Journey of Awakening :Journey of Awakening :
A Meditator's Guidebook
by Ram Dass
Paperback - 426 pages (August
1990)
Bantam Books; ISBN: 0553285726
Synopsis
Ram Dass is an American psychologist and spiritual teacher who
has studied and practiced meditation for many years. Here he shares his
understanding and explores the many paths of meditation--from mantra, prayer,
singing, visualizations, and "just sitting" to movement meditations
such as tai chi--and suggests how you can find methods suitable for you.
He illuminates the stages and benefits of meditative practice, and provides
wise and often humorous advice on overcoming difficulties along the way.
Reviews:
A reader from Omaha, Nebraska , June
11, 1999 Yeah, yeah, what he said... ;)
All the reviews here are right on target. This book states some HUGE truths
in a very simple, elegant manner. The talk about the ego and the mind chatter
echos A Course in Miracles, Hiduism, and probably many other spiritual paths.
His understanding of the human mind in general and meditation in particular
drips from the page. I especially like that he doesn't "sell"
one particular style of meditation but gives a fair introduction to all.
Many roads, same destination. A must read for both the interested and the
experienced.
A reader from Farmington Hills, Michigan
, February 13, 1999 Good book for beginning meditators around the world.
You'll learn the different strategies for doing meditation.
If you're a beginner, you'll like the different types of meditation you can do.
Good primer on meditation.
A reader from New York City , October
15, 1998 Meditation in itself
I read this book as a form of meditation. The pace, the language, even the
mandalas and other drawings can be used as tools to launch onesself into
the deeper life. Best read or listened to during the morning commute to
set a good tone for the rest of a hectic day.
A reader from Chicago , September 30,
1998 I have given away over a dozen copies so far.
I love this book. It covers meditation from the ground up. It lays the groundwork
for a good meditation practice, then shows us many paths we may choose to
enhanced our practice depending on our personal interests. The many well
placed quotes also have led me to many other great books. Ram Dass has a
wit and charm that brings a lightness to the topic.
A reader from California , September
1, 1998 The Most Practical Approach to Meditation Ever Written!
Journey of Awakening: A Meditatior's Guidebood by Ram Dass was a complete
surprise to me. I had been looking all over for a book that gave you meditation
techniques rather than places to go and pay to learn meditation. This was
the first such book I found. Since I found it in the New Age section of
the bookstore I expected to be weeding through a lot of mumbo jumbo and
new age nonsense. Instead I found it to be a very practical guide to meditation
techniques.
I was also pleased to discover that it taught how to use meditation within several religious practices including Muslim, Christian and Judism as well as Eastern traditions. This makes this book appealing to persons of any faith.
At the end of the book there is a listing of places around the country where you can go if you want more instruction or group meditation. But it is not neccessary as the book is a complete guide to meditation.
A reader from Fairfield, Ct. , June 26,
1998 I have given away 5 copies of this book, I keep rereadng it.
I wish everyone could have it, and read it at their leisure. If you would
like to give someone a gift, consider this book.
A reader from Vancouver, BC, Canada ,
January 10, 1998 Couldn't Put It Down!
I was amazed by the different techniques he suggests in the book. It has
been a great help in living my life. You should read it too.
A reader , April 15, 1997 Want to meditate
and don't know where to start? Read this!
Ram Dass leads you on your meditation path, as he simplifies the method
for you. Interjecting quotes from poems, scriptures, and wise zen sayings,
Ram Dass pulls from wisdom and faith to help you along your journey. An
especially helpful chapter on learning mantras, and the value in repeating
mantras.
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