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Meditation: The Complete Guide
Specially geared to the needs of the beginning meditator, this book explains more than 50 meditation practices. Readers can take a self-test to acquire information about which types of meditations are most appropriate for them. Traditions involving Shamanism, Yoga, Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Western Traditions, Biofeedback, Meditation in Life (such as nature, gardening, and sports), Creative Meditations, and Active Imagination (including Kinesthetic meditations and visualizations) are each described in separate chapters. Each chapter also covers historical background, contemporary use, a description of the practice, and resource list. Even an advanced meditator will find new information in this book to enhance the inner life.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1999
28 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Monaghan
50 books57 followersPatricia Monaghan was a poet, a writer, a spiritual activist, and an influential figure in the contemporary women's spirituality movement.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 9, 2015
Very comprehensive book about meditation. Inside you'll find all sorts of meditation types: from yoga to zen to painting to walking to journalling. (Yes, apparently there is such a thing as "active meditation", so engaging in craft activities like knitting, drawing, etc is also considered meditating - something insightful I learned from this book.)
The book also discusses meditation from different religions' points of view: e.g. Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism. You are also taught different meditation techniques pertaining to these religions.
The only thing I didn't quite like was the lack of pictures. Throughout the book, authors attempt to describe how to do certain postures using only words. Wouldn't the use of pictures have been much better? I had to resort to using google to search for images or videos on how to do certain meditation techniques mentioned.
The book also discusses meditation from different religions' points of view: e.g. Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism. You are also taught different meditation techniques pertaining to these religions.
The only thing I didn't quite like was the lack of pictures. Throughout the book, authors attempt to describe how to do certain postures using only words. Wouldn't the use of pictures have been much better? I had to resort to using google to search for images or videos on how to do certain meditation techniques mentioned.
January 24, 2015
The writing is beautiful. Using meditation as the central theme, the authors weaved together an introduction to various religions and cultures. I loved the spiritual maturity of the authors, demonstrated by their respect for different beliefs and reminders to the reader to honour their individualities.
October 31, 2011
Over the years, I've read a lot of books on the topic of meditation. Some take the Eastern approach, some Western, some religious and others medical. Some teach visualization techniques and some advocate counting breaths while others promote chanting, drumming or prayer, physical exercise, movement or dance, or performing tasks and chores with hyper awareness. I don't think I have ever before encountered a comprehensive guide to this ancient practice and all its variations, new and old. MEDITATION: The Complete Guide is that book.
Promotional information about this book tells me that it is being released as a 10th Anniversary edition with ten new chapters and updates throughout (New World Library, release date November 11, 2011). Who knew? How did I miss this book for the past ten years? Maybe I thought I knew all about the topic and didn't read this one or maybe I did read it years ago and just forgot (that happens more and more). In any case, I love that this incarnation of the book has been born. It covers more ground in one volume than a whole lot of research and lucky chance would yield to many everyday wisdom seekers. It puts everything you need to know about meditation in your hands all at once.
What's most surprising to me about this compendium is that the wide range of meditation methods and purposes is not skimmed over here, offering only a quick look at each. You can actually learn how to meditate while walking, sewing, appreciating nature, sitting zazen or practicing yoga here. You can understand the histories and practices of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Judaism and Quakerism. You can study comtemplative prayer, biofeedback and creative visualization. The amount of information packed into this book is impressive; the way it is presented clearly and understandably is awesome.
You can use this book as a reference to turn to for thorough yet concise information on individual meditation topics, but I recommend reading it all the way through once first. No matter how long you have been seeking, exploring or practicing meditation in any of its forms, you will learn something. Probably a lot of things.
Promotional information about this book tells me that it is being released as a 10th Anniversary edition with ten new chapters and updates throughout (New World Library, release date November 11, 2011). Who knew? How did I miss this book for the past ten years? Maybe I thought I knew all about the topic and didn't read this one or maybe I did read it years ago and just forgot (that happens more and more). In any case, I love that this incarnation of the book has been born. It covers more ground in one volume than a whole lot of research and lucky chance would yield to many everyday wisdom seekers. It puts everything you need to know about meditation in your hands all at once.
What's most surprising to me about this compendium is that the wide range of meditation methods and purposes is not skimmed over here, offering only a quick look at each. You can actually learn how to meditate while walking, sewing, appreciating nature, sitting zazen or practicing yoga here. You can understand the histories and practices of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Judaism and Quakerism. You can study comtemplative prayer, biofeedback and creative visualization. The amount of information packed into this book is impressive; the way it is presented clearly and understandably is awesome.
You can use this book as a reference to turn to for thorough yet concise information on individual meditation topics, but I recommend reading it all the way through once first. No matter how long you have been seeking, exploring or practicing meditation in any of its forms, you will learn something. Probably a lot of things.
February 12, 2014
Good reference for beginners as a very basic introduction to alternatives to consider when seeking a starting place for meditation. I gave it a "3" because I like the idea of a broad overview, their writing is clear, sources used for each little chapter are included with that chapter, and they've certainly made an effort to include all manner of ways to meditate.
The reason I could not rate it higher is the inclusion of misleading words in the title, the COMPLETE Guide...TECHNIQUES..., because it suggests that once you've read this, you'll "know all about" ________ whereas, in fact, that would not be true. Having experienced that off-the-cuff dismissal from a friend re' a particular type of yoga (the one I practice, and of which I am still a student after twenty+ years) I suppose I am sensitive to this issue.
That said, for an absolute beginner, one just now seeking to add meditation, it does, indeed, provide thumbnail sketches in one place for the reader to sift through alternatives; it is in fact, a rudimentary guide in that regard, a basic introduction to meditation alternatives, similar to the purpose of listings in phone book yellow pages for individual businesses. From that perspective, the book is more than worth the price because to explore all those possibilities for meditation on one's own--e.g., by reading purchased books or attending classes--would be not only time-consuming but extraordinarily expensive.
The reason I could not rate it higher is the inclusion of misleading words in the title, the COMPLETE Guide...TECHNIQUES..., because it suggests that once you've read this, you'll "know all about" ________ whereas, in fact, that would not be true. Having experienced that off-the-cuff dismissal from a friend re' a particular type of yoga (the one I practice, and of which I am still a student after twenty+ years) I suppose I am sensitive to this issue.
That said, for an absolute beginner, one just now seeking to add meditation, it does, indeed, provide thumbnail sketches in one place for the reader to sift through alternatives; it is in fact, a rudimentary guide in that regard, a basic introduction to meditation alternatives, similar to the purpose of listings in phone book yellow pages for individual businesses. From that perspective, the book is more than worth the price because to explore all those possibilities for meditation on one's own--e.g., by reading purchased books or attending classes--would be not only time-consuming but extraordinarily expensive.
April 3, 2013
The book contained 300-plus pages of resourceful information about meditation from all cultures. From my understanding, the book defines meditation as a way to calm one's mind. It even gives you an overview so that you can find the method that's best for you.
It covers all major world religions: Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Judaism, Islam and covers mixed methods and even non-religious methods for calming the mind like needle crafts, sketching from nature, etc. I have to say this book is more like a course in world religion, since at the heart of it, religion on one level or another gets you out of yourself and connects you to the greater source of the universe.
Some things I found interesting that I didn't know - Quakers worship in silence and some Jewish sects have silent prayer. It all sounds very peaceful and fulfilling!
The only drawback is that this is more like a textbook rather than a leisure read.
I often use books as companions - to help me assess and philosophize my current life situations, so after getting through most of it, I returned it to the library. I hope to re-check it at another time.
It covers all major world religions: Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Judaism, Islam and covers mixed methods and even non-religious methods for calming the mind like needle crafts, sketching from nature, etc. I have to say this book is more like a course in world religion, since at the heart of it, religion on one level or another gets you out of yourself and connects you to the greater source of the universe.
Some things I found interesting that I didn't know - Quakers worship in silence and some Jewish sects have silent prayer. It all sounds very peaceful and fulfilling!
The only drawback is that this is more like a textbook rather than a leisure read.
I often use books as companions - to help me assess and philosophize my current life situations, so after getting through most of it, I returned it to the library. I hope to re-check it at another time.
July 21, 2015
The word "complete" in the title is not a lie, this is a most comprehensive volume, yet it is short enough to read in under a week even if you are somewhat busy. The authors are also very, VERY careful to be respectful of many types of meditative practice that are associated with certain religions or cultures.
Overly so in my opinion. Speaking "to god" aloud in a conversational manner may be done by Jewish people, but you can't copyright something that is so simple and obvious. I think everyone who believes in god(s) has done this at some time or another, likely before the inception of the volcano worshiping cult that later became Judaism.
Aside from that nitpick I really do appreciate most of their attempts to be respectful and I must commend their lengthy resource guides for each type of practice that they discuss. They do not leave the reader wondering where to go from here!
Absolutely recommended.
Both for the beginner and the experienced meditator considering adding a new practice. The descriptions of each practice paint a picture and it is easy to imagine doing it and contemplate whether it might be appropriate for you.
Overly so in my opinion. Speaking "to god" aloud in a conversational manner may be done by Jewish people, but you can't copyright something that is so simple and obvious. I think everyone who believes in god(s) has done this at some time or another, likely before the inception of the volcano worshiping cult that later became Judaism.
Aside from that nitpick I really do appreciate most of their attempts to be respectful and I must commend their lengthy resource guides for each type of practice that they discuss. They do not leave the reader wondering where to go from here!
Absolutely recommended.
Both for the beginner and the experienced meditator considering adding a new practice. The descriptions of each practice paint a picture and it is easy to imagine doing it and contemplate whether it might be appropriate for you.
November 4, 2021
This book provided me with multiple layers of techniques for all sorts of meditation and certainly a book to reference for years to come. Excellently divided up in to 10 parts with each part providing me with areas I never knew about.
September 27, 2014
This is a fantastic book to get an overview of different types of meditation. Who knew that gardening, haiku and art could be meditation?! It completely changed the way I perceived meditation - and started doing it.
March 21, 2013
This book "shakes meditation free from the stereotypical image of crossed legs, closed eyes, and bamboo mat." Find what works for you in this book! I definitely recommend it :)
March 3, 2014
Stunning. (I finished it ages ago, but the compu's been on the blink...gaaaah!)I will be adding this one to my collection.
April 10, 2014
This book is fantastic and it has changed my life. However - I do prefer the earlier edition which I checked out from the library.
April 13, 2020
Good book to learn about different meditation
Read
September 25, 2013This is a very in depth guide to everything you need to know about meditation not just physical positions but training your spiritual mind as well. I will have to read it again when I'm ready to actually practice the exercises
May 13, 2012
Only reading a few chapters of this: Yoga and Buddhism.
Currently reading
January 27, 2014This was the February 2014 selection of South Austin Spiritual Book Group.
January 19, 2016
The parts that I was interested in, were very informative.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews