The Universe Loves To Exist, you are its experience.

This is a great premise usually ignored even by most intelligent people. Meditation is the only remedy for most of the mental disease arising out of modern lifestyle. There is a big problem with meditation that this need to be experienced not only learned about. For example, somebody can not appreciate the taste of water even after reading whole book about the chemical properties of water: while he can appreciate the taste of water simply after drinking. You have explained the topic good enough to give the taste of meditation. I liked your statement that meditation is a mental gym. This work must reach the market. My best wishes are with you.
Ajay

Interesting and unique book. Well-written and informative. I hope more people will read this book on meditation. In this era of wars, economic problems, and other stresses, who couldn't benefit from learning how to meditate? Please let me know if you add more to the book. I saw that it's always under edit mode (so is my book).

Well done. Highly starred. Good luck with this!

Susan/Greenleaf (Chameleon)

This books works. I devoured it. I want to talk about it, but because the book works, I talk about me. “Natural state of being” Specifically rediscovering childhood enthusiasm. “Mental gym,” build "strength in the mind". For me, it’s a physical ‘moving aside’ of the bad thoughts. “All of us think all the time”. In 2000, I had “brain drain” with dire consequences, and I’d stopped thinking in many areas. At the same time, I couldn’t stop thinking in others, particularly an, “escape”, “fear”, “sadness” cycle.

The business mantras of Just Do It, and general dumbing down of “stop thinking” had led me to be wary of any suggestions I should “empty my mind”. But business mantras aren’t about the person. They’re about “thinking involuntarily”, which I think is where unwanted intrusive thoughts breed. Suppressing some thoughts, leads others to spring up like green shoots. Well done. Great book.

Excellent, Arun. I wrote Tiger Hugs by meditating enthusiastic, confident child states every day. Well done. Good luck.

The Universe Loves to Exist. I'm fascinated by your excellent pitches, especially as I 'tasted' meditation a few years back, but found my active brain would not stand still.
I take notes as I read. Forgive me if I see some nits: it's instinctive for me.

Ch.1. 'We are thinking when there is no need.' Yes indeed. I can 'relax' that part of my brain when driving, listening to music, or praying; also on a walk, taking deep breaths of scenery.
My memory is sorely in need of activity: I aid it by making endless lists. I read eagerly on.
The word is 'quiet' - not quite. I do think you should change this, it is a distraction for readers.

I can relate to what you're saying, and have known that inner peace which improves every time I do something for somebody, even if it is only listening.
And I have at last stopped looking outside for comfort - except when there is a bar of chocolate in the kitchen (but that is desire!).

'Try to simply end thoughts about the past or future.' Merely observe.
Mmmmm... I think that will take some practice.

It's no use listening to what you're saying and trying to do it. I'll never get to the end of this comment.

Ch.2. Yes indeed, compassion and oneness are the key, which can lead to such joy.
We've made computers, which can remove the clutter from our brains, allowing us more opportunity to experience the more important oneness of true Intelligence.

Ch.3. 'Death is a safe exit into the infinity of your own compassion.' Wonderful words.

I'm glad I found you, and love the gentle way you lead your reader on.
I will be back again, once I've achieved the reviewing objectives I have already set myself on this site!

Jane (Breath of Africa)

This author touches the reader in a humble and modest way whilst guiding one on the road to meditation. I always wanted to learn to meditate but was dismayed by the high fees the 'experts' wanted to charge. Here the gentle author, the 'rebel guru', helps us learn.

The analogy of 30 watts of power intrigued me. For me, it helped illuminate part of what happens during meditation. And I must add I'm a believer in meditation– western science has demonstrated the effects of eastern are real.

In chapter 5, the author discusses marijuana, pointing out it's used as Ayurveda medicine and not an intoxicant. I relate this to people getting drunk instead of enjoying a fine wine. A little bit can help, a lot can hurt.

I've begun to understand what it means to end the ego. I'm a long way from there, but working on it. I highly recommend this book to those wanting to improve their well-being. Backed!

this book is written very well and clear...should do well.
on my watchlist...
read SEASONS...

I feel that a book on meditation, especially one which purports to be a how-to guide, needs to be very simple, uncluttered and easy to follow. I am afraid I found this to be quite the opposite. My advice would be to strip away the personal reflection and commentary and just concentrate on the essence of what you are trying to convey.

Also, the pitch doesn't really do much to sell your idea. It would be better if it were shorter and more concise.

I do hope this is of some help.

I like reading this – it makes me feel happy and reassured. It has a lovely, childlike voice with lots of joy in it.
I wish it were in book format because my restless mind would do a better job of reading it that way :-)
Love the title and the opening sentence

In Chapter One there is a sentence with two typos) “Please try it – ask you’re self (typo) to be quite (quiet).” and I think overall it could do with an edit, especially for punctuation.

I look forward to reading more later. Thank you. It's very interesting. I'm giving it high stars.

I really like the vibe here, and have a number of people in my life who I think would benefit greatly from mediation. The narrator is calming and welcoming and I get the sense they are an expert in this field. It might be good to include some background info on the narrator in the opening paragraph. The first few sentences were confusing. I'd rather you jump right in to "Let's first understand how our brain functions." Since mediation is all about simplification, I think your sentences and paragraphs would be most effective if they were short and sweet. Every word should count, so the reader can get to the most important part, which is the instruction on how to meditate. I really like your personal experience tidbits and the stuff about becoming more childlike. I think this book has the potential for an enormous worldwide audience--highly starred. Cheers! Caitlin Avery

Arun,

Your self-help book has the great potential to re-awaken our 'natural states of being'.

But first impressions are everything, and I have noticed some minor presentational issues and spelling errors in the opening sections that detract from the wonderful message.

I think it would be stronger to open your narrative with your 3rd (and 4th) paragraphs: "Meditation is to be you and me, naturally" etc. Then re-instate your 1st and 2nd paragraphs after that.

The fist sentence of the 2nd section does not make complete sense: "Conserving energy through meditation makes aligns you to your natural state of being", you need to delete the word "makes".

In the 3rd section "When I was 12" etc, you have spelled "quiet" incorrectly. Instead of "Can you keep your mind quite for some time" it should be "quiet".

Hope these help. You have embarked on a wonderful project that has the potential to change the world for the better, and I wish you every success with it.

David

Arun, I've come back to read some more.
Chapter 2: This makes sense to me, almost, but I think it could be more simply put. The over use of exclamation marks is frowned upon by editors apparently (just to let you know).
Chapter 3: Fear - You put this simply and I agree with what you say. However, daily life is full of fear and some people are very ill from anxiety. Meditation can help with this, but sometimes people need medicine to overcome fears, depending on their state of mind.
Death - This is something I don't really agree with. My belief is that, yes, we go to the universal intelligence, but we continue on in a life after death.
Desires: I agree with your take on this. Needs a little editing, but you give your message in a calm and loving way.
I like your style and I find your book intriguing, although we don't agree on everything - everyone has their own ideas of what's right or true and that's called choice, or individuality.
I wish you well with this book Arun. Highly starred.

Karen 19
The Way Things Are

Dear Arun

I am interested in the title of your book, and have looked through the first three chapters. Much of what you write is soothing and interesting. You stress the need for peace and gentleness, in order to access those parts of our mind that we have forgotten, and which are there to help us. Thank you! Rated.

Fran Macilvey, "Trapped"

Hi Arun

Will definitively have a nose through this as I have a few spaces on my book shelf and WL. Would you be so kind as to have a quick look at my book - The List. Feel free to leave a comment.
ta very much.

David J Baron

I like your writing style. Meditation is a great tool for everyone to learn. You explain simply and clearly and you are gentle on the reader. Also, love the book title.

Highly starred and on my W/L, I will come back to read more.

Karen 19
The Way Things Are

This really is a book I should read the whole way through. I can relate to your 12-year old self, Arun, being asked if I could keep my mind quiet for some time. The answer, in my case, was a definitive 'No'. That year I got my worst school report: 'When will this child learn to sit still. He is a thorough distraction to himself and the rest of the class.' Because, in your own words again, I found 'my mind many times in unnecessary chatter.' And now, as I near 60, my mind is like a monkey chasing its own tail. I have been to India, over 50 times, and enjoyed its many fruits, and I have meditated with gurus in many places, but I have never successfully stllled my mind. Perhaps it is not my mission in this lifetime, perhaps a lively mind is not altogether a bad thing, but I will return to your work at some point and try again. I find peace in your words.

6 stars, my friend, and many blessings

Joe

Dear Guruji,
My thoughts so far:
Your ideas are very good. In fact, they’re the key to solving many of our maladies. So, thank you for writing this. Like all good things, this one too needs to be read and appreciated by all. And that’s precisely the reason why this needs to be polished a bit more to optimise its appeal. Please allow me to share with you my observations / suggestions so far:
• You’ve chosen to join a rather large bandwagon of motivational / spiritual / philosophical literature. So the key here is to offer something unique.
• The pitch needs to be reworked. That’s always the first step to grabbing the reader’s attention. You need to be more holistic here. Quotations from ancient scriptures like the Vedas and Buddhist texts will be of great value. You can also look up the teachings of Confucius.
• Main text: Don’t show ‘thinking’ in such a negative light. That’s not so bad in itself. Thinking, trying to make sense of things – how many people do that these days? And a life not spent in the pursuit of knowledge and truth is not a life lived right. Don’t you think so?
• You must take a more holistic approach. You should emphasize more on the stress of modern life and the myriad insecurities that they lead to. You can talk about mental ailments and personality disorders which are on the rise. You can mention psycho-somatic diseases like Crohn’s and explain how meditation can be of help. Your writing will always be better received if they contain hard facts and sound less like one man’s opinion.
I’ll read more and get back to you. Meanwhile, I hope that you’ll find my views relevant and useful.
Best regards,
Abhishek.

thanks for the objective comments Leelah... meditation finds you something true...no atmosphere is to be created in my view, we have misinterpreted joy and bliss in our lives..this is an exercise, and needs eagerness, understanding and serious effort to enjoy the results.. Typos and other corrections the book needs and you are right, I need to hide the writer when the message is important, but again the writer will only hide for the practice of meditation, otherwise he is their for reconditioning the mindset of the reader...hope i made sense...the message will be clear and edited that's a promise and it will be fun to read, that is the attempt...my style is my style, it will be awkward to adapt too but eventually, it will settle in...new is always new...only when we realize the newness...it becomes from unknown to known... cheers...have fun and enjoy life...always...

Rebel guru,
"I do not know what I keep doing in m,y mind" - this is so true. It is of wonderful importance to teach awareness of this to people in a simple way. Reading your first chapter, you come forth as a kind and humorous person - I love that! But to me, there is a need for simplification. In a book for meditation, i would want the atmosphere of peace to be permeating it. It's like I pick up a tendency of pressure in your words here and there - can you relate? any inner need to "make us understand" - that this is "IMPORTANT" -- this is what my nervous system pick up. -When you write, "truth does not change you see" I would drop the "you see."
You are including in your book the way you talk to yourself. it is kind of getting in the way of the wonderful message you are giving us: meditation is me in my natural state of being.
There are great metaphores here, really helpful - f.ins. driving around in the dark. reading this may be what turns some people on to your book.
So for me, what is not working yet is the way you have set the manuscript up - it's like you are not completely trusting yourself?
some typos -"your brains signals" - "keep yourself mused"
"Reading less and just exploring within" - I so agree! But then the reading needs to be edited so it truly invites us to share what you know.
I am sure you can do that splendidly.
Best of luck!
Leelah saachi

Rebel guru,
"I do not know what I keep doing in m,y mind" - this is so true. It is of wonderful importance to teach awareness of this to people in a simple way. Reading your first chapter, you come forth as a kind and humorous person - I love that! But to me, there is a need for simplification. In a book for meditation, i would want the atmosphere of peace to be permeating it. It's like I pick up a tendency of pressure in your words here and there - can you relate? any inner need to "make us understand" - that this is "IMPORTANT" -- this is what my nervous system pick up. -When you write, "truth does not change you see" I would drop the "you see."
You are including in your book the way you talk to yourself. it is kind of getting in the way of the wonderful message you are giving us: meditation is me in my natural state of being.
There are great metaphores here, really helpful - f.ins. driving around in the dark. reading this may be what turns some people on to your book.
So for me, what is not working yet is the way you have set the manuscript up - it's like you are not completely trusting yourself?
some typos -"your brains signals" - "keep yourself mused"
"Reading less and just exploring within" - I so agree! But then the reading needs to be edited so it truly invites us to share what you know.
I am sure you can do that splendidly.
Best of luck!
Leelah saachi

Doc You have said it simply and beautifully, meditation is to be realized not learnt. my chapters discuss the commonality of experience as the communication gap which spiritual science faces acutely. You gave an example of water I have used salt instead....lol

This is a great premise usually ignored even by most intelligent people. Meditation is the only remedy for most of the mental disease arising out of modern lifestyle. There is a big problem with meditation that this need to be experienced not only learned about. For example, somebody can not appreciate the taste of water even after reading whole book about the chemical properties of water: while he can appreciate the taste of water simply after drinking. You have explained the topic good enough to give the taste of meditation. I liked your statement that meditation is a mental gym. This work must reach the market. My best wishes are with you.
Ajay

This is a great premise usually ignored even by most intelligent people. Meditation is the only remedy for most of the mental disease arising out of modern lifestyle. There is a big problem with meditation that this need to be experienced not only learned about. For example, somebody can not appreciate the taste of water even after reading whole book about the chemical properties of water: while he can appreciate the taste of water simply after drinking. You have explained the topic good enough to give the taste of meditation. I liked your statement that meditation is a mental gym. This work must reach the market. My best wishes are with you.
Ajay