Review of Meditation For Dummies (Book and CD edition) (Paperback)

This eloquent, insightful book thoroughly explores the simple yet subtle art of meditation. While user-friendly like all of the titles in the For Dummies series, it's also written with a wisdom born of the author's many years of direct experience as a meditator and teacher. Meditation ForDummies covers a range of subjects with humor and grace, from basicinstructions to the discovery of our most profound spiritual depths.

InPart 1 Bodian clariifes what meditation is (and isn't) and offers a numberof compelling reasons to adopt this "advanced technology for the mindand heart." He also traces the historical roots of meditation anddescribes the important foundations of motivation, attitude, and beginner'smind, which ensure a fruitful practice. "Ultimately, the greatmeditation teachers advise that the best attitude to take toward meditationis an open mind, completely free from all preconceptions andexpectations," Bodian explains. "One of my first meditationteachers, Zen master Shunryu Suzuki, calls this beginner's mind -- and hecounsels that the goal of meditation is not to accumulate knowledge, learnsomething new, or achieve some special state of mind, but simply tomaintain this fresh, uncluttered perspective."

In Part 2, the authorcovers the basics of meditation practice, including pointers on posture andpreparing for meditation, as well as a chapter on opening the heart andcultivating compassion. In Part 3, entitled "Trouble-shooting andFine-tuning," he offer sage advice on developing the rightrelationship with troubling thoughts, feelings and sensations. Thehighlight of this section is a chapter on cultivating spirituality thatexplores the nature of self (or no-self), traditional paths of awakening,and the sensitive subject of finding a teacher (inner and outer), which theauthor recommends if one wishes to go more deeply into the practice. Thebook concludes with chapters on how to nurture self-awareness while engagedin daily life and on how to use meditation for healing and performanceenhancement, followed by answers to ten commonly asked questions aboutmeditation.

Despite its one-size-fits-all title, Meditation For Dummiesis the best book on meditation I've read -- at once subtle andcomprehensive, spiritually sensitive yet pragmatic. Be prepared for aneasy-to-read, good-humored, and discerning guide on the journey ofdiscovering your true nature through the ancient but timely art ofmeditation.



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Review of Wedding Kit for Dummies (Soft Cover with CDR) (Paperback)

I never can keep a copy of Weddings for Dummies; I no sooner buy one and I give it as a gift.I bought my first copy because someone told me that the information on flower arrangements would be helpful, even though the event in question was not a wedding.My last copy of Weddings for Dummies is on a shelf in Maine where it did duty in the planning of my son's wedding (a wedding of which Marcy Blum should be proud).When I ordered the Wedding Kit for Dummies, I thought I was replacing my Weddings for Dummies; what I got was a fantastic supplement to Weddings for Dummies, an entirely new book replete with software to make even the most disorganized person an organized party planner.The original book enables the bride-to-be to plan the wedding of her dreams, down to the smallest detail.The new book allows those dreams to take wing; it is a comprehensive "how to do it" book.The CD has forms, contracts and even spread sheets to keep track of expenses.There are checklists for things that most people might not even think of on their own, but which make a special event even more special...like how to evaluate a potential reception site. There are website addresses and sensible advice on how to use the Internet to obtain information and goods.I found the chapter entitled Ten Amazing Places for Destination weddings and Honeymoons especially interesting (I always wondered what it cost to get married at Disneyworld!)In short, if you cannothave Marcy Blum plan your wedding, this is the next best thing.If you are planning on giving this book as an engagement gift, pair it with the first book; the two together are indispensable references for planning the perfect wedding.Marcy Blum and Laura Fisher Kaiser have given us a glimpse of why books will not go the way of dinosaurs, a book that can actually help us interact better with the Internet rather than being replaced by it.



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