Author: Mary J. Shomon
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 0759527504
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 217
Book Description
From established, trusted doctors comes another groundbreaking "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You" book on Parkinson's Disease, a debilitating neurological disorder that affects over one million people in the U.S. Parkinson's patients can now choose from a variety of increasingly effective treatments, including new drugs, revolutionary surgical techniques, and cutting-edge alternative treatments such as intravenous glutathione therapy. The book covers not only the pros and cons of prescription drug and surgical treatments for Parkinson’s, but discusses the latest alternative therapies, including herbal treatments, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, diet, exercise, mind-body approaches like Tai Chi, and energy work. With special sections focusing on how patients can deal with persistent problems such as fatigue, depression, and balance problems, and unique chapters that specifically address the interests of the growing number of both caregivers and young-onset Parkinson’s patients, this book is a must for anyone looking to alleviate the disabilities caused by this devastating illness.
Yoga Class
Author: Uma Krishnaswami
Publisher: Bebop Books
ISBN: 9781584309154
Category : Exercise for children
Languages : en
Pages : 12
Book Description
Demonstrates six simple positions in yoga for children.
Publisher: Bebop Books
ISBN: 9781584309154
Category : Exercise for children
Languages : en
Pages : 12
Book Description
Demonstrates six simple positions in yoga for children.
Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class
Author: Bikram Choudhury
Publisher: Tarcher
ISBN: 9780874770827
Category : Hatha yoga
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
A guide to yoga poses and exercises, the health benefits to be derived from them, and their incorporation into one's daily life.
Publisher: Tarcher
ISBN: 9780874770827
Category : Hatha yoga
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
A guide to yoga poses and exercises, the health benefits to be derived from them, and their incorporation into one's daily life.
Yoga Sequencing
Author: Mark Stephens
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
ISBN: 1583944974
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 529
Book Description
The yoga teacher’s guide to planning and sequencing yoga classes—with over 2,000 instructional photos and 67 yoga pose sequences for students of all skill levels. Also features additional resources, including yoga class planning worksheets, comprehensive glossaries, and much more! Addressing one of the most popular topics in the yoga profession, this book offers 67 model sequences of yoga poses (asanas) that cover the broad range of yoga student experience. Inside, established and aspiring yoga teachers will find: • Over 2,000 instructional photos and guide to over 150 yoga asanas • Multiple sequences for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students • Yoga sequences for kids, teens, seniors, and women across their life cycle • Yoga classes designed for relieving depression and anxiety • Sequences for each of the major chakras and ayurvedic constitutions • Guidance for teaching breathing (pranayama) and meditation techniques • Glossary of terms and alphabetical asana index with thumbnail photographs • Yoga class planning worksheets • Representative sequences from several popular styles of hatha yoga • And many more resources for further reading! Drawing on ancient yoga philosophy and contemporary insights into functional anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology, Yoga Sequencing is the ultimate guide teachers looking to bring the transformative power of yoga into their practice and classes.
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
ISBN: 1583944974
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 529
Book Description
The yoga teacher’s guide to planning and sequencing yoga classes—with over 2,000 instructional photos and 67 yoga pose sequences for students of all skill levels. Also features additional resources, including yoga class planning worksheets, comprehensive glossaries, and much more! Addressing one of the most popular topics in the yoga profession, this book offers 67 model sequences of yoga poses (asanas) that cover the broad range of yoga student experience. Inside, established and aspiring yoga teachers will find: • Over 2,000 instructional photos and guide to over 150 yoga asanas • Multiple sequences for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students • Yoga sequences for kids, teens, seniors, and women across their life cycle • Yoga classes designed for relieving depression and anxiety • Sequences for each of the major chakras and ayurvedic constitutions • Guidance for teaching breathing (pranayama) and meditation techniques • Glossary of terms and alphabetical asana index with thumbnail photographs • Yoga class planning worksheets • Representative sequences from several popular styles of hatha yoga • And many more resources for further reading! Drawing on ancient yoga philosophy and contemporary insights into functional anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology, Yoga Sequencing is the ultimate guide teachers looking to bring the transformative power of yoga into their practice and classes.
Yin Yoga
Author: Kassandra Reinhardt
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd
ISBN: 0241328438
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Stretch the mindful way with this all-encompassing guide to Yin Yoga. In today's fast-paced world it's easy to lose the balance in our lives and the connection with our bodies. DK believes it's time to change that! Yin Yoga offers a remedy to the stress and hustle of everyday life. Heard of the term but don't know where to begin? No worries, we've got you covered! The same way that Yin balances Yang in ancient philosophies, the slower yin-style yoga featured in this yoga book offers an alternative to the faster more active forms of yoga. Instead, Yin yoga concentrates on holding and breathing through floor-based poses, awarding you with the time and space to clear both your mind and body. Dive straight in to discover: -Over 50 poses focusing on specific areas of the body -Each yoga pose is demonstrated with photographic step-by-step detail -20 sequences linking the poses, tailored to your physical and emotional targets -Introductory spreads covering the basic techniques behind Yin Yoga The first full-coloured step-by-step Yin yoga book on the market, this all-encompassing yoga guide is a must-have volume for individuals seeking a mindful and meditative approach to their yoga practice, as well as beginners and older yoga practitioners who are looking to adopt a slower-paced approach to yoga. You can explore gentle variations to much-loved yoga poses, from the comfort of your own home. Every exercise utilises the essential elements of Yin yoga to ensure you can gain all the physical and mental benefits, and will also allow you to perform all 20 sequences, which combine over 50 different poses into one singular experience and focus on specific health benefits each pose has on your body. For years, books on yoga have asked readers to bend over backwards (literally!) to conform to their physical demands. At DK, we believe it's time to change that! Why not allow for readers to demand that yoga conform to their individual needs instead? This is gentle yoga for the mind, body and soul. A must-have volume for those who want to take up Yoga but don't know where to begin, or simply those seeking to start a gentle low-impact exercise whilst encouraging mindfulness, Yin Yoga can be tailored to your individual fitness needs, so you make the most out of your poses! Why not stretch yourself, literally, this New Year and try something new? Perhaps your mind, body and soul will thank you!
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd
ISBN: 0241328438
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Stretch the mindful way with this all-encompassing guide to Yin Yoga. In today's fast-paced world it's easy to lose the balance in our lives and the connection with our bodies. DK believes it's time to change that! Yin Yoga offers a remedy to the stress and hustle of everyday life. Heard of the term but don't know where to begin? No worries, we've got you covered! The same way that Yin balances Yang in ancient philosophies, the slower yin-style yoga featured in this yoga book offers an alternative to the faster more active forms of yoga. Instead, Yin yoga concentrates on holding and breathing through floor-based poses, awarding you with the time and space to clear both your mind and body. Dive straight in to discover: -Over 50 poses focusing on specific areas of the body -Each yoga pose is demonstrated with photographic step-by-step detail -20 sequences linking the poses, tailored to your physical and emotional targets -Introductory spreads covering the basic techniques behind Yin Yoga The first full-coloured step-by-step Yin yoga book on the market, this all-encompassing yoga guide is a must-have volume for individuals seeking a mindful and meditative approach to their yoga practice, as well as beginners and older yoga practitioners who are looking to adopt a slower-paced approach to yoga. You can explore gentle variations to much-loved yoga poses, from the comfort of your own home. Every exercise utilises the essential elements of Yin yoga to ensure you can gain all the physical and mental benefits, and will also allow you to perform all 20 sequences, which combine over 50 different poses into one singular experience and focus on specific health benefits each pose has on your body. For years, books on yoga have asked readers to bend over backwards (literally!) to conform to their physical demands. At DK, we believe it's time to change that! Why not allow for readers to demand that yoga conform to their individual needs instead? This is gentle yoga for the mind, body and soul. A must-have volume for those who want to take up Yoga but don't know where to begin, or simply those seeking to start a gentle low-impact exercise whilst encouraging mindfulness, Yin Yoga can be tailored to your individual fitness needs, so you make the most out of your poses! Why not stretch yourself, literally, this New Year and try something new? Perhaps your mind, body and soul will thank you!
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM): Parkinson's Disease
Author: Mary J. Shomon
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 0759527504
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 217
Book Description
From established, trusted doctors comes another groundbreaking "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You" book on Parkinson's Disease, a debilitating neurological disorder that affects over one million people in the U.S. Parkinson's patients can now choose from a variety of increasingly effective treatments, including new drugs, revolutionary surgical techniques, and cutting-edge alternative treatments such as intravenous glutathione therapy. The book covers not only the pros and cons of prescription drug and surgical treatments for Parkinson’s, but discusses the latest alternative therapies, including herbal treatments, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, diet, exercise, mind-body approaches like Tai Chi, and energy work. With special sections focusing on how patients can deal with persistent problems such as fatigue, depression, and balance problems, and unique chapters that specifically address the interests of the growing number of both caregivers and young-onset Parkinson’s patients, this book is a must for anyone looking to alleviate the disabilities caused by this devastating illness.
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 0759527504
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 217
Book Description
From established, trusted doctors comes another groundbreaking "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You" book on Parkinson's Disease, a debilitating neurological disorder that affects over one million people in the U.S. Parkinson's patients can now choose from a variety of increasingly effective treatments, including new drugs, revolutionary surgical techniques, and cutting-edge alternative treatments such as intravenous glutathione therapy. The book covers not only the pros and cons of prescription drug and surgical treatments for Parkinson’s, but discusses the latest alternative therapies, including herbal treatments, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, diet, exercise, mind-body approaches like Tai Chi, and energy work. With special sections focusing on how patients can deal with persistent problems such as fatigue, depression, and balance problems, and unique chapters that specifically address the interests of the growing number of both caregivers and young-onset Parkinson’s patients, this book is a must for anyone looking to alleviate the disabilities caused by this devastating illness.
Handbook of Mindfulness-Based Programmes
Author: Itai Ivtzan
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351967150
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 535
Book Description
Handbook of Mindfulness-Based Programmes: Mindfulness Interventions from Education to Health and Therapy offers the first comprehensive guide to all prominent, evidence-based mindfulness programmes available in the West. The rapid growth of mindfulness in the Western world has given rise to an unprecedented wave of creative mindfulness programmes, offering tailor-made mindfulness practices for school teachers, students, parents, nurses, yoga teachers, athletes, pregnant women, therapists, care-takers, coaches, organisational leaders and lawyers. This book offers an in-depth engagement with these different programmes, emphasising not only the theory and research but also the practice. Exercises and activities are provided to enable the reader to first understand the programme and then experience its unique approach and benefits. Handbook of Mindfulness-Based Programmes will enrich your knowledge and experience of mindfulness practice, whether you are a practitioner, researcher or simply interested in the application of mindfulness.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351967150
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 535
Book Description
Handbook of Mindfulness-Based Programmes: Mindfulness Interventions from Education to Health and Therapy offers the first comprehensive guide to all prominent, evidence-based mindfulness programmes available in the West. The rapid growth of mindfulness in the Western world has given rise to an unprecedented wave of creative mindfulness programmes, offering tailor-made mindfulness practices for school teachers, students, parents, nurses, yoga teachers, athletes, pregnant women, therapists, care-takers, coaches, organisational leaders and lawyers. This book offers an in-depth engagement with these different programmes, emphasising not only the theory and research but also the practice. Exercises and activities are provided to enable the reader to first understand the programme and then experience its unique approach and benefits. Handbook of Mindfulness-Based Programmes will enrich your knowledge and experience of mindfulness practice, whether you are a practitioner, researcher or simply interested in the application of mindfulness.
A Life in Balkan Archaeology
Author: John Chapman
Publisher: Oxbow Books
ISBN: 1789257328
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
This memoir is not really about research questions or main conclusions. It tells the story of a boy growing up in Plymouth, Devon, getting excited about archaeology after visits to mainland Greece and Crete, trying to get into Greek archaeology and relocating northwards into the Balkans, where he spent a career in prehistoric research. The chapters alternate between museum/university experiences and my major research projects. The experiences of working in that part of the world as the Third Balkan War was starting were dramatic and a history-style chapter is devoted to these beginnings. The Balkan prehistoric club in the west is a very small and select group so there is an intrinsic interest about how westerners did their archaeology there and how they interacted with local colleagues. There is also a sense of a ‘colonial relationship’ between westerners knowledgeable about theory and method, with well-stocked libraries and large research grants and easterners with little of the above. On a basic level, the memoir presents stories with implications for east–west relationships that will soon disappear from living memory. The ways that research projects originated and developed are strongly featured and there is a fund of anecdotes about prehistorians living and dead. The publication of this memoir records those fragments of the discipline’s history that are in danger of being lost forever. But my life story is not erased from this account, which is not an anthropological work but, rather, a participant account with a modicum of relevant personal details. The book providing the archaeological results is the publication Forging identities in the prehistory of Old Europe. Dividuals, individuals and communities 7000–3000 BC – a synthesis of academic research in Balkan prehistory. This memoir provides the insider story to the research results.
Publisher: Oxbow Books
ISBN: 1789257328
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
This memoir is not really about research questions or main conclusions. It tells the story of a boy growing up in Plymouth, Devon, getting excited about archaeology after visits to mainland Greece and Crete, trying to get into Greek archaeology and relocating northwards into the Balkans, where he spent a career in prehistoric research. The chapters alternate between museum/university experiences and my major research projects. The experiences of working in that part of the world as the Third Balkan War was starting were dramatic and a history-style chapter is devoted to these beginnings. The Balkan prehistoric club in the west is a very small and select group so there is an intrinsic interest about how westerners did their archaeology there and how they interacted with local colleagues. There is also a sense of a ‘colonial relationship’ between westerners knowledgeable about theory and method, with well-stocked libraries and large research grants and easterners with little of the above. On a basic level, the memoir presents stories with implications for east–west relationships that will soon disappear from living memory. The ways that research projects originated and developed are strongly featured and there is a fund of anecdotes about prehistorians living and dead. The publication of this memoir records those fragments of the discipline’s history that are in danger of being lost forever. But my life story is not erased from this account, which is not an anthropological work but, rather, a participant account with a modicum of relevant personal details. The book providing the archaeological results is the publication Forging identities in the prehistory of Old Europe. Dividuals, individuals and communities 7000–3000 BC – a synthesis of academic research in Balkan prehistory. This memoir provides the insider story to the research results.
Secular Beats Spiritual
Author: Steve Bruce
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198805683
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 214
Book Description
The decline of the Christian churches in the West is undeniable but commentators differ in their understanding of what this represents. For some it shows a decline in interest in religion as such; for others, religion has not declined, it has only changed its shape. Possible candidates for Christianity's replacement are the new religious movements of the late 1960s and what is variously called New Age, alternative or contemporary spirituality. Secular Beats Spiritual offers a detailed study of the religious and spiritual innovations of the last 50 years. It assesses their popularity in the UK and concludes that the "not decline-just change" view cannot be sustained. Serious interest in spirituality has grown far less quickly than has the number of us who have no religious or spiritual interest. The most popular and enduring movements have been the least religious ones and those that have survived have done so by becoming more "this-worldly" and less patently religious or spiritual. Yoga is popular but as a secular exercise program; Transcendental Meditation now markets its meditational technique as a purely secular therapy; British Buddhists now offer the secular Mindfulness; and the Findhorn Foundation (Europe's oldest New Age center) is no longer the germ of a counter-cultural communalism but sells its expertise to major corporations. Steve Bruce also demonstrates that, although eastern religious themes (such as reincarnation and karma) have become more popular as the power of the Christian churches to stigmatize them has declined, such themes have also been significantly altered so that what superficially looks like the easternization of the West might better be described as the westernization of the easternization of the West.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198805683
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 214
Book Description
The decline of the Christian churches in the West is undeniable but commentators differ in their understanding of what this represents. For some it shows a decline in interest in religion as such; for others, religion has not declined, it has only changed its shape. Possible candidates for Christianity's replacement are the new religious movements of the late 1960s and what is variously called New Age, alternative or contemporary spirituality. Secular Beats Spiritual offers a detailed study of the religious and spiritual innovations of the last 50 years. It assesses their popularity in the UK and concludes that the "not decline-just change" view cannot be sustained. Serious interest in spirituality has grown far less quickly than has the number of us who have no religious or spiritual interest. The most popular and enduring movements have been the least religious ones and those that have survived have done so by becoming more "this-worldly" and less patently religious or spiritual. Yoga is popular but as a secular exercise program; Transcendental Meditation now markets its meditational technique as a purely secular therapy; British Buddhists now offer the secular Mindfulness; and the Findhorn Foundation (Europe's oldest New Age center) is no longer the germ of a counter-cultural communalism but sells its expertise to major corporations. Steve Bruce also demonstrates that, although eastern religious themes (such as reincarnation and karma) have become more popular as the power of the Christian churches to stigmatize them has declined, such themes have also been significantly altered so that what superficially looks like the easternization of the West might better be described as the westernization of the easternization of the West.
Masculinities in the Field
Author: Brooke A. Porter
Publisher: Channel View Publications
ISBN: 1845417984
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
This volume is an essential reference for designing, analysing and reflecting on field research. It advances the literature on gender by taking a specific focus on masculinities. The book is organised into four sections: hegemonic and heteronormative masculinities, performing heteronormative masculinities, situated masculinities and paternal masculinities. The chapters explore the question of what it means to be a ‘man’ and definitions of masculinities. These reflexive accounts of gendered field experiences further the call for gender positionality in research and will aid tourism researchers and other transdisciplinary scholars. It is a useful tool for supervisors, ethics committee members and researchers (male and female).
Publisher: Channel View Publications
ISBN: 1845417984
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
This volume is an essential reference for designing, analysing and reflecting on field research. It advances the literature on gender by taking a specific focus on masculinities. The book is organised into four sections: hegemonic and heteronormative masculinities, performing heteronormative masculinities, situated masculinities and paternal masculinities. The chapters explore the question of what it means to be a ‘man’ and definitions of masculinities. These reflexive accounts of gendered field experiences further the call for gender positionality in research and will aid tourism researchers and other transdisciplinary scholars. It is a useful tool for supervisors, ethics committee members and researchers (male and female).
Spiritual Autobiography and Meditation Handbook
Author: Emerson D. Brooking, Ph.D.
Publisher: Panther Brook Spiritual Center
ISBN: 0615961754
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 180
Book Description
Introducing the Serenity Meditation. In 1985, while visiting Chaing Mai in northern Thailand, the author asks a monk to teach him meditation. The monk replies that he cannot, but his teacher might. His teacher is Chief Priest of Sanpatong. No farang (foreigner of European descent) had ever asked him to teach meditation, yet he readily agrees to teach the author. He speaks no English. During the next month, using the monk as interpreter, he diligently teaches the Serenity Meditation. Initiation into the Serenity Meditation immediately propels the author on a most magnificent journey, transforming his life and consciousness. His drug addiction evaporates and he harvests other fruits of the spirit – a loving, compassionate heart filled with peace and joy. This book chronicles his journey along the spiritual path. It is the journey from identifying himself as a separate body-mind-personality self to experiencing his essential Self as an expression of Infinite Consciousness-Existence. This Spiritual Autobiography and Meditation Handbook describes how he gradually explores layer, beneath layer, beneath layer of his mind and being – sometimes referred as “peeling the onion.” Over the years, the author’s meditation practice has proven to be divine psychotherapy. In these pages, he shares how he learns to move from the False Self (the self developed in his own likeness rather than in the likeness of God) to the True Self (the image of God in which every human being is created). It has been, and continues to be, a journey teaching him how to relax and learn to “let go and let God.” Spiritual Autobiography and Meditation Handbook is also a manual. It contains sufficient information and techniques to allow the reader to begin or deepen a personal meditation practice. Through God’s grace, this intensive meditation practice may lead serious truth seekers to Self- and God- realization. Meditation is a relaxed, focused, uninterrupted awareness. RELAXED AWARENESS Meditation requires the ability to “let go and let God.” If you are unable to relax, deep meditation is unlikely. (Capital letters refer to headings in the Table of Contents.) Probably the easiest way to relax is to focus on belly breathing. The DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING EXERCISE is a good introduction. If you are a chest breather and have difficulty breathing into your belly, lie in THE CROCODILE POSTURE. This posture will teach you the appropriate muscles to use to breathe diaphragmatically. When you are a proficient belly breather, then master Three Part Breathing (Deergha Swaasam) described by Swami Satchidananda in his article THE BREATH OF LIFE. PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION and AUTOGENIC TRAINING INSTRUCTIONS provide you with a powerful entry into deep relaxation. THERMAL BIOFEEDBACK and ELECTRODERMAL BIOFEEDBACK will help you. Begin your meditation/prayer practice with ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING. [If your nose is congested, do a NETI (NASAL) WASH first.] FOCUSED AWARENESS SERENITY MEDITATION and MINDFULNESS (VIPASSANA) MEDITATION INSTRUCTIONS are clearly written and include folks you can contact if you have any questions. Mantra meditation (FOCUS WORD OR PHRASE), THE METHOD OF CHRISTIAN CENTERING PRAYER, Kriya Pranayama Meditation, and the TECHINIQUE OF PRIMORDIAL SOUND AND LIGHT CONTEMPLATION are all simple, but powerful, meditation techniques. UNINTERRUPTED AWARENESS For most folks, to achieve “uninterrupted awareness” requires a great deal of practice. The mind is like a wild, drunken monkey trapped in a cage. To tame it requires a lot of loving patience. The author has now been meditating for almost thirty years, and there still are days that he experiences “monkey mind.” When he reminds himself that God loves him just as he is, he is encouraged and continues his practice. To be successful in meditation/prayer usually requires consistent effort, determination, and practice over a long period of time. It also requires you to develop a strong moral foundation. YOGA PHILOSOPHY, INTEGRAL YOGA® and RAJA YOGA: THE YOGA OF MEDITATION expound this truth. Until you live a virtuous life, success in meditation/prayer is doubtful. How does one who covets, lies, cheats, steals, kills, and engages in sexual misconduct quiet the mind? That mind will always be agitated! You may learn powerful meditation techniques but your life and consciousness will not be transformed. You will never harvest the fruits of the spirit – a loving, compassionate heart filled with peace and joy. Remember, meditation/prayer is not about getting high; it is not about bliss. Often, the author has to remind himself not to be too satisfied resting in Bliss-consciousness. As much as he loves it, that is not his goal. Rather, his goal is Self- and God-realization. The author once asked Roy Eugene Davis, his guru (teacher), how he could become fully Self- and God-realized. Roy laughed and said that he wished he could tell the author but he could not. Then he gently explained that is a path the author had to discover for himself. You, too, will have to discover the path for yourself. The author wishes you God speed on this very special journey and stands ready to assist you in any way that he can.
Publisher: Panther Brook Spiritual Center
ISBN: 0615961754
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 180
Book Description
Introducing the Serenity Meditation. In 1985, while visiting Chaing Mai in northern Thailand, the author asks a monk to teach him meditation. The monk replies that he cannot, but his teacher might. His teacher is Chief Priest of Sanpatong. No farang (foreigner of European descent) had ever asked him to teach meditation, yet he readily agrees to teach the author. He speaks no English. During the next month, using the monk as interpreter, he diligently teaches the Serenity Meditation. Initiation into the Serenity Meditation immediately propels the author on a most magnificent journey, transforming his life and consciousness. His drug addiction evaporates and he harvests other fruits of the spirit – a loving, compassionate heart filled with peace and joy. This book chronicles his journey along the spiritual path. It is the journey from identifying himself as a separate body-mind-personality self to experiencing his essential Self as an expression of Infinite Consciousness-Existence. This Spiritual Autobiography and Meditation Handbook describes how he gradually explores layer, beneath layer, beneath layer of his mind and being – sometimes referred as “peeling the onion.” Over the years, the author’s meditation practice has proven to be divine psychotherapy. In these pages, he shares how he learns to move from the False Self (the self developed in his own likeness rather than in the likeness of God) to the True Self (the image of God in which every human being is created). It has been, and continues to be, a journey teaching him how to relax and learn to “let go and let God.” Spiritual Autobiography and Meditation Handbook is also a manual. It contains sufficient information and techniques to allow the reader to begin or deepen a personal meditation practice. Through God’s grace, this intensive meditation practice may lead serious truth seekers to Self- and God- realization. Meditation is a relaxed, focused, uninterrupted awareness. RELAXED AWARENESS Meditation requires the ability to “let go and let God.” If you are unable to relax, deep meditation is unlikely. (Capital letters refer to headings in the Table of Contents.) Probably the easiest way to relax is to focus on belly breathing. The DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING EXERCISE is a good introduction. If you are a chest breather and have difficulty breathing into your belly, lie in THE CROCODILE POSTURE. This posture will teach you the appropriate muscles to use to breathe diaphragmatically. When you are a proficient belly breather, then master Three Part Breathing (Deergha Swaasam) described by Swami Satchidananda in his article THE BREATH OF LIFE. PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION and AUTOGENIC TRAINING INSTRUCTIONS provide you with a powerful entry into deep relaxation. THERMAL BIOFEEDBACK and ELECTRODERMAL BIOFEEDBACK will help you. Begin your meditation/prayer practice with ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING. [If your nose is congested, do a NETI (NASAL) WASH first.] FOCUSED AWARENESS SERENITY MEDITATION and MINDFULNESS (VIPASSANA) MEDITATION INSTRUCTIONS are clearly written and include folks you can contact if you have any questions. Mantra meditation (FOCUS WORD OR PHRASE), THE METHOD OF CHRISTIAN CENTERING PRAYER, Kriya Pranayama Meditation, and the TECHINIQUE OF PRIMORDIAL SOUND AND LIGHT CONTEMPLATION are all simple, but powerful, meditation techniques. UNINTERRUPTED AWARENESS For most folks, to achieve “uninterrupted awareness” requires a great deal of practice. The mind is like a wild, drunken monkey trapped in a cage. To tame it requires a lot of loving patience. The author has now been meditating for almost thirty years, and there still are days that he experiences “monkey mind.” When he reminds himself that God loves him just as he is, he is encouraged and continues his practice. To be successful in meditation/prayer usually requires consistent effort, determination, and practice over a long period of time. It also requires you to develop a strong moral foundation. YOGA PHILOSOPHY, INTEGRAL YOGA® and RAJA YOGA: THE YOGA OF MEDITATION expound this truth. Until you live a virtuous life, success in meditation/prayer is doubtful. How does one who covets, lies, cheats, steals, kills, and engages in sexual misconduct quiet the mind? That mind will always be agitated! You may learn powerful meditation techniques but your life and consciousness will not be transformed. You will never harvest the fruits of the spirit – a loving, compassionate heart filled with peace and joy. Remember, meditation/prayer is not about getting high; it is not about bliss. Often, the author has to remind himself not to be too satisfied resting in Bliss-consciousness. As much as he loves it, that is not his goal. Rather, his goal is Self- and God-realization. The author once asked Roy Eugene Davis, his guru (teacher), how he could become fully Self- and God-realized. Roy laughed and said that he wished he could tell the author but he could not. Then he gently explained that is a path the author had to discover for himself. You, too, will have to discover the path for yourself. The author wishes you God speed on this very special journey and stands ready to assist you in any way that he can.