Inviting Silence: Universal Principles of Meditation [Paperback]

Gunilla Norris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

The basic principles of meditation and mindful living are explained in this guide for everyday living. The deep and abiding qualities of silence and the foundation of true spiritual experience are explored, and the need to make conscious choices in daily life to ready oneself for meditation is illuminated. This book also provides individuals with all the particulars of good meditation practice and explains the challenges and rewards of group meditation. Ideal for individuals and spiritual friends to use alone or with one another, this text is a thoughtful primer on finding silence and a practical manual on meditation for seekers of every persuasion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A writer, therapist and meditation teacher, Norris pens an invitation and a challenge: be still. She writes for those who begin to experience spiritual yearning, as opposed to those who are already students somewhere along the spiritual path. As such, her instructions on beginning to meditate—becoming acquainted with and comfortable in silence—are simple and gradual. The material is logically organized, covering in friendly and flowing language what a beginner needs to know: Pay attention. Breathe. Sit up straight. Stick to it. Work with others to support a practice of silence. She rarely uses the term "meditate," as if that were too much spiritual jargon. This is paradoxically consistent with the best teachers of meditation, who know that the practice of paying attention is intended for everyday life as well as for the focused, intentional practice of meditation. A published poet, Norris chooses an evocative form for her words: a kind of spiritual blank verse, short unrhymed lines that themselves encourage slow reading and pausing to think and digest. ("In our present culture/silence is something like an endangered species....") This small, gift-sized book successfully gives a gentle nudge toward a demanding spiritual discipline.
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Review

"Gunilla Norris’s simple precepts for meditating and living have a translucent quality. We can all benefit greatly by observing them." —Thich Nhat Hanh, author, Peace Is Every Step

"Just reading this book makes you want to sit down, take a deep relaxing breath, and refresh your spirit." —Jack Kornfield, author, A Path with Heart

"Luminous and elegant, this book takes us step by step through the process of meditation and answers our most important questions about spiritual practice." —Gail Straub, author, The Rhythm of Compassion

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Bluebridge (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974240508
• ISBN-13: 978-0974240503
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #248,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Inviting Silence", March 29, 2005

By 

Pamela J. Zagarenski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inviting Silence: Universal Principles of Meditation (Paperback)

Gunilla Norris' book is incredible. She teaches without teaching.
Reading her book is a meditation in and of itself. The book carries you into meditation through her words...It is a soul's journey from noise to silence from beginning to end.
When finished you will crave the "silence" she writes about. You'll read it over and over just to make sure you get every last bit of wisdom she has to share.
She'll make you believe "silence" is magic.
It is a must ! I want more!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inviting Silence, May 16, 2005

By 

Virginia Herndon (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inviting Silence: Universal Principles of Meditation (Paperback)

Gunilla Norris offers wise, gentle and unencumbered encouragement to develop a peaceful practice. She provides beautiful teachings that allow us to connect tenderly with our innermost selves and the world by learning to be still. This is a wonderful book for people beginning to mediate but is also deeply nourishing for those further along in their practice.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inviting Silence, April 4, 2006

By 

Michelle Alberigi McKenzie "Owner McKenzie Bo... (Grass Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inviting Silence: Universal Principles of Meditation (Paperback)

At first I was put off by the formatting of the text in the middle of the page, but finally fell into the rhythm of the words. This little book offered me the quiet wisdom I was hoping for. Keep it close to you, you'll want to read it often.