David Pond - Llewellyns Little Book of Meditation

Linda Townsend

D avid Pond is an astrologer, author, speaker, and international workshop leader. He is the author of six previous books on metaphysical topics, including Chakras for Beginners , Astrology and Relationships , and Western Seeker, Eastern Paths . David can be found online at his website: DavidPond.com.

Copyright Information

Llewellyns Little Book of Meditation 2018 by David Pond.

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First e-book edition 2018

E-book ISBN: 9780738755571

Based on book design by Rebecca Zins

Cover cartouche by Freepik

Cover design by Lisa Novak

Interior illustrations on by Mary Ann Zapalac

Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is pending.

ISBN 978-0-7387-5418-5

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Manufactured in the United States of America

Dedication

To all of the budding Buddhas who seek to bring more peace into their lives and the world.

Acknowledgments

The process of bringing the original idea for a book to its ultimate publication always amazes me. I start off with such inspiration and then realize my original ideas first written down are the proverbial diamond in the rough, needing a great deal of crafting, refining, and polishing to make the material readable for others. As part of the process I have grown to value and even depend on feedback from those who have graciously been willing to read drafts along the way. I will be forever grateful to my wife, Laurie, for taking on the yeomans task of editing the first drafts. Her patience with helping me forge these into a coherent form always amazes me.

I would first like to thank Angela Wix, acquisitions editor at Llewellyn Publications, for suggesting that I write a book on meditation, and then for her valuable insights and suggestions along the way to bringing this to its final form.

I would like to acknowledge the following friends and family members for reading the manuscript and offering their valuable personal insights: Lynn Mitchell, Forest Pond, Geri Herbert, Amy Stolzenbach, Heather Islander, Michele McIntyre, Kim Myhre, Julie Myhre, Rick Salsbery, Skylar Pond, and Cheryl Welch. Each of you will see your suggestions incorporated into the final draft, and I am so thankful you were willing to share your insights for improving the book.

And finally a special acknowledgment to my soul-buddy Andria Friesen for her willingness to share her attentive eye with me, line by line, as we went through the manuscript together. As owner of the Friesen Art Gallery in Ketchum, Idaho, she has a trained eye for the aesthetics in all she does and gently offered her many insights for improving the presentation of the material.

I would also like to express my gratitude for the lineage of teachers who have kept the teachings of meditation alive throughout history, as well as modern teachers who graciously share their teachings and wisdom of this ancient practice in the world today.

Contents

List of

List of

: What Is Meditation?

: The Components of Meditation

: The Origins of Meditation

: Types of Meditation

: Meditative Practices with Specific Intentions

: Meditation for Children

: Mindfulness in Daily Life

Exercises

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20: Hooponopono:
Reconciliation and Forgiveness Prayer

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Exercises for Children

26:

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32:

introduction

D o you often wish that you could just stop your thoughts and experience a little peace of mind? Learning to meditate can do just that for you. If you have ever had doubts about your ability to be successful at meditation, this book will likely change your mind. And by beginning a meditation practice, you will change your mindliterally. As you will learn, meditation is not simply sitting and doing nothing; it is actively training your mind to stay focused on the object of your meditation, and then, as your mind quiets, to open to expanded awareness. Although the experience of one session is enjoyable and beneficial in and of itself, if you develop a daily practice, even after a few weeks you will experience noticeable transformations in your life, including an increased ability to concentrate, diminished stress and anxiety, greater patience, and diminished restlessness, to name just a few of the benefits. You will also notice greater clarity and discernment in making choices throughout the day that comes from tapping into your inner knowing and wisdom beyond your mind.

This book will give you insights and the tools you need to calm your busy mind and open to another dimension of your being: calm and spacious awareness. Meditation cultivates a domain of your consciousness that is always available, but that we are normally unaware of. Through this book we will explore what meditation is and isnt, the origins of meditation, and various styles of meditation, so that you will be able to find the style and technique that works best for you to gain the wonderful benefits that come from incorporating meditation into your life.

A Little Bit about Me

I am a professional astrologer and metaphysician, and have been for over thirty-five years. I have also been a yoga and meditation teacher and, with my wife, Laurie, have led many groups to sacred sites around the world for a week of exploring, metaphysical studies, yoga, and meditation. My own experiences with transcendent states started very early in life and in a most unfriendly way, with a recurring energy nightmare that would wake me up in a state of panic throughout my youth.