Meditation Without Gurus: A Guide to the Heart of Practice

by Clark Strand

Begin to meditate―or renew your practice―with this
straightforward guide that is free from pretension and complication.

Is there a way you can learn to slow down and experience yourself more fully, your life more deeply, and other people in the present moment without adopting a new religious or philosophical ideology? Clark Strand answers with a clear and simple "yes!" Short, compelling reflections show you how to make meditation a part of your daily life, without the complication of gurus, mantras, retreats, or treks to distant monasteries.

What is the proper way to breathe? Where should I meditate? What should I sit on? How often should I practice? You'll find the answers surprising as Strand breaks down modern-day stereotypes about meditation and leaves the one thing a successful meditation practice truly you.

Genres: Meditation

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Frank Jude · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I really wish I could give this book more stars; both because I totally agree with the general thesis ("no need for gurus") and because I know Clark (not well, but did practice with him in Woodstock for awhile).

However, while I too reject the need -- or even the so-called benefit -- of having a 'guru,' I do believe that the hyper-individualistic "my truth," stance can lead to self-delusion. I've seen it way too many times! AND, I've experienced it at times when I practiced completely on my own. There is often the real need and benefit of the 'friend along the way.'

Also, Strand here seems overly 'quietistic' in his understanding of meditation. I really think we do a dis-service to others when we say that meditation is simply "being here now," which is ultimately what Strand comes back to repeatedly. I also think he misunderstands that his own perspective from which he is -- let's face it -- teaching is also "ideological." He often says things like: "...I had to leave him and his monastery in order to experience the present moment free of all ideological constraints." There simply is NO SUCH THING! What Strand seems not to understand is that he is speaking FROM a particular -- not at all unique, and not at all harmless -- ideological perspective. It seems that many meditators, buddhists, yogis (whatever and however they define themselves) think that they can go beyond "ideology." They seem to think "ideology" a bad thing. What is "bad" is unconscious/hidden/denied ideology. Practice can -- and I believe should make visible our ideology so that we can verify if is is 'true' and helpful; liberation is to at least some extent, conscious ideology.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book before I started meditating. Strand, a former Buddhist monk, suggests we approach "meditation as a hobby and not as a profession." That summarizes this book. Don't feel you have to meditate "perfectly" because you won't and you can't. You don't to have breathe particularly deeply or slowly: however you're breathing right now, that's how you'll breathe when you meditate. And you don't have to sit in lotus position if that's uncomfortable for you. Just sit.

Meditation is all about being present. So when your mind starts wandering all over the place, watch it wander, that's *your* present-and resume counting the breath. Or if you're anxious that you're not "doing it right" (a thought that constantly plagued me when I began meditating), notice that anxiety. Observe it. And resume counting.

And don't think you don't have the temperament to meditate. You do. Probably when you meditate you'll find that it's not what you think meditation is supposed to be like. But you're still meditating.

You already have everything you need.

[flms23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book during a very challenging time in my life. I read it slowly, savored it, sometimes reading a page in a day. I’d read a lot of books on mindfulness and meditation — too many? — and this one I read at the right time in my own mindful journey. Strand writes simply about keeping things simple in the practice. The main advice he gives is counting the breath (100 breaths equals 20 minutes) and following the breath. It’s that simple and that difficult. Like meditation. Like life.

Another enjoyable aspect is Clark weaving in the tale of his first teacher throughout the book.

Deh Chun is a hermit who lives in a shack in the woods. Strand visits the zen master for years looking for answers looking for “the way.” And he becomes frustrated when the master provides no answers.

He finds that the answers lie within that non teaching that non direction that non guidance. You must simply slow down and quit looking to find it.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to enable a person to get into a flow and begin meditating smoothly. I had started to meditate on my own and with some others help and Strand broke down the simplicity of how to approach a practice.

1-2-3-4. There were good examples of his struggles and approach to becoming a Zen master and anecdotes from his path. His vision though, was clear and the advice was consistent. A good read for those who aren't sure "what to do" when meditating. That's the point, do nothing....

[Fred Kohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm about six months in to my meditative practice, and it seemed that this book was written just for me. But the more I thought about it, the more it seems that this book is appropriate for any level. The book is only a "guide" in the most vague sense- it is more a series of glimpses into the author's path. True, there are a few exercises, but they are really more suggestions and none of them depend on the others in the sense that the practitioner progresses from one level to the next.