 |
Book Reviews, Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and
Publishers |
A methodology steeped in the Buddhist tradition,
August 5, 2005
Also available in a paperback edition
, The Here & Now Meditation: A Quick And Effective Way
To Overcome Suffering by meditation experts Mimi Khuc
and Thanh-Trieu Nguyen will enable the reader to
understand the basic principles and techniques of
meditation, and fields common beginner questions in
plain language. Chapters briefly describe the basic
"here and now" concepts of meditation, how to enter
Stillness, new perspectives that can be awakened through
meditation, from earning freedom from the bondage of
criticism to embracing the value of unconditional love.
The Here & Now Meditation is a methodology steeped in
the Buddhist tradition, though not the same as the
"No-Mind" path, and focuses primarily on helping
beginners understand how to use meditation to tame their
raging desires and chaotic thoughts. It does not claim
to be the final authority on meditation, only a
beginning path that any reader can learn from, and
stresses that the Truth must be experienced and
discovered for oneself. Highly recommended, particularly
to meditation neophytes.
|
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/aug_05.htm#rc
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0976349108/ref=cm_cr_dp_pt/103-7181836-4091861?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
|
|
The Here & Now
Meditation: -
A Quick and Effective Way to Overcome
Suffering
|
Spirituality
The Here & Now Meditation:
A Quick and Effective Way to Overcome Suffering
Thanh-Trieu Nguyen, Mimi Khuc
Here & Now Publishing
128 Pages
ISBN 0976349116, Trade Paperback, $11.95
ISBN 0976349108, Hardcover, $16.95
ISBN 0976349124, Ebook (pdf), $6.50
Nov 30, 2004
|
|
With
a progression from an outline, to a small booklet, to a free
ebooklet in five languages, The Here & Now Meditation is
now a mature book, ready to raise awareness in both the novice
and experienced meditator. Regardless of your reason for
meditating, Khuc and Nguyen take the mystery out of the
practice, make it a practical exercise and create a “read for
both the knowledge obtained through the mind and the wisdom
found by the heart.” Ultimately, this book is for anyone,
anywhere and anytime and each chapter builds on the process of
meditation.
Endless examples help explain how the mind dysfunctions with
repetitive thoughts from the past, worries about the future and
the way it sometimes defies reason or logic by applying
differing views. After a short summary, reinforcement continues
to explain the how and what of a sitting and sleeping
meditation. In anticipation of possible comparisons to other
meditation practices, the emphasis of the book is non-struggle,
time effective, simple and it is compatible with other spiritual
and religious traditions.
Dozens of short, powerful anecdotes give a variety of
perspectives on different life situations to fulfill the book's
goal: give the reader “the ability to liberate us from
suffering.” Consider the message in the story Changing Places;
“Last night on the news, I watched a man waiting on death row. I
knew he committed crimes but as I looked deeply into his numb
and staring eyes, I couldn’t help wondering: If I were in his
place, how would I feel right now?” This type of meditation
claims a path to lasting happiness and connectedness if the
meditator chooses to put the practice into daily use.
As the process continues, the purpose and focus change from
using the meditation to achieve stillness, to using the
meditation to heal and relax, manage stress and slow the aging
process. This discussion ends when the authors encourage the
reader to take pictures before and after to see the progress of
slowing the aging process. Chapter six poses various questions a
meditation master might ask. These all follow the same path to
the belief throughout the book that, “Methods are tools, and
some tools fit some people’s hands better than others."
Chapter seven covers more questions, and gives answers, from the
most simple to the most advanced. The questions with answers,
progress from “When practicing the Here & Now who is telling the
mind …” to, “What is spiritual cultivation? Is this meditation a
form of spiritual cultivation?”
The final chapter, a summary of key points and tips, reinforces
the sincerity of the larger vision of the authors. “Once you
have found Stillness within yourself (with whatever method you
prefer),” then nurture it to grow a deeper understanding and
compassion, to give the individual and the world, true
happiness.
|
Patricia Weber
|
http://www.forewordreviews.com/View-Review.asp?ReviewID=328
|
