BOOK REVIEW:

Learn to Meditate

by David Fontana

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Reviewed by Kristina Andle  

Meditation is the experience of the limitless nature of the mind
when it ceases to be dominated by its usual mental chatter.
                                                      --  David Fontana

This book is aimed at both those who have no previous experience in meditating and those who are already experienced but wish to add to their knowledge of the practice. The book is essentially divided in to two parts.

Part I: The Gateway is mainly for the beginner. It deals with what David Fontana refers to as the essentials of meditation, such as focusing the mind on controlling thoughts and emotions. It also deals with the practicalities of meditating such as where you should sit, what should you wear, etc. It’s a guide to help you get started and it encourages you to find out what suits you best through experimenting. It encourages you to be patient, as learning to meditate often involves undoing a lifetime of habits.

In Part II: In "Beyond the Gateway", we find an overview of the great traditions, which gives the reader an insight on how advanced meditation can be achieved. This section is a guide to help you identify which tradition suits you best or which elements of the traditions you may want to include into your own practice. It includes all the major traditions and religions,  highlighting their common grounds rather then showing the differences that we are perhaps more used to seeing in the media and in our daily lives. David also prepares you for what advanced stages of meditation can bring, such as highly spiritual experiences, and he offers guidance on how to best prepare your mind and body for this.

I found this book very easy to read and to follow. It is well structured, with each section ending with an exercise that practices the topic discussed. It also lends itself well to be used as a reference as you easily find your way to the part that deals with what you are specifically looking for. Beautiful illustrations and affirmations are scattered throughout the book and they add to the pleasure of reading while reinforcing what you are learning. The book has a feeling of gentleness and understanding about it as it presents its teachings. If you put aside the fact that is was written to teach meditation, it still brings some valuable messages that could even make it appealing to those who are just interested in reading about things connected to spirituality.

This book has so far never made it to my bookshelf. It lives on my bedside table, in the bag I take to work every day, or anywhere I can easily get my hands on it.