The New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful

This is an entry level Buddhist meditation book. Although it does cover many fundamentals. I think many novice meditation practioners could benefit from this book.

The New Meditation Handbook by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is an invaluable practical guide to meditation. In Geshe Kelsang's introduction he clearly and concisely describes the importance of meditation and how it can help us in our daily lives. Geshe Kelsang stresses the importance of looking for the source of happiness internally rather than constantly trying to manipulate external situations and or objects. Without inner peace no matter how great our external circumcustances, we will not be able to experience true, long-lasting happiness. Geshe Kelsang describes twenty-one powerful meditations that cultivate inner peace within the mind. He also includes a special breathing meditation which focuses on a mantra, in the back of the book that is the most powerful breathing meditation I have ever done. This book is a great introduction to beginners as well as deepens the practice of seasoned meditators. The twenty-one meditations themselves are based upon specific tenents of Buddhist thought and philosophy. Those who are unfamiliar with these basic concepts of Buddhism will find the meditations a great way to learn more about Buddhism. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is interested in engaging in and/or deepening their meditation practice and learning more about Buddhist thought and philosophy

Let's get down to business, consciousness enters the human body to meditate. I found clear cut directions in this book on how to meditate. "The profundity [of one school of Buddhism].. is dependent on an individual's karmic imprints. Try to have faith in one school of Dharma" -Madhyamaka School, PSL Shedra Series Keeping that quote in mind, I have complete faith in Lamrim. I use this book daily for a 10-20 minute morning meditation and view it's instructions as a technical manual on how this mind works. I personally like this version better than "The New Meditation Handbook" because of the way the 21 meditations are so clearly outlined on the page (just better suited to me). It is the thinnest book I've read on the subject, a whole lifetime could be spent putting this book into practice. Thank you Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

The absolute best book to help calm your mind. This author makes it crystal clear how to meditate. It’s so easy and helpful. It has completely changed my life. Just a simple breathing meditation can help with all your problems. This is pure dharma not a feel good new agey kind of text. Clear, pure and helpful. Just read the introduction and see for yourself. It’s the best gift you can give yourself and others.

If your looking for a book to start a meditation regimine with this is it. This book gives you 21 meditations to follow, with brief discussions on what the meditation is about. This book is very good at getting the reader modivated to meditate. Details on how to perform breathing meditation, which is what the reader is asked to start with before going into the main meditation, is not included. However, these can be easily found on the internet. This book helped me become a more diciplined, effective and powerful meditator. It also lead me to the profound life changing realization of the power of compassion. Well worth the money.

This book contains a lot of Buddism and Buddist dogma. There's nothing wrong with that, if you're interested in Buddism. However, as a book on MEDITATION, I expected to learn about meditation, not Buddism. The subtitle, "A Step-by-step Manual for Buddist Meditation", is more accurate. However, once again, there's little actual information about meditation techniques, and much more about how to meditate from the Buddist perspective. Meaning, that the focus is on the philosophy and not techniques. For instance... The section entitled, "How to meditate", is 4 pages long. The majority of the book (just over 80 pages!) concerns the "Twenty-one Meditations", which are things to meditate ON - essentially ideas - which are presented as a sequential process of meditative enlightenment. Thus, if you want to learn HOW to meditate, I cannot recommend that you purchase this book.

This book shows why we need to meditate, how to meditate and what to meditate on, that will truly make a difference in our lives. it is presented in a direct, clear way, that we can understand. Also I like that it shows the importance of putting each topic into practice in our daily lives. Geshe Kelsang has written many books, but this is one of the best. It is short and clear, good for beginners or experienced meditators.

It's good for a meditation guidelines. I think everyone should start somewhere like here. But this book may not work for everyone. People just have to be open mind and see if this book is calling for them.

Upgrades your mental landscape to a much better place. I feel very grateful. I used together with the prayers for meditation at the back, one a day working through the 21. Then each time you repeat it beds in a little more. Great start to the day. Thoroughly recommend 😊

Very good book to help your mind to be compassionate.

Excellent book

I have had the hard copy of this book for many years and have used it regularly but when away from home I find that having the Kindle version ensures that it is always with me. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is an extraordinary teacher who is able to explain Buddhist thinking and meditation in a way that makes his students feel confident under his guidance. For anyone who wants to establish a meditation regime that will enhance their life, in terms of attaining a peaceful mind and enjoying the many benefits this can bring, then this book is invaluable. Like so many things in life this practice takes some time and effort but if you work your way steadily through the book and move at your own pace I am sure you will feel that it has been worth every second spent.

Absolutely brilliant for beginners and experienced meditators. I've been practising for ten years now. Clear, concise, perfect contemplations for developing the minds which are the object of the meditations. Worded in a very easy to understand way, but not dumbed down/watered down at all. No fluffy language, clear and to the point. I would say this is a very qualified instruction book, which can only come from a pure lineage.