Meditation for Beginners

Let me just explain from the outset (especially since I gave this book such a low rating) that I am probably far from the target audience for this book. My mind is much more rational than spiritual, and I've had enough religious experiences that left a foul taste to make me wary of anyone who relies on feel-good storytelling more than the scientific method. Because there is some scientific data pointing to the helpfulness of meditation for physical and mental health, I was more than willing to listen to something on meditation. But I suppose my logical mind expected that something titled Meditation for Beginners might give a little background into why and how meditation is a good practice (with the scientific backing) rather than a show more loose collection of seemingly unrelated anecdotes and jokey stories, which sounded far too much like the "reasoning" of evangelical preachers from my youth. My mile-a-minute mind also just doesn't seem well-suited to the practice of meditation, and I felt there was nothing in here that helped to tell me how to actually stop obsessing, worrying, thinking ahead, remembering back, etc. and just focus on the meditation. All that being said though, I think this guided meditation did help me at least stop and breathe deeply and try to calm down my thoughts a bit, even if it wasn't entirely successful. I'm sure that for others who are more open to the idea of meditation specifically and spirituality generally, this audiobook is probably a good start for them. But it just wasn't my cup of tea at all. show less

“Meditation for Beginners” by Jack Kornfield (2008)

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS
PRINT:
© November 1, 2008 (paperback) Available (hardback listed on Amazon with no publication date. Shows in Worldcat as 2024)
DIGITAL:
© August 1, 2008; Available
AUDIO:
© February 4, 2004; ISBN: 9781604071955; ASIN: B01679X0JU; OCLC: # 1569305206; Macmillan Audio; 2 hours, 16 min.; Unabridged, English, (MP3) (Worldcat record: https://search.worldcat.org/title/1569305206 )

SERIES:
No

SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
SELECTED:
I was searching Libby for a good book to fall asleep to. Of course, that’s not the purpose of meditation-it’s the opposite of its purpose, but I tend to fall asleep anyway.
ABOUT: (Apologies that I didn’t take time to create my own take on what show more it’s about.)
(Excerpt from the blurb on the Amazon page) “With his gentle delivery and ability to translate ancient practices for modern audiences, Jack Kornfield has become one of the most accessible and sought-after teachers for helping first-time meditators get their start. Now you can begin to develop the foundational skills to start your practice immediately—and discover the life-changing power of meditation for yourself—with Meditation for Beginners.”
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
There are many anecdotal stories surrounding some good guidance through meditations.
I often struggle with the narration of meditation books, because it feels like the narrator, who is more often than not, the author, has taken this subject on to be appreciated for a soft gentle voice. And yet, I can see how a narrator would feel the need to have a quiet delivery that doesn’t overpower the music or background sound effects, and it’s doubtless that it’s this kind of delivery (combined with my being horizontal, rather than the prescribed erect posture) that enables me to reach my goal of falling asleep, so I should probably be more generous of spirit and let the poor fellow speak as he sees fit.

AUTHOR:
Jack Kornfield, PhD
(From Wikipedia) “Jack Kornfield (born 1945) is an American psychologist writer and teacher in the Vipassana movement in American Theravada Buddhism.[1] He trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, Burma and India,[2] first as a student of the Thai forest master Ajahn Chah and Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. He has taught mindfulness meditation worldwide since 1974. In 1975, he co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein, and subsequently[clarification needed] in 1987, Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. Kornfield has worked as a peacemaker and activist, organized teacher training, and led international gatherings of Buddhist teachers including the Dalai Lama.”

NARRATOR(S):
Jack Kornfield (read by the author)
See “Overall Impression” section.

GENRE:
Nonfiction; Self-help; Meditation

SUBJECTS (Not comprehensive):
Meditation; Religion

SHORT EXCERPT (From Chapter 1: The Ancient Art of Meditation” )
“Meditation for Beginners offers the central training and teachings found in the best Buddhist monasteries translated for Western society. In Meditation for Beginners, you will find some of the simplest and most universal of these practices of mediation—in particular, the practices of mindfulness and lovingkindness. An integral part of this instruction will be the six fundamental meditation practices included on the enclosed CD. These guided meditations were recorded at actual meditation retreats and are designed to give you a direct experience of the material presented in this book.

The point of these teachings has nothing to do with becoming a Buddhist, or learning any Eastern ceremonies or rituals or bowing. What is important is that you learn how to work the meditation in order to find benefits from it in your life. When we take time to quiet ourselves, we can all sense that our lives could be lived with greater compassion and greater wakefulness. To meditate is to support this inner potential and allow it to come forth into our lives.”

RATING:
3 stars.

LISTENED FROM
2/4/26-2/10/26 show less

Senzill però molt pràctic, amb breus meditacions per a la vida quotidiana