How to Meditate Without Even Trying
Peter Russell, the author of Letting Go of Nothing, offers another resource for readers, focusing on how meditation can be unpacked and understood in a way that makes it much more inviting.
There are three major parts to this book: “Allowing, Letting Go, and Being.”
He also addresses many misconceptions about the practice, which often keep people from experimenting with meditation in the first place. Right from the get-go, he shares how we need to start with a mindset shift. Meditation, as we may have come to envision it, isn’t always accurate. From posture to time investment, the author challenges many misnomers, giving us all an open door to rethink and retry.
One of my favorite reminders is “Feeding the Monkeys.”
Hey, if they’re restless, they’re probably hungry. The mind is also a monkey, restless at times, especially when we’re trying to quiet it. Instead of forcing something, feed it. When it’s satisfied with a thought, it will relax. Guess what…it works!
On the other hand, I found the most challenging part of this book to be the second part—Letting Go. It requires confronting truths, realities, habits, and emotions that pull away from peace and happiness. These outcomes are the goal of all that we do, and seemingly, developing a meditation practice is the easiest path to this destination. But again, Peter approaches this “resistance” thoughtfully. Through questions and experiences, he invites us to take this necessary step in meditation—and, might I add, in everything we need to climb.
If you’re wondering why everything you do has not resulted in sustained happiness, the section on Samsara is a critical read. This is a three-paragraph ah-ha passage that challenges mindset and behavior.
The book is small, and the chapters are short. I appreciate this because it not only makes it easier to read but also to reference without continually feeling overwhelmed by science and history. Rather, the book’s primary focus is on making meditation easy to do. Sprinkled throughout with gentle reminders, little stories, and thoughtful guidance, it covers just about every challenge or concern we may have.
I love this little book, which challenges preconceived notions about meditation. Peter makes it simple and inviting (even introducing micro-meditations). After reading How to Meditate Without Even Trying, trust me, you’ll want to give it a go!
Book and Image Courtesy of New World Library
