Quiet Mind: A Beginner's Guide to Meditation

by Susan Piver (Editor), Sharon Salzberg, Sakyong Mipham

This unique book-and-audio program brings together some of the country's most beloved meditation teachers. Each contributor presents a short written teaching along with an audio recording of a guided practice. Quiet Mind features:

   • Sakyong Mipham on shamatha, the practice of tranquillity
   • Larry Rosenberg on vipassana, the practice of clear seeing
   • Edward Espe Brown on zazen, the practice of freedom
   • Sharon Salzberg on metta, the practice of lovingkindness

   • Judith Lief on tonglen, the practice of transformation
   • Tulku Thondup on healing the body and mind through meditation
   • Yoga teacher Richard Faulds on the link between yoga and meditation



Includes a 78-minute CD.

Genres: Meditation, Nonfiction, Buddhism, Spirituality, Self Help, Mental Health, Religion

120 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2008

About the author

Susan Piver is the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including the award-winning "How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life", "The Wisdom of a Broken Heart", "Start Here Now: An Open-Hearted Guide to the Path and Practice of Meditation", and "The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships".

Piver has been a practicing Buddhist since 1993 and graduated from a Buddhist seminary in 2004. She is an internationally acclaimed meditation teacher, known for her ability to translate ancient practices into modern life. Her work has been featured on the Oprah show, TODAY, CNN, and in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others.

In 2013, she launched the Open Heart Project, the largest virtual mindfulness community in the world with 20,000 members.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book I'm a bit puzzled at the many lukewarm reviews.

One reviewer wrote 'A very basic, not very in-depth overview of different types of meditation'.

It is indeed 'basic'.

Beginner's Mind is a small book i.e. physically diminutive, not much larger than a paperback. Yet its perspicacious content is inversely proportional to its size.

That I appreciate. The six vignettes outlining different approaches and styles for meditation are succinct and to the point. Edited down to the bone...100% relevant content with no fluff. All of the authors have a talent for writing and communicating.

There's also a short chapter on yoga presented at the end of the book. This too is short and basic.

I think readers need to keep in mind two things. First, each chapter is designed to open a different door leading to a unique path or practice for meditation. Secondly, one could spend a year or even a lifetime practicing just one of the meditations. Or one could focus on a different meditation predicated on one's personal needs at any given time.

Without reservation I would recommend this book to anyone interested in meditation; whether they're experienced in meditation or a complete novice.

Spending a nominal amount of money on this book-- and putting into practice what it describes--has the potential to change one's quality of life... truly, I speak from experience.

And reading this book could save you hundreds of dollars purchasing other books on the subject and attending expensive retreats.

Doubtless there's a place for that for those desiring to take their practice to deeper levels. Reading this small book is a great way to start.

[Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine a very short book, written in an accessible manner with the goal of providing a taste of the main differing perspectives in a given field....and perhaps inspiring you to action?

If you are interested in a quick scan of the major 5-6 Buddhist practices in meditation and this format, then this book is for you.

There were several Buddhist insights that I learned:
a) Instead of working harder & harder to understand something, relaxing might better reveal the answer
b) Trees move and do not move at the same time. Great example of a paradox.
c) Good posture is the way of connecting earth with the sky.
d) Vipassana = insight meditation. After concentrating on breath, focus on the experience.
e) Zazen = form of Zen practice. Experience your experience. Koans are Zen paradoxes (eg. sound of one hand clapping) that can be used in meditation.
f) Metta = practice of compassion ("lovingkindness"). Antidote to fear. 4 thoughts; may I be free from danger; may I be happy; may I be healthy; may I live with ease. Eventually change "I" to "you" and then to "all beings"
g) Tonglen: "sending and taking"; an interesting approach where you intentionally breath in the negative energy of a person/experience and then breathe out positive energy to the same.
h) Healing meditation: intentionally focus on the positivity. Positive images, words, feelings, & beliefs.

Because of this book, I look forward to learning & experiencing more about meditation.

[Eric Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm stingy with rating stars, but this book is exactly what it claims to be: brief essays about various kinds of meditation. It is an introduction that doesn't claim to be an in depth study. The companion CD is a nice extension of the written material. The reviews that wish the book were something different are perplexing. It's like buying a greatest hits album and wishing the producers had just played that one song over and over. The book is exactly what it claims to be. Giving a low review just because it wasn't the book you wanted is immature and insincere.

[Silvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Enjoyed the CD with guided meditations by expert monks.

[Lawrence Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent basic intro to meditation, if you're looking for a more detailed intro check out Sharon Salzberg's Real Happiness. Both books come with audio CDs with guided meditations for beginners.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the combination of short essays and guided meditations. I wish more meditations came in this sort of format. Also, love the inclusion of yoga! Wish more meditation CD's included yoga as a component.

This is an introductory book/CD, and I think it gives a good overview of different meditation practices as described by various teachers. Overall, a nice and very usable compilation.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Quiet Mind A Beginner's Guide to Meditation" is a unique book and audio into the various schools of Buddhist meditation and their teachers including vipassana, shamatha, zazen and others. The book enables the reader to get a short overview of each style and a sense of what approach would best meet one's needs. I would highly recommend this book.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read and came with a CD. It had six practices: Tranquility, Clear Seeing, Freedom, Compassion, Transformation, and Peace and Joy. Also, a chapter: Yoga. Bringing Together Body and Mind.

A nice little book with some basic information.

[Ashok Krishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will share the review soon.

[Deb (Bee) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book for beginners looking for a basic introduction into meditation.

[Rubi Galvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book on great meditation techniques, yoga, and for beginners in meditation.

[Sonal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to follow.

[Just_ann_now · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the kind of book-and-cd combination you see near the checkout line in Borders during the Holiday season. It consists of a set of very short essays on how to get started in meditation, different meditation practices, yoga poses to aid in meditation, etc. The cd is meant to be listened to as aid to a beginning mediation practice (it's not the full text of the book). Nothing here is particularly in-depth, but the essays on Metta and Tonglen were interesting, and the Frequently Asked Questions had some I'd never thought of! Probably not a good gift for someone who is already active in a yoga or meditation practice, but may be just the thing for a co-worker or relative who has expressed a passing interest.

[Mads P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very basic, not very in-depth overview of different types of meditation. Also comes with a CD that I haven't listened to yet. Maybe it will add some of the depth I'm wanting. Well, I listened to the CD and it basically just says what's in the book. It's nicer to listen to the essays than to read them though and I will probably listen to it several times over to really absorb everything. I'm still wishing the book was a little more in-depth though.

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book.

I liked how different schools of meditation are presented here - in a way that feels accessible and easy to understand. While I'm sure, each school could have volumes and volumes written on them, as someone who is new to meditation, I appreciated the simplicity of this book.

I've tried several methods discussed and while I'm not sure which one is right for me, I have enjoyed trying them and exploring some more!

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

ehh this book was okay. I was not really interested in Buddhism and it only talked about Buddhist meditation. It was a quick read and I got a few tips on why to meditate and how to meditate. but it was not really what I was looking for. It was just short essays by different Buddhist people on different aspects of meditation but they all were saying pretty much the same thing.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview written by six different Buddhist teachers. It may help lead a novice toward the meditation path best suited for him or herself. I didn't rate 5 stars because I found one teacher's chapter less than a perfect introduction. However, this may be my personal failing rather than the teacher's.

[Amber May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives u a peak at what meditation is all about but does not go into much depth. More about the process than the actual practice. It will spark your attention and help guide you to your next book. Good information.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful little book and CD for absolute beginners that gives basic intros to different types of mediation. The accompanying CD has guided meditations by experts in each area discussed on the book, which can really give you an idea of what you are most interested in.

[Kori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very basic intro to meditation. My favorite part was the CD. It really helps you to understand the different types of meditation discussed in the book.

[Liaken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, simple introduction to various approaches to meditation. Good audio CD as well to guide you through ... also has yoga poses for starting and ending your meditation.

[Susan Ohlinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is what it was meant to be...a beginners guide!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for beginners!

[Jane Bystry Weyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful starter text, introduction to meditation.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intro to various types of meditation.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro into meditation, from six different perspectives.