Presence Meditation: The Practice of Life Awareness
First developed as a short manual for students in a yearlong meditation course, Presence Meditation offers a step-by-step program for increasing self-awareness through simple but revelatory exercises. The practice of presence meditation involves becoming present to whatever is going on and letting things be just as they are. This awareness is characterized by open attention and neutral observation, which increases the capacity to observe without judging, enables transformation without forcing, and opens the way to a more immediate sense of meaning and joy in life. Author Jens-Erik Risom begins by describing the purpose of meditation and the “four introductions” (rootedness, attention to breathing, fullness of feeling, and witness awareness), and then presents the gradual steps for achieving presence, deepening neutrality, opening to trust, sensing spaciousness, and more.

There are many books about meditation on the market, from Western authors like Eckhart Tolle to Tibetan Buddhist teachers. But many people find it difficult to translate the message of these books into an actual experience of deepening awareness. Whether readers are seeking a spiritual practice, a more serene approach to stressful situations, improved concentration, or greater relaxation for better health, this compact manual offers a simple, undogmatic approach to meditation.
1111616688
Presence Meditation: The Practice of Life Awareness
First developed as a short manual for students in a yearlong meditation course, Presence Meditation offers a step-by-step program for increasing self-awareness through simple but revelatory exercises. The practice of presence meditation involves becoming present to whatever is going on and letting things be just as they are. This awareness is characterized by open attention and neutral observation, which increases the capacity to observe without judging, enables transformation without forcing, and opens the way to a more immediate sense of meaning and joy in life. Author Jens-Erik Risom begins by describing the purpose of meditation and the “four introductions” (rootedness, attention to breathing, fullness of feeling, and witness awareness), and then presents the gradual steps for achieving presence, deepening neutrality, opening to trust, sensing spaciousness, and more.

There are many books about meditation on the market, from Western authors like Eckhart Tolle to Tibetan Buddhist teachers. But many people find it difficult to translate the message of these books into an actual experience of deepening awareness. Whether readers are seeking a spiritual practice, a more serene approach to stressful situations, improved concentration, or greater relaxation for better health, this compact manual offers a simple, undogmatic approach to meditation.
15.95 In Stock
Presence Meditation: The Practice of Life Awareness

Presence Meditation: The Practice of Life Awareness

Presence Meditation: The Practice of Life Awareness

Presence Meditation: The Practice of Life Awareness

Paperback

$15.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 6-10 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

First developed as a short manual for students in a yearlong meditation course, Presence Meditation offers a step-by-step program for increasing self-awareness through simple but revelatory exercises. The practice of presence meditation involves becoming present to whatever is going on and letting things be just as they are. This awareness is characterized by open attention and neutral observation, which increases the capacity to observe without judging, enables transformation without forcing, and opens the way to a more immediate sense of meaning and joy in life. Author Jens-Erik Risom begins by describing the purpose of meditation and the “four introductions” (rootedness, attention to breathing, fullness of feeling, and witness awareness), and then presents the gradual steps for achieving presence, deepening neutrality, opening to trust, sensing spaciousness, and more.

There are many books about meditation on the market, from Western authors like Eckhart Tolle to Tibetan Buddhist teachers. But many people find it difficult to translate the message of these books into an actual experience of deepening awareness. Whether readers are seeking a spiritual practice, a more serene approach to stressful situations, improved concentration, or greater relaxation for better health, this compact manual offers a simple, undogmatic approach to meditation.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781556439124
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Publication date: 08/24/2010
Pages: 96
Product dimensions: 6.30(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.10(d)

About the Author

Jens-Erik Risom holds a BA in Oriental medicine and is a certified acupuncturist from the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing. A meditation instructor in Scandinavia and Holland, he lives in Nr. Snede, Denmark.

Foreword contributor Peter A. Levine is the best-selling author of Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma.

Table of Contents

Foreword Peter A. Levine xi

Preface xv

Part 1 The Foundation 1

The Purpose of Meditation 1

The Wandering Mind 4

The Four Introductions 6

1 Rootedness 7

2 Attention to Breathing 8

3 Fullness of Feeling 9

4 Witness Awareness 9

Presence Exercise 10

Sitting with Open or Closed Eyes 11

Structuring a Meditation Period 12

Sitting Positions 14

Part 2 The Now 17

Process and Practice 17

The Gradual Method 20

Step 1 Calm Settling 22

Step 2 Arriving in the Now 23

Step 3 Alert Presence 25

Step 4 Neutral Observation 25

Motivation 26

Part 3 The Path 29

Discovering Neutrality 29

Sleepiness 31

Deepening Neutrality 32

Step 5 Reorganizing Your Agendas 32

Step 6 Relaxing the Mind 33

Step 7 Opening to Trust 35

Meditation and Life 37

Meditation in General 38

Part 4 The World 39

The Next Steps 39

Step 8 Sensing Spaciousness 42

Step 9 Experiencing Not-knowing 43

Step 10 Choiceless Awareness 44

Invocation and Dedication 46

The Gradual Path of Presence Meditation: Coda 50

The Unfolding of Presence 52

A Supportive Life Practice 53

Applied Meditation 56

The Teaching Structure of Meditation 58

Meditative Horizons 60

Appendix The Four Basic Exercises 63

Selected Literature 69

Scientific References 71

Presence Meditation Training 73

About the Author 75

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews