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Learning To Dance Inside: Getting To The Heart Of Meditation
The former Trappist monk goes beyond the techniques of meditation to explore the spiritual understanding that meditators seek to achieve
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 1, 2018
The author came at meditation assuming that it would connect a person -- or help them realize an already existing connection -- with God or a Creator or Universe Designer. This didn't work for me; I don't see evidence of a preponderance of evidence that there is any being that requires capitalization.
But I did find his focus on why meditate, rather than how to meditate (being highly individualized) useful. Unfortunately, I don't agree with his reasons why.
While this book avoids emphasizing how to meditate, the last chapter, all about that question, is extremely useful.
But I did find his focus on why meditate, rather than how to meditate (being highly individualized) useful. Unfortunately, I don't agree with his reasons why.
While this book avoids emphasizing how to meditate, the last chapter, all about that question, is extremely useful.
September 8, 2019
Love this book! I first read it in 1996. I love to read it again and again.
January 16, 2016
A short and practical book about meditation and the contemplative experience (enlightenment (not pretending for one moment that I've yet had such an experience)).
Roughly the first half is dedicated to criticising religious institutions for engendering what Alan Watts would probably call "the social hypnosis" and obscuring the real goal of any spiritual practice.
Without being too woo-woo about the whole thing, I am interested in meditation and what psychological state one is supposed to be able to achieve through the practice of it. As I said, this book goes about it I a very practical way with as little 'metaphysical nonsense' as a book about the metaphysics of the "Ultimate Reality" can manage.
I should state (and Fowler repeated and emphatically makes this point) that there is very little of the "how" of meditation contained in the 150 something pages, though there is a short chapter right at the very end dedicated to that. Rather, Fowler concerns himself with the "why" of meditation and what exactly "spiritual masters" from all traditions have been pointing too since the dawn of society. As is stressed in the book, not much of its contents will make absolute sense until the experience has been had, though it is acknowledged that, because words and concepts are mere tools for pointing to the experience, it should be no great tragedy if, upon having the experience, not all of them do. Fowler humbly acknowledges this.
A good read. Not too long, not too aloof, not competent grounded--but that's the point, right?
Roughly the first half is dedicated to criticising religious institutions for engendering what Alan Watts would probably call "the social hypnosis" and obscuring the real goal of any spiritual practice.
Without being too woo-woo about the whole thing, I am interested in meditation and what psychological state one is supposed to be able to achieve through the practice of it. As I said, this book goes about it I a very practical way with as little 'metaphysical nonsense' as a book about the metaphysics of the "Ultimate Reality" can manage.
I should state (and Fowler repeated and emphatically makes this point) that there is very little of the "how" of meditation contained in the 150 something pages, though there is a short chapter right at the very end dedicated to that. Rather, Fowler concerns himself with the "why" of meditation and what exactly "spiritual masters" from all traditions have been pointing too since the dawn of society. As is stressed in the book, not much of its contents will make absolute sense until the experience has been had, though it is acknowledged that, because words and concepts are mere tools for pointing to the experience, it should be no great tragedy if, upon having the experience, not all of them do. Fowler humbly acknowledges this.
A good read. Not too long, not too aloof, not competent grounded--but that's the point, right?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2010
This little book offers a phenomenal perspective on the benefits of meditation practice.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews