Download or read book My Bright Abyss written by Christian Wiman and published by Macmillan. This book was released on 2013-04-02 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A passionate meditation on the consolations and disappointments of religion and poetry
Download or read book Unplug written by Suze Yalof Schwartz and published by Harmony. This book was released on 2017-03-07 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A modernized approach to meditation that will appeal to anyone, even if - especially if - you believe you have no time, you can't sit still, or that "it's just not you." Whether you're a Fortune 500 CEO or someone bogged down with a never-ending to-do list, the proven secret to being more effective and living a happier, healthier life is to hurry up and slow down, to unplug. Studies show that you can get more done - and do it better - by doing less, just by consciously unplugging for a few minutes each day and meditating. This revolutionary book by the founder and CEO of the groundbreaking LA-based meditation studio Unplug Meditation brilliantly simplifies this powerful practice and shows the overwhelmed and overworked how easy it is to unplug in order to relieve stress, regain focus, and recharge. Schwartz debunks the common misperceptions about meditation, including the notion that you need to sit still for long periods of time, or that you need to "turn off your brain." She also shares the life-changing benefits you will experience, the proven science of how meditation literally changes your brain, as well as easy techniques and tips to easily incorporate meditation into your daily life.
Download or read book Dying Modern written by Diana Fuss and published by Duke University Press. This book was released on 2013-04-12 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Dying Modern, one of our foremost literary critics inspires new ways to read, write, and talk about poetry. Diana Fuss does so by identifying three distinct but largely unrecognized voices within the well-studied genre of the elegy: the dying voice, the reviving voice, and the surviving voice. Through her deft readings of modern poetry, Fuss unveils the dramatic within the elegiac: the dying diva who relishes a great deathbed scene, the speaking corpse who fancies a good haunting, and the departing lover who delights in a dramatic exit. Focusing primarily on American and British poetry written during the past two centuries, Fuss maintains that poetry can still offer genuine ethical compensation, even for the deep wounds and shocking banalities of modern death. As dying, loss, and grief become ever more thoroughly obscured from public view, the dead start chattering away in verse. Through bold, original interpretations of little-known works, as well as canonical poems by writers such as Emily Dickinson, Randall Jarrell, Elizabeth Bishop, Richard Wright, and Sylvia Plath, Fuss explores modern poetry's fascination with pre- and postmortem speech, pondering the literary desire to make death speak in the face of its cultural silencing.
Download or read book Modern Meditation written by Thomas Valone and published by Integrity Research Institute. This book was released on 2009 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book offers the most direct method today for learning the modern technique for easily learning meditation in four easy steps. With four basic exercises that anyone can learn quickly, this book provides the best and easiest path to the achievement of a new and improved you! With lots of science references, studies prove the long-lasting effects of the practice of modern meditation in a simple fifteen-minute exercise on a daily basis. Benefits include greater orderliness of brain functioning, improved ability to focus, increased creativity, deeper level of relaxation, improved perception and memory, development of intelligence, natural changes in breathing patterns, decrease in stress hormone, lower blood pressure for hypertensive people and a normalisation of blood pressure for low blood pressure people, reversal of the aging process, reduced need for medical care, reduction in cholesterol, increased self-actualisation, increased strength of self-concept, decreased cigarette, alcohol, and drug abuse, increased productivity and hearing ability, improved relations at work, improved health and longevity, more positive health habits.
Download or read book The Effortless Mind written by Will Williams and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2018-05-03 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A GUIDE TO THE UNIQUE POWER OF BEEJA MEDITATION TO OVERCOME STRESS AND ANXIETY, HELPING US TO THRIVE. ‘Will’s meditation is a game changer. If you want to understand meditation more deeply and how you can harness the benefits, The Effortless Mind is where it’s at. I will be giving this important book to everyone I know.’ Jasmine Hemsley, author of The Art of Eating Well ‘Will makes meditation cool. Say hello to a clearer mind thanks to your new bulletproof technique to help you relax and unleash your best self.’ Madeleine Shaw, author of Get The Glow Daily life can feel like a fast-paced treadmill, leaving little time to unwind, re-charge and do what brings us joy. Meditation is a powerful way to hit the pause button, increase your energy and start to enjoy life more. The Effortless Mind is renowned meditation teacher Will Williams’s must-have guide for modern-day meditators. Suffering from chronic stress and insomnia, Will undertook years of research and training with leading experts from around the world, which led him to find the cure he was looking for in Beeja meditation. In The Effortless Mind, Will explains how his Vedic-inspired method of meditation has transformed the lives of his students – all of whom are busy people of all ages and all backgrounds. Their inspiring stories and the scientific research into meditation show the profound physical, mental and emotional benefits you can gain from such a simple daily practice, including more energy, better sleep, greater clarity, less anxiety and a happier outlook on life. More praise for The Effortless Mind: ‘Meditation can be a powerful tool in managing anxiety, stress and other common daily experiences that so many people seem to face and Vedic meditation with Will is one of the simplest forms of meditation there is, making it incredibly accessible for anyone to learn.’ Annie Clarke, author of Mind Body Bowl ‘I learnt how to meditate with Will Williams two years ago and since then so many things have changed. I have a life-long tool that has brought me calm, clarity and increased creativity and allowed me to far more effectively weather the storms of everyday life. Will is the most generous, warm and gracious teacher.’ Eminé Rushton, Wellbeing Director, Psychologies ‘Within a few months of learning to meditate with Will, I realised I was starting to have so many ideas for songs and books, as well as helping me with a busy schedule of touring and being a dad.’ Howard Donald, Take That ‘Beeja meditation is now part of my daily routine. It has been hugely beneficial in so many ways. Will is very supportive and nurturing and makes learning seem easy and fun. I feel extremely grateful this has come into my life.’ Cressida Bonas, actress ‘Will’s practical, non-woo-woo approach to meditation has enabled thousands of busy people to find a way to fit a regular practice into their lives.’ Lesley Thomas, The Times
Download or read book The Birth of Insight written by Erik Braun and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2013-11-19 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Insight meditation, which claims to offer practitioners a chance to escape all suffering by perceiving the true nature of reality, is one of the most popular forms of meditation today. The Theravada Buddhist cultures of South and Southeast Asia often see it as the Buddha’s most important gift to humanity. In the first book to examine how this practice came to play such a dominant—and relatively recent—role in Buddhism, Erik Braun takes readers to Burma, revealing that Burmese Buddhists in the colonial period were pioneers in making insight meditation indispensable to modern Buddhism. Braun focuses on the Burmese monk Ledi Sayadaw, a pivotal architect of modern insight meditation, and explores Ledi’s popularization of the study of crucial Buddhist philosophical texts in the early twentieth century. By promoting the study of such abstruse texts, Braun shows, Ledi was able to standardize and simplify meditation methods and make them widely accessible—in part to protect Buddhism in Burma after the British takeover in 1885. Braun also addresses the question of what really constitutes the “modern” in colonial and postcolonial forms of Buddhism, arguing that the emergence of this type of meditation was caused by precolonial factors in Burmese culture as well as the disruptive forces of the colonial era. Offering a readable narrative of the life and legacy of one of modern Buddhism’s most important figures, The Birth of Insight provides an original account of the development of mass meditation.
Download or read book Meditation in Modern Buddhism written by Joanna Cook and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2010-08-05 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In contemporary Thai Buddhism, the burgeoning popularity of vipassanā meditation is dramatically impacting the lives of those most closely involved with its practice: monks and mae chee (lay nuns) living in monastic communities. For them, meditation becomes a central focus of life and a way to transform the self. This ethnographic account of a thriving Northern Thai monastery examines meditation in detail, and explores the subjective signification of monastic duties and ascetic practices. Drawing on fieldwork done both as an analytical observer and as a full participant in the life of the monastery, Joanna Cook analyzes the motivation and experience of renouncers, and shows what effect meditative practices have on individuals and community organization. The particular focus on the status of mae chee - part lay, part monastic - provides a fresh insight into social relationships and gender hierarchy within the context of the monastery.
Download or read book Modern Meditation written by Dr. Stan Rodski and published by Hardie Grant. This book was released on 2016-10-04 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The only coloring exercises scientifically proven to ease stress Drawing from the study of neuroscience, each of these three unique coloring books contain more than 75 unique patterns designed to focus your brain through the use of pattern, repetition, single focus, and creativity. It is inevitable that our brains get overwhelmed at times by the bombardment of information, but it is essential for our health and well-being to be able to draw upon our own resources to deal with that stress. The simple act of coloring has the power to engage your brain, improve your mood, and kindle creativity by providing a mindful task that can forge new neural pathways and connections in our brains. In this series, Dr Rodski looks at the fight or flight reaction to stress and how coloring can help; how repetition, pattern, and focus relax the brain; and how coloring can stimulate the brain to be more agile and learn faster.
Download or read book Tao of Letting Go written by Bruce Frantzis and published by North Atlantic Books. This book was released on 2009 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is known from the Tao Te Ching, I Ching, and other Taoist texts is almost entirely literary. When Bruce Frantzis studied these texts with his main teacher, Grandmaster Liu Hung Chieh, he was taught their practical application: "This is what they say; this is what they mean; this is how to do them." In the TAO of Letting Go, Frantzis offers a bridge to this pragmatic approach for living a spiritual life. Spirituality is not just an aspiration for which people strive, he says, but a genuine, accomplishable reality. Frantzis shows how to expend maximum effort and yet not use force--the gentle way of the Water method--to enrich personal health and energy systems. The Water tradition continues the work of releasing inner conflicts, a process that begins with the Dissolving Method, passed down by Lao Tse in the Tao Te Ching over 2,500 years ago. The author shows how to completely let go of the blockages that bind and prevent the seeker from reaching full spiritual potential. Short, direct chapters and exercises cover such topics as breathing and awareness; Taoist meditation; fog and depression; modern anxiety; love and compassion; and more.
Download or read book Lean Out written by Tara Henley and published by Appetite by Random House. This book was released on 2020-03-24 with total page 239 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Travel to the land of Couldn't Be More Timely."--Margaret Atwood on Lean Out, in the West End Phoenix "What begins as one woman's critique of our culture of overwork and productivity ultimately becomes an investigation into our most urgent problems: vast inequality, loneliness, economic precarity, and isolation from the natural world. Henley punctures the myths of the meritocracy in a way few writers have. This is an essential book for our time." --Mandy Len Catron, author of How to Fall in Love with Anyone A deeply personal and informed reflection on the modern world--and why so many feel disillusioned by it. In 2016, journalist Tara Henley was at the top of her game working in Canadian media. She had traveled the world, from Soweto to Bangkok and Borneo to Brooklyn, interviewing authors and community leaders, politicians and Hollywood celebrities. But when she started getting chest pains at her desk in the newsroom, none of that seemed to matter. The health crisis--not cardiac, it turned out, but anxiety--forced her to step off the media treadmill and examine her life and the stressful twenty-first century world around her. Henley was not alone; North America was facing an epidemic of lifestyle-related health problems. And yet, the culture was continually celebrating the elite few who thrived in the always-on work world, those who perpetually leaned in. Henley realized that if we wanted innovative solutions to the wave of burnout and stress-related illness, it was time to talk to those who had leaned out. Part memoir, part travelogue, and part investigation, Lean Out tracks Henley's journey from the heart of the connected city to the fringe communities that surround it. From early retirement enthusiasts in urban British Columbia to moneyless men in rural Ireland, Henley uncovers a parallel track in which everyday citizens are quietly dropping out of the mainstream and reclaiming their lives from overwork. Underlying these disparate movements is a rejection of consumerism, a growing appetite for social contribution, and a quest for meaningful connection in this era of extreme isolation and loneliness. As she connects the dots between anxiety and overwork, Henley confronts the biggest issues of our time.
Download or read book Meditation for the Modern Man written by P. K. Sholapurwala and published by Partridge Publishing. This book was released on 2015-05-18 with total page 237 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book gives detailed knowledge about what meditation is and what it is not. It defines the fine nuances and intricacies of the art of meditation and points the reader to the true path of conscious evolution, building a higher self, awakening, self-awareness and self-analysis. It stresses the fact that meditation can lead to transmutation of the self; it can be a form of therapy or cleansing and ultimately leads to living a good life out of free will. The word cognitive meditation is used to explain in detail the cognitive abilities of nonself-awareness and their limitations. It further goes on to explain the perception achieved by self-awareness, or the I. The book has a separate section on meditation techniques and gives a point-by-point method, which can be followed to achieve success. A lot is explained about the obstacles faced during developing this meditation technique, and elaborate examples and solutions are explained to overcome the same. A detailed explanation of the differences between cognitive meditation and other meditation techniques and goals is presented in an easy-to-understand format. Cognitive meditation is more scientific in nature, not scrambled with religion, and hence, the author feels, more suitable for the modern society.
Download or read book Prescribing Health written by David F. O'Connell and published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. This book was released on 2015 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides health care professionals and others with an understanding of over three decades of research on Transcendental Meditation and the treatment of chronic medical and psychiatric disorders as well as the use of Transcendental Meditation in effective health programs with a wide range of disorders and patient populations.
Download or read book Zanshin written by Vince Morris and published by Red Wheel. This book was released on 1992 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Karate sensei Morris discusses how to create harmony between mind and boyd, and the importance of utilizing the mind to improve the technical side of martial arts. Describes various types of meditation and how to combine them with physical expercise.
Download or read book Meditation and Culture written by Halvor Eifring and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2015-09-24 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Behind the stereotype of a solitary meditator closing his eyes to the world, meditation always takes place in close interaction with the surrounding culture. Meditation and Culture: The Interplay of Practice and Context explores cases in which the relation between meditative practice and cultural context is particularly complex. The internationally-renowned contributors discuss practices that travel from one culture to another, or are surrounded by competing cultures. They explore cultures that bring together competing practices, or that are themselves mosaics of elements of different origins. They seek to answer the question: What is the relationship between meditation and culture? The effects of meditation may arise from its symbolic value within larger webs of cultural meaning, as in the contextual view that still dominates cultural and religious studies. They may also be psychobiological responses to the practice itself, the cultural context merely acting as a catalyst for processes originating in the body and mind of the practitioner. Meditation and Culture gives no single definitive explanation, but taken together, the different viewpoints presented point to the complexity of the relationship.
Download or read book Rethinking Meditation written by David L. McMahan and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2023 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Rethinking Meditation provides a new theoretical and historical approach to Buddhist and Buddhist-derived meditative practices. It shows how, rather than coming down to us unchanged from the time of the Buddha, the standard articulation of mindfulness as bare, non-judgmental attention to the present moment is a distillation of particular strands of classical Buddhist thought that have combined with western ideas to create a unique practice tailored to modern forms of thought and ways of life. Part genealogical study and part philosophical argument, it inquires into some of the widespread assumptions about how meditation works and what it does, presenting a view of meditative practices as technologies of the self embedded in cultural forms of life. It shows that the relationship between meditative practices and cultural context is much more crucial than is suggested in typical contemporary articulations, which often emphasize transcendence of cultural conditioning and achieving "objective" internal access to the contents of consciousness. Meditation, McMahan argues, is always situated in social contexts and draws from repertoires of cultural categories, concepts, and values, sometimes accommodating them and sometimes resisting them. Rethinking Meditation also considers the scientific study of meditation and meditation in relation to modern articulations of secularism, freedom, authenticity, appreciation, and interdependence. It also examines the potential for meditation to enhance autonomy and addresses recent attempts to bring meditative practices to bear on social, political, and environmental issues"--
Download or read book Zen and Now The Meditation Time Machine Journey Through the Ages of Mindfulness Yoga and Spiritual Growth from Ancient Practices to Modern Wellness Phenomenon written by Andrea Febrian and published by Andrea Febrian. This book was released on 2024-07-08 with total page 138 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Embark on an extraordinary journey through time and consciousness with "Zen and Now: The Meditation Time Machine." This captivating exploration of meditation's rich history will transport you from the misty origins of ancient practices to the cutting-edge frontiers of modern wellness. Have you ever wondered how a practice that began in prehistoric caves has become a global phenomenon, embraced by millions seeking peace in our frantic digital age? This book is your ticket to unraveling that mystery. Dive deep into the roots of meditation, where shamanic rituals and early yogic practices laid the foundation for a revolution in human consciousness. Witness the birth of Eastern traditions that would shape the spiritual landscape for millennia, from the banks of the Ganges to the mountain monasteries of Tibet. But the journey doesn't stop there. Watch as meditation transcends cultural boundaries, influencing Western philosophy and spawning contemplative practices in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Experience the moment when ancient Eastern wisdom collides with Western scientific inquiry, sparking a renaissance of interest in the power of the mind. "Zen and Now" isn't just a history lesson—it's a vibrant, living narrative that connects you to the countless individuals who have sat in silence, seeking wisdom and peace. From Buddha to modern-day mindfulness pioneers, you'll meet the key figures who have shaped our understanding of meditation and its potential to transform lives. Key highlights of this meditation time machine include: - The surprising prehistoric evidence of meditative practices - How meditation influenced major world religions and philosophies - The science behind meditation's effects on the brain and body - The role of meditation in healthcare, education, and the corporate world - The future of meditation in the age of AI and virtual reality What sets "Zen and Now" apart is its unique blend of historical depth and contemporary relevance. As you journey through the ages, you'll gain insights into how these ancient practices can be applied to modern-day challenges. Stress, anxiety, and the constant bombardment of information—discover how the wisdom of the ages can help you navigate the complexities of contemporary life. This book doesn't just tell you about meditation—it shows you how to integrate these timeless practices into your own life. With practical exercises drawn from diverse traditions, you'll have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of meditation firsthand. Whether you're a seasoned meditator, a curious beginner, or a skeptic intrigued by the hype, "Zen and Now" offers something for everyone. It's a comprehensive guide that bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern science, between spiritual insight and practical well-being. As you turn the final page, you'll be equipped with a deep understanding of meditation's past, present, and future. But more than that, you'll be inspired to embark on your own journey of self-discovery and inner peace. Are you ready to step into the meditation time machine? To explore the practices that have shaped human consciousness for thousands of years? To discover how the simple act of sitting in silence has the power to transform your life and the world around you? Open "Zen and Now: The Meditation Time Machine" and begin your journey through the ages of mindfulness, yoga, and spiritual growth. From ancient caves to modern apps, from spiritual seekers to scientific researchers, this book will change the way you think about meditation—and perhaps the way you think about yourself. Don't just read about history—become part of it. Your adventure in consciousness starts now. Are you ready to press play on the meditation time machine?
Download or read book Asian Traditions of Meditation written by Halvor Eifring and published by University of Hawaii Press. This book was released on 2018-01-31 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Meditation has flourished in different parts of the world ever since the foundations of the great civilizations were laid. It played a vital role in the formation of Asian cultures that trace much of their heritage to ancient India and China. This volume brings together for the first time studies of the major traditions of Asian meditation as well as material on scientific approaches to meditation. It delves deeply into the individual traditions while viewing each of them from a global perspective, examining both historical and generic connections between meditative practices from numerous historical periods and different parts of the Eurasian continent. It seeks to identify the cultural and historical peculiarities of Asian schools of meditation while recognizing basic features of meditative practice across cultures, thereby taking the first step toward a framework for the comparative study of meditation. The book, accessibly written by scholars from several fields, opens with chapters that discuss the definition and classification of meditation. These are followed by contributions on Yoga and Tantra, which are often subsumed under the broad label of Hinduism; Jainism and Sikhism, Indian traditions not usually associated with meditation; Buddhist approaches found in Southeast Asia, Tibet, and China; and the indigenous Chinese traditions, Daoism and Neo-Confucianism. The final chapter explores recent scientific interest in meditation, which, despite its Western orientation, remains almost exclusively concerned with practices of Asian origin. Until a few years ago a major obstacle to the study of specific meditation practices within the traditions explored here was a widespread scholarly orientation that prioritized doctrinal issues and sociocultural contexts over actual practice. The contributors seek to counter this bias and supplement concerns over doctrine and context with the historical study of meditative practice. Asian Traditions of Meditation will appeal broadly to readers interested in meditation, mindfulness, and spirituality and those in the emerging field of contemplative education, as well as students and scholars of Asian and religious studies.
