Summary

Swami Purnachaitanya introduces the book by describing our rapidly changing world from global warming to pandemics, information overload, fake news, riots, and changes in social structures and lifestyles across the world.

He describes how many such changes are impacting our health, productivity, happiness, and inner peace.  And how it is now more than ever that we need to look inward for strength, focus, and peace of mind.

The book is a practical guide that takes the reader on a journey toward finding the source of their anxiety, stress, and restlessness so that these things can be soothed through meditation.

 The author wanted the book to clear up misconceptions and wrong notions of what meditation is so that the reader can explore meditation in a proper manner.

 He describes mediation as an ancient, time-tested, and very effective art of managing our mind and transcending it.  Plus describes the countless benefits of meditation, ranging from how it impacts social and professional life, personal health, happiness, and a sense of freedom and fulfilment.

 Swami Purnachaitanya says that meditation and mindfulness are not the same and in many ways complete opposites.  Meditation is described as a time-tested effective way of managing our mind and transcending it.

“After all, in today’s modern world, meditation is not a luxury, it is a necessity, and the sooner we realise this, the better.”

 The book is structured in a way that teaches the most important principles to develop a meditation practice and emphasises that it doesn’t require a lot of concentration or focus, surprisingly the opposite – an effortless activity.

 Through the following 7 chapters, the book contains valuable insights and techniques for meditation:

 1.       Yes, the world is changing

2.     Understanding how our minds react to change

3.     What are you seeking

4.     Finding inner peace

5.     Meditation: mindfulness or emptiness?

6.     Starting your meditation practice

7.     Finding the time to meditate

At the end of each chapter is an exercise for the reader and wisdom sutras, that highlight key learning.

 What resonated?

 One of the most important messages for me was that meditation is not just mindfulness, it is much more. It is not something you can do by just downloading an app and listening to it when you have some idle spare time.  It requires practice, some introspection, and commitment.

Swami Purnachaitanya describes mindfulness this way; “Mindfulness is like the driveway, it is like the balcony of a house but there is so much more beyond that, beyond mindfulness. The real house lies beyond that. Mindfulness can get you into the garage but sitting in the garage is not the same as sitting in your living room. 

Whereas, meditation is consciously putting the mind to rest.  When the mind and nervous system are able to unwind and let go of many of the unnecessary impressions, stresses, and strains that we tend to accumulate, you will find that it is naturally more anchored in the present moment. 

The rest of the book is then a journey into exploring and learning more about meditation.

 Favourite Quotes

 “When the world around us is in turmoil, we need to look inward.  Meditation is the tool that can give us the much-needed solace and inner strength.” – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shakar, world-renowned humanitarian, spiritual leader, and peace ambassador.”

“True meditation is going beyond the mind, to experience that state of ‘no mind’ or emptiness.  It is in this space that the mind gets its deepest rest, even deeper than sleep, where it can really refresh and recharge itself.”.

Conclusion

In this book, Swami Purnachaitanya brings to the reader a beautiful handbook on meditation that one can safely practice and learn in the comfort of their own home.

The book really resonated with me and bought me a sense of calm just reading and learning about meditation.

It is a book, I think most people will find valuable, whether or not, it goes on to encourage and embed a meditation practice.