The winners have been chosen! If you see your name below, please send your address to email@tinybuddha.com so I can get a copy out to you!
I’ve often wished I found meditation much earlier in life.
Like in high school, where I once burst a stress ball from excessive squeezing, shooting little beans or beads or whatever filled the ball in every direction around my overloaded desk. Or in college when the triad of my depression, anxiety, and bulimia began to feel like the foundation of my identity.
I wish I knew when I was young that meditation could heal me both physically and psychologically and help me find a space inside my mind that wasn’t so loud and painful—not to mention the effects it would have on my relationships.
It’s almost impossible to be available to the people around you when you’re constantly on edge, quick to react emotionally, and slow to let things go.
Just like meditation creates space in our minds, it creates space in our relationships; it’s strips away our insecurities and judgments and grudges and enables us to meet each other, fully and authentically, in the present moment.
Though I wish I found meditation years ago, I likely wouldn’t have believed you if you told me, back then, just how profoundly it would change my life.
I now believe meditation is the most powerful tool for personal transformation, and I’m passionate about sharing the practice and its benefits—which is why I’m thrilled to introduce you to How to Meditate Like a Buddhist, the latest book from bestselling author and certified meditation instructor Cynthia Kane.
Before discovering meditation, Cynthia often felt anxious, disconnected, and overwhelmed by her daily to-do list. No matter what changes she made to her external world, her internal world remained in chaos, and she eventually concluded she was fundamentally broken.
Peace, presence, and purpose eluded her, until she had no choice but to address her feelings in the aftermath of a tragic loss. Self-destructing and deteriorating both mentally and physically, Cynthia needed to heal her mind, body, and spirit. That’s when she found meditation. And like me, she was blown away by its effects.
“If you had told me eight years ago that I would find peace in my life, form deep connections with others, see beauty in the world, stop judging and evaluating myself constantly, and change my relationship to fear, death, stress, and anxiety, I would never have believed you. Yet here I sit, writing this book to let you know this is exactly what happened and that beginning a meditation practice was the cornerstone to this way of life.” ~Cynthia Kane
And thus begins How to Meditate Like a Buddhist, a book that teaches basic meditation practices and their benefits from a Buddhist perspective. By the time you reach the end of the book, you will know:
- What meditation is and what it isn’t
- The simple tools you need to practice
- The many types of meditation you can choose from
- Some of the obstacles you’ll encounter when practicing
- How to incorporate meditation into your life with a meditative outlook
Each chapter begins with a Buddhist story or teaching and ends with hands-on practices to help you bring the benefits of meditation into your everyday life.
The book even includes structured programs for a 10-Day Meditation Challenge, a 30-Day Meditation Challenge, and a 1-Day Home Meditation Retreat.
Comprehensive yet easily digestible, How to Meditate Like a Buddhist outlines everything you need to know to start a meditation practice and create mental freedom.
We can’t change the past or control the future, but we can always come back to the present moment, releasing our worries about what’s behind us and our fears about what’s coming. It’s not easy, and we’ll likely still struggle at times. But that’s why it’s called a practice. And the beautiful thing is once we learn how to meditate, we can always come back to it, no matter how much time has passed.
The Giveaway
To enter to win one of five free copies of How to Meditate Like a Buddhist, leave a comment below sharing one reason you’d like to form a meditation practice (or if you already have one, what inspired you to start). You don’t need to write anything specific, and your comment can be as short or as long as you’d like.
You can enter until midnight PST on Wednesday, June 17th. I will list the winners’ names on the top of this post some time on the 18th. Please note you will need to check back then to see if your name has been chosen so you can then email me your address.
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**Click here to read an excerpt from How to Meditate Like a Buddhist and to sign up for a special live video workshop, taking place on June 22nd, available to anyone who purchases the book, in any format!
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine.
Meditation has had a dramatic impact on my life, but I still struggle every single time I sit down to meditate to quiet my mind and not think about my day or some random worry!! I want to expand my practice so I can fully benefit and learn to meditate “Correctly.”
I began meditating when I couldn’t find a way to control my anxiety. It was so bad that my heart would physically hurt multiple times a day. Any time some worrisone thought would ever so briefly present itself, the muscles around my heart would tighten. It was scary, to say the least. After beginning my practice, I can say these thoughts are no longer debilitating. The pain slowly lessened and now I dont have the same physical response to anxiety. I’m so grateful that I found meditating.
I am just getting started but I can already see the benefit of meditation! I would appreciate the the advice “How to Meditate Like a Buddhist” offers on how to expand my practice to get the most out of it.
Working through some stuff in my life and am wanting to increase and improve my meditation practice. it is so helpful to know this tool is out there.
To ground. To work on being present. Right here. Right now.
I am a recovering addict with a chronic illness that leaves me in a bad place both physically and mentally at times and I was introduced to meditation at NA (Meditation not Medication Classes) and since I started I have been able to not only control my thoughts but help others to do the same. It’s a struggle, but one that I am making great strides in. My view of the act is limited to what I have read or was taught (as explained to me), so another view would be great!
I have experienced mediation in yoga classes, which I greatly enjoy! I’d love to learn more about it and perhaps cultivate a daily routine.
I found meditation through a friend and it has changed my life. I’m always looking for ways to improve my practice. I use meditation to deal with my anxiety.
Ever since I was a teen, I worried a lot and have anxiety issues. Fast forward, at 52, I started to meditate and have seen some improvements. I would love to perfect the art of meditation. With gratitude
I need to start meditating on a consistent basis to help with my anxiety especially in today’s world where I feel consumed by it. As an EMT who worked on the front lines on the covid19 crisis, my mind is always racing now. I need to be able to find peace in the chaos of the world now and always.
A little over a year ago I started meditating. My marriage was suffering, my self esteem was low, and my job was not leaving me fulfilled. Gratefulness, meditation, and journaling on a daily basis has changed how I see the world and how it sees me🙂
I look forward to learning more about meditation to help me with anxiety and loneliness!
I want to meditate to overcome growing anxiety over the injustices, health crises, and political abominations in the U.S. and abroad. Maybe it will help.
I started making meditation part of my mornings last year, and look forward to those reflective times before my day starts each day. I appreciate and value what it brings to my life, and am always interested in any new tools that will help me further my practice.
I used to meditate and remember it helping. I’ve struggled to get back into a practice lately, and think it would really help during this time.
My amazing Italian Grandmother taught me while I was a young child, to pray the Rosary as a form of meditation. I would love to add this Type meditation to my to my “tool box”. I promise to share my journey with my young adult children. Namaste
I’ve been meditating, or trying to, for several years now, but not on a regular basis. I would love some additional inspiration and guidance to get on track.
I started meditating right before I made my major career move.. I was unhappy at my job, so I practiced mediation to get centered and to focus on what would give me peace but ultimately fulfillment in my work. It’s helped tremendously and before I knew it, I was offered a big stepping stone towards my dream position out of state.. two things I desperately needed and wanted. It’s hard work but practicing meditation helps me to trust this process, knowing it will ultimatley lead me to my dream job.
I need to learn meditation – my brain races all the time.
I am new to practice and could use all the guidance available.
I started meditating last year when I was having a difficult time at work. Meditation has helped build my mental strength and quiet my mind, and I’m constantly looking for tools to improve my practice.
I often find myself obsessively thinking about things going on in my life. I’d love to gain the skills to meditate and really clear my mind and be at peace!
Would love to learn to truly just be. Just be. Content with myself and where I am in the world.
To quiet my spirit, my mind is all over the place. need to empty it, give my body a rest and disconnect my brain.
Wow! I would LOVE to give this my daughter’s room mate who is a sweetheart but suffers from stress from school/life and finds she cannot meditate as she cannot calm her mind. She wants to learn and I hope she wins. She is a kind and loving and a great friend for my daughter and I have tried to help but I do not have the tools to teach. I know I could do with learning more too, but I would prefer her to benefit from this!
I have always wanted to start a meditation practice because I have heard of the peace one can find while meditating. I have researched on “how to” meditate by doing an internet search, watching videos on YouTube, reading different articles and books however, I with all the information available I have become overwhelmed. I have taken bits and pieces from here and there to try to develop my own meditation practice but I just don’t feel fulfilled or I feel as if I’m leaving out crucial steps in learning to meditate. I have also researched on what it takes to practice Buddhism and with every source I have encountered, meditation is a large part of it. I would love to find a source on the correct way to meditate so that I can begin the journey of peace in my life. Thank you!
I’d love to increase my mental and physical health and I believe meditating is the forefront of that. I’m eager to start the process and finding what best works for me!
I have tried, and failed, several times to incorporate meditation into my daily life. This book may help me turn that around 🙂
I’ve been meditating off and on for the past few years. I would like to get a structured approach setup and get inspired.
I am full of anxiety and searching for help.
I want to be less distracted in order to walk the talk that my Soul tells me I’m not doing. It has a glimpse now & then of the joys of self-compassion. The hand on my heart is comforting and soothes the pain & fear associated with the past and the future.
I’ve experienced how meditation can bring me back into the present. I think it’s time for me to stay there. A regular practice will help me do that.
Thank You! 🙏💕✨🌼
I’ve been trying to master meditation for years, so any help that I can get will be gratefully received!
My parents had a rough relationship all throughout their years together. It was so traumatic to me as an only child. I carried all their issues and problems until I became an adult and I started realizing that their issues affected me so much like in my work and relationship with other people. I got into depression, anxiety, had suicidal thoughts and temper management problems. I found Tiny Buddha and started reading articles that felt like actually written for me. Now, I’m getting serious on practicing Zazen because it helps me manage my emotions. My meditation helps me connect with my spiritual self and helps me focus on the present moment and accept that there are things that I can’t control so I don’t get frustrated anymore.
I want to learn to meditate to help me continue to change my life and free my soul. I am at a crossroad in my life and am on the road to freedom🌈❤️🦄
I found meditation a few years ago when I bought a book about it at a rummage sale. I had been curious, and the book didn’t cost a lot, so I thought I would give it a try. The first two times I seriously tried to practice, it was like nothing happened. I tried it a third time, and found that my mind was changing in a peaceful, positive way. I meditated daily for a couple of years, and my kids said I seemed a lot more relaxed and present. However, about a year ago, I somehow felt like I was too busy to meditate, and slowly dropped out of practice. My mind has become a mess again and I am having a hard time getting going again. I took for granted how powerful meditation is and now realize I must make the time.
I took a class on self-leadership and meditation was one of the tools we learned about. I would love to learn more and deepen my practice, hopefully become more consistent.
I started meditating following a breakdown and physical illness. A mixture of yoga, therapy and meditation helped me to reconnect with myself, heal and be able to enjoy living again. I meditate everyday to help with sleep, wellbeing and embrace life.
I use the calm app to help meditate. I would love to learn more as I believe it is a key for my happiness.
I would LOVE to learn to meditate to help with my depression/anxiety and to help relax me.
I already meditate sporadically, however I’d like to form a disciplined practice for more consistency for greater impact; like how we benefit more from physical exercise with a regular routine except with metaphysical exercise through meditation.
🧘🏽♂️ “😑HM”
I have struggled with anxiety and depression all of my adult life. I cope by keeping myself incredibly busy, but I would love to be able to meditate and learn to find some inner peace.
I would like to develop a steady meditation practice now more than ever because I am mentally and physically feeling the effects of my fractured thoughts and busy mind. I have found it difficult recently to hold on to my attitude of gratitude that used to be easily accessible for me. The heightened anxiety I feel coupled with feelings of overwhelm have begun to negatively impact my relationship with myself and others. I know I need to disrupt the cycle with healthier habits. I know I can begin in my mind.
I am ready to accept my imperfections and find inner peace.
I need to meditate in order to finally meet myself through all the chaos and emotional turmoil that has been part of my life so far.
Approaching my 60th birthday and retirement I still seem to have that ‘something’ I’m looking for loosely described as purpose, and have yet to slow down enough to figure it out. Seems I should get started.
I started meditating to help me quit smoking! I found it help me quiet my mind in many ways and has helped me discover what’s most important in my life. I have been meditating for 7 years and am still learning.
I’ve tried many times throughout my life to meditate, but I’m horrible at quieting my mind, it’s always very busy, planning or worrying or regretting. As someone recently diagnosed with borderline personality (emotional dysregulation) disorder, I’ve struggled all my life with depression and anxiety, and I also have some really intense outbursts of anger that I’ve been working on for the last several years, and definitely improving. I’ve been in therapy for the last several months and just recently began learning DBT. One of the most important things practiced is mindfulness, which has always been something that helps keep me in the best of mental and emotional health..but I would love to actually meditate. I think it would be immensely helpful with the amount of stress I feel that I constantly have… and hopefully help me to get better at letting emotions come and go and not linger so horribly long and painfully…
I would like to start a daily meditation routine so that I can be a better listener to my wife who is a stage 4 cancer patient. Meditation would alow me to block out distractions and calm my anxieties.
Looking to still my mind and be more proactive in my life.
Emotions are all over the place and there is no place to go to relieve all the pressures of this difficult time.