A Morning Cup of Meditation: One 15 Minute Routine to Calm and Cleanse Your Bodymind

I have never reviewed a book before, but this cheesy-sounding title is hiding a gem. After reading a couple of overly mystical books and enduring a few nauseating workshop instructors (along with some good ones), the author's colorful illustrations and simple examples are refreshing and frankly far more powerful. And sometimes mildly goofy, but that's fine. After one read or listen, you'll have a 15-minute meditation memorized and ready to take on the road.

"One of the most important secrets of New Forest meditation is the New Forest itself. Imagining yourself meditating in a beautiful natural setting has a profoundly nourishing effect on your entire bodymind and spirit." ." ~John Bright Fey The New Forest Tai Chi DVD for Beginners was my introduction to master teacher John Bright-Fey's world of imaginative teaching styles. Now his books and CDs also present short routines to calm the bodymind. Through this CD, you will enter a world where John Bright Fey's soothing voice leads you through enjoyable visualizations that will leave you with a comforting happy feeling of deep peace. If you have been feeling stressed, tired, depressed or even just can't think clearly, then meditation can give you an escape and encourage you to retune your body like a musical instrument. The benefits include a new clarity of thought and an enhanced immune system. The first time you experience this morning cup of meditation, you may want to follow along in the book. You can either stand, lie on your back, sit in a chair or sit on the floor in a cross-legged position. I found myself sitting for Internal Adjustments1-6, relaxing on my back for 7-9 and then sitting again for the deep breathing in section 10. You can also do this before you fall asleep at night. There is also a routine at a glance page you can put on your refrigerator to remind you to meditate. The exercises help to generate energy that is comforting, grounding, nourishing, strengthening, outflowing, connecting, uplifting, balancing, protecting and intuitive. I find meditation to be easier when I've exercised first and also enjoy having a cup of tea nearby to sip on because it warms the body in the morning. This allows me to relax into meditation and I truly enjoy imagining the different scenes or becoming a glowing flower. The flower in my mind glows with pink sparkles and spins, but you can imagine candle flames or a light bulb during section 9 in which you imagine energy shining through you. It is quite amazing how the pictures you imagine make you feel more alive or more relaxed. You can truly control your energy, not unlike when you are doing Yoga. Of all the meditation CDs I've tried in the past few years, this one is the most enjoyable and one I want to return to week after week. Once I complete the 15 minutes of relaxing visualizations, the colors in the room seem brighter, I have more energy and tension seems to have dissolved. This CD and book opens the door to a feeling of joy and contentment that can nurture your entire being. In my mind's eye, I had first imagined a forest, but the background when I started was somewhat pale and like a forest before the sunrise. When I was finished with my morning cup of meditation, it was like the sun was rising and brilliant colors filled my imagination. Not only will you feel the healing results right after the meditation, you may experience new levels of happiness for days after a 15-minute s

The instructions in this book are simple and easy to follow. It makes meditation easy to do. For a busy professional, or a busy mom...EASY is a MUST. I really love this book and I think you will too. The audio CD that is included is worth the price of the book.

I found this to be a nice beginners book and the cd made it easy to try meditation with someone talking you through it. The one through ten method he uses is like the method used in his "Morning Cup of Tai Chi."