Nothing Happens Next: Responses to Questions About Meditation

by Cheri Huber, June Shiver (Illustrator)

Answering questions such as "What is meditation?" "I can't clear my mind. What should I do?" "What do I focus on?" and "How can I meditate when I have no time?" this guide answers more than 50 of the most commonly asked questions about meditation practices. Beginners will find information on how to sit, what to sit on, when to sit, where to sit, why to sit, and what to expect. They will learn how the body, mind, emotions, and spirit might respond to meditation.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen, Spirituality, Meditation, Self Help, Philosophy, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

About the author

Cheri Huber, author of 20 books, has been a student and teacher of Zen for over 35 years. In 1983, Cheri founded the Mountain View Zen Center, and in 1987 she founded the Zen Monastery Peace Center near Murphys, California. She and the monks at the Monastery conduct workshops and retreats at these centers, other places around the U.S., and internationally.

In 1997, Cheri founded Living Compassion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to peace and service. Living Compassion’s primary work is the Africa Vulnerable Children Project, based in Zambia, where for over a decade they have been working with the people of Kantolomba, beginning the process of turning a slum of 11,000 people into a self-sustaining community.

Cheri also has a weekly Internet based radio show.

Reviews

[Cleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book when I was starting a sitting practice. Now that I have more experience with sitting, I found this book to be a great "refresher course." Simple, true and often very amusing.

[Grant Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

[Max Smirnoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome as always!

[J]

A quotation, and a good one for me:

"Until we realize that seeing through our conditioning is Job One, we will remain confused. My rather rude yet accurate approach to this matter is that the world does not need one more screwed up person trying to fix it. In other words, I don't know who I am; what is motivating me; what the problem is; or what would be truly helpful; but I can't stand the way I feel so I'll go out there and 'do something for someone else.' Good luck.

A final point about paying attention in a world of starving people: we're talking about awareness and awareness doesn't take time or effort. We can pay attention, we can be aware, while doing anything. It's true that we encourage a period of time each day in which we sit down and face a blank wall in order to practice being aware with as little distraction as possible, but I find it fascinating that we will not hesitate to spend a half hour watching television or reading a magazine or chatting, but it's socially irresponsible to spend a half an hour in silence."
page 94 - 95

[Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a useful little "frequently asked questions" guide to Zen meditation. I found that most of the questions on this were ones I've had for a long time, and was excited to hear some answers and explanations. Some of my questions were answered, but the author seems to skirt around many questions. I think that was her point, though. Zen is not about right and wrong way of doing things, but about noticing, watching whatever arises, and seeing how our conditioning and egocentricity leads us to suffer. So, rather than answering the questions, Huber often uses the questions as a way to show how our conditioning leads us to suffer.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple questions and answers about meditation for beginners. Quick read, I read it in one night.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best primer I've ever read no matter where you are in your meditation practice or if you've never practiced at all. Worth reading, re-reading and using as a reference.

[Becky Osborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ommmmmm...