The Power of Stillness: Learn Meditation in 30 Days [Paperback]

Tobin Blake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

Many people who are interested in meditation don’t know what kind of meditation to attempt or where to start. This book begins with a basic introduction to meditation, or “mind training” — what it is, how to do it, its numerous benefits, and the various ways it is practiced. In the second part of the book, the author offers a theme for each day, complete with a brief description of such things as mantras, breathing, chakras, movement and meditation, chanting, and stilling the mind. Each day’s session concludes with a step-by-step explanation of how to use this knowledge to spend a few minutes in meditation. By the end of the 30 days, readers will have developed a daily habit and will have all of the tools they need to continue with their new practice.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I wrote this book to fill a need. When I first studied meditation, the books available always left me struggling for clear directions for practicing, for purpose, and for structure. So I designed this book to be a hands-on experience for the reader. I wanted to come as close as I could to sitting down with the reader, holding their hand, and leading them through their beginning experiences with meditative practice. By the time you finish the book, you will have thirty days worth of experience behind you, all explained in a simple, step-by-step format.

While specifically fitted to the needs of the beginner, I have also been told that the book inspires ex-meditators to get back into their practice; and for those who feel that their practice has grown stale, the book revives their interest and broadens their perspective of the practice. It is a nondenominational teaching, so there are no religious limitations either.

And more than just meditation, the book is about creating a fresh, quiet space in your life, and touching and exploring the spiritual realm of the human experience. It is about evolution; not the evolution of the body and physical world, but of the internal realm. Ultimately it is simply about growing, learning to care for others and foster peaceful relationships, becoming more human. To me this is the heart of meditative practice, what it is for.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577312422
• ISBN-13: 978-1577312420
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #624,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening!, August 3, 2003

By 

Kathryn V. Leboye (Aliso Viejo, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Stillness: Learn Meditation in 30 Days (Paperback)

For a very long time I had been curious about Meditation, but did not know how to go about Meditating. A friend told me about this fantastic book "The Power of Stillness". What I liked about this book was that it had daily Meditation exercises for 30 days. Very easy to read with great tips on how to get rid of chatter in ones mind, visualization and breathing techniques. After the 30 days, I felt more inner peace, not so stressed out and clarity in my mind. Meditation is now a very important part of my day thanks to this book. I would highly recommend it.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on meditation should be read by everyone, April 13, 2003

By 

Tascha Dresser "The Multi-faceted poet" (Bend, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Stillness: Learn Meditation in 30 Days (Paperback)

I have never been one for meditation but I absolutly love this little book. I find the subjects Blake discusses fascinating and compelling and he discusses these principles in a way that is accessible even to the common layman who has never ventured into spirituality before. Blake also adds believability by talking about his own experieces with meditation and spirituality in the book. It is down to earth and honest. He does not offer a cure all for problems people face in life but rather suggests one path to inner peace and strives to remind us what is really important and how to set our priorities or re-evaluate them. This book is beneficial to everyone even if you don't want to start practicing meditation. In the very least you will get out of the book a better and deeper understanding of spirituality and the inner world of everyone including yourself. This book I highly recommend to everyone.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Journey Begins..., September 14, 2006

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Stillness: Learn Meditation in 30 Days (Paperback)

"The real in us is silent; the acquired is talkative." ~Kahlil Gibran

If you have decided to learn to meditate, you can follow the chapters in this book for thirty days. While you are learning to meditate, you can also enjoy wise quotes, Tobin Blake's insight and follow the "stop and practice" tips at the end of each chapter.

Tobin Blake addresses pertinent topics like visualization, forgiveness, resistance, mantras, breath, attachment, thought webs, mindfulness, devotion, contemplation, faith, fear, patience, gratitude, prayer, healing and power.

The fluid creative style of his writing allows you to understand meditation like never before. If you imagined you had to be a mystic, monk, saint or prophet to understand meditation, this book brings meditation into daily life where you can enter into peace on a daily basis.

"When you are meditating to music, don't let yourself get caught up in the melody or lyrics. Instead try to focus entirely on letting go, as you would in any other meditation." ~ pg. 114

On day 15 you are introduced to the idea of using music in meditation. This section explains how to get the most out of your practice and the type of music to look for to enhance your experience. Tobin Blake also shows you how to record a guided meditation.

Even if you have been meditating for years, this book takes a look at meditation from a new perspective, all while combining ancient wisdom and modern practice. The Power of Stillness is a beautiful gift to the world as the ideas and practical applications will encourage more peace and less stress in daily existence.

~The Rebecca Review