Opening to Meditation: A Gentle, Guided Approach

by Diana Lang

Over 50 million people seek to reduce stress, according to a Stanford Research Institute study. Opening to Meditation takes the mystery out of the popular practice of meditation, making it as easy as breathing with a user-friendly book and CD. The book unfolds in three The Art of Meditation; How to Practice; and Common Questions. The inspirational CD features two guided meditations to "Open" and "Deepen" and is set to relaxing music and soothing nature sounds. Beginners and experienced alike will benefit from this innovative, easy-to-use title.

Genres: Self Help

64 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2004

Reviews

[Ana Mardoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening to Meditation / 978-1577314547

I purchased this in hardcover form and liked it so much that I bought the Kindle version, too. This beginner's guide to meditation is very useful, and the three voice tracks provided (an explanation of meditation and how to meditate, plus two meditation tracks) are incredible. I listen to the tracks on a weekly basis -- and have been pleased to find out that Ms. Lang also posts new tracks to her Facebook page for fans to download.

I came to this guide with no prior experience with meditation and I've been very happy with the explanations provided here. The author doesn't have "one way" to meditate; you can do these exercises whenever, however, in whatever posture, etc. She stresses that the important thing is your convenience and comfort. There's also a really good explanation here for how to deal with interruptive thoughts, which is something that I knew in advance I would struggle with. As it turns out, that's normal and with the vocal guidance, I've been able to work past that more easily than I would have imagined.

I do recommend this guide for anyone interested in coming to meditation. It's quick and easy to leap into and I enjoy using these vocal tracks immensely.

~ Ana Mardoll

[Pamela Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and CD for beginners of meditation. Book is short and easy to read in a short amount of time but contains very useful information. The cd is wonderful and I still use it often. Wonderful investment.

[Ann M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information was helpful, the actual recorded meditations were, I felt, distracting. I liked the book.

[Tristy at New World Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endorsements:
“Diana Lang opens the door to meditation in clear, easy-to-understand language that makes the journey of meditation a most gentle one.”
— Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD, author of Love Is Letting Go of Fear

“Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, Opening to Meditation is thoroughly ‘user friendly’ from beginning to end."
— Midwest Book Review

“Diana Lang understands the fears that block most people from meditating effectively. Her instructions on how to remove them are so simple and delightful that it almost seems unfair that we get results so quickly. Isn’t meditation supposed to be daunting? But the benefits don’t stop there. Lang also understands and gently leads us to the ultimate benefit — the experience of the loving reality that already embraces us all.”
— Hugh Prather, author of Notes to Myself: My Struggle to Become a Person

“What is remarkable…is Lang’s distillation process. Because there is nothing worse than a meditation book that keeps you locked in your mind, Lang stripped all florid language and concept away so that the essential nature of meditation is revealed. All that remains is simplicity, beauty, and grace — just like our essential Selves.”
— LA Yoga

“A lovely book! Clear, gentle, and practical — just like the experience of meditation itself.”
— Tobin Blake, author of The Power of Stillness: Learn Meditation in 30 Days

[Anna McGary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle and welcoming. I would definitely recommend going to her website to listen to the meditations. She does a great job of demystifying meditation and making it accessible to the layperson. Everyone can meditate!