The Power of Meditation: An Ancient Technique to Access Your Inner Power

by Edward Viljoen

Overview

Winner of the 2014 Nautilus Award represents “Better Books for a Better World”—the Silver Award in the category of Religion /Spirituality: Eastern Traditions.

This wise and delightful guide to the benefits of meditation practices will help readers cultivate a calm, peaceful, and enlightened lifestyle. Drawing from his years of experience as a teacher, spiritual leader, and avid meditator, Edward Viljoen directs readers down the path to enlightenment using wisdom such as:

• Mindfulness practices—Train yourself to become absorbed in a purposefully chosen activity.
• Sitting practices—Reduce the use of mental and physical resources as much as possible by sitting still and silently.
• Creative practices—Employ such devices as journaling, observing, and focusing on a favorite literary or spiritual passage.

 
Featuring personal anecdotes and stories from the author’s spiritual teachings, The Power of Meditation goes beyond a simple how-to book and offers a wonderful reading experience that will inspire readers to live more wise and fulfilling lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780399162619
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/29/2013
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.36(w) x 7.84(h) x 0.72(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Edward Viljoen (pronounced full-YOON) is the Senior Minister at Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa, CA. He is the author of the Kindle books The Bhagavad-Gita for Beginners, The Science of Mind and Spirit for Beginners, and co-author (with Chris Michaels) of Spirit is Calling, and Practice the Presence, and co-author (with Joyce Duffala) of Seeing Good At Work. He lives in California.

Table of Contents

Introduction xiii

1 The Power of Meditation 1

2 Beginning to Meditate 14

3 Working with a Restless Mind 37

4 What Happens Next? 69

5 May I Interrupt You? 94

6 Consider This 107

7 Writing Meditation 124

8 Getting Unstuck 135

9 Engaging with Your Self 154

10 Discovering a New Spirituality 179

11 What's in It for Me? 207

Final Words 226

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Finally a book has been written that explains everything you need to know about meditation and how to get started again.  Dr. Viljoen's wisdom is profound and yet also forgiving for those of us who've been feeling guilty for not using this ancient practice.”
—Chris Michaels, author of Your Soul’s Assignment
 
“Edward Viljoen is to meditation what water is to thirst. This marvelous book guides both the novice and the experienced through a series of steps that aids in quelling the cacophony of everyday life and allowing the inherent peacefulness of being to emerge in one's experience and expression of the beauty of life. It is a constructive and productive guide to living a life that is balanced, calm and peaceful.”
—Kenn Gordon, author of Mind and Manifestation
 
 “Edward Viljoen’s new book, The Power of Meditation, is a gift. It serves as a practical guidebook for those who are new at spiritual practice, as well as a beautiful reminder of simplicity and essence for those who have been engaged in spiritual practice for a lifetime. Edward helps us find the strength we need to be present with whatever life brings. He takes the reader by the hand, dispels the mysteries, and makes this elusive thing called meditation very real and doable.”
—Alan Seal, author of Create a World That Works
 
"The Power of Meditation opens a window from antiquity that blows in a breath of fresh air for the seeker looking to trade in the “rush hour rat race” for a "hush hour life break.” The meditation practices that he offers in this book are so inclusive that even the most skeptical will be hooked in the stillness. Edward Viljoen has masterfully introduced us to the “new action” that is sure to inspire and empower people to design and live the lives of their dreams.”
—Kevin Kitrell Ross, author, The Designer Life
 
“Thank goodness for this book! Until I read The Power of Meditation, I wondered if something was wrong with me. My friends and colleagues seemed to have a great relationship with meditation—they even appeared to enjoy it—while I struggled and wondered if there was a better way to enlightenment. Now that I've read The Power of Meditation, I have a renewed enthusiasm for this spiritual practice and I even look forward to it. Thank you, Edward!”
—David Bruner, Center for Spiritual Living, San Jose
 
“Edward Viljoen never ceases to amaze me with his depth of compassion, wisdom and peacefulness. I believe all this comes from his personal commitment to all kinds of mindfulness practices. If he is an example of a person who meditates, then we all should read this book.”
—Kathianne Lewis, Center for Spiritual Living, Seattle

Editorial Reviews

Finally a book has been written that explains everything you need to know about meditation and how to get started again.  Dr. Viljoen's wisdom is profound and yet also forgiving for those of us who've been feeling guilty for not using this ancient practice.”
—Chris Michaels, author of Your Soul’s Assignment
 
“Edward Viljoen is to meditation what water is to thirst. This marvelous book guides both the novice and the experienced through a series of steps that aids in quelling the cacophony of everyday life and allowing the inherent peacefulness of being to emerge in one's experience and expression of the beauty of life. It is a constructive and productive guide to living a life that is balanced, calm and peaceful.”
—Kenn Gordon, author of Mind and Manifestation
 
 “Edward Viljoen’s new book, The Power of Meditation, is a gift. It serves as a practical guidebook for those who are new at spiritual practice, as well as a beautiful reminder of simplicity and essence for those who have been engaged in spiritual practice for a lifetime. Edward helps us find the strength we need to be present with whatever life brings. He takes the reader by the hand, dispels the mysteries, and makes this elusive thing called meditation very real and doable.”
—Alan Seal, author of Create a World That Works
 
"The Power of Meditation opens a window from antiquity that blows in a breath of fresh air for the seeker looking to trade in the “rush hour rat race” for a "hush hour life break.” The meditation practices that he offers in this book are so inclusive that even the most skeptical will be hooked in the stillness. Edward Viljoen has masterfully introduced us to the “new action” that is sure to inspire and empower people to design and live the lives of their dreams.”
—Kevin Kitrell Ross, author, The Designer Life
 
“Thank goodness for this book! Until I read The Power of Meditation, I wondered if something was wrong with me. My friends and colleagues seemed to have a great relationship with meditation—they even appeared to enjoy it—while I struggled and wondered if there was a better way to enlightenment. Now that I've read The Power of Meditation, I have a renewed enthusiasm for this spiritual practice and I even look forward to it. Thank you, Edward!”
—David Bruner, Center for Spiritual Living, San Jose
 
“Edward Viljoen never ceases to amaze me with his depth of compassion, wisdom and peacefulness. I believe all this comes from his personal commitment to all kinds of mindfulness practices. If he is an example of a person who meditates, then we all should read this book.”
—Kathianne Lewis, Center for Spiritual Living, Seattle

From the Publisher

Finally a book has been written that explains everything you need to know about meditation and how to get started again. Dr. Viljoen's wisdom is profound and yet also forgiving for those of us who've been feeling guilty for not using this ancient practice.

Chris Michaels

Edward Viljoen is to meditation what water is to thirst. This marvelous book guides both the novice and the experienced through a series of steps that aids in quelling the cacophony of everyday life and allowing the inherent peacefulness of being to emerge in one's experience and expression of the beauty of life. It is a constructive and productive guide to living a life that is balanced, calm and peaceful.

Kenn Gordon