Inner Tranquility (Third Edition): A Guide to Seated Meditation

by Darren Main

Going beyond a basic overview to explain how and why meditation works, this user-friendly guide provides clear instruction on how to create a daily meditation practice, emphasizing how important it is - especially for Westerners who are not used to being still - to sit correctly. By using contemporary examples from his own practice and more than 30 years of teaching various meditation techniques, the information is presented in a modern way that is easy to understand, fun, and attainable. Perfect for both novice and seasoned practitioners, these simple techniques help deepen the practice and explore the physical, psychological, and emotional benefits of daily meditation.

Audible Audio

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Darren Main is a yoga and meditation instructor and author. He facilitates workshops and gives talks on yoga and modern spirituality throughout the United States and abroad and is the host of the internationally syndicated Inquire Within Podcast and the Living Yoga Series.

He teaches Yoga on the Labyrinth inside San Francisco’s iconic Grace Cathedral. He currently resides in Northern California with his son Jaden.

Reviews

[Priyanka Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I somehow started the book thinking I know what is mediation. But the more I read and more I felt it was not true. I have practiced mediation in the past mainly through Long Kriya which is taught in The ‘Art of living’ course, which is a part of Shri Shri Ravi Shankar’s teaching institute in India. However I have never reasoned as to why it is important and how to exactly address distractions and why they arise. This book answered a lot of those questions. Just started my meditation practice, and am hoping to continue it, one baby step at a time.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful guide for everyday sitting, especially for those who have tried to "make meditation stick" before.

[Josie Zhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginner-friendly!

[Yogibill Sf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been meditating for nearly 20 years, self taught for the first 10, then mostly in Zen temples, finding my own Zen brown robe monk to guide me for the last 10 years. A yoga practice came about also 10 years ago, and through it all I have read, sat, walked, cleaned and breathed my way through a variety of meditation practices. I am actually now a yoga teacher, bodyworker and fitness trainer, and meditation is still a work in progress, but essential to my well-being. I met Darren early on in my yoga practice and experienced a restorative yoga practice with him, finding another wonderful blend of yoga and meditation, so when this book came out I jumped at the chance to read it. Wow! This was probably the first book I have read on meditation that seemed written by a real person. His information keeps things real and approachable, but the message is clear... you can read about it all you want, but when it all comes down to it, you really just have to sit down and do it. And then do it again... and again. And it may not always be the calm blissful experience you may have hoped for or dreamed about. Your legs may fall asleep, the urge to scratch, scream, run away or whatever may overpower you - no problem. Just try to sit with it, and do it again tomorrow. Love this book - thanks Darren! Yogi Bill SF - www.billmohler.com

[Kathryn Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! As a yoga teacher and theater artist, I know that meditation is a great gift in order to allow creativity to flow. Main writes in a very warm, funny and welcoming style and doesn’t scare away people coming to meditation for the first time. It is a very helpful tool in finding the right meditation style for you. Main breaks down meditation into what makes it difficult to maintain a constant practice and how to overcome these struggles created by our egos. This book is a great asset for anyone with questions about mediation. Also, questions you didn’t even know exists are answered in this book. Main is totally relatable. He talks openly about his struggles and addictions and I found it comfortable and easy to begin to understand big ideas about spirituality. In a few months I will be going on a 7 day silent meditation retreat but I still struggle with the practice. Although I have practice for about a year, I still struggle with staying with the breath, being interested and invested in the moment. This book has been a gift. This book covers a lot of ground. I loved that it had different styles of mediation, ways of dealing with aversion. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in learning how to sit still and find ease.

[Tammy Binkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darren Main is a wonderful teacher with a gift of communication and instruction and this meditation book highlights his teaching ability and ability to make the ancient teaching meditation accessible and meaningful today. In a time that the world needs meditation the most, I am grateful to have access to a book that not only gives instruction on how to meditate but also how it works. I am a yoga teacher and I recommend this book to anyone new to meditation and anyone already meditating that like me needs more information. Very well done.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that breaks down principles of meditation to the curious novice...easy to understand and very well written, Darren Main is terrific at simplifying rather esoteric principles. His writing is quite humorous, and he's a hottie. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who would like to begin a meditation practice or who is struggling to sustain one.

[Terynce · Rating 2 out of 5]

1) Sit comfortably; 2) clear your mind; 3) breath and focus on breathing; 4) when your mind drifts, and it will, go back to #2.

Taking a few minutes out of the day for calming quiet does not seem like a bad idea.