Beyond the Breath: Extraordinary Mindfulness Through Whole Body Vipassana Yoga Meditation

I am a clinician very much interested in using meditation as an adjunct therapy for some of my patients. I read this book in detail, culling through for clinical evidence and potential clinical application. I was pleasantly surprised. The book is practical but with sufficient theoretical background to fufill my expectations. I strongly recommend, "Beyond the Breath".

I have read several books by S.N. Geonka and his followers, but none really gave me insights into the actual technique. It is explained in detail here. I understood it,applied it in my practice and it has definitely given me new insights into this particular style of Vipassanna meditation. It was intense, a lot of emotions materialized and my sensitivity to bodily sensations is makedly increased. I've have been practicing "noting" as well as "just sitting" for a while. Both techniques have been effective also, but this Vipassana technique is more refined. The book stated a strong case for practicing the precepts of Buddhism in addition to just meditation. The explanation and tie in to the laws of attraction and Kharma were very clear and well thought out. Any one interested in Vipassana should try this book. Anyone interested in integrating meditation and Buddhism into their lives, but have yet to make the jump, should also try it.

"It's been said that we learn more from our mistakes than our successes - and I think that's true - but only if we eventually have success; otherwise we just keep making the same mistakes over and over." ~Marshall Glickman Learning to take care of our bodies by eating correctly and exercising seems a true journey all on its own. When you decide to incorporate a style of meditation into your life then a whole-body Vipassana might bring you more peace of mind. It is a sensation-based style of meditation. Marshall Glickman has a beautiful writing style and his ideas connect perfectly with the modern reader who may or may not be familiar with meditation. His ideas are presented in a way that makes meditation come alive. I used to think meditation was complete stillness and lack of thought, but there are ways to focus on sensation that bring you to a deeper understanding of yourself. Some of the intellectually intriguing aspects of this work include: The Power and Pleasure Principle The Biochemical Basics of Pleasure The Neurochemistry of Karma There are chapters filled with instructions on how to meditate, but the real highlights of this book are the insights into living life effectively and understanding how our bodies function on the chemical level. "Focusing on sensations puts us more directly in touch with what's motivating us, while at the same time helping to free us from the storylines which tend to obscure our feelings. In this way, greater awareness to our sensations increases our emotional sensitivity." ~Marshall Glickman If you have trouble settling into a meditation session, do yoga first. It helps your body to work out all the extra energy that might keep you from sitting still. You can also meditate while reclining in bed or while sitting in a chair. You don't have to meditate in a guru-style seated position. I normally meditate while laying flat on my back after an invigorating yoga practice. Some of the most blissful happy places I've ever been have been after doing a Chakra Yoga workout. I finally understood the place meditation could take you. I like imagining colors inside my body and working with sensations and the release of negative thoughts. I've noticed that when I do meditate I think more clearly and can solve problems more effectively. When I don't meditate, chaos creeps into my life. After reading this work, you may also enjoy Tobin Blake's "The Power of Stillness: Learn Meditation in 30 Days." ~The Rebecca Review

"Beyond the Breath" is written by a fellow baby-boomer in a style and vernacular completely understandable to people in the West. As such, Marshall Glickman fills a modern Buddhism explanation niche. For example, I'm sure that the First Noble Truth of Buddhism, "LIFE IS SUFFERING" sounds completely dismal and off-putting to the average Westerner--a real hindrance to investigating Buddhism further. Most people I know would probably respond with, "Well, isn't life basically good? Isn't life what you make it?" The author, however, puts a subtle spin on the First Noble Truth which, in my opinion makes Buddhism a lot more appealing. The author suggests that, "Something is always a bit off," or "Things are never just right." I prefer, "Life is good and we can make it better." IMO this positive spin is good for Buddhism. Marshall, however, does support traditional Buddhist notions on materialism by citing a study that found that the pleasure we get from owning things hinges on one-upmanship--hardly a source of lastly fulfillment or happiness. There is also an interesting section on the psychological experiences of organ transplant recipients that dramatically demonstrates the body-mind connection. Another powerful distinction in the book is that true detachment comes from accepting what is, not dissociating from or ignoring what is. So paradoxically, acceptance leads to detachment. Like the author, I too have completed several S.N. Goenka sponsored 10-Day Vipassana courses. As a result, I can truly say that "Beyond the Breath" points the reader towards a powerful and personal experience of transformation, which is the essence of Buddha's message. You can read a book on swimming while sitting comfortably in a deckchair and then make up an elaborate story about it, or you can read a book on swimming and then jump into the pool. "Beyond the Breath" is an excellent resource for anyone interested in improving the quality of their life using the ancient technique of Vipassana meditation. The information in this book will undoubtedly result in many more people jumping into the pool. Highly recommended!

I read this book prior to the 10-day meditation retreat. It gives a great overview and introduction to this method of meditation. It's also very convincing. The technique that it lays out is very effective, I've found, although has some flaws within it. The retreat, lodging, and food is actually offered free of charge and can be accessed at www.dhamma.org. Check out the book prior to registering for it.