Insight Meditation Kit

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View books by Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg.

Just what I needed - Rated
I had tried learning to meditate through books alone and struggled badly. I found the CD that comes with this book an excellent way to get into meditation - the tone of voice used is so soothing.

The book adds so much more background and helpful information to assist and guide meditation.

I would not hesitate in recommending this to anyone interested in starting meditation.

A lifesaver. - Rated
About six months ago I was under significant stress due to work and postgraduate course pressures. I wasn’t coping and life was really getting to me. So after reading a magazine article on meditation I decided to give it a go and purchased the Insight Meditation Kit.

Through the use of the kit and dedicated practice I have managed to gain control of my emotions. Though the work/course pressure is now off I still find meditation invaluable. I can now cope with many difficult situations without becoming flustered or stressed and feel generally more relaxed.

“Insight Meditiation” is the only meditation course I have tried so I can’t compare it with others but I would highly recommend it.

Excellent guide to meditation! - Rated
I have found this pack to be a complete life saver over the last year. I have read through the whole book at least twice and read selected chapters over and over where they are particularly relevant and/or helpful. The CD has some excellent meditation sessions contained on it and the extras provided in this kit were such helpful reminders of the key points. When I feel I need to just sit and chill for half an hour, this is the first thing I turn to... and if things start to get on top of me, I recall some of the pearls of wisdom and things start to calm down and return to their proper perspective. I've not only recommended the pack to numerous other people, I have also bought it as a present. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Two Words - Life Changing - Rated
I have been involved in the art of meditation for some 26 years now and I have studied many different approaches to this ancient art such as those made famous by Gwing Zhu, Xiang Lou and even the surprisingly accurate yet simple beliefs of the Western shaman Gary Daniels.

It is hard to believe that there could be, in this day and age, another book so delightfully straight-forward in its approach yet at the same time, delving into the complexities that many modern day texts on meditation tend to steer away from. It is this complete and utter dedication to the cause that Goldstein & Salzberg (both relatively unheard of before 'Insight...' apart from their work with Ethiopian children in Africa in the 80's) show throughout, that will excel this book into the A-Grade list of Modern day meditation texts.

Though some more advanced readers may find the style of writing somewhat patronising, as if the authors were aloof from the subject (though I can assure you having met both authors in Africa that this was certainly not their intention), it quickly becomes clear that they have an astute knowledge of their subject matter, so much so one could say, that they might even rival the late great Xylon Xuo Ping BBHS (Blessed Be His Soul).

One does not necessarily gain all that another may do in reading this book, indeed my second cousin thought the book was a tad nefarious - which is reflected in the comments made by Foo Jit Su in Chapter 4 of his self titled debut text - although I must stress that there is so much more to be gained (in the metaphysical sense at least) than the average reader may at first believe.

In conclusion, I would not directly recommend this book to those who are not prepared to unlearn what society has had them learn, especially without knowing your previous meditation history - for example those more akin to the teachings of To Shi Bah would be more at ease with, say, William Bailey's more conservative writings in 'Emotions and Emoticons: The truth behind Meditation' than they would be with 'Insight...'. If you are, on the other hand, eager to go beyond the common belief structure and push the boundaries of spiritual enlightenment - this is the title for you.

Great for new starts! - Rated
As someone who was interested in meditation this book provided me to actually try and suceed in meditation, when doing the exercices in the book you feel calm and fell alot better afer meditation. (for all religions) I found it really good personally as it helped me get away from my busy life style.