Natural Meditation: A Guide to Effortless Meditative Practice

by Dean Sluyter

There’s no trying in meditation. If you can breathe, you can meditate. Just as water naturally runs downhill and leaves float naturally to the ground, we are all naturally able to settle into meditation. Meditation doesn’t require trying; rather, meditation comes out of just allowing—not doing, just being. Whether you’re a complete novice or you’ve "tried it before," veteran meditation teacher Dean Sluyter’s relaxed, down-to-earth approach will help you test-drive a variety of meditative techniques, such as breath, sound, the senses, the sky, and the simple sense of "I," and discover which ones fit you best. You’ll discover that the key to meditation is effortlessness, and find all the practical tips you need for adapting these methods to your own life, as you live it, even for a few minutes a day. And as your life opens to deep happiness, clarity, peace, and creative energy, you’ll be inspired to keep on practicing—naturally.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Health, Meditation, Spirituality, Mental Health, Personal Development

Audio CD

First published February 19, 2015

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the relaxed attitude toward meditation in this book. The author has years of experience and a good sense of humor, and I probably got more out of what he wrote than anything else I've read about meditation.
Meditation has felt more like resting and less like work since I started trying out this author's approach.
The philosophy got a little beyond me by the end; I don't think I really understood the last chapter, or if I would agree with it if I did understand it. But I got a lot out of the book as a whole, and I will probably buy it to keep as a reference.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After loving a lecto divina meditative exercise I did with a conversation group at work I wanted an introduction to meditation that would give me a good foundation without getting too caught up in rules (because if I hear some rules, I'm going to go crazy trying to follow them), or be too immediately spiritual (not opposed to that in the future, just not at first). I also wanted to start with a book and not an app, since I didn't want to be tied to a specific piece of technology. This book came up on several lists, and I think it did the trick!

Sluyter has a very approachable, sometimes goofy, writing style, and as a person who DOES NOT like self help writing, this was a good introduction without being a stylistic turn off. The book alternates between short chapters that outline a particular meditation technique with longer chapters talking about benefits of meditation, observations from different teachers, and Sluyter's own journey with the practice. He slipped a little too far into the spiritual / guru loving side of things by the end of the book, but I like his general thesis that meditation is something anyone can do, that it is a natural connection with your essential self, and that you don't have to sit a certain way, be in a certain place, listen to certain sounds, or follow certain rules in order to enjoy and see benefits from it. I've been playing around with meditation every day for almost a month -- sometimes just for a few minutes, sometimes for up to half an hour -- and I'm noticing that my stress levels are down and my sleep is deeper. I'm going to keep playing around and see what happens next!

[Aliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book on meditation. I appreciate the simple way of looking at it presented here. Until this point, I’ve found myself avoiding and forgetting about meditation, although I have felt how beneficial it can be. But too many instances resulting in convoluted thinking, controlling, and disappointment with “bad sessions” clouded the benefits to where sitting felt like a chore. Dean Sluyter’s book widened my perspective.

“Concentration – natural concentration- is a state, not an act. It’s not something you do, it’s something that happens to you…if you’re smelling exquisite aromatic cedar, or fragrant roses, you don’t have to make an effort to concentrate.”

When you come to sit you are “relaxing into what’s always already there”. Boundless awareness, as he says. We can’t help but be it; it is our truest self. “You are not your thoughts. You are the spacelike awareness within which they frictionlessly come and go.” Another image given is of a mirror, that accepts whatever passes through and let’s go of whatever without attachment. For any enthusiast of meditation, it is a nice read. It is written in an understandable (as much as writing on this topic can be) and straightforward way with a touch of humor.

“It’s not a thing we look at, but an awakening to the formless awareness we look from…”

[Bshennessey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful read!

I'm just getting into meditation and this is the perfect way to start. The author gently coaxed us into the world of mindful meditation, giving us a taste of the deliciousness that comes from enlightenment. I have started to put some of these ideas into my own practice and I'm already seeing real benefits. Worth the time.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Sluyter's voice and his personal story. I really recommend listening to this if you have the option. Though I was not always able to follow the instructions at the very moment I was reading this book still lends a worthwhile perspective and is something that you can go back to again and again.

[Bryan Tran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great guide to ease into meditation without the striving, guilt, and boredom so commonplace with western mindfulness practices. For new and experienced meditators alike, there is beauty and wisdom in the book. Dean has a voice that is unassuming, inviting, and straightforward. A must read for any interested in enjoying the present moment.

[Aja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very different way of looking at meditation. Not complex, but also not nearly as simple as the author explains (I think he’d like that statement). Guided meditations every other chapter that give you the time to practice some of the ways he describes for natural meditate.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for helping you to understand meditation
Highly recommend this book and I have read a few books on this subject.
Its very clear and easy to understand

[Courtney Hambrecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy to follow and simplistic natural techniques. As a beginner this was perfect for the early journey as I learn to harness the power of meditation.

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book I always wondered whether I was meditating properly, effectively. Now I don’t, I just do it without worrying.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for beginers who want to get into meditation but hesitate because they think it's complicated.
Maybe would have given it 4 stars if the author stopped calling meditation "delicious".

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I made too much effort?

[Jasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good guide to relaxing, meditating, oneness.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, relatable and fathomless...all at the same time

[miha · Rating 3 out of 5]

the noise is just the backgroun sound, you can choose to ignore it

not worrying about making it right, makes it right

pain is mandatory, suffering is optional
as long as we are in fiscal bodies, we are subject to pain
but it's up to us to add the extra suffering

no one is anything, drop your concepts and just be

trpljenje ne prihaja od zunaj, ampak iz nas - sami ga ustvarjamo s fiksacijami na ideje, prepričanja

...

mogoče pa mi je mejčkeno pomagal, razmišljat o meditaciji (ma zlo sproščeno definicijo meditacije, da je lahko skor kakršno kol prepuščanje trenutku, pozabljanja ideje sebe) o tem da pustiš svoje prepričanja in ideje (sploh negativne, o sebi) da grejo skozi, da grejo mimo in da se ne poistovetiš z njimi

mejčkeno je pomagal

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book as an introduction to meditation. It is clear and concise, accessible and thorough. The author does a great job demystifying the whole topic and explaining with great clarity. He's a very good write. He's light and funny too. Great book. He makes it easy.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It really simplified the idea of meditating and made it so accessible for "everyday" working types! I'm thrilled to have some basics under my belt and to keep practicing this wonderful stress relieving technique!

[Dconner · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the book made meditation easy to understand, I wasn't a fan of his jokes.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book on meditation I have ever seen. I listened to it, read by the author. He fulfills the promise of the title!

[Kelly White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, anyone can meditate and this book does a fine job of explaining how.

[Molly]

I bought this as a Bookbub cheapo on offer. Then I started reading, and found it to be one of the nicest books I have ever read on meditation. If you want to learn to meditate, this is not the place to go, in my very humble opinion, but for people who already meditate, or for general information, it's a nice addition. He sounds like an exceptional person and teacher, and he's right, it's the kind of book I might hang onto and re-read at different times and in its various parts.

[Judith D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some words just bring peace into your mind. This is one of those books. The author takes meditative practice into the 21st century for the busy person who needs to cope with the modern world. When you finish with this book you will have found ways to meditate and still keep up with today's busy life style.

I liked the whole book. It addresses the styles of meditation. It helps the reader find meditation in an accessible way. I think some parts are going to be read over time and more than one time just for the practical suggestions. Sluyter definitely throws out meditation myths. The author also, aids the reader to find the internal peace needed to process everyday life and strife.