Learning Meditation in 30 Days. . - Book Corners - The Power of Stillness - book review

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  June, 2003  by Irene Alleger

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The Power of Stillness

by Tobias Blake

Published by New World Library; 14 Pamaron Way, Novato, California 94949 USA; 800-972-6657, Ext 18; www.newworldlibrary.com large softcover, 2003, $12.95, 224 pp.

Meditation can be something as simple as self-reflection, or as deep as a spiritual practice, with something of value for everyone. As a form of self-exploration, it is necessary to shift one's perspective from the outer world to the inner one, requiring a time set aside for stillness. In the contemporary world of stress and over-stimulation, just practicing stillness for 15 minutes is enough to have a proven beneficial effect on blood pressure, heart rate, and an increase in alpha wave activity. Studies have also found that of all the stress management techniques studied, "Meditation produced the most consistent results."

However, studying the effects of meditation leads to little understanding of what is going on "under the surface." That is because there is less visible phenomena associated with the practice of meditation that has been variously described as "spiritual," some kind of "altered state," and "peacefulness." Whatever describes it, meditation cannot be learned through observation - it must be practiced to be understood.

People are often put off by reading of the years of practice put in by meditators in the East, but those practitioners of meditation are not interested in the physical health benefits - they are seeking nirvana, the goal of traditional meditation. I have read very few books for Westerners on learning to meditate that do not put these roadblocks in front of the neophyte meditator. The Power of Stillness, I am pleased to say, presents meditation as a simple practice, which can be learned in 30 days by anyone. It sounds like a speed course in meditating, hut in fact, it provides a beautiful context and focus. This is done by the simple construct of focusing exclusively on one thought or word during each meditation. Each daily section is organized into two parts: the first part discusses topics related to meditation and spirituality, and the second, titled "Stop and practice," explains the specific meditation practice for that day.

Day 1 is simply to let your thoughts come and go without any attachment - as an observer. This helps one learn to focus.

Day 2 introduces visualization - an important tool for meditation. In the "Stop and practice" sections, specific amounts of time for practice are suggested, and these are short in the beginning days and work up to longer sessions.

Day 3. Forgiveness: A Dynamic Shortcut

Day 4. Resistance: Pulling Up Short

Day 5. Resistance: Mind Traps

Day 6. The Mantra: A Word on Words

Day 7. More Mantras

Day 8. The Breath

Day 9. Attachments: Holding On

Day 10. Attachments: Using Your Desires

Day 11. Moving Meditations: Into the Flow

Day 12. Moving Meditations: Movement and Mantras

Day 13. Extending Peace

Day 14. The Guided Meditation: Inner Journeys

Day 15. Using Music

Day 16. Mindfulness: Are You Awake and Aware?

Day 17. Devotion: Just Let Go

Day 18. Paths: Which Way Home?

Day 19. Ohakra Meditations

Day 20. Contemplation: The Thinker

Day 21. The Inner Mind: A Focus-Point Meditation

Day 22. Faith

Day 23. Fear: Hitting the Wall

Day 24. The Power of Silence

Day 25. A Word on Affirmations

Day 26. A Word on Prayer

Day 27. On Healing

Day 28. Beyond Form

Day 29. Character Traits: Practice What You Preach

Day 30. The Power of Choice

The focus for each day is specific, and as can be seen, becomes a little deeper, or more complex as the days continue. I think this is an excellent way for many people to learn meditation who have been put off by various things they have read, or misconceptions they may have held about meditation.

It has been said many times, but worth saying again: meditation, per se, has nothing to do with religion. It is simply an inner journey, wherein we learn much about ourselves and our connection to the Universe. The author of The Power of Stillness has provided real "nuts and bolts" for those people who are interested in the many benefits of practicing stillness in the midst of our busy lives. For people with serious illness such as cancer, meditation can be a valuable adjunct to treatment, as high levels of stress can be greatly reduced with this daily practice.

COPYRIGHT 2003 The Townsend Letter Group
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group