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Contemplative Practices in Action: Spirituality, Meditation, and Health

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This groundbreaking primer illuminates contemplative methods that can improve mental and physical health.

Contemplative practices, from meditation to Zen, are growing in popularity as methods to inspire physical and mental health. Contemplative Practices in Spirituality, Meditation, and Health offers readers an introduction to these practices and the ways they can be used in the service of well being, wisdom, healing, and stress reduction.

Bringing together various traditions from the East and West, this thought-provoking work summarizes the history of each practice, highlights classic and emerging research proving its power, and details how each practice is performed. Expert authors offer step-by-step approaches to practice methods including the 8-Point Program of Passage Meditation, Centering Prayer, mindful stress management, mantram meditation, energizing meditation, yoga, and Zen. Beneficial practices from Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, and Islamic religions are also featured. Vignettes illustrate each of the practices, while the contributors explain how and why they are effective in facing challenges as varied as the loss of a partner or child, job loss, chronic pain or disease, or psychological disorders.

276 pages, Hardcover

First published July 15, 2010

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About the author

Thomas G. Plante

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Jill.
411 reviews23 followers
September 5, 2016
Picked this up in the recommended book section of the library. An excellent exploratory book for anyone as new to comparative religion as I am. And this book is helpful because it gives you action points, ways of practicing mindfulness, for example, instead of just barking religious dogma at you. I imagine this would be a useful book to have around if you're looking to change your life in a positive way. Suggestion: I found it best to skip around to chapters that grabbed my attention rather than reading it beginning to end.

"According to Buddhist psychology, suffering comes from our wanting things to be different from what they really are, whether that is wishing for another job, for more money, for a different appearance, or even to be happier...Though we are presenting mindfulness meditation here as a means of stress management, it is important to note that in Buddhism, the intention of mindfulness training is not for "stress management" but to achieve complete liberation from suffering and compassion for all beings."

On Observing the Breath: "Some find it helpful to set an intention before beginning this sitting exercise by silently speaking something that resonates for them in the moment. "May I be nonjudgmental," or "May I be gentle with myself" are examples of such intentions."

Mindful Eating: "First, simply observe how you eat, without changing anything about it. Do you eat with someone? Do you eat standing up or sitting down? Perhaps while doing something else? where do you eat--on a couch, in bed, at a table, in front of the computer? How much do you eat? How long does it take you to eat? How do you feel before and after you eat? How do you determine what to eat?"

Mindful Eating: "As a mindful eating exercise, try sitting down to a meal and pausing before you begin eating. Set an intention for this meal, for example, "May this food nourish me"; "My I be present for this meal"; "May I appreciate all that was involved in providing this meal". And it goes on to explain how to observe your eating, how you feel during and after, paying close attention to your body.

"Recent surveys show that as many as one-third of Americans place themselves in the category of "spiritual, but not religious," rejecting traditional organized religion as the sole means of furthering their spiritual growth."

Source: Rumi
Passage:
"Everything you see has its roots.
In the unseen world.
The forms may change,
Yet the essence remains the same.
Every wondrous sight will vanish,
Every sweet word will fade.
But do not be disheartened,
The source they come from is eternal."



Profile Image for Gloria.
2,303 reviews54 followers
May 23, 2011
I can see this book being used as a textbook for a class on spiritual practices. It is rather dry like a textbook, but is also quite thorough in presenting viewpoints and practices among all the major faiths. Not particularly inspiring, but certainly educational. Lots of resources included.
Profile Image for Mila Gamaiunova.
23 reviews3 followers
August 11, 2018
The book makes an introduction of different types of contemplative practices rooted in various traditions.
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