Meditation now: A beginner’s guide

From the creators of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Mindfulness Made Simple, this is a simple step-by-step guide to meditation for beginners who want to develop a regular practice. These 10-minute meditations can be fitted easily into your day and practiced when sitting, walking, eating or while doing yoga or other physical activities – even housework!

The first section introduces the basic meditation technique, then addresses possible obstacles, describes the benefits, and looks at common myths about meditation.

Part two gives detailed instructions for 32 different meditations involving a variety of techniques such as using a mantra or focussing on an object, and suggests practical applications. For example, the “Flowing into the gap” meditation can be used to relieve stress when sitting in traffic, while the “Focus on rest” meditation can help those struggling with insomnia.

If you want to cultivate positive energy, deal with difficult thoughts and feelings, de-stress or improve your concentration there are meditations to suit your purpose.

With such a variety to choose from, the final section gives guidance on how to select which meditation to use and provides three 28-day meditation plans as well as a plan for a full or half-day meditation retreat at home.

This is an easy-to-read guide to meditation filled with quotes and practical tips to inspire and motivate the reader.

Reviewed by Jo Beck, an Information Officer at the Mental Health Foundation