Self-Meditation (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: few mindful breaths, watch your breath, Sarab Shakti, Prithum Bagwati, Adi Shakti (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Don’t self-medicate—self-meditate. In a book of thousands of entries, written in the abundant, winningly positive way that’s helped her books sell over 1.5 million copies, Barbara Ann Kipfer shows just how we can—and should—meditate anytime, anywhere, and reap the evergrowing list of benefits associated with this practice.

Created by the author who brought us 14,000 Things to Be Happy About, Instant Karma, 8,789 Words of Wisdom, and The Wish List, SELF MEDITATION is a compulsive, instantly accessible list of hundreds and hundreds of meditation practices that can be done during the course of our daily lives. You don’t need to go to a mountain retreat, renounce meat, or walk through coals on the soles of your feet—here’s a meditation to have with a cup of tea. A waiting-in-line meditation. Meditations while reading, eating, doing sit-ups, working, shopping, or finding yourself stuck in a traffic jam (especially while stuck in a traffic jam). There are breaths to take and praises to give, and throughout, ways to slow down and finally smell the roses—or hear the crickets—or see the stars. Drawn from spiritual practices as varied as Zen, yoga, Sufism, and insight meditation, it’s a delicious spiritual tonic that includes meditation basics, mantras and koans, tips, and more. A completely portable guide, so that at any moment of the day or night, we can all catch our inner breath.

About the Author

Barbara Ann Kipfer is the author of more than 45 books, ranging from 14,000 Things to Be happy About to Roget’s International Thesaurus, 6th Edition. She holds numerous degrees, including a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in linguistics, a Ph.D. in archaeology, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Buddhist studies. She is the lexicographer for Wolfram|Alpha. She lives in Connecticut.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761139281
• ISBN-13: 978-0761139287
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #505,045 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a fabulous way to meditate anywhere!, March 19, 2007

By	DarkAngel (Billings, MT, USA) - See all my reviews

I love this book partly because it is great for people who are just starting out on their meditative/spiritual path. It is randomly speckled with creative, inspiring meditations, quotes relating to buddhism and zen, and mantras, perfect for virtually all real-life situations; from food, to yoga, to work (and viewing it as a part of the spiritual demension of the universe) to enjoying the true beauty of a garden, to simply breathing. Because it is small, I carry it in my purse for lunchtime, traffic jams, ect. It is a wonderful aid for relaxation and a "way to catch your inner breath and find the wellness and pleasures of mindfulness in every moment."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find your meditation style, July 16, 2007

By	Mary McWilliams (N. Wildwood, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Opening the tiny Self-Meditation: 3,299 Mantras, Tips,
Quotes, and Koans for Peace and Serenity is like taking the top off a beautifully wrapped box. Its alternating pastel-colored striped cover makes the book look like a present you'd want someone to give you. Inside, however, it's more like a jewel box.
Barbara Ann Kipfer, who is the author of the bestseller, 14,000 Things to Be Happy About, provides a style for whatever meditation mode you may need. If one style of meditation hasn't worked for you, don't give up. You'll find your niche with 3,299 choices. This one-inch thick, 6"x4" book will guide you and get you started. Open to any page and you will find a meditation to respond to. Perhaps reciting a mantra is your preferred method. Open to page 215 and you will find: "Meditation is my true nature now." Maybe you need guided visualization. The butterfly meditation on page 44 is a practice to an open heart. For those who dare to ponder the unanswerable, Kipfer's koans provide endless contemplation: "Where do north and south come from?". Kipfer adds mudras, affirmations, and tips to employ in daily life: "Treat simple, repetitive work like knitting, needlepoint, and even washing your face as meditation in action."
Although the great majority of meditations in this book could be considered non-denominational, Kipfer comes from a Buddhist state of mind and there is evidence of that throughout the book. Regardless of your religious affiliation, however, this is a beautiful little treasure trove of wisdom and advice to give yourself and others.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, August 22, 2007

By	R. Tinker (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am new to the whole idea of meditation, and this book I feel is the perfect starting point for anybody who is interested in meditating, or even just looking to find some good inspiration. I love it and I think anybody would. It's got some great tips for meditating, and is always positive and reminding you to be mindful of each moment of your life. Fantastic!