Meditation: The Simple and Practical Way to Begin Meditating (A Start Here Guide)

A Start Here Guide for Beginners

by Patrick J. Harbula

Meditation is an ancient practice that has brought peace and clarity to people from every time, culture, and place. Its benefits —a sense of calm, greater knowledge of self, better health—are as appealing to the modern world as they were to the ancient. In this beginner’s guide to meditation, author Patrick Harbula provides readers with everything they need to know in order to experience deep meditation.

Readers will learn:
- The history of meditation, both Eastern and Western
- The benefits of meditation for the mind, body, and spirit
- Different forms of meditation practice
- Supportive practices to enhance the benefits of meditation in daily living.
- Simple ways to begin meditation immediately, and more...

In addition, readers will also find simple techniques to deepen the meditation path for more experienced meditators. Meditation demystifies the often times intimidating world of meditation, providing the perfect starting point for anyone looking to cultivate a sense of peace in their life.

Other books in the Start Here Guide Series:
Energy Healing: Simple and Effective Practices to Become Your Own Healer
Forest Bathing: Discovering Health and Happiness Through the Japanese Practice of Shinrin Yoku
Chakras: An Introduction to Using the Chakras for Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual Well-Being

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published August 13, 2019

Reviews

[gaspar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal para quienes están comenzando a meditar o tienen al menos una gota de interés en intentarlo. Haciendo un recorrido breve por la historia de la meditación, los tipos, los beneficios (científicamente comprobados) y otros, el autor refleja una perspectiva que muchas veces desde la religión se deja de lado: la de entendernos todxs como Uno, que somos amor en potencia, y ofrece una guía práctica con múltiples ejercicios (muchos paso a paso) para poder sacarlo a la luz. Y lo hace no desde la disciplina, la regla o el castigo, como algunas prácticas meditativas, sino desde la auto-aceptación, lo que a cada uno le acomode, la apertura de mente-corazón a distintas creencias.

Quizás mucho de esto es más de lo que el libro abarca, pero es como yo lo percibí, y al final de eso depende, de qué tanto uno lo integre y le haga sentido, pero en concreto es más que nada un catálogo de formas de meditar, y una invitación sincera y amistosa a hacerlo, aceptando nuestros errores y miedo, y entregándonos a lo que sea que nos lleva adelante en la vida, pues sino cómo podemos sanar?

"When i embrace my pain and go deep into it, what I find is my deepest love. I couldn't feel pain if there wasn't something or someone I love at the heart of it"

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was the fact that, in simple terms, meditation was explained, with lots of supplemental information for the novice. In the past, I have tried to use meditation, but have had little success, though I have looked at web sites and at numerous articles and books that concern meditation. I probably did not fully understand what it is and how to do/use it in my life. This book provides the background of meditation, getting started in it as well supporting practice. It also provides a great guide to resources the reader can tap into: web sites, training sites and centers, apps., etc. This will probably e one of the most useful parts of the book, as someone who is just beginning. It is refreshing to find a book that explains something that can be complex as meditation, in simple, understandable terms. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was the fact that, in simple terms, meditation was explained, with lots of supplemental information for the novice. In the past, I have tried to use meditation, but have had little success, though I have looked at web sites and at numerous articles and books that concern meditation. I probably did not fully understand what it is and how to do/use it in my life. This book provides the background of meditation, getting started in it as well supporting practice. It also provides a great guide to resources the reader can tap into: web sites, training sites and centers, apps., etc. This will probably e one of the most useful parts of the book, as someone who is just beginning. It is refreshing to find a book that explains something that can be complex as meditation, in simple, understandable terms. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Essentials for this reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

I really want to meditate. But, like so many people, I cannot calm myself down. So I need to learn to meditate in baby steps. And give myself the grace to do so. I looked for "Meditation for Dummies" but came across this title instead. A book labeled as a "beginners guide" sounded better to me than dummy so I added it to my TBR. That was 2.5 years ago, I'm just now getting to it. I had to be in the right kind of mood and mindset, which is the point of meditation right? Or not. As with anything in life if I waited to be in the right mood, mindset, heart space, income bracket, etc then I would be waiting forever and never start anything. I probably should have tried meditating during the dumpster fire called 2020 but I didn't so maybe I will in 2021. Reading this book was step one. I said it would have to be baby steps.

I found Harbula easy to read and, because of his many years of experience, super informative about *all* things meditation. He gave great background and then he followed it up with great, practical application and recommendations. I also really like his go-with-the-flow attitude toward it, there's no rigidity and as a Type A person I appreciate another opportunity to practice loosening up. He described many different methods/styles/ways to meditate and I have actually done one of them in a yoga class - the body scan. I really like the body scan (fine, partially because I'm laying down...) so want to explore that more but also feel like, in the spirit of grace and being flexible, trying some of the other styles where I'm sitting up with good posture. We'll see. :)

I really enjoyed this title and I'm glad to have read it and may even read it again, or at least read chapter 4 in which Harbula describes the numerous ways one can meditate.

[Merrilee Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one in a series of Start Here Guides from this publisher. It starts with the author’s background from an early age in meditation, and offers his impressions and experience on the process. Clearly he brings a depth of experience and perspective to this guide.

As a licensed psychotherapist, I utilize meditation and mindfulness practices in treatment programs. I am very pleased to find this excellent primer on the subject of meditation. It offers a practical guide consisting of an Introduction followed by chapters on Benefits of Meditation, Getting Started, Meditation Practice, and Supporting Spiritual Practice. There is also a helpful list of resources including: training centers and organizations, websites, apps, and products.

I particularly value the author’s approach emphasizing keeping it simple, finding the joy in the process, and making it fun. I do intend to obtain copies of this book for use in my practice.

My thanks to author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy to read and review.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good starting guide for meditation. The book has five chapters, and the first two are long and read slowly on the detailed history and benefits of meditation. The third chapter is about getting started, things to have and how to mentally and physically approach meditation. The fourth chapter goes more into meditation techniques, offering multiple samples of different types. The fifth chapter is about other spiritual practices that can complement a meditation practice. The book also includes a resource list. Once the book got into how to meditate, I felt it was worthwhile.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick J. Harbula walks you through Meditation explaining the basic history as well as the different types of meditation. Harbula gives you basic methods to get started and helps you find which of the myriad types of medication types to start with to allow each person to actually making their journey.
For me, the best part was the connection of medication to many, many religions. This was the what I needed to help me; I had wanted to use medication to help me with my Christian faith and this will have done do.
This is a great book for beginners as well people wanting to learn more about the practice.

I received an ARC through NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have always wanted to learn Meditation but thought it would be too troublesome to learn, give this book by Rev. Patrick Harbula, a try. “Meditation: The Simple and Practical Way to Begin Meditating” is exactly as the title describes, simple and practical. Begin using meditation techniques in five to ten minute sessions, eventually building up more time as time allows. There is now hard evidence that backs up the benefits of meditation to ease pain, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure. At the same time, you will learn the history behind Eastern and Western types of meditation. Author Patrick Harbula has been a meditation trainer and life coach for over 30 years.

[Josh Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

appreciation for the walk through, historically, for meditation. the different cultures, practices and the various benefits/unwavering support that meditation can bring when adopted into our daily routines.

Patrick details some of the scientific benefits he has noted during his many years of study and practice; Patrick helps the reader to practice correctly through the provision of different exercises, as well as notes on posture and procedure to help the reader.

[Tina Panik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. This well-organized guide explains the how's, why's, and what's of meditation, adds details about contexts and styles of mediation, and also includes samples to try. Highly recommended as a audio selection.

[Andrew Newman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't quite for me, but I got a few good ideas from it. Lots of links and references at the end.

[Lily April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book to deepen my understanding of mediation, perfect for a beginner like me and just the right information to help get started. It will now become a great reference book :)

[Aria Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed guide to meditation for beginners. It's a bit of a slow read, but if you enjoy knowing all the different nuances meditation, this book is for you.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be highly scholarly on the history of meditation. I had thought it might assist in my efforts to meditate. There were samples of meditations.
What I will take from this book is that meditation (regular) provides a conscious mindfulness and with more practice people can "reset" using breath or a mantra.
Not a manual, instruction of how to meditate. It is a very cerebral read.

[Carol Dass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly found this book most helpful. Instead of just diving in with how to meditate, this book goes into the history of meditation, the many and various benefits and all the different types. I have meditated in the past and this book has brought me back to enjoying the practice.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meditation is a good educational book on meditation and the theories behind it. It includes Western and Eastern. A good book for those starting out.