There Is No Right Way to Meditate: And Other Lessons

by Yumi Sakugawa

Take a Moment and Breathe!

In There Is No Right Way to Meditate , award-winning artist Yumi Sakugawa helps you tap into your inner self and finally find the peace that you've been seeking. Each page offers a unique perspective on how to lead a more mindful life, with captivating ink illustrations and encouraging words like, "it's okay if the only thing you did today was breathe." From simple ways to get rid of a bad mood to instructions for making your intentions come true, her lessons will inspire you to become more aware of the present moment and find stillness no matter where you go.

With Yumi's uplifting guidance, you will dig deeper into your soul to discover the tranquility already surrounding you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Graphic Novels, Mental Health, Comics, Spirituality, Graphic Novels Comics

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2010

About the author

California-based comic artist and illustrator Yumi Sakugawa's work has featured everything from lonely one-eyed monsters to an ode to The Baby-Sitters Club character Claudia Kishi. Her off-beat comics that explore the trials and tribulations of human interaction have been featured in Sadie Magazine and The Rumpus and her comic zine Mundane Fortunes for the Next Ten Billion Years And Other Stories was chosen as a Notable Comic of 2012 by the Best American Comics anthology.

- excerpt from http://www.papermag.com/2013/01/yumi_...

You can find her on: Facebook and Instagram and contributing to The Rumpus and Wonder How To.

Reviews

[Dannii Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel guide to alleviating doubts, worries, and stress and learning to embrace your new empowered self, through the medium of meditation.

I really liked the format of this book. Some sections were full of isolated doodles with motivating messages attached to them. Other sections had guides and diagrams that went on for a number of pages, such as '10 Ways to Get Rid of Your Bad Mood' and 'How to Avoid the Negative Energy of Other People'.

There was a slightly humorous tone, which worked its way throughout this volume, but it also remained sensitive and thoughtful. With mental health being the primary focus, I am glad that this both did not become too dark and sombre of a read but also did not dismiss the thoughts and feelings of the reader through a forced, jovial tone. Yumi Sakugawa managed to find the perfect balance between the two and this would, therefore, make a wonderful gift for everyone, including yourself, to return to when life feels a little too much.

[MariNaomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a charming, sweet, calming book. The perfect bedside reading for nights when you're feeling anxious and need to laugh or relax. I love it.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There Is No Right Way To Meditate (And Other Lessons) by Yumi Sakugawa is not only an incredibly beautiful and easy to digest book, it really urges you to take a step back and reevaluate your own views on what it means to meditate. Although I too once thought that meditation was a rigid practice that may or may not work for me, Sakugawa brings home the fact that meditation is whatever you want it to be. It’s not about HOW you choose to meditate, it’s that you do it at all. That you look inward in order to be your best self.

Am I a sucker for picture books? Yes. Absolutely.
But I’m also a sucker for books that are beautifully illustrated and pack an even greater message.

It’s also surprisingly relaxing to just look at – the illustrations are calming in a way that’s difficult to describe. (Trust me, you’ll understand when you flip through it yourself.)

Although a book is never going to cure those worries and woes of daily life, this book is the closest that I have found to one that puts things into a more realistic perspective. It’s funny, it’s fun, it’s cute, and it’s exactly the sort of book that I think EVERYONE – whether you’re a meditation believer or not – should have on their shelf.

Even though I was sent There Is No Right Way To Meditate in exchange for an honest review, I could never give it enough praise. I’ve read through it countless times before deciding exactly how I wanted to sing it’s praise. But the truth is, no matter how many great things I say, it will never be enough to convey how much I love this book.

I will likely be gifting this to everyone I know this year as it’s the PERFECT stocking stuffer and sends the perfect message to those you love.

*I was provided with a free copy of this book in order to conduct this review, but I cannot sing it's praises enough.*


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[Noura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a necessary book.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t tell me to close my eyes while reading a book on meditation.

I know it’s just a step of meditation. I would say this book on meditation is for the ones who do not want to read a full length book on meditation but also wants to meditate doing the least amount of work that’s necessary.

I would say I am a little disappointed with the content. It can be a lot better.

But also I feel relaxed while reading the book and that makes a difference!

Thank you, Andrews McMeel Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

[Katrina Dombrowsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read this lovely little book over my lunch break. This would make a great gift for someone looking to become more mindful or at peace with the world. So, I think I'll buy it for myself! :)

[Ms. Arca · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s weird and it’s calming and it’s delightful. Some pages stronger than others but I don’t care because it’s overall packed with a lot of love & care and you can feel it. Would be a great gift for loved ones. Keeping my copy by my bed :)

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yumi Sakugawa is one of my teachers that I can learn and relearn and unlearn from over and over again. This is a beautiful book for those new to meditation, and for those who've had a practice for a long time. One that I'll have near me forever :)

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the author's illustrations and enjoyed the text overall. There were a few misses for me, but overall I found the book thought-inspiring for any stage of meditative practition.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the original edition five years ago and loved it. It stuck with me, and I ended up buying the revised and expanded edition in a retaliation sort of fit of rage after listening to a guy saying there is a right way to meditate. Ha! So instead of dwelling on that, I am falling back in love with this book, and now that I own it, I plan on spending lots and lots of time with it.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very awesome little guide - and a super quick read. I'm adding it to my wish-list because I think this is exactly the kind of thing I need to reread when I'm having a particularly rough day.

[Ameera JR · Rating 5 out of 5]

The drawings and the words are cute and simple yet so deep and meaningful. I am absolutely in love with every page of that heartwarming little book.

[Hannah Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of the lessons and illustrations in this book! There’s no doubt in my mind I will copy and enlarge at least one page to hang somewhere in my office. This book clicked with me on multiple levels. Many of Sakugawa's lessons breathed fresh air into stale and wordy concepts with simple language and clever, poignant illustrations. For example, “breathe out your bad mood and watch it disappear into the sky.” And thanks to her fitting portrayal of negativity through the use of dark and chaotic illustrations I can visualize the grievances I breathe out.

Other lessons gave me words and pictures for unnamed meditation already happening in my life. For example, when I read about taking a walk in the woods so my bad mood doesn’t find me, I thought, ‘Yes! That’s exactly what I’ve been doing for years without realizing it.’

Sakugawa's depiction of Eckhart Tolle's pain-body concept is eerily similar to how I’ve always pictured it, and it definitely makes me want to kick its butt even harder (which actually translates to ignoring it harder) after seeing it come to life in her powerful interpretation of it. Thanks to Sakugawa I am eager (but in a centered, quiet way) to continue my meditation journey.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There's No Right Way to Meditate is a beautiful and inspiring book with a powerful message. Yumi Sakugawa's writing and illustrations work together seamlessly to convey the idea that there is no one "right" way to meditate. Instead, she encourages readers to explore different approaches to meditation and find what works best for them.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning and add an extra layer of depth to the message. Each page is filled with thoughtful and insightful quotes, paired with whimsical illustrations that perfectly capture the mood and tone of the text.

What makes this book stand out is its accessibility. The writing is clear and concise, and the illustrations are engaging and easy to understand. The author's emphasis on self-exploration and experimentation makes meditation feel approachable and achievable for anyone, regardless of their experience level.

Overall, There's No Right Way to Meditate is a powerful and inspiring book that offers a fresh and refreshing perspective on meditation. It's a beautifully crafted book that provides practical advice and encouragement to those seeking to incorporate meditation into their lives. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in meditation or looking for a gentle reminder that there is no one "right" way to approach it. Five stars.

[Cihan Akdere · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. The illustrations make it fun and light while still carrying an important message. Even though it’s a small book, it teaches meaningful lessons about meditation. As the title says, there’s no right way to meditate, it’s about finding what works for you. The book reminds us to empty our minds, let go of negative thoughts, and invite positive ones. With meditation, we can create more space within ourselves and fill it with peace and positivity.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thought monster is pretty intense today so I wasn't as open to a lot of the advice given in this. However I think on a day where I can fully breath and accept things I would like to try some of the techniques. I know all of them won't work for me for sure, but that's why there are so many different ways to Meditate.

[Alexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed flipping through this short, beautiful book that gave me so much inspiration in so few words. While I haven't read anything else by Sakugawa, nor do I intend to, this book was very cute and I enjoyed flipping through. The words are well placed and powerful, and the drawings are humble but very interesting and unique.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for positivity and encouragement to lead a mentally and emotionally balanced life.

[Nike Andaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

51 - 2021

Arrrghhh, saya suka buku ini.
pengen punya bukunya karena ini baca versi ebooknya.

Menarik sekali cara Yumi mengilustrasikan tentang stres, tentang meditasi, tentang cara-cara paling baik untuk mencintai diri sendiri, untuk menghargai satu tarikan nafas kita tiap hari.
Bacaan ringan tapi penuh makna baik.

[Arkasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is No Right Way to Meditate is an illustrated book that is not just about the various things we can do that “counts” as meditating. It also touches upon some very human things (feelings, thoughts, bodies, connections, anxieties) and ways meditation can offer new perspectives about them.

The illustrations are very cute and especially helpful. Many of the concepts just connects in my brain, because of the illustrations. There are also plenty of simple exercises throughout the book.

Overall it’s a simple, but profound book about meditation and aspects of life that may be helped by it. I definitely plan to purchase a hard copy!

eARC provided by NetGalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing.

[Iis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saya akhir-akhir ini suka membaca buku yang ringan-ringan untuk mendistraksi dari stress akibat skripsi, yang gak terlalu banyak mikir. Kemudian saya nemu buku ilustrasi ini, gambarnya bikin tenang, so calming! sukak sama ilustrasinya.

[Jennifer Stoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, one of the most cheerful, straightforward guides to meditation I've seen. If you are way past the 101 stage, maybe not for you, but if you have tried it and gone nowhere, worth checking out.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet, quick read on incorporating more meditation into your daily life. This book is full of meditative exercises, cute drawings, positive affirmations, and uplifting life perspectives. I took screenshots of many pages so I can return to some of the exercises when I feel like I need them. No matter your level of experience with meditation, I think this book is a quick guide to help expand your mindfulness.

Thanks netgalley for the ebook and thanks Yumi for a happy and helpful read!

[brinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I'll likely be picking up copies for other people to give as gifts. I read this in one sitting before bed and think it's pretty apropos for an adult bedtime book to help you unwind, though you could read it anytime you're feeling stuck or agitated. It's a good introduction to meditation and has some great suggestions for how to incorporate a little bit of mindfulness into your every day life. Plus, Yumi's illustrations are just a delight to look at. I loved how colorful this book was compared to "Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe," and found this book more practical and grounded in its approach.

I only have one gripe with the book. It's no fault of the author, necessarily, but I do think there's a new age spiritualism overtone to this book that I think people ought to approach with caution. Eckhart Tolle is great and she lists his books as an inspiration, but he can also lead people to lose touch with reality (listen to the podcast Rabbit Hole for an example). Sakugawa does mention in a few different spots that meditation is not the answer for every life problem, but doesn't really take a critical look at mindfulness and how it can be problematically applied. The reason I don't fault the author fully is because I don't think it's in the scope of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an early copy of the book in return for an honest review.

[Sharondblk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book which has background, thoughts and lots of simple meditation exercises. Easy to follow, affirming and lovely. I was given an e-copy from NetGalley, but it's a book that would be a beautiful hardcopy, maybe as a gift.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun little book that clearly explains what meditation is and how it can help us with every day or big struggles. I feel like everyone should read this book at least once.

[Negin Khoshdaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب رو کم کم می‌خوندم که شیرینیش زیر زبونم بمونه. کتاب مختصر و مفیدی بود درباره‌ی راه‌های مدیتیشن روزمره. تصویرسازیاش کمی درهم‌ریخته بود اما کلا دوسش داشتم.

[Robin]

A slim volume of handy meditation tips. Sakugawa's art adds a playful quality.

[Violet ♡]

Continue to wish for an epiphany to delve more into mindfulness. 🧘‍♀️

[Laura Martínez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice and short illustrated guide to meditate, with calming prompts and funny drawings. Perfect to give your relaxation skills the boost they need.

[Tiffanie Pirault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really sweet!