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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quiet Mind, Peaceful Mind, November 15, 2009
This review is from: Quiet Mind: A Beginner's Guide to Meditation (Hardcover)
I am grateful for becoming re-acquainted with the meditative techniques in A Quiet Mind. They are, altogether a blessing. As a Christian, I am not a Buddhist by religion, nor can anyone claim that simply by jumping into the stream of meditation, although I do accept many, many theories which they hold sacred. When I began this meditation cd, I found the first three practices slightly uncomfortable; sensations arose in my body. When negative emotions arise, I am now aware that I must face them with a brave heart before they can be transformed. Yet I am also sometimes quite able to sit comfortably, and sit peacefully and transform negative emotions or memories through a process such as tong len or clear seeing. When thoughts arise, in training the mind, "thinking, thinking, thinking," I simply step into the stream and feel peaceful again as if a cloud has passed the river of consciousness. During the second meditation, paying attention to the natural flow of the breath as well as non-judgmental thinking helps to lead us to liberation.
I particularly enjoyed the Metta meditation which helped enable me to forgive. The favorite is Tong Len. The flow of the breath through my body seems to be a sort of transformation. Once I have completed the practice, I feel liberated of any negative emotions and compassionate, as if someone has opened a window to my heart and soul.
The Dalai Llama said: if one is seriously practicing, then one must not practice only for his/her own gain, but for the gain of all sentient beings without one exclusion.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Practice of Tranquility, August 1, 2010
This review is from: Quiet Mind: A Beginner's Guide to Meditation (Hardcover)
Abe Lincoln once said that: "We are just about as happy as we allow ourselves to be.". This little book explores the same idea, reminding readers that the mental attitude of tranquility, requires steady discipline and practice. For a long while, I thought meditation was about the release from the "static" of one's own thought, good and bad. But the author in her selections, reminded me that meditation is more about attaining a lighter and accepting attitude towards them. There is a difference. Susan Piver provides a kind and gentle reminder that we can learn to become the change we seek...in ourselves and in the world. For this alone, her work is a both a beginner's....and a Buddhist master might say, a master's....thesis on how to approach this goal.
The book is accompanied by a CD...which elucidates six practices culled by the author from Buddhist experience: mindfulness, tranquility, clear seeing, freedom, compassion, and transformation. It's good review for those experienced in meditation, and a great introduction for the curious.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for this Newbie, January 4, 2011
This review is from: Quiet Mind: A Beginner's Guide to Meditation (Hardcover)
I've always wanted to try meditation and thought the variety of teaching and teachers would make it interesting. Indeed. Even though the CD totaled 78 minutes, it went by like a...breeze, especially for me, a busy-spark-minded beginner. The yoga poses/recording is immensely helpful for a non-yoga practitioner too. I felt refreshed and relaxed after this CD. Now I am ready for the day! The wisdom in this small book is helpful as well.
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