Most of us are well aware of the benefits of meditation, and new research is providing us with more and more evidence of what the world's spiritual traditions have known for years: meditation can positively impact every area of our lives.
So why do many of us struggle to make time for this powerful practice? Why do we so often wonder if we're doing it right? Or feel as if something more should be happening?
In The Meditation Summit: Volume I, Sounds True publisher and founder Tami Simon speaks with ten leading meditation teachers about their personal understanding of this practice-each with a complete guided meditation. Practitioners of all levels will benefit from the abundance of insight and guidance provided by these diverse voices.
Volume 1 Guests and Topics:
"Somatic Meditation and Connecting with the Source" with Reginald A. Ray, PhD
Dr. Ray teaches a unique approach to meditation in which our body is our most trusted teacher and guide on the meditation journey. Here, he speaks with Tami about how this differs from many conventional styles of meditation. His presentation includes detailed instructions for tantric breath work and an embodied meditation for "Connecting with the Source."
"Kundalini Meditation: Accessing the Light Within" with Snatam Kaur
In her conversation with Tami, Snatam Kaur explores the transformational power of sacred chant, how kundalini meditation can help us balance our body's primary energy currents, and more. Her session includes a guided experience of kundalini meditation for accessing our inner light.
"Lovingkindness Meditation" with Sharon Salzberg
Sharon Salzberg is a leading teacher of lovingkindness meditation, a practice that helps cultivate our natural capacity for an open and loving heart. She speaks with Tami about meditation as a path to joy in the happiness of others, peace within ourselves, and an expanded circle of compassion, guiding us through a classical lovingkindness meditation.
"Your Brain on Meditation: Cultivating Inner Strength and Peace" with Rick Hanson, PhD
Neuropsychologist Rick Hanson discusses the intricate relationship between meditation and our brains, including how mindfulness can activate real brain change, how we can stimulate positive states of mind through self-directed neuroplasticity, and more.
"Feeding Your Demons: A Tibetan Meditation Practice for Deep Healing and Integration" with Lama Tsultrim Allione
In this presentation, Lama Allione introduces a traditional Tibetan practice that develops our ability to heal and integrate into wholeness by offering compassion to our demons, rather than battling against them. Her presentation includes the powerful guided practice, "Five Steps of Feeding Your Demons."
"Mindfulness Meditation in the Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh" with Anh-Huong Nguyen
Anh-Huong was among the first of Thich Nhat Hanh's students to become ordained as a dharma teacher. In this presentation, she talks with Tami about how we can integrate mindfulness practices into our daily lives, discussing the use of conscious breathing, living fully in the present moment, and more.
"Small Glimpses of Freedom, Many Times" with Loch Kelly, MDiv, LCSW
In his conversation with Tami, Loch Kelly discusses how awakening is already here, how we have the ability to directly experience this awakened state through "small glimpses," and how this practice can help us realize our deeper potential for living with openhearted awareness.
"Mindfulness and the Art of Turning Towards Life" with Saki Santorelli, EdD, MA
Dr. Santorelli explores the practice of MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) and its capacity to bring greater peace, awareness, and joy to our lives. His presentation includes a mindfulness meditation practice to help us become more attuned to the subtler dimensions of what it is to be human.
