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Teach Yourself to Meditate in 10 Simple Lessons: Discover Relaxation and Clarity of Mind in Just Minutes a Day
A READY-MADE KIT. JUST ADD TIME.”
If you are willing to invest 15 minutes a day, Teach Yourself to Meditate in 10 Simple Lessons can help you develop life-long skills that will improve your health, happiness and peace of mind.
The course in this book doesn’t require you to follow a complex set of rules; rather, it teaches you the core practices,
•Breathing
•Posture
•Mantras
•Body Awareness
•Visualization
•Detachment
If you are willing to invest 15 minutes a day, Teach Yourself to Meditate in 10 Simple Lessons can help you develop life-long skills that will improve your health, happiness and peace of mind.
The course in this book doesn’t require you to follow a complex set of rules; rather, it teaches you the core practices,
•Breathing
•Posture
•Mantras
•Body Awareness
•Visualization
•Detachment
180 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 1994
52 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 29, 2011
Ever counted sheep in an attempt to fall asleep? Ever taken a deep breath and counted to ten when you’re angry?
It occurred to me while I was reading the excellent and thought-provoking Teach Yourself to Meditate that these standard techniques are really just bastardized meditation.
I went into this book with a fair amount of trepidation. No one wants to be beaten over the head with new age spirituality bullshit, after all. However, Eric Harrison makes a reassuringly down-to-earth narrator. The result is an engaging, no-frills guide to the various strands of meditation.
Even just reading the book – and not yet trying out the basic meditations described – I found myself paying more attention to my mental state and how I react to situations. Recommended even if you’re not a meditation ‘type’.
(I really want to give everyone I know copies of both this book and Andrew Weil’s Eating Well for Optimum Health for Christmas. Alas, I can’t bring myself to be that much of a self-righteous asshole.)
It occurred to me while I was reading the excellent and thought-provoking Teach Yourself to Meditate that these standard techniques are really just bastardized meditation.
I went into this book with a fair amount of trepidation. No one wants to be beaten over the head with new age spirituality bullshit, after all. However, Eric Harrison makes a reassuringly down-to-earth narrator. The result is an engaging, no-frills guide to the various strands of meditation.
Even just reading the book – and not yet trying out the basic meditations described – I found myself paying more attention to my mental state and how I react to situations. Recommended even if you’re not a meditation ‘type’.
(I really want to give everyone I know copies of both this book and Andrew Weil’s Eating Well for Optimum Health for Christmas. Alas, I can’t bring myself to be that much of a self-righteous asshole.)
October 4, 2010
A very wise book
This book is packed with knowledge, which is portrayed to the reader in a clear and concise manner. You’ll learn a variety of meditations and how to incorporate them into your every day. But most importantly this book gives you understanding of what meditation is and its ability to positively transform your mind.
The author, Eric Harrison, has a background in Buddhism, though he is not a Buddhist. He believes meditation is a practical skill with benefits that are obvious to anyone. That meditation is a natural faculty of the human mind, not the property of any culture or religion, and thus explains meditation in non-religious language in this book, which suites me well. However there is a brief section on how meditation can contribute to spiritual awakening, which suites me well also, but for those not on the spiritual path and are just looking for tranquillity instead, as Eric Harrison explains, the ground rules are the same for both. To succeed, both people need to be relaxed and aware in meditation and in daily life.
Meditation is a calm and alert state of mind. It is when the body is relaxed and the mind is focused. It is when thoughts drop aside, and we are at one with the sensations of the moment.
As explained in the book, the basic instructions for most meditations are the same
1. Relax
2. Choose one object or activity to focus on and explore it
3. If the mind wanders, bring it back to the object of focus
4. Let everything else go
The main difference between the different meditations is the object which we choose to focus.
The most widely used meditations are:
1. Breadth and body awareness
2. Mantra and Affirmations
3. Visualisation
4. Sense objects (nature, music, candle, sound, etc.)
This book will walk you through all of the above.
I have found this book life changing. Your goals of why you wish to mediate might be different from mine, nonetheless this book will probably help you achieve those goals. You’ll be learning a skill that will greatly improve the quality of your life, and that is a goal worth pursuing.
I wish you all to have awareness, to be awake while awake, to be alive to the moment.
This book is packed with knowledge, which is portrayed to the reader in a clear and concise manner. You’ll learn a variety of meditations and how to incorporate them into your every day. But most importantly this book gives you understanding of what meditation is and its ability to positively transform your mind.
The author, Eric Harrison, has a background in Buddhism, though he is not a Buddhist. He believes meditation is a practical skill with benefits that are obvious to anyone. That meditation is a natural faculty of the human mind, not the property of any culture or religion, and thus explains meditation in non-religious language in this book, which suites me well. However there is a brief section on how meditation can contribute to spiritual awakening, which suites me well also, but for those not on the spiritual path and are just looking for tranquillity instead, as Eric Harrison explains, the ground rules are the same for both. To succeed, both people need to be relaxed and aware in meditation and in daily life.
Meditation is a calm and alert state of mind. It is when the body is relaxed and the mind is focused. It is when thoughts drop aside, and we are at one with the sensations of the moment.
As explained in the book, the basic instructions for most meditations are the same
1. Relax
2. Choose one object or activity to focus on and explore it
3. If the mind wanders, bring it back to the object of focus
4. Let everything else go
The main difference between the different meditations is the object which we choose to focus.
The most widely used meditations are:
1. Breadth and body awareness
2. Mantra and Affirmations
3. Visualisation
4. Sense objects (nature, music, candle, sound, etc.)
This book will walk you through all of the above.
I have found this book life changing. Your goals of why you wish to mediate might be different from mine, nonetheless this book will probably help you achieve those goals. You’ll be learning a skill that will greatly improve the quality of your life, and that is a goal worth pursuing.
I wish you all to have awareness, to be awake while awake, to be alive to the moment.
January 17, 2013
This book is crazy-cool. I've been half-assedly meditating for the last 10 years or so, and not really "getting anywhere". I love Mr. Harrison's descriptions of what meditation shouldn't be, and what meditation can be for you. He does a good job of explaining what seems impossible to explain in a book. While I've begun to meditate regularly in hopes of helping with chronic illness, and his book has helped, it's also convinced me for the first time that I should perhaps seek a teacher. Humility = not my thing, so this is a good development. Also, I enjoyed reading it because I couldn't help but read it with an Aussie accent echoing in my head. It made me smile.
September 8, 2016
Was a very helpful book. It gave information on how to meditate, and how to do it successfully, which was very helpful. It also explained what happens to the mind and body when you meditate, which was very interesting. The last part of the book was about how to meditate in everyday life. The book have 10 detailed meditations for formal meditation, and also lots of small ones for on the go, which was very useful
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July 31, 2010I'm not sure if meditation is for me, nor do I know much about it in general - but this book is a great intro. It really is winning me over and I don't feel like meditation is too new-agey for me. Very accessible tone, and gives a great argument for why everyone should meditate.
August 5, 2019
An impressively clear, concise, practical guide to meditation. I found it really useful. The final chapter strays into mysticism (inevitable, I suppose, given the subject matter) but mostly it's just a conversational description of easy-to-master techniques. I think the title's misleading though. This would be best used as a companion to guided meditation classes. All the examples given refer to group sessions and courses led by experienced practitioners. I've been attending some local group sessions and this works well alongside those. Quibbles aside, though, this is well worth a read if you're even vaguely interested meditation.
February 10, 2024
Muy buena guia para aquellos que se quieran iniciar en el mundo de la meditación. Bien estructurado, cada capítulo se enfoca en una meditación distinta y son fáciles de llevar a cabo en el día a día. Para diversos problemas que alteren la mente y necesiten de un respiro. No sólo son meditación llevadas a cabo en un asiento, el autor ofrece pautas, consejos y ejercicios para estar presente en cualquier momento del día.
Muy recomendable.
Muy recomendable.
March 25, 2020
Īsi un vienkārši par meditāciju, ar praktiskiem uzdevumiem.
Praktiski un piemēroti manam līmenim, bez pārliekiem sanskritismiem u.c. pārpasaulīgām lietām.
Grāmata, pie kuras praktisko uzdevumu daļas labprāt atgriezīšos.
Praktiski un piemēroti manam līmenim, bez pārliekiem sanskritismiem u.c. pārpasaulīgām lietām.
Grāmata, pie kuras praktisko uzdevumu daļas labprāt atgriezīšos.
May 11, 2020
A really good practical guide, if you don't want too much preaching thrown at you alongside ideas of meditation.
Very easy to follow, and just enough advice added alongside. Not a philosophy/religion book though, so if you're looking for that I'd go with a different book.
Very easy to follow, and just enough advice added alongside. Not a philosophy/religion book though, so if you're looking for that I'd go with a different book.
November 14, 2024
Aproximación introductoria y amigable a técnicas básicas de meditación acompañando algunas reflexiones del día a día y experiencias de Eric Harrison y sus alumnos. Se hace agradable de leer y siempre está bien estar receptivo a leer libros que se alejan un poco de lo que uno está acostumbrado
August 20, 2017
I found this book to be really accessible and is definitely one I will revisit as I explore meditation
December 23, 2019
Es muy claro y tiene opciones prácticas para comenzar a meditar, sin embargo como todo libro educativo puede llegar a resultar un poco aburrido y tedioso si no estás en el humor adecuado.
June 29, 2024
I’m like totally at one with the universe dude bros
March 7, 2017
Eric Harrison is a great writer and teacher, this book is enjoyable, his tips on meditation are very helpful and his outlook on life is relatable. Harrison's knowledge and insights are advancing my meditations, as well as helping me truly be in and enjoy the present moment. I am continuing to practice his meditations and applying his suggestions to both my life and outlook on life regularly. I am so glad I found this book in a used book store in Pahoa, Hawaii while I was staying on an ashram. Ten stars! :)
May 3, 2014
Teach yourself to Meditate is a cute little guide by a master and what appears to be a very sincere practitioner (as opposed to tens of thousands of preachers) of meditation. It's an unpretentious guide with no fancy theme or religious relevance. It is an experiential account of one man's dedication to ancient practice of attaining peace. Harrison tells us in plain English about the kind of students he has - from cancer patients to stressed-out. Harrison goes from breath meditation to body scan, elucidating benefits and techniques. He never presses the reader to meditate (assuming that one has picked up the book to understand and move forward in his/her practice), neither the reader every falls away from the topic of meditation.
It's an apt read for a beginner.
It's an apt read for a beginner.
January 26, 2015
I read this book in more or less one sitting. I have only recently become interested in meditation and this book has become an invaluable guide for me, and I'm sure for many other people wanting to find out more about the subject. The text is very interesting, is well structured throughout, and full of great quotes from people that have attended Eric's classes. You can tell he actually teaches meditation and his passion and willing to pass on his knowledge, and to encourage his reader to try out the various methods of meditation is wholly infectious.
December 6, 2016
This book was refreshing for me, I really struggle with the crystal mythology of drive thru buddhism and have been turned off by more than one book telling me where my chakras should be and how to revere my mala beads. Harrison invests very little real estate on the 'mysticism' that follows meditation about, instead focusing on the science behind meditation, why the body and brain react the way they do.
The information provided is clear, informative and presented in an appealing and easy to consume manner.
The information provided is clear, informative and presented in an appealing and easy to consume manner.
November 29, 2012
Deserves zero stars for the outrageous claims that meditation can cure cancer. However, one should expect such ridiculous stuff when delving into this world and I knew what I was getting into.
On the plus side, the exercises for teaching yourself meditation are really good and I am feeling the benefits already.I would give it four stars if it wasn't for all the rubbish that is spouted throughout these pages. Recommended if you fancy trying out meditation.
On the plus side, the exercises for teaching yourself meditation are really good and I am feeling the benefits already.I would give it four stars if it wasn't for all the rubbish that is spouted throughout these pages. Recommended if you fancy trying out meditation.
February 10, 2022
So, so good. A brilliant introduction to not only understand what meditation is about, but also to learn about its most popular techniques.
It goes straight to the point and has a very easy-to-do practical approach. You can tell the author has an extensive teaching meditation experience —as well as a sweet sense of humor, which I really appreciated. He manages to share his love for the meditation practice without hiding that it is not always an easy ride.
It goes straight to the point and has a very easy-to-do practical approach. You can tell the author has an extensive teaching meditation experience —as well as a sweet sense of humor, which I really appreciated. He manages to share his love for the meditation practice without hiding that it is not always an easy ride.
April 3, 2016
This book is really good. It explains wide variety of meditation techniques, provides sample exercises and guides reader through the world of alpha state from seating or lying to walking and selfhealing. This book is not complete, it is a starter, but well made one. I adore it and I want to read it once more.
May 21, 2020
Great for first timers
My first mediation book ever and I'm glad it was this one. It touches on so much without going into great depth. It's a lovely book for painting a picture of what mediation is, now I know how much more work I need to put in. It gave me good footing on the subject.
My first mediation book ever and I'm glad it was this one. It touches on so much without going into great depth. It's a lovely book for painting a picture of what mediation is, now I know how much more work I need to put in. It gave me good footing on the subject.
July 3, 2008
This is a great book!!! I wish I had found it years ago. It is written in simple English (Well he is Ausi afterall!)and goes back to basics. There are some simple and fun ideas which he puts accross. I may well visit his Centre in Perth this winter, it sound like fun.
January 24, 2020
Excellent brief introduction to meditation. The author is clearly very experienced in teaching people so he does a great job at breaking complicated topics into manageable bites. Definitely the best beginners introduction I have read so far.
February 11, 2008
A primer for mindfulness meditation, the variation here being the absence of any Buddhist orientation. This is strictly meditation for its therapeutic value. Highly recommended.
March 29, 2008
Thought this small book compiled a lot of information. It was very simple to understand and allowed you to be begin meditating right away.
July 22, 2008
Recommended for newbies!
September 20, 2009
Thanks to this book, I am able to wait patiently. Being in line at the grocery store, or sitting in bumper to bumper traffic is no problem.
October 9, 2010
This is the only meditation help - book, CD, DVD, etc - that has made me feel like I'm actually learning to do it myself.
July 6, 2011
I gave this five stars, not because it deserves that many, but in its class, it is the best I have read on the subject of meditation.
July 20, 2011
Totally love this book and will be picking it up and reading it daily, weekly, monthly.........forever. Its wise and I am hoping that over time it will change me from stressed out to chilled out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews