“An easy-to-follow yet comprehensive introduction to the practice of meditation.”
—John Gray, author, Men Are From Mars, Women are From Venus

Meditation Pluses: it can improve your focus and concentration; reduce tension, anxiety and stress; promote creativity and enhanced performance in work and play; lower blood pressure; and improve immune response. Also, it requires no special clothing or equipment, it can be done anywhere, and you can learn the basics in just minutes. Meditation Minuses: it will never be an Olympic event and it won’t make it easier for you to get a date...on the other hand, the improved health, vigor and self-awareness that comes with the practice of meditation can do wonders for your love life. Interested?

Packed with state-of-the-art information and savvy advice, this friendly guide demystifies meditati on traditions and practices and shows you step-by-step how to relax, take a deep breath, and open yourself to inner peace and understanding. You’ll discover how to:

• Understand meditation traditions
• Develop a meditation practice that works for you
• Overcome roadblocks to happiness and success
• Cultivate your spiritual side
• Extend meditation into your daily life
• Meditate to heal or to achieve peak performance

Expert Stephen Bodian distills the best of the various meditation traditions and gently leads you step-by-step to discover a form and style of meditation that works best for you. Instruction manual, survey course, and a guide to deeper exploration, Meditation For Dummies covers all the bases. You’ll discover:

• Where meditation comes from and various traditions around the world
• How to prepare for meditation and how to sit, dress and other practical aspects
• How meditation can help you open your heart to love, compassion, and forgiveness
• How to troubleshoot emotional, behavioral, professional and physical problems using meditation
• How to use meditation for healing and performance enhancement

People throughout history have used some form of meditation for self-improvement and spiritual enlightenment. Now let Meditation For Dummies introduce you to the amazing benefits of sitting still and focusing.

Amazon.com Review
"To tell you the truth, you can learn the basics of meditation in five minutes," asserts Stephan Bodian, meditation instructor, psychotherapist, and former editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal. You can also study meditation for years, exploring its subtleties. Meditation for Dummies is a simple, clear introduction to the basics of meditation, including an overview of dozens of techniques, practices, and specific meditations, plus direction for going deeper. You get step-by-step instructions for a variety of meditations, including body position, mental concentration, where to put your attention, what to contemplate or notice, physical movements, and breathing. A nice touch is the recurring "traditional wisdom": ancient stories or anecdotes that make a point. This book is useful whether you want the nuts and bolts for getting started in the next minute or you want to dip your mind into different practices and philosophies. Nothing is too elementary to explain: "how to sit up straight--and live to tell about it," what to wear, dealing with fear and self-judgment, and what to do when you get "stuck." You also get plenty of information about the benefits and varieties of meditation. You're bound find and develop a practice that feels right for you. --Joan Price