Meditation For Dummies

Meditation relaxes the body, calms the mind, improves mental clarity, reduces stress and enhances overall health and well-being. Ideal for novices as well as experienced practitioners looking to expand their horizons, this portable edition of the bestsellingMeditation For Dummies gives you dozens of techniques, practices, and specific meditations, along with tips on how to get the most out of meditation in your everyday life.

• Learn the basics get step-by-step instructions for a variety of meditations, starting with how to sit, what to focus on and how to stop your mind from racing

• Fine-tune your meditation discover how to tailor your practice to your unique needs and life situation, and how to troubleshoot common problems

• Put meditation to work learn how to extend meditation's benefits to every area of your life, from performing more effectively at work, at play and even in the bedroom, to promoting your spiritual growth

Open the book and find:

• How to sit, what to wear and how to breathe

• Ways to improve your mental concentration

• Tips on tuning into your body

• Tried and tested methods for replacing negative patterns of thought

• Guidance on dealing with fear and self-doubt

• Meditations for stress reduction, healing and performance enhancement

• Ways to develop your own meditation practice

Learn to:

• Embrace meditation and improve your mood

• Find your focus

• Overcome difficult emotions and everyday problems

• Slow down and enjoy life

Part I: Getting Acquainted 7

Chapter 1: What Meditation Is and Isn't 9

Chapter 2: Laying the Foundation: Motivation, Attitude, and Beginner's Mind 25

Part II: Getting Started 35

Chapter 3: Relaxing Your Body and Calming Your Mind 37

Chapter 4: Preparing for Meditation: Posture, Stretching, and Sitting Still 49

Chapter 5: Where to Sit, What to Wear, and Other Practical Stuff 75

Part III: Troubleshooting and Fine-Tuning 89

Chapter 6: Meditating with Challenging Emotions and Habitual Patterns 91

Chapter 7: Troubleshooting the Roadblocks and Side Effects 113

Chapter 8: Developing a Practice That Works for You 133

Part IV: Meditation in Action 145

Chapter 9: How to Meditate in Everyday Life 147

Chapter 10: Using Meditation for Healing and Performance Enhancement 163

Part V: The Part of Tens 187

Chapter 11: Answers to Ten Commonly Asked Questions about Meditation 189

Chapter 12: Ten Favorite All-Purpose Meditations 197

Chapter 13: Ten Proven Benefits of Meditation 209

Index 221