True Meditation: Book & CD    by Adyashanti Order:  USA  Can Sounds True, 2006 (2006) Hardcover, CD Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson In this book & CD package, Adyashanti approaches from many different angles the subject of True Meditation. The book and CD follow the same structure - the first section elaborates on 'Allow Everything To Be As It Is', and the second gets into 'Meditative Self-Enquiry'. The book concludes with Sounds True Publisher Tami Simon's interview with Adyashanti. The author and spiritual teacher begins by describing his own experiences - and difficulties - in many years of meditation practice from the Zen Buddhist tradition. He tells us that 'I actually wasn't particularly good at it', finding it 'a lot of struggle, a lot of trying to calm my mind, a lot of trying to control my thoughts ... except for a few magical moments when meditation just seemed to happen.' He sought a new approach, and 'started to let go of trying to control my experience.' He advises coming to meditation 'with an open attitude, an attitude that is truly innocent', a sense of wonder, rather than via control and manipulation. He deals with questions - such as on posture, on effort, and on fear - that students often ask, using vivid analogies, for example comparing the ego to a dog on a leash. He advises us to 'live in the same way as you meditate.' Adyashanti tells us that 'Meditative self-inquiry is the practice of introducing a question - a spiritual question of power and significance - into the meditative state of mind.' He urges us to consider, 'What is the question that's in your deepest heart?', to ask that question, and see where it leads. He talks about our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs - and about what witnesses them, telling us that this spirit or 'Awareness is actually what we are.' And he underlines that this knowing resides deeper in ourselves than the mind. The latter fits well with my initial reaction to the topic - that Adyashanti is attempting to convey through language something that is very hard to understand through words and logic, but rather requires direct personal experience and prior knowing. In True Meditation, Adyashanti offers readers - and listeners - profound yet elusive wisdom, to guide individual spiritual journeys. His thoughts are well worth your time, and continuing contemplation. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews