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Meditation Now or Never: A Practical Guide to Getting Unstuck and Deepening Your Practice with Simple, Accessible Techniques
National bestselling author and teacher Steve Hagen strips away the cultural and religious jargon surrounding meditation and provides an accessible and thorough manual for newcomers and experienced practitioners alike. Inside you will
Simple practices to avoid needlessly complicating meditationWhere most of us get stuck in meditation—and how to get unstuckA unique focus on meditation not simply as a spiritual technique, but as a way of living
Simple practices to avoid needlessly complicating meditationWhere most of us get stuck in meditation—and how to get unstuckA unique focus on meditation not simply as a spiritual technique, but as a way of living
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2007
95 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Steve Hagen
22 books109 followersStephen Tokan "Steve" Hagen, Rōshi, is the founder and former head teacher of the Dharma Field Zen Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a Dharma heir of Dainin Katagiri-roshi. Additionally, he is the author of several books on Buddhism. Among them as of 2003, Buddhism Plain & Simple was one of the top five bestselling Buddhism books in the United States. In 2012, Hagen updated and revised How the World Can Be the Way It Is and published it as Why the World Doesn't Seem to Make Sense—an Inquiry into Science, Philosophy, and Perception.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 29, 2010
Steve Hagen's Buddhism Plain and Simple is a generally wonderful read, so I had looked forward to this most recent offering from him, despite the problems manifest in his Buddhism Is Not What You Think. This more recent book also suffers from his Zen polemics and sectarianism. It's a streak that runs through all his work. He speaks of "Buddhism" when he should say he's speaking for a particular understanding and approach.
Much of what he says, I actually agree with, but I think he does a disservice to the general reader who may not have much experience with meditation, Buddhism, and/or Zen Buddhism in particular. Ever since the poetic confrontation between Hui-neng and Shen-hsiu many Zen teachers have propagated an unintentional confusion in the minds of many students. Yes, Hui-neng shows the deep realization of awakened mind, but Shen-hsiu is correct too! As Thich Nhat Hanh points out, we practice according to the instruction of Shen-hsiu until we have the same realization as Hui-neng. Coming at it ass-backward has led to much confusion, inauthenticity, and laxity of practice. Hagen is yet another of these teachers who -- at least in the limited construct of a book -- falls prey to this tendency.
SO, I would NOT recommend this book to beginners; not for practice instruction nor for doctrinal edification. But, if you have an established practice, and have studied the various Buddhist traditions, then there are many insights sprinkled amongst the essays in this book -- as in his others.
Much of what he says, I actually agree with, but I think he does a disservice to the general reader who may not have much experience with meditation, Buddhism, and/or Zen Buddhism in particular. Ever since the poetic confrontation between Hui-neng and Shen-hsiu many Zen teachers have propagated an unintentional confusion in the minds of many students. Yes, Hui-neng shows the deep realization of awakened mind, but Shen-hsiu is correct too! As Thich Nhat Hanh points out, we practice according to the instruction of Shen-hsiu until we have the same realization as Hui-neng. Coming at it ass-backward has led to much confusion, inauthenticity, and laxity of practice. Hagen is yet another of these teachers who -- at least in the limited construct of a book -- falls prey to this tendency.
SO, I would NOT recommend this book to beginners; not for practice instruction nor for doctrinal edification. But, if you have an established practice, and have studied the various Buddhist traditions, then there are many insights sprinkled amongst the essays in this book -- as in his others.
Read
October 16, 2025Working my way through my zendo’s reading list. This one was fine, good and basic, last half makes it worth it. This would be more helpful for new meditators, a majority of the text is very overview, but there is definitely some wisdom in here accessible to everyone. “Meditation is the maturity of mind”
“We are usually tuned into our favorite radio station, WIIFM, what’s in it for me” he ate with that one
“We are usually tuned into our favorite radio station, WIIFM, what’s in it for me” he ate with that one
October 19, 2009
A real how-to on meditation. Delightfully simple and down-to-earth style explores the subject of meditation thoughtfully, and thoroughly, without being redundant.
Even though it is a slim volume, it's taking me a few weeks to finish it because it frequently makes me want to engage directly with meditation, not just read about it. Often, I read a half a chapter, then go sit.
This book is a keeper, as I expect to be able to return to it again and again.
Even though it is a slim volume, it's taking me a few weeks to finish it because it frequently makes me want to engage directly with meditation, not just read about it. Often, I read a half a chapter, then go sit.
This book is a keeper, as I expect to be able to return to it again and again.
November 16, 2024
Mijn 15de en laatste boek voor mijn Reading Challenge dit jaar. Erg interessant! Heb al verschillende boeken gelezen over meditatie en mindfulness en met deze heb ik nieuwe, interessante inzichten opgedaan.
October 30, 2011
I'm neither a seasoned meditator nor very knowledgeable about buddhism, but I do believe I have good intuitive understanding of Zen in some ways (perhaps something I developed as an avid reader of Jiddu Krishnamurti in my youth, even though he never calls his approach Zen or anything else). Steve Hagen's book generally mapped on very well to my understanding. In my humble opinion, Steve Hagen demonstrates very good ability to translate this intuitive understanding to conceptual language, which is I think a most difficult feat to achieve given how our mundane concepts so easily fail to capture Zen and the "idea" behind meditation practice.
Steve Hagen spends little time in his book about concrete details (e.g., how to sit, etc.) of meditation, just enough to help anyone get started. He spends the majority of his book talking about the mental foundation of meditation practice. He is apparently an experienced teacher, as he seems to know what kind of attitude toward meditation most students start with and how that evolves in ways the student probably is completely unable to foresee at the beginning. He lays out a loose map for this progression, which I think can be immensely helpful for the beginner in terms of sustaining their practice in the long run. He makes sensible warnings of obstacles along the path. He is always both firm and gentle in his instruction at the same time. He is very well aware of the limitation of words and makes the reader develop the same cautionary stance. He places premium emphasis on the student's own responsibility for following their own path to awakening, something that can never be explained in language but only experienced by the person. He is a balanced voice and a person that I feel like I would trust and be willing to have as a teacher.
I didn't read Hagen's book as a book about buddhism, as it has very little buddhist terminology. It's a book about Zen and meditation. If you conceive of meditation as a very limited "self-improvement" exercise, then there is a risk in your reading this book. You will either be bored and find it a waste of time. Or you will appreciate your limited understanding and/or use of meditation and see meditation in a much broader light. And then you can decide whether this path interests you at all.
I have one question in mind about the book. Hagen claims early on that meditation is completely safe and can be taken up without hesitation. But I think it depends on what safe means. In my experience, there are some potentially depressing effects of meditating (e.g., seeing the extent of bullshit you create in daily life). I recently also listened to an episode of "Buddhist Geeks" podcast that talked about the "Dark Side of Dharma" (the psychological problems faced by long-term meditators). I guess that is for each to figure out on their own.
Steve Hagen spends little time in his book about concrete details (e.g., how to sit, etc.) of meditation, just enough to help anyone get started. He spends the majority of his book talking about the mental foundation of meditation practice. He is apparently an experienced teacher, as he seems to know what kind of attitude toward meditation most students start with and how that evolves in ways the student probably is completely unable to foresee at the beginning. He lays out a loose map for this progression, which I think can be immensely helpful for the beginner in terms of sustaining their practice in the long run. He makes sensible warnings of obstacles along the path. He is always both firm and gentle in his instruction at the same time. He is very well aware of the limitation of words and makes the reader develop the same cautionary stance. He places premium emphasis on the student's own responsibility for following their own path to awakening, something that can never be explained in language but only experienced by the person. He is a balanced voice and a person that I feel like I would trust and be willing to have as a teacher.
I didn't read Hagen's book as a book about buddhism, as it has very little buddhist terminology. It's a book about Zen and meditation. If you conceive of meditation as a very limited "self-improvement" exercise, then there is a risk in your reading this book. You will either be bored and find it a waste of time. Or you will appreciate your limited understanding and/or use of meditation and see meditation in a much broader light. And then you can decide whether this path interests you at all.
I have one question in mind about the book. Hagen claims early on that meditation is completely safe and can be taken up without hesitation. But I think it depends on what safe means. In my experience, there are some potentially depressing effects of meditating (e.g., seeing the extent of bullshit you create in daily life). I recently also listened to an episode of "Buddhist Geeks" podcast that talked about the "Dark Side of Dharma" (the psychological problems faced by long-term meditators). I guess that is for each to figure out on their own.
October 13, 2013
Indeed a very practical, down to earth kind a book. With things you can apply right away. Like meditating while walking. Like the realisation that you can meditate anywhere, anytime.
I could relate to the notion of our mind being always busy and working overtime. And how we can forget to live in the present, because we are all caught up thinking about the past or future, creating our own melodramatic soap opera's. At times the book made me feel very relaxed and content. Maybe because I had the happy notion: Redemption is close at hand!
Well not too close: the book made very clear that it takes years to really learn to medidate. There's no quik fix!
I could relate to the notion of our mind being always busy and working overtime. And how we can forget to live in the present, because we are all caught up thinking about the past or future, creating our own melodramatic soap opera's. At times the book made me feel very relaxed and content. Maybe because I had the happy notion: Redemption is close at hand!
Well not too close: the book made very clear that it takes years to really learn to medidate. There's no quik fix!
May 26, 2020
Simple and profound
Very easy to read introduction to meditation with some very good insights. This book opens a door to Zen for those of us who may feel a little overwhelmed by the chatter of our minds.
Very easy to read introduction to meditation with some very good insights. This book opens a door to Zen for those of us who may feel a little overwhelmed by the chatter of our minds.
February 2, 2025
This book definitely changed my opinion and understanding of meditation. I used to think meditation was about switching off thoughts in order to balance the constant racing chatter in our minds on a daily basis. Steve Hagen however describes meditation as an awareness of the present moment, wherever you are at any point in time. It’s about not labelling sounds, sights or smells, and just being present in the moment. Not thinking about the future or the past, but at the same time not beating yourself up if those thoughts come into your consciousness - as that is a completely natural thing to happen during meditation. It’s also reassuring to know that you never become an expert at meditation!
Great book, nicely divided into short chapters.
Great book, nicely divided into short chapters.
October 2, 2018
Best book on topic I've read so far. Quoting old Buddhist joke - "Don't do something, just sit there!" In other books I've had issues with some specific details going far from initial description of allowing to be - building shrines, meditating on being all kinds of elements or travelling through time, or Western meditation - after n weeks you'll have this, after n+2 that, etc.
This?
This is amazing. There are two, I think, pages on how to meditate - sit down and do it - and rest is about what not to do. And don't even not-do, because that is doing as well.
If it makes no sense but rings true, then read it!
This?
This is amazing. There are two, I think, pages on how to meditate - sit down and do it - and rest is about what not to do. And don't even not-do, because that is doing as well.
If it makes no sense but rings true, then read it!
May 31, 2018
Quick read, quick review.
I've read some of Hagen's other books, figured I'd check this one out since it's free on Kindle Unlimited and I'm killing time at work. Good book for beginners at actually sitting zazen and other forms of meditation, as I am, as he addresses many of the monkey mind questions and concerns about sitting, posture, walking meditation, pain while sitting, etc. It's basically all zen, he just doesn't use a lot of zen specific jargon, which also is helpful for beginners.
I've read some of Hagen's other books, figured I'd check this one out since it's free on Kindle Unlimited and I'm killing time at work. Good book for beginners at actually sitting zazen and other forms of meditation, as I am, as he addresses many of the monkey mind questions and concerns about sitting, posture, walking meditation, pain while sitting, etc. It's basically all zen, he just doesn't use a lot of zen specific jargon, which also is helpful for beginners.
May 26, 2020
A bit overwhelming for a beginner like myself even though it is written really quite simply. It feels like a book I'd return to from time to time if I were practising meditation regularly--it offers tips for overcoming several meditation challenges.
February 25, 2023
This is a great book that really dispels the myths surrounding meditation. It helps you in reframing meditation from being a goal-oriented, "fix me" type of pursuit into a process oriented way of life that is all embracing in nature. Highly recommended read.
December 23, 2019
Straight to the point
Great book for understanding what meditation is about. It can also get you started into meditation as it explains the basic techniques.
Great book for understanding what meditation is about. It can also get you started into meditation as it explains the basic techniques.
March 14, 2020
Best book I have read on meditation. Simple and to the point.
March 25, 2024
This book did a great job of taking something complex and explaining it in a way that was direct, concise, and digestible.
May 14, 2024
started good, then found it less gripping as it went on. well written though!
December 14, 2025
If you have found previous books on meditation too much into the woo for you, this straight-talking introduction will get you to give it a try.
November 1, 2021
Good for beginning a journey, however it gives very strict rules and I feel like it is a little close minded.
Read
September 24, 2020This book helped me get a much more accurate and healthy view on meditation. I've been meditating on-and-off for about a year, and after reading this book I have a much better understanding about the subject matter. This book is written in plain English, and a really helpful read
April 11, 2022
Read before I ever signed up to Goodreads, but a worthy revisit given my current state of mind.
This is a wonderful collection and coherent series of short chapters detailing different facets of meditation practice and how fundamentally meditation is not different from living in the here and now. That's it. Harder to actually do however. Possible this will go on immediate re-read.
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04/09/2017 to 07/11/2017
I've previously read Hagen's book 'Buddhism plain and simple'. His style of writing is direct, concise and across chapters he reinforces previous themes (i.e. awareness of now). This style is particularly useful for one wanting to learn about the subject matter.
This book is split into three parts, the first 'geting started' provides an overview of what meditation is and what it isn't, approaches and methods (e.g. sitting, walking, etc.) to meditation and how you can bring your life to meditation and vice versa.
The second part 'from day to day' looks at rooting meditation practice, crucial elements of which are 'this moment' (to be here now) and to 'suspend judgment' (i.e. to watch but not engage with thoughts - if they come).
The third part 'For the long run' looks at maintaning meditation practice and challenges the assumption that meditation is somehow separate from life itself. Indeed, Hagan sums this up neatly in the epilogue (pg. 185) "Meditation isn't something we apply to our life. Rather we take it up as our life."
In summary, a useful and pragmatic guide to initating, adopoting and maintaing a meditation practice. Likely re-read's will be necessary
This is a wonderful collection and coherent series of short chapters detailing different facets of meditation practice and how fundamentally meditation is not different from living in the here and now. That's it. Harder to actually do however. Possible this will go on immediate re-read.
####
04/09/2017 to 07/11/2017
I've previously read Hagen's book 'Buddhism plain and simple'. His style of writing is direct, concise and across chapters he reinforces previous themes (i.e. awareness of now). This style is particularly useful for one wanting to learn about the subject matter.
This book is split into three parts, the first 'geting started' provides an overview of what meditation is and what it isn't, approaches and methods (e.g. sitting, walking, etc.) to meditation and how you can bring your life to meditation and vice versa.
The second part 'from day to day' looks at rooting meditation practice, crucial elements of which are 'this moment' (to be here now) and to 'suspend judgment' (i.e. to watch but not engage with thoughts - if they come).
The third part 'For the long run' looks at maintaning meditation practice and challenges the assumption that meditation is somehow separate from life itself. Indeed, Hagan sums this up neatly in the epilogue (pg. 185) "Meditation isn't something we apply to our life. Rather we take it up as our life."
In summary, a useful and pragmatic guide to initating, adopoting and maintaing a meditation practice. Likely re-read's will be necessary
January 18, 2014
Meditation Now or Never is certainly not a bad introduction to meditation - but I also wouldn't call it particularly good. Steve Hagen writes plainly and simply about matters from the more practical concerns of how to actually meditate to what to expect (or not) from meditation. Parts of this book were interesting or quite helpful, but most of it was quite bland and unmemorable. It is telling that I finished it around 3 weeks ago and don't remember many takeaways to write about now. I can say that liked how he wrote about breath (with it being both a part of the body and an external substance), and I think that the three pillars of meditation are worth consideration.
While simplicity and clarity are this book's virtues, I found the author repeating himself quite often, possibly in an attempt to be even more clear, or to just add more content in what could have been a MUCH smaller book. His writing style, while mostly clear, is in a new-age, overly calm, slightly pedantic style that I found annoying. Then, inexplicably, in the last chapter or so, Hagen loses the clarity and starts to make no sense. Not a good way to end a book that is supposed to be a simple, uncomplicated introduction to meditation.
Even though this wasn't my favorite book, it wasn't a terrible read, nor is it a bad introduction to meditation. But is there a better introduction out there? Probably.
While simplicity and clarity are this book's virtues, I found the author repeating himself quite often, possibly in an attempt to be even more clear, or to just add more content in what could have been a MUCH smaller book. His writing style, while mostly clear, is in a new-age, overly calm, slightly pedantic style that I found annoying. Then, inexplicably, in the last chapter or so, Hagen loses the clarity and starts to make no sense. Not a good way to end a book that is supposed to be a simple, uncomplicated introduction to meditation.
Even though this wasn't my favorite book, it wasn't a terrible read, nor is it a bad introduction to meditation. But is there a better introduction out there? Probably.
March 25, 2015
All this Zen stuff, man. Hard to grasp even when it is really, really simple. Here it is, the essence of Zen, boiled down: Is. That's all. Or, maybe: Now. One could add, Here.
Is. Now. Here.
That's Zen. Confused? I don't blame you. Zen says that being present, right here and now, just being, is the goal. Is-ness. In the moment-ism.
This was an interesting book, but I admit I did some skimming. As far as pragmatics, the author nicely explained and illustrated some fundamentals of mediation: posture, position, breathing, etc. I am mastering the half-Lotus position, myself, since the full Lotus will leave me in a wheel chair. He also points out--correctly, I think--that wanting something from mediation is form of desire which will end up distracting you. For example, if I tell myself, "I am going to learn to meditate so I can levitate around the room and astrally project!" that would be a no-no. Mediation is to just be. Allow your thoughts to rise and dissipate. Notice the now, the right now, the very right now this instant now. Be empty of yourself. Zen.
I can't mediate with my eyes open. Maybe someday.
All in all, good stuff but I still find Zen confusing, which is frustrating because all the Zen dudes insist it's really very simple and right in front of my face. Which is confusing.
Omm. Omm. Omm. Omm.
Is. Now. Here.
That's Zen. Confused? I don't blame you. Zen says that being present, right here and now, just being, is the goal. Is-ness. In the moment-ism.
This was an interesting book, but I admit I did some skimming. As far as pragmatics, the author nicely explained and illustrated some fundamentals of mediation: posture, position, breathing, etc. I am mastering the half-Lotus position, myself, since the full Lotus will leave me in a wheel chair. He also points out--correctly, I think--that wanting something from mediation is form of desire which will end up distracting you. For example, if I tell myself, "I am going to learn to meditate so I can levitate around the room and astrally project!" that would be a no-no. Mediation is to just be. Allow your thoughts to rise and dissipate. Notice the now, the right now, the very right now this instant now. Be empty of yourself. Zen.
I can't mediate with my eyes open. Maybe someday.
All in all, good stuff but I still find Zen confusing, which is frustrating because all the Zen dudes insist it's really very simple and right in front of my face. Which is confusing.
Omm. Omm. Omm. Omm.
January 13, 2014
Steve Hagen sets out to write a book for beginners and end up scaring those same people away from what he instructs in. One third into the book I started feeling bullied by the author, I'm not regular enough, I need to do more, with more people, harder, faster, longer. And if my life is in the way, just chuck it out, we're meditating here goddammit!
Steve Hagen might just be the first drill sergeant I've encountered so far in my starting journey with Zen meditation.
I'd rather beginners read a less biased and rigid book for getting into meditation. I'd recommend The Three Pillars of Zen many times over this book.
Steve Hagen might just be the first drill sergeant I've encountered so far in my starting journey with Zen meditation.
I'd rather beginners read a less biased and rigid book for getting into meditation. I'd recommend The Three Pillars of Zen many times over this book.
August 21, 2013
There's no shortage of books on the topic of meditation, whether it's with a Buddhist (as we have here) or some other type of slant, and to a certain extent, there's an awful lot of similarity to them. Still, Hagen's book is as good as any of the other's that I've read, and his Soto Zen orientation to the topic is right up my alley, so this was well worth the time for me. It does seem that most books on Buddhism deal with meditation somewhat, even though it's not the main topic. This one is about nothing but meditation, though, so if you're in for a more in depth treatment, this could work for you.
August 1, 2022
Good but wish there was more on the actual process and challenges of meditation.
1) What does letting your thoughts go entail and a chapter on what it really means when you are successful?
2) The details of what to expect and how to move past thoughts, feelings and judgements.
3) What about hearing your thoughts, How do you handle those?
4) Emotion versus thoughts?
Etc...etc...etc
1) What does letting your thoughts go entail and a chapter on what it really means when you are successful?
2) The details of what to expect and how to move past thoughts, feelings and judgements.
3) What about hearing your thoughts, How do you handle those?
4) Emotion versus thoughts?
Etc...etc...etc
March 2, 2012
I like Steven Hagen' style. Clear, no nonsense and to the point. He not presenting you with a 'this is going to make your life better' speech, but sticks to the bare essence of meditation: to be awake. I'm very sure I'll come back to this little book from time to time while continuing meditation.
April 9, 2015
I have just started up my meditation practice again and found this book a little too formal and a bit intimidating. However, I LOVE Hagen's Buddhism Plain and Simple - I'm sure I will come back to this book as well as my practice deepens.
May 7, 2015
This was a great, easy read with some really useful information on meditation. It was motivating, and at the same time, mirrors the the attitude that should be taken in meditation, I guess!
I recommend it for anyone interested in meditation.
I recommend it for anyone interested in meditation.
February 3, 2024
Serious, clear, and well written. There may be better meditation books out there for beginners (Jon Kabat Zinn, Clark Strand) and for more seasoned practioners (Rosenberg, Goldstein). Hagen comes at the subject primarily from a Zen perspective, and is concise and helpful.
March 22, 2008
A good step-by-step guide, but if the title is to be believed, it is "Never" for me. I'll read it again when I'm ready to take on the practice in earnest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews