Meditation Books

I love this prayer devotional, Baillie does an excellent job helping you reflect on the amazing attributes of God. Would definitely recommend this to friends.

I really said it in the title. The copy I have is hard cover. I ordered four copies and received 2 hardback, used and 2 paperback, new. These are gifts, so I will be proud to give them.

What a gift it is to find the words that fit, the words that calm or quicken or clear or connect as needed! This is what I receive as I regulary use A Diary of Private Prayer morning and evening.

After reading other books by John Baillie, I was endeared to his Scottish Prayers, based on his Scottish Presbyterian Thelogy. As a gift from a daughter of one outstanding Presbyterian Pastor and Father, I noted the Greek inscription from Luke 18:1, "That men ought at all times to pray and not faint."

Each Day of Morning and Evening prayer followed the same format:
"Almighty and eternal God, Thou art hidden from my sight:
Thou art beyond the understanding of my mind:
Thy thoughts are not as my thoughts:
Thy ways are past finding out."

This became familiar to me as the Fourth Day for each Month. It was followed by yet a longer version of related Baillie Prayer. In the third place, there was another prose prayer with excerpts from Psalms, such as 17, 36, 57 and 91, In this Fourth Morning Prayer he concluded with a more personal and intimate prayer, beginning: "O Thou who alone knowest what lies before me this day, grant that in every hour of it I may stay close to Thee." There lies his wee touch of Scottish Theology.

From this first example I always linger over his final sentence:
"Suggest, direct, control every movement of my mind; for my Lord Christ's sake. Amen."

Nearly every day followed this same format with exceptions for the 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th Days, he altered both style and paragraphs. Yet that hardly ever affected his sustained interest in my daily Prayers.

Another poignant beginning prayer comes on 16th Morning: "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early; for when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the earth world will learn (your) righteousness." Many are longer yet equally intimate... Retired Chaplain, Fred W Hood "Barbara377" (Fayetteville,GA United States)

This is one of the best books, for individuals to learn not only how to oray, but its also good for those who are wanting to become
prayer warriors. I use this book to teach Christians the process of daily prayiny to become a life stile through there walk in life. Great Book

The book title was very attractive to me, where I read many books on Law of Attraction. Some detail the concept and make it very theoretical, some will just make you read and read and you lose your focus but this book is totally different. This book is very simple and focused on the same time. Many tools and techniques have been described and made available for the immediate applications.

The author defined affirmation, its magic in enhancing the attraction process of any goal or desire. Also, similar treatment of other tools and techniques like visualization, feelings and meditation to speed up and amplify getting the goals and desires were offered.

I used it for my work and for my own life and I found miraculous results.
This is the book that I was looking for and it has just arrived.

This book is a masterpiece! I couldn't stop reading it. Many limiting believes, many wrong images, many uncomfortable moments held me back on the past. I learned from this book multiple techniques on how to go beyond the boundary and have more choices, select the right images and enjoy every single moment of my life.

It talks about Law of Attraction straight to the point without any unnecessary stuff that consumes time and distracts the focus.

My experience with this book simply can be summarized as if I have been given the correct combination to unlock a world of infinite possibilities or to live an extraordinary life.

Again the author has created a quick and easy to read handbook. He provides common sense options for changing the way we think about our outlook on life in general. Each chapter contains a consolidation of practical information and ideas that helped me with a difficult time my son is having in his life and ways I may be able to help him get out of his rut. I like this book, it is easy to read and really helps me think before acting on a situation. I have sent my son a copy of the book in hopes that it will help him find peace.

I have always been a little cynical when it comes to books that promise to help you become rich, or a better person, or successful in anything you want. Most books in the genre tend to be pretentious, long winded and occasionally make very little sense.

The Law of Attraction Handbook, therefore, came as something of a surprise. A self help book that comes in at under a hundred pages, has short and concise chapters and a small easy to follow collection of exercises for readers to carry out in order to make their dreams come true.

The Law of Attraction Handbook explains the theory and practicality behind the whole concept of mind over matter leading anyone to achieve anything. Al-Maimani opens with a preface based on his own experiences when dealing with the failures of his life and how this changed thanks to some very simple changes to his thought process.

The chapters read easily, very easily for a book dealing with a kind of science. This is not like a text book where the reader has to frequently pause to check the dictionary for meanings, or where hours are lost in research and assignments with very little outcome. This book seems different. It doesn't preach, or expect the world from its readers, all it offers is a step by step guide on how you could change your life for the better.

The book ends with a short series of tasks that should take no more than a couple of a minutes a day over a three week period. The exercises are as simply explained as the theories of the book, and can easily be carried out by anyone.

The most important thing this book asks for is a little belief. If you are willing to give it that, then is definitely a book worth seeking out.

Reviewer: Anthony Lund, Allbooks Reviews.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (7/08)

An old concept recently revived by creators of "The Secret" encourages people to start believing they can manifest and create whatever they desire in their lives. Al-Maimani's handbook is supplemental to many of the books in the market proponing the same ideas. His concise, easy-to-read handbook skips over long drawn-out explanations and gets right to the point.

One of the primary beliefs within the Law of Attraction is put into words by Al-Maimani "...what you put out into the universe comes back to you - whether wanted or unwanted." Using personal experiences Al-Maimani explains how the Law worked in his life. He also references specific books and teachers that encourage the same belief.

"Law of Attraction Handbook" offers three simple exercises with a basic step one: Declare Your Desires. Personally, I believe a large amount of people find this the most difficult and often can't focus on what their actual desires are. This is because we are expected to know what we want. Al-Maimani encourages us to write what we don't want first. He emphasizes, by writing what we don't want first clears the way for what we do want. Once this list is made, Al-Maimani gives steps two and three in a simple manner. Believing you can manifest the true desires makes steps two and three an easy way for the desires to come to fruition.

Al-Maimani questions the readers, which allows them to look within themselves to find the answers. One of the questions is `So what is going on in your subconscious mind?" He then briefly explains to find out what is going on in our subconscious mind is to check the emotions and feelings that are going on at that time. This is a very hands-on, experiential book.

Furthermore, what makes this book appealing are the Twenty-One Day Exercises in the back of the book. I haven't completed them because of the timely submission of this review; however, I know this system works. I look forward to continuing the exercises.

"Law of Attraction Handbook" by Aiman A. Al-Maimani offers sound steps on achieving desires and goals, as well as guidelines on developing a successful, fulfilled life with steps that actually do work, if you work them and believe.

I have bought six of these books and given them to friends and relatives, keeping one for myself. I find myself reading it continually. Every day I read a few pages and that helps set the tone for the day. The book has brought together some of the most poetic and profound Zenlike sayings and thoughts.

I gave a copy to a friend who asked what Zen is. This is not a Zen textbook and yet it is. Zen is not linear or analytic. It is intuitive, poetic. And that's the way this book feels.

I recommend you buy it, read a few pages per day until there is no one reading and nothing to read.

From the inimitable Walker Percy ("not to be onto something is to be in despair") to the counterpoint of cosmic interrelationships between zen and nuclear physics, this book can be anything from a 'thought for a day' to a thematic bible for speakers.

I hand it to first-year law clerks who ask "why" too often, as much as recommend it to people who try to answer Les McCann's question "real compared to what?"

This is not a zen book as such. It is a wonderful quote-by-quote reminder that simplicity of thought and action is closer to truth than noise and clutter. It's zen lite maybe, while it is also accessible and thought provoking. A traipse through it's pages will always raise a smile and some recognition of having seen something clearly. Pick it up. If you don't like it, you know someone who will.

This book is okay, but not great. I like some of the entries in it, but if you are looking for a source of Buddhist wisdom, be aware that many of the quotations in this little book are not from Eastern sources. I prefer a book of Buddhist wisdom titled "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life" by Taro Gold.

This chunky little book deals with using words to express wordless truths. Some of these sayings make you think- and some of them attempt to move you beyond thought. The ego is momentarily forgotten so that subject and object merge- and then you forget both of them. That is the Zen of it.

This really is a nice little Zen primer in the way that it touches on the essence of everything from basic Zen vocabulary (bodhisattva to zendo), historical figures (the Buddha, Bodhidharma, Layman P'ang, the Sixth Patriarch, Crazy Cloud, Basho, Suzuki, Ryokan, Dogen), to practice (koans, zazan, martial arts, haiku, tea ceremony, painting and calligraphy.) It is the wide range quotations though that really makes the book, from classical koans to the thoughts of beats, bullfighters, and scientists. It all blends together to really point to the path to enlightenment. And it is small enough that you can carry it around in your pocket to pull out at any odd moment for inspiration. You could do worse than to make this your first introduction to the subject.

There is both a bibliography in the back for more in-depth study, as well as, a listing of the sources for all the quotes.

"You can only find the truth with logic if you have already found truth without it." G.K. Chesterton

First, it's not ABOUT Zen. It's a collection of quotations and anecdotes that -sometimes - illustrate a few Zen concepts. It's like looking at a flower through a multi-faceted crystal. Every viewpoint changes the perspective and gives you something else to see. Meanwhile, the flower remains the same.
Some of it is wise, some of it is deep, some of it is funny, some just clever. Sorry - it's not the can-opener to enlightenment. Some people get upset when they don't get that instant gratification. This isn't a step-by-step instructuon manual.
Just read it and enjoy it without preconception. Meditate on it if you find something particularly worthwhile. Or don't. But just don't make it into something bigger than what it intends to be; take it as it is: a small collection of interesting and often pertinent pieces, with a little humour thrown in.
Read it one page at a time, and it'll last a long time. I find a different view of the flower each time I read - or re-read - a page.

If you are enjoying perfect health then this book is even MORE important for you (Remember...Prevention is better than cure). I dont have any health issues ...thank god...and it is my passion to read and develop my skills as a therapist and a life coach. The best thing i liked about this book is that its very "hands on" and i learned something here that i can readily apply with happy results. Very few PhDs these days offer everything out on a plate and most try to lure you to their seminar or practice through their books. It looks like Dr. Levy has a big heart and he doesn't believe in keeping anything from the reader and wants to help him or her too fully. I really found this book worth every cent. Enjoy it.... God Bless you Dr. Levy :-)

MIRACULOUS HEALTH: HOW TO HEAL YOUR BODY BY UNLEASHING THE HIDDEN POWER OF YOUR MIND isn't just an admonition of what should happen - it offers a concrete blueprint for achieving good health, guiding readers through a program to heal physical illness or injury and offering healing techniques blending the latest mind-body research. It's this specific program which makes MIRACULOUS HEALTH so different from competitors: backed by a psychologist working at the forefront of mind-body medicine since 1976, it offers up expert advice.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

After a 16 foot fall from a ladder and a broken ankle and leg I found Dr. Levy's book to be an amazing self healing tool. Obviously I needed surgery to get put back together but Levy's book gave me unknown insights into how to use my own healing powers to speed my recovery. The meditation he teaches is also extremely helpful not just for healing injuries but for my overall well being and making good life decisions.

Jim Brown
Barnesville, Maryland

My wife and I found this book while browsing in a local bookstore. I started to read it and prucahsed it and brought it home. This is a very useful, practical and easy to understanb book. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. I have done healing with my hands in the past but Dr. Levy's instructions and methods have greatly increased my abilities. Both my wife and I are very happy that Dr. Levy has written this book. Not only does he explain how to do the exercises he also explains why they work. This book has indeed been a great asset and addition to our abilities and health. If Dr. Levy should ever come to lecture in our area we will be among the first to go. For those who are serious about improving their health, this is a must book. You will have work conciously and continuosly as you go through the book to obtain the full benefits.

THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT AND AMAZING JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IT COMBINES ENERGY HEALING WITH HYPNOTISM AND MEDITATION

Peggy Huddleston's Relaxation/Healing CD plus Instructional CD I used these helpers every day before and the day of surgery. I found them to be a wonderful help and I was no longer afraid. It was my first experience of surgery and I needed less medication than I was offered.

I ordered this particular set for a friend who was facing surgery for the very first time in her life. She was extremely apprehensive. The change in her after using these tapes/cassette was remarkable. She was much calmer and has had a fairly comfortable post op recovery.
I still use the relaxation tapes even tho my own cancer surgery was 5 years ago.
I used both these tapes and Bellaruth Naparstek's during chemotherapy! It helped immensely! I find these tapes soothing and a very positive way to bring calm back into your life. I have shared these tapes and books with several people over the past five years.
My thanks to Peggy Huddleston.

This CD helped my 80 year mom overcome her fear and enter into a colon cancer surgery which was extremely successful. Without the CD and book she may have not been so lucky.

This is a great CD encouraging the listener to view & think of situations from a positive perspective making our decisions and throught processes pro-active for our own betterment. Have recommended & giifted this CD & accompanying book to people who have truly benefited from them! Thank you Peggy!!!

Excellent work, easy to follow instructions. Just what my wife needed before an emergency, very serious surgical procedure.
I highly recommend it to people facing challenging situations in their lives.

I PURCHASED THIS BOOK TO READ WHILE WAITING IN A DOCTORS OFFICE . IT WAS A GREAT READ . I SHARED IT WITH ALL THE GIRLS AT WORK AND THEY HAD TO HAVE ONE.IT IS A GREAT BOOK TO SHARE WITH CLOSE FRIENDS WHEN THEY NEED COMFORTING OR JUST HAVING DAILY LIFE STRUGGLES. I CARRY MINE IN MY PURSE AND ONE IN MY CAR.

Very comforting message, beautifully illustrated. A nice gift book.

This book has so many comforting and inspirational comments by Mr. Lucado. I highly recommend it for anyone.

Safe in the Shepherd's Arms: Hope and Encouragement from Psalm 23What a great book. Read also "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller [available at AMAZON]. You will be amazed to learn how much more God loves and takes care of you than you have realized. Both books are great as gifts. There is more to being a Shepherd than one would think.

This easy-to-read book is excellent for people who find themselves in survival mode. The book is very portable, small enough to slip into a handbag. The illustrations display hope, safety, and love, and the words speak comfort and solace. I gave this book as a gift, and I am thoroughly impressed with it. Author, With Great Mercy.

I was introduced to this book the day I discovered I had breast cancer and was in need of surgery and treatment. Each day I was able to have a positive thought pass through me, because each day I read one of Alan's quotes or stories. It got me through the worst of times and the best of times. I appreciated it so much that I have recommended it and purchased it for others who are going through "stuff" in the life. It is the gift that keeps on giving. I highly recommend you buy this gift for yourself to enjoy...everyday of the year.

This book is so good I keep ordering them for my friends. I read it last year and am re-reading it this year. It's written to read one page each day of the year. Talk about starting my day off on the right foot! It really helps me to start off my day focused on good things. The rest of my day just naturally goes smooth. It's spiritual, funny, and sometimes deep. But it always leaves me feeling warm.

This book is a daily read filled with inspirational
anecdotes which highlight how practical the ideas are
and how they might be applied to everyday situations.
More than that, it reminds the reader of his power and
purpose to create the life he/she desires. I never fail
to be amazed by the timelines of each days entry. I
recommend this book without reservations.

I love anything by Alan, and I lemjoy this book for its daily message format. I pick it up at the end of the day or when I feel a spiritual boost, turn to the date and read the passage. He never fails to uplift my spirit and help me get back on track. This would make a lovely gift.

This is basically a calender-a date on each page followed by an inspiring quote, a short page long (or less) essay/parable/real life story, a short prayer and an affirmation-rendering this book super-easy to read no matter how super-busy you are.
Although God and Jesus are referenced many times in this, and his other-Dare to be Yourself book, it shouldn't affect the healing these books are offering-anyone could read them-it's a live and let live deal.
You may want to keep some highlighter pens on hand. Good stuff.

This small book is basically a small concordance that covers the basic scriptures on almost every subject (God's promises, promises for salvation,promises for spiritual growth,promises for your personal needs, promises for various relationship and eternal future), with some warmly advice written in between by the famous MWS. It makes a great gift to new christians and and to students that are graduating from h.s. or college.

This is just a wonderful book.......I recommend it to anyone who is a Michael W. Smith fan

Michael W. Smith's book Friends are Friends Forever focuses on growing friendships that will glorify God. He uses Scripture throughout the book to back up his opinions and advice with God's Word. Smith tells stories of his own experiences and friendships to encourage Godly relationships among his readers. Excellent gift for a good friend in the Lord.

This book was the next to best book I have ever read. (The best being the Bible) I recomend that everyone read this book. It tells about real stories that for me hit close to home. If you know of a teen that is in trouble be a friend and give them this book.

This book is very easy to read and it's contents are excellent food for thought. The ideal gift for a young person or someone graduating high school or college. The main part of the book is a section of Biblical promises for every situation imaginable and it is punctuated with notes by Michael W Smith, who is gifted when it comes to writing for young people. His advice and recounting of experiences he's faced are simple but profound, and very down to earth.

I was also very impressed with the presentation page at the front and autographs section at the back of the book. Definitely one to put on the shopping list!

Joseph Goldstein is tremendously insightful, and expresses the wisdom of Buddhist philosophy in a way applicable to all, regardless of religious affiliation. I borrowed it from my local library and wanted it for my home collection.

I borrowed this book from a friend a few years ago, the first book I read on the topic of mindfulness, and it is still perhaps my favorite. Goldstein writes in a very easy to understand language while still incorporating Pali terms. He mixes traditional teachings with his personal experience in such a way that really helps to convey the message more effectively. This is an excellent book for those newly interested in meditation and Buddhism but is also a valuable read for those with more experience too.

I have been repeatedly reading this book (1994 edition) for seven years and recently bought the new edition (same book, new cover) to give to a friend. It is an excellent introduction to the basic practice of Buddhism. The essays are short, one to three pages, which makes them easy to read and they are grouped by major topic such as Selflessness, Karma, etc. The book is very usable as a guide for people wanting to understand the causes of suffering and to find the path to happiness through the development of a clear mind and open heart.

"Insight Meditation" by Goldstein is an excellently-written, thorough, and informative book for the beginning-to-intermediate meditator. This is particularly true if s/he is concerned with furthering personal inner growth and deep wisdom as well as simply finding a tool for relaxation and comfort.
It is founded on the tradition of using the breath as a support, and leads the prospective meditator through the often awkward "getting started" phases and well into the more stable phases of meditative deepening and insight (vipassana). Unlike many meditation books currently available, its language and presentation are simple and straightforward, and Goldstein avoids the use of unnecessary and sometimes confusing foreign (Sanskrit, Tibetan, etc) terminology. Nevertheless, "Insight Meditation" is lucid and comprehensive enough to guide the practitioner well along the path to awakening, it provides a sound foundation for the practice of meditation, and prepares the curious meditator for further exploration into such areas as Dzögchen, Vajrayana, etc.
I have recommended and sometimes taught vipassana meditation to our therapists (Healing Touch), and along with Thich Nhat Hanh's "Miracle of Mindfulness" (a dear and beautiful little book) and Pema Chödrön's "Getting Unstuck" CD (an enjoyable intro to mindfulness (staying present) and shenpa (energetic conditioned reflex)), Goldstein's book is a suggested "must read" for us all. In fact "Insight Meditation" would be an excellent choice for a group book study on the fundamentals of meditation.

This book is not a how-to-meditate introduction, but rather a why-we-meditate introduction. It is a wonderful book by an amazing teacher--a kind and caring individual who has made a big difference in the Dharma world. This book might change your life--buy it!

This book was a gift from a dear friend and what a true treasure it is. I am an occasional actor who lives in Chicago and I can't tell you how valuable this book is for those in and out the entertainment business; because the entertainment in daily living is constantly changing regardless of who you are. This book is not just for actors it is a valauble tool for everyone seeking affirmations for themeselves and their lives.

As the mother of two energetic pre-school boys, my time is no longer my own. I love the way this book is constructed... short bursts of wisdom that I can grab and digest. I have found this book invaluable to help me re-center myself when I start to wonder what in the world I'm doing with my life!

Doing something to make me sweat was my way to clear out my head and heavy soul upon coming home from work. Now I read instead. Carra's book is one that I pick up to help me refocus on a salient experience. I am not an actor. I am a pediatric nurse and often come home with a heavy heart. Thanks Carra for helping me to refocus and go back to work for more, because I am a good nurse. I intend to share this little jewel with my peers.

As a non-actor, I was skeptical when a close friend bought me this book as a gift. But I found it to be comforting and inspirational, with a wisdom that resonates beyond any specific profession.

Not being an actress I wasn't sure if this would apply to me. But I find this to be a great book to keep close at hand. I am no longer forced to stare at the numbers in the elevator. I do not have to flip through magazines at the register. I have read and reread this book! I wish I had put one in every gift I gave this past Holiday. But I am not waiting until Christmas to send one to all of my friends!