to hear this intention, the intention of the consciousness that will carry you to where you need to be.
He ends the book with 7 in depth meditations and self discovery questions as well as 52 mediation mantras.
Essentially, he offers up meditation as an avenue for living your best life, by tapping into a calm mind and your own intuition, by living for yourself and escaping the loud ego who only perpetuates anxiety and depression. He gives a thoughtful and realistic approach to meditation that can be achieved by anyone, day to day, especially in this crazy, modern world. He discusses the science behind meditation (including the vagus nerve and deep breathing) the ego, and the brain.
Through his guide to reaching total meditation, one cannot help but feel the spiritual message woven throughout as the focus is on “consciousness”. For those like me who are deeply interested in exploring one’s own spirituality, I found his thoughts exhilarating and stimulating - it fed a thirst I didn’t realize I had and has inspired me to learn more about myself outside of the ego, the universe and metaphysics
I found this enlightening and fun to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2025
Total Meditation: Stress Free Living Starts Here del dottor Deepak Chopra è un'opera che approfondisce diversi aspetti della meditazione e offre un quadro completo per coloro che desiderano intraprendere questo percorso di crescita personale. Di seguito sono riportati ulteriori dettagli sul libro:
Approccio olistico: Il dottor Chopra adotta un approccio olistico alla meditazione, integrando la scienza occidentale e la saggezza orientale. Questo approccio unisce il corpo, la mente e lo spirito, consentendo ai lettori di sperimentare una meditazione completa che va oltre il semplice rilassamento.
Benefici della meditazione: Il libro esplora dettagliatamente i molteplici benefici della meditazione per la salute e il benessere complessivo. Il dottor Chopra illustra come la pratica regolare della meditazione possa ridurre lo stress, migliorare la concentrazione, promuovere la guarigione e favorire una maggiore consapevolezza di sé.
Esercizi pratici: Total Meditation fornisce una serie di esercizi pratici che aiutano i lettori a iniziare la loro pratica meditativa. Questi esercizi sono gradualmente progressivi, consentendo ai principianti di acquisire familiarità con la meditazione e di sviluppare una base solida per la pratica futura.
Integrazione nella vita quotidiana: Il dottor Chopra sottolinea l'importanza di integrare la meditazione nella vita quotidiana. Offre suggerimenti pratici su come trovare il tempo per meditare, stabilire una routine e superare le sfide che possono sorgere lungo il percorso. Questo aspetto rende il libro estremamente utile per coloro che desiderano incorporare la meditazione nella loro vita occupata.
Approfondimenti spirituali: Il libro affronta anche aspetti spirituali della meditazione, offrendo una prospettiva più ampia sulla connessione tra la mente, il corpo e l'anima. Il dottor Chopra esplora temi come la consapevolezza, la connessione universale e la ricerca interiore, invitando i lettori a esplorare la loro dimensione spirituale attraverso la pratica meditativa.
Esperienze personali: Dr. Deepak Chopra condivide le sue proprie esperienze personali con la meditazione, rendendo il libro più autentico e coinvolgente. Le sue storie personali e le testimonianze di individui che hanno beneficiato della meditazione aggiungono un tocco umano e ispiratore al testo.
Total Meditation: Stress Free Living Starts Here è un libro che invita i lettori a intraprendere un viaggio di autotrascendenza e a scoprire il potenziale illimitato della meditazione. Con la sua combinazione unica di scienza, saggezza spirituale e pratiche concrete, il libro offre una guida preziosa per coloro che desiderano abbracciare la meditazione come strumento per il benessere mentale, emotivo e spirituale.
Approccio olistico: Il dottor Chopra adotta un approccio olistico alla meditazione, integrando la scienza occidentale e la saggezza orientale. Questo approccio unisce il corpo, la mente e lo spirito, consentendo ai lettori di sperimentare una meditazione completa che va oltre il semplice rilassamento.
Benefici della meditazione: Il libro esplora dettagliatamente i molteplici benefici della meditazione per la salute e il benessere complessivo. Il dottor Chopra illustra come la pratica regolare della meditazione possa ridurre lo stress, migliorare la concentrazione, promuovere la guarigione e favorire una maggiore consapevolezza di sé.
Esercizi pratici: Total Meditation fornisce una serie di esercizi pratici che aiutano i lettori a iniziare la loro pratica meditativa. Questi esercizi sono gradualmente progressivi, consentendo ai principianti di acquisire familiarità con la meditazione e di sviluppare una base solida per la pratica futura.
Integrazione nella vita quotidiana: Il dottor Chopra sottolinea l'importanza di integrare la meditazione nella vita quotidiana. Offre suggerimenti pratici su come trovare il tempo per meditare, stabilire una routine e superare le sfide che possono sorgere lungo il percorso. Questo aspetto rende il libro estremamente utile per coloro che desiderano incorporare la meditazione nella loro vita occupata.
Approfondimenti spirituali: Il libro affronta anche aspetti spirituali della meditazione, offrendo una prospettiva più ampia sulla connessione tra la mente, il corpo e l'anima. Il dottor Chopra esplora temi come la consapevolezza, la connessione universale e la ricerca interiore, invitando i lettori a esplorare la loro dimensione spirituale attraverso la pratica meditativa.
Esperienze personali: Dr. Deepak Chopra condivide le sue proprie esperienze personali con la meditazione, rendendo il libro più autentico e coinvolgente. Le sue storie personali e le testimonianze di individui che hanno beneficiato della meditazione aggiungono un tocco umano e ispiratore al testo.
Total Meditation: Stress Free Living Starts Here è un libro che invita i lettori a intraprendere un viaggio di autotrascendenza e a scoprire il potenziale illimitato della meditazione. Con la sua combinazione unica di scienza, saggezza spirituale e pratiche concrete, il libro offre una guida preziosa per coloro che desiderano abbracciare la meditazione come strumento per il benessere mentale, emotivo e spirituale.
September 26, 2022
I went into this book with an open mind. I have heard/read of various people who regularly meditate and swear by it. I really wanted to find a method that worked for me. Something to help me see clearly, get beyond my personal biases, feel peace, etc.
So I tried to understand this book, but there was literally nothing in this philosophy that connected with me. Maybe this is just a personality thing, so there is a good chance that it might work and be life-changing for someone else, but to me it was all hokey, unsupported spewing of the authors personal understandings. There wasn’t really even much about the practice of meditation, except for “meditation as a way of life” kind of idea.
Maybe I’m just not awakened, but I felt that some of the ideas were self-contradictory, and none of them were stated with any more authority than “I (the author) am awakened, and therefore this revelation is true”. Things like “this mantra has quantum vibrations that will help you heal from traumas” and “the true self and pure consciousness exist for all of eternity, and are the power of creation, therefore I am the power of creation” (not a direct quote, but close enough). I mean, maybe I could work out some meaning for that kind of stuff if I pushed really hard, but it just didn’t resonate with me.
Reading other reviews, it looks like most people who liked this book had different expectations about meditation than I did. If this book is representative of how meditation really is, then maybe my 2 star review applies less to this specific book and more to meditation in general. If that’s the case, then my apologies to Mr. Chopra for lowering the average value of reviews on his book.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author. He read well, good pacing and timbre.
So I tried to understand this book, but there was literally nothing in this philosophy that connected with me. Maybe this is just a personality thing, so there is a good chance that it might work and be life-changing for someone else, but to me it was all hokey, unsupported spewing of the authors personal understandings. There wasn’t really even much about the practice of meditation, except for “meditation as a way of life” kind of idea.
Maybe I’m just not awakened, but I felt that some of the ideas were self-contradictory, and none of them were stated with any more authority than “I (the author) am awakened, and therefore this revelation is true”. Things like “this mantra has quantum vibrations that will help you heal from traumas” and “the true self and pure consciousness exist for all of eternity, and are the power of creation, therefore I am the power of creation” (not a direct quote, but close enough). I mean, maybe I could work out some meaning for that kind of stuff if I pushed really hard, but it just didn’t resonate with me.
Reading other reviews, it looks like most people who liked this book had different expectations about meditation than I did. If this book is representative of how meditation really is, then maybe my 2 star review applies less to this specific book and more to meditation in general. If that’s the case, then my apologies to Mr. Chopra for lowering the average value of reviews on his book.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author. He read well, good pacing and timbre.
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