With people feeling more stressed than ever, meditation is becoming increasingly recommended as part of a healthier lifestyle. Regardless if you are looking to start a meditation practice or if you are a seasoned veteran, QUIETING THE MONKEY MIND will be a helpful and useful guide.
What’s so bad about the monkey mind, anyway? It is the term given to the stream of constant chatter that occupies the mind and it plagues practically everyone. Our minds are always talking to us—and most of the time, this dialogue is not helpful. QUIETING THE MONKEY MIND describes the subject of this “inner conversation” as anything “from the news we heard on the radio to making a ‘to do list,’ or to replaying an unpleasant interaction with a friend.” Meditation can help free us from the monkey mind and, in turn, from negative thoughts and patterns. However, even though most of us know that meditation is important, it can be difficult to incorporate it into our daily routine.
QUIETING THE MONKEY MIND helps one overcome the obstacles to a successful meditation practice, even for those who struggle with it. The book covers a range of both basic and advanced topics over sixteen chapters and can be read straight through or one chapter at a time. Chapters include exercises and guided meditations to help the reader practice concepts; instructions are simple and easy to follow, written in language that is clear and easy to read. A beginner might begin with proper posture, breathing, and focus techniques, while vets might want to jump to vocal toning, Hindustani exercises, or trance meditation.
In addition to the dozens of meditations and exercises, the book provides a wealth of resources including chants, mantras, and affirmations. At the end of the book, a resource page lists of music, books, and videos one can use to continue the meditation journey.
Part instruction manual, part guidebook, QUIETING THE MONKEY MIND is a great tool for both the novice and expert and reading it will help battle the ever-jabbering monkey mind, combat anxiety, and usher in a more peaceful, mindful state.
~Jennifer Noll for IndieReader