Meditation for Starters

by J. Donald Walters, Kriyananda (Alias)

The first half of Meditation for Starters is a lecture about meditation by J. Donald Walters, also known as Kriyananda. Walters' gentle lecture takes the mystery and the "have to" out of the process of meditating; his lecture offers both practical advice (which way to sit, don't eat a heavy meal beforehand, etc.) and encouragement that we are more than our schedules and to-do lists. The second half of the album, "Land of Mystery," is a colorful guided meditation with a delightful musical score (with nature sounds) that follows the flow of the narration. Walters will lead your imagination to soar on breezes, land in a forest glade, walk on a cool mossy floor, etc. Just enough "silence" is included to encourage the beginning meditator to be alone with their mind. Walters radiates trust and love, and it won't be hard for the listener to stay seated in the presence of such a friendly master. The music is among Walters' most colorful compositions.

Genres: New Age, Nonfiction

135 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

See also: Kriyananda

Kriyananda (born James Donald Walters; May 19, 1926, Azuga – April 21, 2013, Assisi) was a direct disciple of the yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, and the founder of the Ananda, a worldwide movement of spiritual intentional communities based on Yogananda's World Brotherhood Colonies ideal. Yogananda made Walters a minister for his organization, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF).

Reviews

[K M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lovely and inspiring little book makes a case for meditation. It answers a lot of basic questions about the practice: why, how, when, how long?, etc. Each chapter is followed by a visualization, each one continuing on from the last - quite nice.

[Dumitru Moraru · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5
A fost un timp când eram interesat de chestiile orientale gen meditații, mantra etc. Aveam nevoie să mă relaxez, pentru că în mine s-a acumulat mult stres. Citeam despre meditație din diferite surse și informațiile erau diferite, nu mai înțelegeam ce și cum. Stai în poziția asta, respiră așa, fă iaca așa și așa. Mai mult de 2-3 săptămâni nu am putut. Nu e pentru mine asta. Dar iubesc filozofia, cultura orientală. Din fericire, sunt multe feluri de meditație și alte moduri de a te relaxa. Pe mine meditația cu spatele drept (o mare durere), să respiri mecanic și nu natural (în voie), mai tare m-a stresat.