Books on meditation - any recommendations?

[araminta]

I've just recommended Jon Kabat-Zinn's book "Wherever you go, there you are" to another member here, and was wondering if anyone else has any recommendations.

I try to meditate most days, but I need to be more disciplined about it, as it has been shown to have a lot of benefits, physical as well as psychological.

[Judie P]

Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn is my favorite.  I would highly recommend his audio meditations as well.  Some people have a problem with hearing him as he sounds like Woody Allen from Long Island, NY.  But, his technique is the best as far as I am concerned.  I have taught mindful eating from his work and have taught professional baseball players his mindful eating technique to help them with their hitting skills.

He is going to be my go-to after I have cervical surgery to get through the difficult times.

[araminta]

Thank you for your reply, Judie.  I've watched one or two of his videos, including one where he is leading a pain therapy session.  I must have a look at the audio meditations too.  Anything that might help and doesn't involve medication must be worth considering!

I hope all goes well with the sugery.  Here is a link to (IMO) a very good bodyscan meditation - I've posted it before, so apologies if you've already looked at it.    It can be very relaxing.
https://archive.org/details/MCullenBodyScanMeditation

[Joe S.]

My daughter teaches meditation on line. After years of teaching it she finally listen to dad and now incorporates my method to help her students with meditation. She used to complain that I got to the sweet spot too fast. I have said it here before but here it is again:

Find a comfortable position. Close your eyes and look to the top of your forehead. While doing this, as you breathe in think "I am" and as you breath out think "calm".

I usually suggest trying to do it for 15 minutes. If you fall asleep you needed sleep. If you get distracted start again.

How it works: when you look to the top of your head with your eyes closed you put yourself into a self-hypnotic state. When you combine the aphorism with your breath you are connecting your mind to your body which also helps speed the meditation process.

I had an MRI in a very cramped position of my right shoulder. I used this meditation when the machine started, but the machine was very distracting. At 18 minutes in the pain was too much and I needed support for my neck to finish. The last 2 minutes I was able to block everything.

[araminta]

Thank you, Joe, for sharing your way of meditating.   I'm glad it was at least some help during your MRI scan.   It sounds similar to what I try to do - focusing on the breath.

It's amazing how the mind tries to pull away from meditating and throws all sort of distractions at us.   But I think the peacefulness of meditation also has its own pull, if we can just become aware of it through all the noise.

[meirish]

I had a doctor about 40 years ago that taught me some self hypnosis and I have used it so much. Very good for dentists...many root canals, abscesses drained caps, tooth extractions, etc. Also good very scans and MRIs like Joe mentioned. It really is easy as it does't take much energy and puts your brain and pain response in a different zone so that it is easier to endure a lot of stuff. Never knew about it when I had babies. Might have come in handy. If it works too good during labor one could deliver in the car on the way to the hospital. lol Take care all. meirish