Meditation Books

Tulku Thondup has once again extracted the essence of traditional Buddhist techniques and made them accessible to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. For more information about Tulku Thondup, his writings, and his seminar schedule, please visit his website at: http://www.tulkuthondup.com/

Good for both the newcomer and the experienced reader of buddhism. I have read this book three times, and every time is a new experience that creates an amazing aura of mindful positivity.
It is not a book of religion but it is the book about positivity.
I would reccomend it for everyone.
It has changed my life.

I love this book. It brings the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism into everyday life--whether you call yourself a Buddhist or not. It shows how you can use healing attitudes and imagery. Simple, nondogmatic, loving, and practical.

This is one of the single best books I've seen for mind, body and spirit. Clear and concise, it exudes kindness, gentleness, and love. And it has greatly helped me and many people I know in dealing with every aspect of life.

A must read for everyone. No matter what your faith, this is a no-nonsense form of empowering ourselves. This is the kind of book that should be on all our public school reading lists, and taught in our schools.

My copy is falling apart from use! I love the way the author takes a biblical passage and then gently explains what it means for the layperson, and how a biblical passage can apply to a personal conflict in one's life.

Personally, I consult it regularly -- it's so calming, soothing, and wise. I feel like it's a good friend who gives me the best advice. I recommend it highly to those who are depressed; going through changes in their lives; etc. I think that this book gives spiritual comfort and helps the reader figure out answers during a period of conflict. And if that answer is, "not now", this book is wise enough to provide the strength & courage one needs, to wait.

I had bought this little book some years ago and was drawn to it for the purpose of helping my care receiver. I was in awe of the wisdom that is so beautifully expressed through the healing power of the Bible. I would recommend it to anyone, but especially someone who is in need of emotional or spiritual healing. I purchased an extra copy to give to my Stephen Ministry group.

I had bought this little book some years ago and was drawn to it for the purpose of helping my care receiver. I was in awe of the wisdom that is so beautifully expressed through the healing power of the Bible. I would recommend it to anyone, but especially someone who is in need of emotional or spiritual healing. I purchased an extra copy to give to my Stephen Ministry group.

This is one of the best books on success using principles and wisdom from the Bible. If you enjoyed this one also check out "Pray and Grow Rich : Seven Overlooked Secrets from the Bible That Control Your Wealth, Success and Happiness" ~ by Richard Gaylord Briley and "Bible Power for Successful Living: Helping You Solve Everyday Problems by Norman Vincent Peale with Donald Kauffman and also on the another super book on why people hold themselves back from being successful is PERMISSION TO SUCCEED by Noah St. John. Beyond Motivation... Beyond Positive Thinking... Learn How to and Why to Give Yourself Permission to Succeed.

This book speaks to what each and every one of us as human beings struggles with daily, and throughout our lives. It is simply a wonderfully balanced, common-sense guide to everyday problems we all face, and helps us put our difficulties - whatever they may be, in perspective. I recommend it highly!

I had actually borrowed this book from the library many years ago and dreaded giving it back. My roommate at the time was so intrigued with my unsolicited review that she special-ordered it for herself; I always regretted not having done the same.

I was extremely pleased recently to find it in reprint. Since then I have ordered extra copies and have given them as gifts. I believe that anyone sincerely looking for insight and guidance will not be disappointed in what this book has to offer.

I got this for my dad. He really likes it. It's helping him through his treatments. He also finds it very relaxing when he can't sleep. We've always liked Belleruth's products!

Simply put, this disc is the best of its kind available.

It consists of three tracks covering instructions, a guided visualization, and affirmations. As the instructions point out, different people will find the visualization more helpful than the affirmations, and vice versa. Personally, I found the guided visualization to be the most useful.

I found this disc to offer a very effective means of activating long dormant energy, and a valuable way of connecting with Spirit. Its effectiveness only grows with repetitive use.

Like most people, my husband and I were lost when we first started dealing with his cancer. We believe healing starts in the mind; with keeping a positive outlook. I was grasping for any kind of help, when I randomly selected this tape. I am so very pleased I did. This wonderfully relaxing, and life-affirming tape gave my husband peace, and a quiet determination to endure. He slept better, when BelleRuths' voice softly instructed him, and he felt less pain and anxiety, as she empowered him to will his body to heal. Next to a loving mother, this was the most comforting and encouraging thing we had. No one can say for sure if suggestion cures cancer...and we don't do that now, but we know for sure it made our journey easier. We have since bought 8 more tapes for our friends, and each was grateful we did. We repeated the 'mantra' taught to us:
"Thank you cancer, for teaching us this lesson...you can go now."
And what's really neat? It has. Buy this tape...and God Bless.

I bought the original cassette tape version of this a decade ago. Having not used something like this at the time I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the product. In the recording Belleruth introduces the process in her gentle, calm voice, and then guides you into relaxation and then a healing visualization journey. I found upon repeated listening what I experienced during the guided imagery changed from time to time. At times it was quite moving and healing. I found it a huge help with feelings of sadness and very relaxing.

Also, a few years ago I was suffering from an illness and wondered if one of her newer CDs might help with my healing. I wrote her via her website, and was pleasantly surprised to get a thoughtful email back from her personally recommending which CD she felt would be best for my situation. She also mentioned other CDs (since produced) she was thinking of making. Her personal email even further reinforced the feelings I had that this person cared about the people she was helping, and not just making more money.

So I highly recommend this CD. Also check out her newer products here on Amazon.com tailored for other life situations. I wish you peace, health and every happiness. ~Michael

If you live far from complementary care centers where guided imagery is an integral part of your treatment (or if you've become isolated from them such as I have following the events of September), you might feel like you're missing a piece of the puzzle. Surgery and chemo are part of the solution... but you have to rally your own strength to deal with cancer. I believe that this tape allows you to do that... in several ways. If you don't jive with one part of the tape, there are others. One of them is bound to touch you in a meaningful way.

I listened to this tape daily for four weeks before my surgery. I only used the Affirmations part, as the Guided Imagery exercise didn't seem as focused. When I went into the operating room, I had no anxiety or fear. I did listen to the music portion on headphones during my surgery-- no problem with this on either the surgeon's or anesthesiologist's part. My surgery went exactly like the script in the tape! I awoke with my "stomach calm and settled" and my surgery went with "no complications, minimal bleeding, and very little discomfort". Everyone was amazed at how well I did. What a difference from a previous surgery 10 years ago that I did WITHOUT using the tape. I highly recommend this to anyone anticipating surgery.

This author's work has been in use by Blue Shield of California (and others) with excellent success. Patients are told to take the CD home up to two weeks before their surgery, listening to Side One as often as possible. Then they are to listen to Side Two during and after surgery. I highly recommend that all listening be done with headphones, especially during surgery. If you, the patient, get any flack from the hospital Staff, simply remind them that the research shows a faster, easier surgery procedure with fewer complications, faster and more comfortable recovery and quicker return to normal, daily regimen, therefore it is in your best interest to have the CD playing while in surgery and during recovery. To deny you these benefits, they will be inflicting harm which is against their Code of Ethics. If they argue about infection control, remind them as to how they protect you against infection when using the blood pressure cuff. You can remove the foam covers and wipe the entire ear piece with an alcohol wipe. If they argue about safety, your CD player is battery operated and they almost certainly are not using flammable anesthesia. You should also know that there was an average savings of over $2000 per patient, as reported by Blue Shield. As a Certified Hypnotist with a Masters from MIHH, I can atest to the efficacy of this product and would suggest that all surgery patients use this item.

I bought this CD for my partner based on a recommendation from the Integrative Medicine clinic at UCSF. We both attended a pre-surgery seminar to find methods for helping to create a successful surgery.

The two-hour surgery turned into one-hour! Everything went well and my partner is recovering quickly. She was able to go home the very next day. Amazing.

I would highly recommend this CD. Use it in good health!

I have been listening to this CD for weeks prior to hip surgery....her voice is wonderful and I have tremendously reduced my pre op fears and anxieties. Am taking the CD's to hospital to listen before and during surgery. I recommend highly! Go to her website and take a sample listen of her voice!

Loved it! Guided meditations and positive suggestions help relax you and assist you in being an active part of the medical process. We are all complex energy sources. Positive mental focus and acknowledge and overcome aniexties pre and post surgery. It works!

I cannot commend these two books highly enough. If you truly seek to know the heart of the Father, these will come as a direct and searching word to your heart.
What a privilege that Amy Carmichael's writings are still being re-printed. She loved her Lord, suffered with Him, and obeyed Him fully - and speaks to us today. Read also her biographies.

I cannot commend these two books highly enough. If you truly seek to know the heart of the Father, these will come as a direct and searching word to your heart.
What a privilege that Amy Carmichael's writings are still being re-printed. She loved her Lord, suffered with Him, and obeyed Him fully - and speaks to us today. Read also her biographies.

I cannot commend these two books highly enough. If you truly seek to know the heart of the Father, these will come as a direct and searching word to your heart.
What a privilege that Amy Carmichael's writings are still being re-printed. She loved her Lord, suffered with Him, and obeyed Him fully - and speaks to us today. Read also her other writings - and the biographies.

I have read this book almost as much as my Bible this year!
This is a devotional type book which presents questions that every child of God asks at some stage of their walk. The "questioner" grapples with issues of perseverence, rising above "the godless chatter of the world", salvation of friends, suffering, serving God despite physical limitations, patience, resting in God's will and death and heaven. The questions or "thoughts" are always met with God's sovereign and comforting reply.
The issues and questions are obviously Amy's own and she has written this book almost as a personal journal of how God has heard her ponderings and responded to them. I am grateful that Amy has shared these thoughts with us in this book.
I have read and reread this book so many times this year when I question the same issues in my mind. It is SO encouraging. It has blessed me so much. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates REAL LIFE answers to issues as opposed to theological comentaries.

This little gem of a book is perhaps one of the greatest kept secrets in Amy's books and is a trusty companion for any weary saint. Through her writing you can see what a true, deep relationship with Christ looks like, and it is obvious that Amy was like a cup filled to the brim with his love and presence. I can't recommend this book enough.

My friend has this book under her bed and gave it to me. It was the best book I have ever read when it comes to needing to know how God sees us.

Since then, I have bought the book a couple of times to share with people of all ages.

I would say when she wrote this book, she was obeying the voice of God.

I recommend it 100%!!!!

I found this book at a difficult time in my life and the words based on Scripture made me feel that God was speaking directly to me. I have given this book to friends and family also. I highly recommend this book!

I found this book when I was a sophmore in college and now buy it as a gift for many friends and relatives. Based so soundly on God's principles and promises it is sure to set straight some of the unconscious notions and impressions about God that we harbor and live with each day! It has become a treasured reference in my own personal library!

I got this book for my birthday just a few days ago. It is so encouraging. It meets you right where you are at and brings you closer to God.

This author of this book interprets passages of the bible in layman terms. Her gift was as though Jesus was speaking through her. Strength, courage, and the ability to see beyond trouble times is the beauty of this book.

A friend phoned me about Holy Work to say, "The introduction is profound. Wow. I was in the doledrums about my upcoming retirement and the first exercise uplifted me. Thoroughly motivating." This book offers 52 weekly meditations, but I'd read it straight through first then double back to the weekly meditations. Like Week 4 seems meant for all of us ultra-strivers, who push and bully ourselves. Sinetar asks us to consider whether we're "driven or summoned forth", and adds,"Beware the brutal, impolite driver".A perfect idea to ponder for all us perfectionists. The entire 3rd section sort of "moves" the attention to the positive, puts the focus on what's working -- neat. I'll give as Christmas gifts and use it myself it at the start of each year (like January 1 to Jan. 1). Each weekly exercise asks you to ponder issues like your ability to contribute, be kind to others when stressed out, and provides a simple "to do" list for putting those high ideals into practical action. Holy Work seems designed to help readers practice what they value.

A practical day by day set of inspired exercises to enhance one's important spritual work--within-- and in community with other spiritual beings.

Holy Work should be subtitled "A Guide For Spiritual Emergencies - Open at Random."

In this most recent expression of her own lively faith and personal spirituality, undergirded by her profound understanding and simplicity of heart, Marsha Sinetar gently influences us with her beautifully persuasive mentoring spirit.

Through the course of fifty-two weeks we are guided by fresh and soul- provoking insights into our own faith and spirituality, by pertinent Scripture passages which unveil ever new and challenging meanings, and by eminently simple yet profoundly practical spiritual exercises, well within the grasp of any serious reader. The goal of spirituality towards which Sinetar's Holy Work leads us is solidly grounded in our mutual call to holiness, to being holy, to holy work.

What an affirmation of the actuality and benignity of Divine Providence, that our God has called each and every one of us to the great dignity of seeking and actually deepening our sharing in the divine holy activity (work) itself!

From Sinetar, we learn in our hearts what we may - or may not - know in our heads: that our God beckons us to live our individually unique and personal vocation to spirituality, our holy work. It is our vocation to the spiritual life, more accurately called the `life of the Spirit', and this is nothing less than the very Holy Spirit of God working within us. By our sharing in this holy work we become love, become blessed, and become a blessing - not only in and for ourselves, but in and for all others, themselves the work of God's creative holiness and love.

Alas, so many seem to be deficient in, yet profoundly yearning for, that genuine spirituality which transcends, but neither denies nor belittles, our physical/material humanity. Living as what we are, the People of God, we are deeply indebted to Sinetar for this Holy Work of hers, for she mentors us all towards living daily, weekly, and always more authentically, our common and communal holy work, our vocation to spirituality.

Professor Emeritus of Theological Ethics, Toronto, Canada.

In my retirement years I have done much traveling and exploring alone. To be among God's wonders of nature, along with the the helpful inspirations in Holy Work, I appreciate myself more and God as my friend. Thank you, Ms. Sinetar.

This is one of the books you'll read and then you put it somewhere where you can easily pick it up again and browse in it, to remind you of the many "do nothings".
There's one exercise that personally helped and still helps me a lot: when showering try to not think of anything else but cleansing your body. While I still rarely manage to not think of anything while showering, I am now restricting myself to positive and creative thoughts only and it WORKS :) The good ideas are coming!
The little book is full of energizing ideas, presented in a new, fun, appealing way. And now I am off to browse in it again...

There are 10 do-nothing exercises to calm you down quickly plus darling comments and quotes.

Actually they're not exactly do-nothing they're more rethink yourself to calm down, be happier and enjoy whatever you're doing or do the best at looking foward to what you want to do next.

Do nothing - zip - nothing - nada. Yes, often the key to changing your life isn't in doing more, more, more...but doing absolutely nothing but appreciating life. So don't just stand there and do nothing. Read this book...and start really doing nothing! (from the back of the book).

Remember I have just found out I have cancer on my lip and it has to be removed and find out if it's spread - there is NOTHING that is more important than enjoying your life while you can!

I've always been interested in meditation and mindfulness. This book was a great tool to get me motivated to practice mindfulness/meditation on a daily basis...and it was easy to read and understand...explaining the benefits for mind, body, spirit...and giving realistic exercises to incorporate easily into your life! I recommend this book not only as a self purchase ...but as a great gift to give a friend who's been complaining about being stressed out. It's terrific!

This book is a quick read and reread. The authour mixes up the presentation of the book. It is simple and basic, easy to understand and do. The author not only tells you why doing nothing works but tells you how to do it. Alot of books I have read leave that part out. The author doesn't speak down to you either.

I bought another copy for a friend and am considering future purchases for other friends. Well worth the money. I have also purchased 2 of her other books after having read them in the bookstore.

Good luck doing nothing.

Fun book. Some may call these exercises Zen-like, but I see them as closer to Alfred Jarry's 'Pataphysical Science. Either way, Be Here Now.

This is a composite of the most poetic, sparkling bits of Heschel. It is to be savored, bite by delicious bite. Heschel is so rich I can only read him in small mouthfuls, one at a time. He is a major poet of Judiasm and a sage as well.

for several decades, I have taken this book with me to disaster sites where I work relief. I have given away many copies, bought many more, given away so many. Heschel speaks to the bones of it all, short passages that can be read at those short moments of rest in the midst of so much travail, his strength of spirit... how can I say it, jumps from the page into those who need to keep going, often without sleep, who just need to keep on. The words within, to me, are nourishing after nourishing tastes of G-d.

This book will satisfy the soul of any lover of wisdom. It's important to recognize that it's not just for followers of Judaism. Heschel is everyone's wise man. The best way to describe I Asked for Wonder is to think of a quotation book where you want to underline everything. Here is a deeper dimensionality of understanding where having a sense of wonder for God and the universe He created is the beginning of wisdom. Heschel himself is a wonder.

There are few authors that one is even tempted to call "wise" - with Heschel one wishes to say "very wise". This anthology of short excerpts should be read in a meditational manner - he gives one much to think about - to not think about it is to miss the point of the book.

An example: "Life passes on in proximity to the sacred, and it is this proximity that endows existence with ultimate significance. In our relation to the immediate we touch upon the most distant. Even the satisfaction of physical needs can be a sacred act. Perhaps the essential message of Judaism is that in doing the finite we may perceive the infinite."

This perception of the infinite in the finite is what is called "sacramental imagination" in the Christian tradition ... which is to say while Heschel is fully within the Judaic tradition, one need not be of his tradition to learn from him.

Add this to your must read list.

These short selections from some of Rabbi Heschel's writings help focus one's thoughts on his approach to life and Judaism.

This book is one of my most treasured possessions. I have three different editions of the Imitation, but this one is my favorite. The language is simple and yet filled with timeless reverence. Some of its counsels may appear to be difficult, but the teachings contained within its pages yield peace of heart. It shows us how to live a holy life, and thus how to be at rest even in the midst of hardships; it reminds us that earthly sorrows are passing and cannot be compared with the joy of communion with Christ. The passages I treasure the most have to do with humility, the virtue that shields us from all manners of suffering. "Watch your own step; be slow to criticize the doings of other people." Serenity is within our grasp, if only we remember that the Lord is above all things. The Imitation is definitely a book that calls for absolute surrender: a radical proposition nowadays. However, absolute surrender bestows absolute freedom, fearlessness and serenity.

~Logospilgrim, author of 'Just a thistle'

What a great, timeless classic. This has become a fabulous guide for our family to help us become more Christ-like! Check out "The Imitation of Christ for Children" by Elizabeth Ficocelli for the children, too!

"For the path to Life is narrow and few there be that find it." This little book will help you to keep on the straight and narrow...no tickling the ears here. True inspiration to living a Christian life. I can see why some feel that this and the Bible is all you need.

"Want to know the best advice I ever heard?" asked Larry King, in an interview published today in Canada's National Post newspaper: "I never learned ANYTHING while I was talking." 50 years experience at the interviewer's microphone and Larry's best advice comes down to one word. "Listen!"

Coincidentally (or maybe not!) I picked up this just-received book, sent to me by a dear friend who recalled my reviewing an earlier published edition of this same "Ronald Knox translation." And it literally it fell open to these words,

"By all means ask questions, but LISTEN to what holy writers have to tell you . . . often enough, (when we hear) Holy Scripture, we are distracted by mere curiosity; we want to seize upon some point and argue about it, when we ought to (listen) and move on."

I flipped open "The Imitation" just now and my eyes (lately fixated on my newest pride and joy were these: (p 32 under the heading, "ABOUT SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND HOW TO GET RID OF SELF-CONCEIT")

"It is nonsense to depend for your happiness on created things (and) why all this self-importance? Do not boast of riches, if you happen to possess them . . . nor about the important friends you have; boast rather of God's friendship.

"Do not give yourself airs, if you have physical strength or beauty; it only takes a spell of illness to waste the one, or mar the other. Do not be self-satisfied about your own skill or cleverness; God is hard to satisfy, and it is from him that they come, all these gifts of nature.

"He reads our thoughts, and will only think the worse of you, if you think yourself better than other people. Even your good actions must not be a source of pride to you: If you have any good qualities to show for yourself, credit your neighbor with even better qualities: that is the way to be humble.

"To be humble is to enjoy undisturbed peace of mind, while the proud heart is swept with gusts of envy and resentment."

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Seven years ago (on my birthday actually) I wrote my very first review for Amazon.com -- for an earlier re-print of this same translation. This latest version, from Ignatius Press of San Francisco, is far-and-away the most beautiful and features cover art by Andrea Solario (1480-1540) from the "Galleria Borghese, Rome" -- painted about a century after Thomas a Kempis produced his "Imitation." Inside artwork includes some marvelous, same-period woodcuts by Albrecht Durer.

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In his (2005) FOREWARD to this new edition, psychologist and priest Benedict Groeschel (seen by millions on his "Sunday Night Live" TV show on EWTN) recalls stealing his first copy of the "Imitation" from the public library in his Caldwell NJ hometown - slipping it into his schoolbag intending to return it "to its rightful place on the shelf, in two weeks time, the ordinary period for a book loan in those days."

"The title suggested to my 12-year-old mind that this must be a story about someone who pretended to be Jesus. I went and sat by a window . . . the spring sun (shining) on the oak table, I can still see my blue-sweatered arm around the book as I began to read:

"'Vanity of Vanities - all is vanity except to love God and serve him alone.' At that moment I was electrified, and I sat there reading page after page . . . . for two hours, mesmerized by the book!"

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As for the translation? Is it really the best-ever? I stand by my thoughts of seven years ago:

"I have several translations of the Imitation but I keep coming back to this one. I believe many readers will find this translation 'flows' better than the others, written as it is in a warm, gentle and accessible style by a master translator and communicator, Monsignor Ronald Knox. A convert to Catholicism who produced an acclaimed Latin-to-English translation of the Bible, Knox completed the first 30 or so chapters of the Imitation before his death in 1957. He wrote to Michael Oakley, two months before his passing: "If I die without finishing my translation, please tell my executors that you are to finish it." The younger Latin scholar did a splendid, seamless job of completing Knox's superb translation of what was--until this century--the second most widely read book in the world. What a delight that this version is once again available, [50 years] after its first publication. If you purchase only one copy of the Imitation in your lifetime, make it this one."

Going into the details of questions of authorship (did Thomas a Kempis actually write this, or did he translate it, et cetera) is not quite as important to me as the import of the message and how it is phrased.

The Imitation of Christ is essentially a minor treatise, but a better and more helpful description might be personal record and observance, on how to realize the Christ within. It has the conversational style, rendered in lovely prose by Knox (and for the sections left uncompleted after his death, Oakley), which can successfully draw the reader into a conversation with the author about his own spiritual and personal development.

It is not like reading the Beattitudes or the Ten Commandments, where instructions or broad pronouncements are supposed to be self-evidently obvious to the reader, who is assumed to be earnest in his quest for understanding. Instead, it is like discussing one's personal life, one's very serious doubts and concerns about one's conduct and inner life with an ardent, energetic and thoughtful monk.

It is a book to ponder over and indeed, non-Christians and Christians, the areligious and religious, alike can benefit from actively thinking about some of the arguments Kempis makes about, say, criticizing others when so much work still needs to be done on oneself (nothing less than a pithy expatiation on casting the first stone!). Indeed, the first great modern proponent of Vedanta, Yoga, and Hinduism, Swami Vivekananda, said that while he loved and read many different works from all sorts of cultures, the two he always carried with him were the Bhagavad Gita and The Imitation of Christ. Quite an endorsement, considering that Protestants and Catholics alike have gained so much from it from all these centuries.