Author Description

The spirituality upsurge of the 1970s generated a huge interest in meditation. Books began to appear and teachers everywhere felt free to invent their own methods. Doing research to look for an underlying foundation for meditation practice, the author documented 400 practices from 40 books. Few of the books provided an understanding of what meditation is or guidance on how to have a meditation session. He recognized the need for a book with a broad view, providing that understanding and guidance.Since good understanding of meditation greatly enhances its practice, this book provides a broad organized view covering the missing elements of other books. Whether the meditator has needs that are worldly or spiritual, this book supports both beginners and those practicing at higher levels. It starts by stating universal characteristics of all meditation. First, the ability to meditate is a natural trait of our species, and only ours. Second, all meditation is about stilling mind activity. Third, a stilled mind brings the meditator to experience consciousness beyond everyday experience. That stillness of mind comes not just from suppression of thoughts; focused attention, freedom from sensory stimulation, and life style choices all contribute. In recognition that many books portray their preferred practices as the 'right' or 'only' approach, or just fail to provide a wider view, the author assures the meditator that there is no single 'right way, ' and that it is important to chose practices symbiotic with the personal life experience. Whether from karma, psychological situation, training, experience, or influence from environment, all meditators have different personalities, needs, and starting points. In the broad view of history, by establishing contact with the consciousness beyond material senses and the mind, mystics and shamans practiced meditation long before 5000 years ago. However, the book's discussion of the historical roots focuses on the ancient Samkhya philo