This book can be used by both beginning students who want to learn about the theory and practice of meditation as well as by individuals who have had experience with meditation and breathing techniques and would like to refine or deepen their practice.
· People with specific physical illnesses or mental health concerns can also use this book if they are interested in using meditation and breathing techniques as part of their treatment plan.
· There is an overview of the goals of meditation. We explore the question of why we practice meditation, and look at what it means to attain expanded states of consciousness.
· Different forms of meditation are described from both Eastern and Western perspectives.
· Misconceptions about meditation are clarified, and there is a discussion of the differences between meditation and concentration, contemplation, and prayer. We explore emotional, psychological, and spiritual benefits of meditation as well as the similarities between meditation and psychotherapy.
· Personal qualities that we must cultivate to begin the process of meditation and to sustain an ongoing practice are detailed, including openness, curiosity, effort, persistence, simplicity, tranquility, and mindfulness.
· We discuss the importance of applying the principles and approaches of meditation to daily activity.
· We explore medical research on the benefits of meditation in such areas as decreasing levels of hormones related to the stress response, controlling high blood pressure, and helping depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The mechanism of the stress response is outlined, followed by a detailed description of how meditation and breathing techniques help us better control the autonomic nervous system and other brain functions.
Another section in the book deals with the underlying concepts of the philosophical systems Tantra, Samkhya, and Vedanta. These great schools of thought form the theoretical basis and provide the actual techniques for the type of meditation presented in this book.
· The five components of the mind that are presented are thoughts, the sensory-integration component, the sense of self, decision making, and memory. These aspects of the mind are all strengthened by the practice of meditation.
· The system of raja yoga is described in detail because the form of meditation presented in this book closely follows the eight steps on this path. This includes five restraints on behavior and five observances to prepare us mentally for meditation, the postures and practices of hatha yoga, breathing exercises, withdrawal of the senses to deeper states of awareness, concentration techniques, sustained concentration (the actual definition of meditation), and absorption with the highest states of consciousness.
· In order to deepen meditation, we must have an object on which to concentrate. These objects, which need to have the inherent ability to guide the practitioner to expanded levels of awareness, are generally chakras (energy centers in the body), mantras (subtle inner vibrations), yantras (geometric shapes that reflect a condensation of the seen and unseen universe), and the breath (control of energy or prana within the body). Several sections in this book focus on these powerful objects of concentration. Since the form of meditation presented in this book uses concentration techniques focused on the chakras, a detailed, colored image of the chakras appears on the front cover of this book.
· Later in this book we focus on the techniques used to prepare the body, breath, and mind for meditation. We analyze the relationship between hatha yoga and meditation. Hatha yoga postures are useful not only to improve flexibility, but also to strengthen the spine so the practitioner can sit for longer meditations.
· In the next chapter, there are descriptions of several sitting postures used during meditation. Breathing techniques (pranayama) are discussed in detail because these breathing exercises have many important functions in the process of meditation. They have positive effects on the body and mind, helping such health related concerns as sinus problems, hypertension, thyroid disease, and anxiety. Pranayama also is very important in helping to focus the mind for deeper meditation, and there are specific techniques that help to activate latent energy in the body (kundalini).
· The following chapter explores the idea of kundalini, or latent energy that is stored in the first chakra, located in the lowest part of the spine. This primal force is activated and moved upwards to the higher chakras during meditation, and as it moves through the seven major chakras, physical, psychological, and spiritual transformations occur.
The final part of the book describes the preparations necessary to begin a meditation practice as well as the specific meditation technique itself.
· The actual meditation technique is divided into several phases so that readers can systematically and slowly develop their own practice at their own speed. It is designed so that a person can choose to practice simple diaphragmatic breathing and breath awareness to relax and focus his/her thoughts. The reader can also choose the greater complexity of using mantras and concentrating on moving energy through the chakras with the goal of experiencing more expanded states of consciousness.
· The final chapter briefly describes meditation techniques that can be practiced by more advanced students who are working closely with an experienced teacher.
Audio CDs that systematically lead the practitioner through the various phases of the meditation described in this book are also available. They can be used in conjunction with and also separately without reference to the book. World famous drummer Muruga Booker accompanies Dr. Chernin in the tracks that prepare the student for meditation.
Dennis K. Chernin, M.D., M.P.H. has actively practiced and taught meditation and breathing techniques for thirty years. His teachers were trained in the Himalayan Mountains in India, Nepal, and Tibet. Currently, he practices holistic and family medi- cine in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he offers patients and students individualized instruction on meditation using chakras, mantras, and the breath. He is also the medical director of two county health departments and is a lecturer at the University of Michigan Medical School in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine program.
Dr. Chernin received his B.A. and the Phi Beta Kappa honorary from Northwestern University where he graduated with honors in cultural anthropology. He received his M.D. and M.P.H. from the University of Michigan. He did residencies in psychiatry and preventive medicine and is board certified in preventive medicine. He has taught many medical students, residents, and physicians over the years and has lectured at many prestigious medical schools and hospitals, including the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University, Northwestern University, the Medical College of Ohio, Henry Ford Hospital, and Oakwood Hospital. He has appeared on many television and radio shows over the years, including the Phil Donohue Show and the Sonya Friedman Show.
He is a noted author and has been writing books for many years. The Himalayan Publishers, a branch of the Himalayan International Institute, first published his book Homeopathic Remedies for Health Professionals and Laypeople in 1979. This book is still in publication and is considered a classic in the field of Homeopathy. He also wrote the book Health: A Holistic Approach, which was first published in 1984 by Quest Books, a subsidiary. This was one of the first books integrating the philosophy and practice of Eastern and Western forms of medicine. He has also written an interactive CD ROM called Homeopathic Resource, published by Think Publishing. This integrated medical guide has over 3000 pages of highly useful information and was the winner of the 1997 Health Information Awards and the 1997 Communicator Awards.
