Meditation for Life [Paperback]

Martine Batchelor (Author), Stephen Batchelor (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 1996

In Meditation for Life, Martine Batchelor's writing — through a mix of anecdote, humor, and practical instruction — brings to bear her considerable experience as a meditation teacher as she explains the techniques of three major Buddhist traditions: Theravada, Tibetan, and Zen, while Stephen Batchelor's full-color photographs invite even the most seasoned practitioner to see with new eyes. This vividly photographed book encourages us to bring creative awareness to every aspect of our lives — from making conversation to making dinner — and reveals how every moment can be an opportunity to find joy.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Meditation is more than staring at your navel. It is a way of transforming life from the inside out. Former Buddhist nun Martine Batchelor knows this from a decade spent in a Zen monastery. Combining theory and practice, Batchelor transforms her own meditation experience into a manual that echoes the simple elegance of Zen. Ten chapters focus on different aspects of meditation, and each is broken down into background, practice, and a final guided meditation. For example, the chapter on daily life first explains the difference between formal and informal meditation, then discusses the many opportunities for informal meditation and how we can learn from those experiences. In the "Practice" section of the chapter, Batchelor offers specific methods for informal meditation, and finally, ends with a page of instructions for how to cook mindfully. Two things that set Meditation for Life apart from other books of its kind are the well-chosen personal anecdotes that Batchelor uses to illustrate her points and the stunningly meditative photographs by her husband, Stephen Batchelor--photographs that could legitimately comprise a collection of their own. --Brian Bruya

About the Author

Martine Batchelor was born in France. She spent 10 years in a Korean monastery studying Zen Buddhism. She now works as a lecturer and spiritual counsellor at Gaia House in Devon and teaches at the Sharpham College of Buddhist Studies and Contemporary Enquiry. With her husband, Stephen, Martine leads meditation retreats worldwide. She has written many magazine articles on Buddhism and modern living. Stephen Batchelor is a Buddhist teacher and the author of many books including the best-selling Buddhism Without Beliefs. He has been taking photographs throughout the world for the past 30 years. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (March 9, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861713028
• ISBN-13: 978-0861713028
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully explorative work., December 30, 2001

By 

Jason O'Brien (Nashville, TN, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meditation for Life (Paperback)

Meditation for Life offers thoughtful insight into the world of meditation. Although written mainly for beginners, even the most experienced practitioners of meditation will enjoy Martine Batchelor's simple yet powerful words.

Martine goes beyond the simple aspects of normal meditation and teaches us how the same techniques can apply to other parts of our life, such as having a conversation with someone or cooking.

Through-out this beautifully bound book we can appreciate Stephen Batchelor's eye-catching photography, from a simple close-up of tree bark to an intriguing contrasted photograph of a monk crossing a bridge. Stephen's unique brand of photography highlights the overall tone of the book, namely one of enquiry and exploration.

I had the pleasure of meeting both Martine and Stephen Batchelor at a Buddhist conference in New York, and purchased this book hoping that it would emit the same sense of energy and curiousness that they radiated and I was not disappointed.

All in all, a wonderful book with captivating photography. Well worth the purchase.

- A 17-year old spiritual seeker

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As a beginner at meditation, I found this book most useful, August 10, 2003

By 

Alice of Wonderland (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meditation for Life (Paperback)

Martine Batchelor can write you into a meditative state. Her prose is as gentle and kind as is her outlook on meditation.She starts with basic meditation and moves into themes. She explains how to bring meditation into your daily life. She takes away the requirements of the activity and explains that one should meditate to meditate. An absolutely quiet place is not essential, a wonderful teacher is not reqired, to be awakened is not a thing to chase after.

"Awakening cannot be reduced to a single experience. It is a process of dissolution, which involves letting go completely of hatred, greed and delusion. You do not awaken to something external, but to your own true nature."

Thank you Ms. Batchelor.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provoking, February 29, 2004

By 

Swing King (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meditation for Life (Paperback)

This book offers invaluable insights on an incredible reach of topics, all with the voice of both lucidity and sharpness. Martine Batchelor focuses on and takes aim at the subject of non-attachment, or non grasping. Her husband, Stephen Batchelor, took all of the photographs in this book. And let me tell you: They are strikingly stunning pictures! Deeply reflective and soothing.

Martine Batchelor says of non attachment, "non-attachment does not mean that you do not care." As one chapter's title "On Grasping" suggests, it simply means that you don't grasp. But we all have a tendency to do that, don't we? That's actually at the root of all our suffering. Not grasping means learning to relax in life, to let go of the object in our hand and let it fly away if it wishes. If it wants to stay, so be it. But it is free to leave at anytime. I can still value this certain object without, while being ready to put it down at any moment. Non grasping is not indifference! It is actually the only way we can develop true love and compassion for one another.

If you don't buy this book, I'm going to come and take you to the bookstore in handcuffs to get it. It's that important and powerful. Wisdom publications has this history of publishing some of the most meaningful books I have ever encountered. These are the best sources for Buddhist texts in the English language. Enjoy!