By David Michie
ISBN: 978 1 74175 447 6 (paperback)
From the rear cover -
If meditation was available in capsule form, it would be the biggest selling drug of all time. It has been scientifically proven to deliver highly effective stress relief, boost our immune systems and dramatically slow the ageing process. It has also been shown to make us much happier and more effective thinkers. Given all the physical and psychological benefits, why aren't more of us doing it?
In his thought-provoking and entertaining book, David Michie explains the nuts and bolts of meditation. As a busy professional, as well as a long-term meditator, he also gives a first-hand account of how to integrate this transformational practice into everyday life. Combining leading edge science with timeless wisdom, Hurry up and meditate provides all the motivation and tools you need to achieve greater balance, better health and a more panoramic perspective of life.
'This is one of the most accessible and relevant books available on meditation. Hurry up and read it!'
~ Ian Gawler, author of 'Peace of mind and meditation'
Note: There are a couple more reviews on the inside of the book - I may type them out later if I get around 2 it :)
Introduction
Yes, it's a deliberately provocative title. After all, being in a hurry is the opposite of meditating, isn't it? If we have a lot going on in our lives, is it realistic trying to find even more time to meditate? The idea of infusing our daily schedule with newfound tranquillity may sound appealing - but not everyone is temperamentally suited to sitting around in the lotus position chanting 'Om'. Not to mention the fact that some of us just have very active minds. We'd like to meditate - but we're simply not capable of switching off.
Whoa! Back up a little! These are what I call the most common 'buts' of meditation - as in 'I'd like to meditate but ...'And the amazing thing is that it's exactly the people who use the 'too busy', 'too hard' and 'too hyper' justifications who stand to gain the most from meditation.
How can I be so sure of this? Because I was one of them.
This book has been written for people in a hurry, and its message is quite simple: meditation is probably the best chance you've got to combat stress, cultivate happiness, enhance your performance, realise your goals and attain mastery of your mental, emotional and material destiny.
Big claims, you may think - but they're supported by compelling evidence.
...
Once you've been meditating for a while, of course, you won't give two hoots about scientific studies because you'll have direct, first-hand experience of how good it feels to meditate - and how stressful it feels not to. Just as we don't need scientific research to persuade us that a long, cool drink is wonderful on a hot summer's afternoon, once we've experienced the benefits of meditation on a personal level, the clinical whys and wherefores no longer seem so relevant. Though in the beginning, they have an important part to play in getting us motivated - and keeping us that way.
If I were to summarise the scientific evidence in just a couple of paragraphs, it's probably fair to say that if meditation were available in capsule form, it would be the biggest selling drug of all time. Where else can you find a treatment regime which lowers blood pressure and heart rate, providing highly effective anti-stress therapy without any side-effect whatsoever? Which, in addition, not only improves immune function, leading to less chance of catching a cold or flu bug, but which also significantly decreases our likelihood of being struck by a life-threatening illness like cancer or heart disease? Which improves neural co-ordination and, over time, actually changes the neuroplasticity of our brains, making us more efficient thinkers? Which boosts production of DHEA - the only hormone known to decrease directly with age - thereby slowing the ageing process? Which can form a powerful part of any complementary treatment regime for cancer and other illnesses - a function so important I have devoted a whole chapter to this subject. And these are just some of the physical benefits
May type more of the Intro later - or you could just go out and buy the book - on what I have read so far I highly recommend it :)
Page 12 -
More important is the knowledge that with perseverance, an open heart and clarity of purpose we can achieve profound inner transformation. If we choose, we can change our experience of reality so that our happiness is less conditional on the quirks of circumstance, and instead becomes an abiding presence. We can replace our short-term concerns with a more panoramic sense of destiny beyond anything we might currently imagine. We can celebrate a more transcendent understanding of who we are and why we're here.
Page 132 -
Note: You can read these excerpts on a computer screen but I highly recommend you buy the book - it is much nicer sitting in a comfy chair witha copy in your hot little hands. Judging by my reading so far it is well worth purchasing :)
Some links -
This being the fist I click on
Some more advice on meditation
Meditation is the key 2 happiness
Meditation involves 'sitting back' and observing your mind as thoughts arise
www.meditationiseasy.com
Loads more on the subject of meditation
Meditation Handbook also has some good tips
Excellent CD from the Gyuto monks - consists of a guided meditation
Glimpse of the day also has some excellent tips on training the mind
Letter from Heaven about unconditional love
Paul Wilson has written about calm
Let's see what the Dalai Lama has 2 say
It can lead to profound transformation
The Beliefnet site is well worth checkin out
It can be quite useful to meditate on the fact that we all have Buddha nature
Osho has a fair bit 2 say about meditation
Thich Nhat Hanh is another wise soul
More on the physical benefits of meditation
Excellent book mentioned in the first chapter
Levels of concentration described in the book
Using Body Awareness 4 deeper meditation
Meditation & psychic powers - quite a few pages at that site!
How to Have a Direct Experience of God
Meditation can boost a vital hormone
A few more books on meditation
Eckhart Tolle has some excellent advice
Quote mentioned in the book about patience & imperfections
Meditation can be a powerful tool 4 healing
Visualisation mentioned in the book
Another quote by the author Jon Kabat-Zinn
A search 4 his books - none of whch I have had the pleasure of reading :)
Another of Jon's quotes from a recent email
Meditation by counting breaths is a popular method
100 benefits of meditation would you believe!
interesting collection of articles
Don't become discouraged at your lack of progress
Ian Gawler beat cancer and there is a special chapter in the book about it
The Dark Zen site is also eye-opening
There are many ways of making the approach to meditation as joyful as possible
Meditation means being unoccupied
Don't worry if your mind was all over the place
Article about observing your thoughts
For peace of mind - don't speak of the faults of others
Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer
Peace of mind comes from not wanting to change others - one HUGE site!
Questions & answers about meditation
Interesting collection of articles
How letting go can improve your meditation
Some interesting quotes about meditation
Whole swag of articles about meditating
Guided meditation - quite a few results!
In meditation, don't expect anything
Free course on secrets of meditation
Excellent article about witnessing your thoughts
Meditation means focusing on the PRESENT moment rather than the Past or the Future
Does God care if we meditate? :)