Customer Reviews

One-Moment Meditation: Stillness for People on the Go

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The "one-moment" in the title might hint at shallowness for the sake of a quick fix but it isn't so.

In addition to techniques of stillness, there were some profound insights for me here, particularly about death enriching life. Take a look to see what I mean.

Martin Boroson takes the mystery out of meditation in this gem of a book. As a psychotherapist, I've taught children, adolescents and adults how to use Mr. Boroson's clear, simple techniques to decrease their anxiety and quickly regain their emotional balance. The book is written with humor and insight. I leave it on my desk as a reminder to just "take a moment".

I am thrilled to see that this book is finally available in the U.S. One Moment Meditation manages to gracefully be wise, practical and inspiring--all at the same time. If your life feels hectic and too busy for a regular meditation practice, you have try Boroson's method. Since first reading the book several years ago, I have felt as though there were an angel on my shoulder, helping me to notice the moments in my life, and giving me the tools to be more present. I have ordered 3 copies, because whenever I lend the book to friends, they end up keeping it!

And, if you haven't seen it yet, Boroson's first book, Becoming Me (2000) is one of those children's books that brings appreciative tears to the eyes of the parents as they read it to their little ones.

Book Review - The One-Moment Meditation

Reviewed by Diana Theodores, PhD.

This is a book about how to achieve the remarkable benefits of meditation in as short a time as possible. As an executive coach working with time-premium clients it's a gift of a toolbox for improved performance and wellbeing. I use exercises and concepts from this book with my own clients in performance coaching sessions as well as in group programs in communication, presenting and leading teams. The relaxed receptivity that results in `being present' and being `in the moment' transforms anxiety into curiosity and fears of being in the spotlight into a state of genuine dialogue and participation with others. I've also had report backs from clients about lower blood pressure as a result of applying some of Boroson's pointers.

With a constantly supportive, down to earth and witty voice, he eases us into the benefits of meditation (such as calmness, self-awareness, clarity of thought, compassion, radiance and energy) in just the time it takes to inhale and exhale - a moment.

Through Boroson's wonderfully clear and rationalised teaching, we arrive at `the One-Breath Cycle,' a profound inner experience, more or less at will. But "life goes on out there" Boroson reminds us, so we are stretched that little bit more - to experiencing being in the moment with your eyes open and while on the move.

I now understand that being in the moment - that state of vital, alive, active stillness in which you are `breathing as one with the world' - is not only a spiritual endeavour but a highly efficient condition, poised for action. Being in the moment enables smarter decision making, creative and powerful breakthroughs and a quality of flow and flexibility when facing change and transition.

The beauty of this book is its simplicity and the premise that we have everything we need right here and right now to wake up.

"You won't need to quit your job, get a babysitter, or even find an empty cabin by the pond," says Boroson. "You won't need to buy any clothing. You won't need to join a group, get any special equipment, reorganise your office, download a programme, or buy an instructional DVD from my website. All you need is here, right where you are."

I've read this book a few times now and it delights and instructs me more with each reading. It is a cool, wise, and reassuring touch on our furrowed and effortful collective brow.

Diana Theodores, PhD, is a founding partner of Theatre 4 Business, an international performance coaching consultancy. www.theatre4business.com

Mr. Boroson has neatly neutralized all my long-standing excuses for not being "present" in my life - that I was too "rushed", that there was not enough "time", that I had "other things on my mind." Promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep had always been my themes. But what if there was a way to learn, step by step, to be present with "what is" in all circumstances? Now that would be something. There is no magic here in this book, but some very good exercises and inspiration. The rest seems to be up to me. Now, if I can just find a good book on developing discipline...

I've had a regular meditation practice for 15 years, but I hear all the time that people are "too busy" to meditate.

Let's set aside the issue of whether or not this is really true.

Martin Boroson starts out with one minute of meditation. Everyone has a minute. No one can say that they can't find one minute to settle into a peaceful healing space. A minute after they get back from the restroom, a minute before or after a phone call or before they go to lunch.

As people get more comfortable with one minute, he encourages them to find one minute several times a day. And he weans them from a timer by having them count their breaths. If I know that I take ten breaths in a minute of meditation, I can repeat that minute, give or take, anywhere. We all wait in line--at the cash machine, at the store--and now we can turn those found minutes into practice.

As we get more and more comfortable with that space, Martin takes us down to one breath meditation and finally one moment meditation. And each step of the way, we can feel that yes, in that short time, we have entered a meditative space.

This is a short book, but in addition to the instruction, there are great pointers to how some of the assumptions that we make about life are quite flawed. Just seeing through these assumptions is worth the price of the book.

I found this book to be easy to read and very helpful. I am now practicing the one moment meditation and have found that it has brought a sense of calm to my life. Great for busy people who do not have time for long meditation sessions, but would still like the benefits of meditation.

Many times we think we need to spend lots of time in meditation, but just a clear moment is all that is really needed. This was good for explaining all about it.

One-Moment Meditation: Stillness for People on the Go is just what it says!! It is something you can read on the go; or just make it a daily habit to read as you get ready to start your day.