Don't Just Sit There!: 44 Insights to Get Your Meditation Practice Off the Cushion and Into the Real World

by Biet Simkin

Discover the forty-four laws of life that are the missing link between the desire to meditate and the motivation needed to maintain a regular meditation practice, process the emotional fallout of meditative experiences, and find spiritual fulfillment.

Biet Simkin knows from personal experience that finding your way to transformation and mindfulness isn’t always easy. Drawing on hard-won wisdom from her journey through addiction, personal tragedy, and the New York rock-n-roll scene, Biet shares the guidance you’ll need to move from meltdowns to miracles.

Don’t Just Sit There! is a guidebook that will empower you to dive into meditation by helping you work through the not-so-peaceful side of achieving peace. With insights on forty-four laws of human experience, it provides week-by-week instructions to process each one. From the Law of Focus to the Law of Desire, these aspects of spiritual life can become obstacles without the tools to properly face them.

Experienced and novice meditators alike can benefit from Biet’s frank, freeing advice on how to establish a lifelong practice in an often chaotic modern world. By confronting the disruptive quality of spiritual life, you can motivate yourself to realize the meditative practice of your dreams.

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

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2019

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. This is must read for everyone. Biet’s writing style is refreshingly honest. She takes complex philosophical and spiritual concepts and breaks them down so they are easy to understand and applicable to modern day. I read this book straight through without doing the exercises but I plan on re-reading the book and doing the exercises in each chapter. Loved this book!

[Two Readers in Love · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too LA for me, but perhaps the right B-level for others; a few quotes did jump out:

"For some of you, a discovery of how to pay your electric bill on time every month might just be the most spiritual thing you've ever done." (p. 90)

and

"The abstract painter Agnes Martin used to hang a little sign on her mirror that read, 'You're wrong!' The first words she saw every morning, the sign helped her remember that, whatever took place on a daily basis, her first take on aan event was often off base."

[Diane B · Rating 2 out of 5]

A curious mix of materialism, and self-help advice. Meditation is in the title but not so much in the pages.

The author shares her battles with addictions and has much to share, however not a lot of insight into meditation practice itself.

Also checked out this brief interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylb84...

Hoped for more.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biet Simkin has certainly led an...interesting life. This book was equal parts interesting and eyeroll-inducing.

[Jess Thorson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I assumed this was about meditation. The underlying message seems to be “All roads lead to...capitalism.”. Which is fine. Someone on the other side of this may come across her deeper insights while looking for financial/career advice. She’s certainly acquired spiritual wisdom, for which I’m grateful.

[Tiffany Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, I guess I was expecting more. It is a good reference however I'm not sure if I would recommended it.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

[Alexandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it okay, but not up there. If expecting meditations this not have that, it is more of information based. Yet if that is apealing to you - more of insights - this can be a reference.

[Kat Lahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the nuggets of wisdom in this book!

[Lani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it vapid and poorly written. I’m one of those people that has to finish a book even if I hate it, and this one was torturous.

[James W Brede · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a 42-year-old man with a conservative lean and a deep interest in Vedic philosophy, I approached Biet Simkin’s Don’t Just Sit There!: 44 Insights to Get Your Meditation Practice Off the Cushion and Into the Real World with heavy skepticism. Simkin’s LinkedIn bio—touting her as the “David Bowie of Meditation,” raised by a shaman, a former Sony-signed singer-songwriter turned high-profile DJ, and a meditation guru featured in Vogue, Forbes, and at trendy venues like MoMA and SoulCycle—screamed commercialized “woo” to me. I braced myself for a book steeped in the kind of overhyped spirituality I typically cringe at (think Goop). But, to my surprise, I didn’t hate it—in fact, I really liked it.

Simkin’s 44 insights are genuinely insightful, offering practical and thought-provoking ways to bring meditation into everyday life. Her personal story is raw and compelling: having endured the tragic loss of her infant daughter and a subsequent struggle with heroin addiction, she doesn’t shy away from her messy past. Yet, her voice is refreshingly honest, unapologetic, and far from playing the victim. Instead, she comes across as a soul actively learning and growing, sharing wisdom gained through hardship. Her straightforward tone resonated with me, making the book feel authentic rather than performative.

The insights themselves are the heart of the book, blending ancient meditative principles with a modern, relatable edge. While there’s some “woo” and a touch of feminist framing that felt less relevant to me as a male reader looking to deepen my meditative practice, these moments didn’t overshadow the book’s value. Simkin’s ability to modernize spirituality without diluting its depth is impressive, and her story of resilience adds weight to her teachings.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars, docking one star for the occasional “woo” and because it seems more tailored to a different audience—my wife, for instance, who I’m certain will love it. For anyone hesitant about trendy spiritual guides but curious about practical meditation, Simkin’s book is a surprisingly grounded and inspiring read.

[Nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biet gives an intimate look at her journey to awakening. She shares the lessons she learned and challenges the reader to connect with their “ soul” ,true self,and purpose. There are recommendations to overcome obstacles that we self impose. Each individual can realize their purpose and live a fulfilling life with intention.

[Amy Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not just about meditation - it's about LIVING AWAKE. My goodness what a read. I think especially now, during the pandemic, it's very needed. It's valuable insights about how to go INSIDE to get the love and peace you've been looking for. If everyone read this book, the world would be a better place.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book you read once. There are so many tangible takeaways, that you will want this as a reference book to navigate through life. There wasn't one chapter I didn't devour. I wish my brain could absorb it all in one sitting because it's such fantastic material. I borrowed this from my library, but will be purchasing to read again! 5 stars!

[Chris Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard Biet on one of my podcast (Ed Mylett I think). I was drawn to her insight into meditation and quietness. I checked out her book and I really enjoyed it. She is wise beyond her years in the realm of meditation and quietness. I particularly loved the 44 steps (laws) she mentions. Plus her insight and writing on each law is very insightful. Overall, a great read.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have EVER read. It took me a long time because I went through each chapter so slowly. Each one is so full of useful and deep information that you could spend a week reviewing and practicing the items and actions of each chapter. A book I will definitely revisit often.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this for the flight and then didn’t finish it. So today, I finally did. it is mostly manifest your destiny sorts of things. Which I guess are useful to hear, but I don’t believe you can really do that. I don’t meditate myself, so maybe I am just missing out.

[Heather Larcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of "did you seriously just say that?" moments, but still a good book with some good bits of advice.

[Jaime]

I checked this out from the "Staff picks" section at the library but I'll probably need to buy it and read over it a few more times.

[liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!! Wil def re read this again. So many eye opening realization!

[Lois Peterson]

158.12 SI45D

[Camille Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I began my journey into mindfulness and meditation, I found this book to be very helpful to start off on the right foot without doing too much.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Biet for making ‘Fourth Way’ ideas modern and accessible. Such a rich book on how to live a fulfilling life. I loved it, and recommend it to all my yoga students 👌🏾

[David Dongsub Yeo · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy read! great nuggets of wisdom and reminders for daily living