Mind Science: Meditation Training for Practical People (Paperback)

by Charles T. Tart (Author) "The background framework I want to remind you about is what I call essential science, which I will end up distinguishing from what most people..." (more)
Key Phrases: sensing your arms, sense your arms, concentrative meditation, Shinzen Young, Sogyal Rinpoche, Tibetan Buddhism (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Rich with lucid instructions and practical insights, "Mind Science" dispels the metaphysical haze that all too often surrounds the vital subject of meditation. Based on a lively workshop with fellow scientists, Charles Tart shows how the pragmatic and scientifically-inclined among us can bring mindfulness into everyday life without religious baggage - and gain from its many health benefits. These highly interactive and often witty sessions in front of a skeptical audience anticipate the questions that any practical person might have about meditative mindfulness. If you've been looking for a clear teaching on how and why to meditate that is free of sectarian involvement, then this is the book for you.

About the Author

Charles Tart pioneered the field of consciousness studies decades ago when he was one of the first Western Scientists to promote the study of the physiological and psychological effects of meditation practice. Currently a Professor of Emeritus of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, as well as a core faculty member of the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology, Tart has authored more than 250 articles in leading professional journals. Dr. Tart is a rare combination of scientist/ laboratory researcher, serious student of spiritual disciplines, and talented educator.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Origin Press (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931254001
• ISBN-13: 978-1931254007
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #164,471 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Break Free of Habituation... Into Real Consciousness, December 8, 2000

By	Cynthia Sue Larson "www.realityshifters.com" (San Francisco bay area, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This excellent meditation guide book is written in the form of a one-day seminar that Charles Tart conducted for the University of Arizona's "Toward a Science of Consciousness" meeting in Tucson in 1998. While there are many books written on the subject of what meditation is and how to go about meditating, few can match the hands-on feeling of being in a meditation class that this book offers.

Right from the beginning, this book grabbed my attention by describing the differences between scientism (the tendency to consider scientific theories to be "laws") and open-minded, objective science. By pointing out this as well as other common habitual thinking traps we often fall into, Tart's book helps the reader learn to recognize the way we can become aware of our mechanical, habitual thought patterns.

Tart clearly describes concentrative meditation and opening-up meditation (aka "vipassana") techniques in a straightforward manner that is easy enough for beginners to put into immediate practice. I was glad to see that questions and answers that arose in the workshop were included in this book, because they often addressed the same concerns that were going through my mind as I tried out each meditative technique.

As an extra bonus, Tart's book describes the range of states of consciousness we experience, and how we can awaken from the sleep of ordinary consciousness where we are primarily reacting to external stimuli. Tart has a real talent for illuminating the highlights in consciousness research, and sharing some of the most important findings in simple language. Tart's down-to-Earth practicality is his great gift as a writer -- he brings complex issues into clear focus without losing the main ideas along the way.

If you've been waiting until an easy-to-understand yet comprehensive meditation book came along, you're in luck. This is it!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book of it's kind, October 17, 2005

By	Frederick II of Hohenstaufen "mr_js" (right here) - See all my reviews

Before reviewing the content of this book, I must state my dislike of meditation books. Through the years I've read a number of such books, both for professional as well as personal reasons, and was generally put off by the "devotional" aspects that many authors attach to meditation techniques.

This is, in my opinion, a "five star" book because Dr. Tart has finally presented a "how to" book that I can recommend to both my patients, co-workers, and friends with no reservations whatsoever. Dr. Tart's book is based on a workshop he facilitated during a conference on consciousness studies and reads very easily. There are questions and answers from the participants that answer the questions many of us have related to these practices. Dr. Tart gives clear instructions on three meditation forms in a conversational style, making what could be difficult material easy to understand.

What really seperates this book from so many others out there is that it lives up to it's title: Meditation Training for Practical People. Dr. Tart clearly knows not only the technique of the three forms of meditation he presents, but shares his own experience of the traps that we can fall into during the practice of same.

In short, although I generally suggest people to learn meditation "mouth to ear" (from another person, not from a book), I can find nothing objectionable in this volume and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to meditate, or even those who already practice and would like some tips on deepening their practice. This is really the only book that comes close to actually being at a "how to" meditation seminar. Again, highly recommended.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My favourite work by Tart, July 30, 2002

By	Jonni O'Connor "Jonni O'Connor" (Vancouver Canada) - See all my reviews

My favourite work by Charles Tart (I've read them all) is this book, which describes with wit and candor the one day metaphysical workshop he conducted in November 2000. It includes very simple to understand instructions as well as audience questions and answers. You read this book and feel like you were there!