Customer Reviews

The Meditator's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Eastern & Western Meditation Techniques

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I read this book several years ago and found it a bit confusing and even overwhelming at first. Still, it was enciclopediac and avoided the pedantry of the typical college textbook.

I recently reread the whole book (Now that I have made some progress in my own mental development and have re-read sections)and really appreciate what the author accomplished. It is a great book.....balancing comprehensiveness with personal insight, opinion and guidance. It gives enough cultural/religious context that the reader can see how the meditative technique "fits" into a philosophy of life.

Near the end the author suggests some key religious writings of relatively modern Hindus. I followed-up on this into an area that has always been overwheliming complex and confusing to me. As a result, I found a key jewel in the tradition and am greatful to the author (Fontana. That is one reason for my writing this review. The author deserves it for being a good guide to higher consciouness.

I am currently buying multiple copies for friends. It is that good as an overview.

This is a good introduction of the different practices in meditation. Some topics covered are shamanism, christian mysticism, the kabbalah, yoga, koans, zazen, kundalini, visualization and tai chi. The book first gives culture information, and then goes on to explain the meditation technique. I like the way the book describes the meditation process of each tradition - of course this is a highly subjective area, but good nevertheless. It attempts to explain what exactly you are to think about when you are meditating.

If you have any interest in meditation, I can't think of a better place to start. This is one of my essentials, always kept handy, full of practical exercises and tips, yet with enough time spent on the experience of meditation, to encourage your own practice. Really, just perfect.

The author covers all the important elements for the beginner on the art of meditation, clearly and to the point. Very useful inrtuctions.