True Meditation: Discover the Freedom of Pure Awareness

What Adyashanti describes as "True Meditation" is essentially Zen/Buddhist meditation called "Shikantaza" or Zazen. This practice is very hard to describe and many Zen books don't describe it in detail. I have searched for many books to get instructions on how to do Zazen but couldn't find any that describes it so well as this one does.In most Zen places though, they make the students start in a concentration technique like counting/following breaths. This is for attaining certain level of concentration so that the clinging to thoughts becomes lesser before we actually take up shikantaza or just sitting practice. Earlier when I took up Zen practice, I was drawn towards the beauty of this Shikantaza practice. But I really hated following the breath and all those other concentration practices. Those didnt feel natural to me and somehow I had the feeling that "Shikantaza" alone would be enough. I am happy that Adyashanti endorses this (starting directly with shikantaza without any breath following required). In the Q&A section (interview at the end of the book) he also clearly explains why he thinks breathing practices won't be necessary and why "Just Sitting" or Shikantaza would be enough. Infact I later found that there are a few Zen schools (Gudo Nishijima lineage and famous american Zen teacher Brad Warner) that teach only shikantaza and say breath following or any such concentration practice is not necessary. Though Adya doesn't recommend any particular posture, I personally prefer the Zen style posture of Sitting on a Zafu with eyes open and facing the wall compared to closing the eyes and back to the wall kind of method. That kind of gives me better alertness and openness.I highly recommend this book and this practice to all those interested in meditation. It is also a good idea to read and understand about Zazen and Zen meditation practices to get a complete picture though this book alone would be sufficient.

Just from my having attended a ten day retreat with Adyashanti six years ago I can truthfully say he's the "real deal", that he's among the few out there that "walks the talk."But as helpful as the retreat is, just this book with the companion CD may be sufficient because it directs both the neophyte and experienced meditator into more beneficial results with meditation. They come to see that it's NOT about the altered states that come as a byproduct to meditation but instead awakening to one's own natural state. Furthermore, there's also value to be gained in meditative self-inquiry to further understand what this is all about.(additional comment since last post).......I wouldn't alter in any radical manner what I had written but have since discovered what I feel to be a more helpful meditation "technique", one in which the meditator is the object of focus instead of focusing on an object(or even shikantaza for that matter). This is based on the Indian Sage Nisargadatta Maharaja's comment regarding meditation and can be discovered through the non-verbal stateless state of I AM.I'd also add that the Adya's account of self inquiry(which is essentially the Neti Neti or 'not this, not that')while informative isn't enough because by just explaining what this is about a practitioner ONLY derives a mental understanding in contrast to the benefit from self inquiry as prescribed by Ramana Maharshi or Nisargadatta Maharaj.

I thought this was a great book. During hypnosis sessions I had been guided by spirit to "MEDITATE". What I had been taught about meditation in my life made me uncomfortable. I had tried meditating (the way I thought it had to be done) but found it to be very boring! I thought I was doing it "wrong" because my mind would wander. Plus, I could not just sit still for hours. Yuk! Anyway, with Adyashanti's guidance through this book and CD, I was able to let go of a lot of what I thought meditation was supposed to be. I was able to open up and accept that my mind was going to wander, etc. I also am now at the point where I realize that I am in a constant state of meditation when I am present. When I am not projecting my thoughts in the past or in the future. My "meditation time" is better spent walking in nature, or just walking around my neighborhood. God (or whatever you prefer to call the all that is), is always there for me when I am walking and asking questions. Always! When I am walking and enjoying the beauty all around me, I am present. This book and CD are well worth the read and listen. Thank you Adyashanti! Bless your heart!

I've read tons of books about meditation and awakening and I've meditated for several decades with various techniques and methods, including the method which Adyashanti recommends here, which is based on relinquishing control and manipulation, and allowing everything to be as it is. My final conclusion is that (a) this is the best book on meditation that I've ever come across, and (b) the way of meditating which Adyashanti recommends is brilliant, and it works, i.e. it delivers the goods and goes far beyond what I have experienced with other methods.I highly recommend this book both for beginners and for experienced meditators. Even if you're an experienced meditator, you will learn something new and helpful.

I took my time reading this book. It was excellent and I really enjoyed it. So to my dismay, when I was done and went to play the CD that comes with it, I discovered that is was broken. I cannot play it and I also cannot return this for another one that has a good CD. I apparently took too much time to read it and am past the return by date.So if I was just rating the book, it would get five stars. But because the CD is damaged beyond me being able to use it, I have to give this a lower rating.

This is a simple book, ideal for those who are new to meditation or non-duality. The text itself is simple and fairly short. However, the meditation CD itself is worth five stars. It introduces self-inquiry and allowing things to be exactly as they are in two 20-30 minute meditations. Both are extremely powerful. Highly recommended.

This is a short but wonderfully clear and insightful exposition of what meditation should be about. Adyashanti emphasises that meditation isn't about trying to perfect a technique but rather about letting go of techniques and control to achieve spiritual awakening and enlightenment. Meditation achieves this by letting go of control and dissociating from identity with thought and feeling to arrive at our true essence, awareness. In Part 2 of the book meditative self-inquiry-asking a question of spiritual significance-is regarded as just as important as meditation. Adyashanti also urges that we act with a meditative state of mind in all areas of life, not just while we are meditating. So overall a very helpful meditation guide and some interesting ideas about what meditation is and what it can achieve.

I bought this book a week ago and I've read it twice already. I have read many books on meditation and this simple and abeviated little book is probably the best.It captures what we, in the west, are missing most in our lives. Unfortunately I cannot put into words what "this" is!!! However I can whole heartedly recommend this book, it's one that I will keep and turn to again and again.

If you tried different methods of meditation and you are still unsure what it really is about and how to take the struggle, dissapointments and feeling lost and defeated by it all - this is the book for you. But even if you are well established in your practice, this book reminds you 0f the whole point of meditation. No frills and definitely no pretences here. You are brought down to earth,like it or not.I loved it and my meditation practice has become so much more real and so much more meaningful.Cannot thank Adya enough for this book!

Whilst reading this book I realised the reasons I struggled with meditation, the posture, the concentration on breathing and the worrying If I was doing it right are the very things getting in the way of true meditation.It's the lack of effort and control which is important and for me lack of effort is much more enjoyable!I have also found I prefer to meditate with my eyes open which is also a new discovery as I find it's not such I big leap from meditation to daily life.I would recommend buying the book as it comes with a great cd with 2 meditations that really help.