Running with the Mind of Meditation: Lessons for Training Body and Mind [Hardcover]

Sakyong Mipham (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 10, 2012

A unique fitness program from a highly respected spiritual leader that blends physical and spiritual practice for everyone - regardless of age, spiritual background, or ability - to great benefits for both body and soul.
 
As a Tibetan lama and leader of Shambhala (an international community of 165 meditation centers), Sakyong Mipham has found physical activity to be essential for spiritual well-being. He's been trained in horsemanship and martial arts but has a special love for running. Here he incorporates his spiritual practice with running, presenting basic meditation instruction and fundamental principles he has developed. Even though both activities can be complicated, the lessons here are simple and designed to show how the melding of internal practice with physical movement can be used by anyone - regardless of age, spiritual background, or ability - to benefit body and soul.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 There is much wisdom to be found in this brilliant yet simple book. The lessons offered by Sakyong Mipham are like spiritual vitamins that will nourish the runner's soul.
–Jerry Lynch, Ph.D, author with Al Huang of Spirit of the Dancing Warrior and the best-seller, Thinking Body, Dancing Mind


Running With the Mind of Meditation is a delightful and welcome addition to contemplative literature.  We often forget that movement is a natural complement to meditative practice, and helps us avoid what has been called the 'stone Buddha' syndrome. This book is a profound guide to the integration of mind and body."
 
 -Larry Dossey, MD, author of Healing Words: the Power of Premonitions and The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things 

About the Author

SAKYONG MIPHAM is the leader of Shambhala, a worldwide network of meditation and retreat centers. He's also an avid marathon runner and golfer, he frequently retreats to study at a Tibetan monastery in India, and he writes a regular column in the Shambhala Sun. The author of the bestselling titles Ruling Your World and Turning the Mind Into an Ally, Sakyong Mipham was named one of the thirty global visionaries of our time by Planet magazine. He spends his time teaching all over the world, using his unique blend of Eastern and Western perspectives to the benefit of his students in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harmony (April 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307888169
• ISBN-13: 978-0307888167
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this and lose your MP3 player September 24, 2012

By Horacio E. Schwalm

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've been running consistently (that is, more than three times per week and for at least twenty miles total) for over thirty years and have completed marathons, ultras, and Ironman triathlon distance races. Until I read this book, I wanted to have inspirational music plugged into my head and constantly searched for new play lists when the current one lost its magic to motivate. After reading this book, instead of seeking a mood created by music in order to have a good run, I now create my own mood or head out looking to see what I can find by being in the moment. There is enough on meditation in this book to quit looking for external stimulus in order to create internal motivation. You can create your own motivation and enjoy running (or any endurance event) without outside assistance beyond what you can perceive from your surroundings, whether in the woods or the city. This book is full of moments when I stopped reading to underline something and nod to myself. Very good read and excellent practical advice.

For an amazing read of what is possible in the realm of human endurance, check out The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected, deep, and practical June 17, 2012

By S. Piver

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love Sakyong Mipham's other books and I bought this expecting to also like it for its insights into how our minds work. What I didn't expect was that within 15 minutes of picking it up, I would be lacing up my running shoes and heading out the door. I haven't run for over 6 months and thought, well maybe my running days are over. Now I know that they are--as a form of punishment. This book reopened the door to running as a joy. As I continue to read, the depth of the book continues to unfold. Yes, you can use it as a source of inspiration to take care of your body. You can read it as a primer on mindfulness and awareness. But you can also read it as a guide to creating happiness and peace within yourself. A surprisingly deep--but still quite pragmatic--book. Highly recommended.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift May 18, 2012

By Joanne

Format:Hardcover

This is a wonderful book for anyone who loves physical activity - and also for those of us learning to love it. It gives very practical instruction on how to expand awareness while going more deeply into synchronizing mind and body. I have bought 3 for friends already and they have all really enjoyed it.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring and timely book for athletes May 1, 2012

By Brandon Jellison

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Running was my time to mentally check out, crank up the Ipod, and push our a few miles. Running with the Mind of Meditation brought richness to my running by learning to tune in to my breath instead of tuning out. The irony is that now my runs seem shorter and I cover many more miles injury free. This book teaches you how to enrich any exercise through strengthening your capacity for mindfulness and awareness.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth a second read January 15, 2013

By Chuck Whetsell

Format:Hardcover

Having been a runner for 50 years and a meditator for 40, I was naturally interested in this book. My reaction after a first read was the same as I had with the author's other two books: nice, but simplistic. However, my experience with his first two books was that they somehow deepened upon subsequent readings. I gave this book another try, taking it with me on a week-long meditation retreat while I was recovering from a running injury. The advice in the book on healing from injury was helpful. More to my surprise, the book provided significant guidance on my meditation during retreat. As I have continued to re-read this book I have found my running has changed from being "good for me", driven, and slightly aversive, to being a relaxed and joyful experience that leaves me refreshed and relaxed. Oddly enough, my speed has increased. I subsequently used this book as meditation for hiking on a retreat I led in the Grand Canyon. Tiger instructions were very good for staying on the trail without falling, a must in the Canyon. Ascending Bright Angel trail at the end of a week, the Lion instructions were great for touching on panoramic awareness. What I have come to realize is that the author is very good at making profound insights accessible. A casual reading of his work may leave one with the impression that it is simplistic, but my experience has been that careful and continued attention to what he writes reveals a genius for writing on many levels of understanding at once, so that many people can benefit from what he says, and that most could benefit from reading it many times.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and Fun to Read May 26, 2012

By Anne B.

Format:Hardcover

I was curious to see how the author would weave together running and meditation since I've been doing both for many years. I found the book very easy to read, yet profound too. He gives many many tips on ways to bring more depth and meaning into running so it becomes a spiritual practice that synchronizes mind and body rather than just an obligation that we want to get done. I also think many principles in the book would apply to any type of movement - walking, swimming cycling etc. Its about being present no matter what we are doing and setting an intention so that more meaning is found in these activities.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Read! April 24, 2012

By Caroline Anne

Format:Hardcover

I recently started running about 5 weeks ago. I'm currently doing intervals between walking and running. This coming Saturday will be my first 20 minute run, I'm nervous and also excited. Reading this book has definitely helped my running experience to be more enjoyable. I feel like my running has taken on a new aspect other than the physical one. I would definitely recommend this book for beginning runners, also for runners who are looking for a different perspective on their sport!