Why Meditation Works
A medical perspective on how meditation can relieve stresss and encourage self-healing
James Baltzell, MD
An assumption underlying the many books on meditation is that it is good for you! WHY MEDITATION WORKS, written by a general practitioner, actually explains why. It is a meditation manual and a study of the evidence that meditation relieves, enhances mental abilities, and assists the body's healing.
James Baltzell, Assistant Professor of Radiology at the University of Minnesota, spent many years running a practice that combined alternative therapies with mainstream general practice. At this ground-breaking Healing Center he ran meditation classes for the White Eagle Lodge, a UK-based spiritual organisation renowned for the quality of its meditation teaching.
Chapters include:
- what is meditation?
- a brief historical survey of the different types of meditation
- what meditation will do for you
- medical evidence of the value of meditation
- sample meditations to get you going
This pocket-friendly book is an introductory guide to meditation as well as one that covers its benefits from a medical perspective. A practitioner of yoga for nearly three decades, James Baltzell is particularly good at explaining the aspects of meditation that relate to body posture and breathing.
REVIEWS:
A clear and meticulously-researched guide written by an Assistant Professor of Radiology who has been teaching meditation for many years in a ground-breaking medical practice which combines complementary with mainstream forms of treatment. The book offers a very helpful introduction to meditation practice, with chapters on its historical development, the effects of meditation on body and mind, and practical guidance on various kinds of meditation.
Yoga and Health, June 2006
This small, but comprehensive book explains the scientific evidence on the effects of meditation practice, describes the different types of meditation, deals with frequently-asked questions and offers sample practices. A simple and excellent summary of the medical benefits of regular meditation.
YOGA SCOTLAND
Go into any 'alternative therapy' section of your local bookshop today and you will find numerous books on meditation. However, WHY MEDITATION WORKS is one book that stands out in the usual selection. It provides 'something for everyone' ranging from those who are very new to or have not tried meditation, to the more seasoned. An experienced practitioner of meditation himself, through his work for the Lodge in Minnesota and in the rest of the community, Jim presents a three-tiered framework that explains the physical, emotional, and spiritual advantages of this ancient practice in easy-to-understand and concise manner.
He begins by describing what meditation actually is and why it is available to everyone, particularly emphasizing that to participate does not require any particular religious belief or affiliation, a point that is often misunderstood. He then explores key points of the evolutional history and cultural differences in meditative practices.
In the following section, the author steps fully into his role as a physician by focusing on the 'science' behind meditation. He begins by explaining the connection between stress and the science of our physical functioning, paying particular attention to how our central nervous system works and the concept of psychoneuroimmunology(PNI). The second portion of this chapter very interestingly discusses research findings concerning the positive effects of meditation on specific topics. A sample of the various areas discussed include heart rate, blood pressure and flow, cholesterol, anxiety, and brain function, each very important in managing one's state of health. This section is one that can 'hit home' for many who find that balancing health issues and the frenetic culture we live in, a formidable challenge.
Leaving the subject of science behind, the author then moves on to provide practical suggestions on how to begin meditative practice. He covers this section in a manner that speaks to the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects. He further provides the reader with a list of questions in order to help define what type of meditative practice one would be most comfortable with, where to find guidance, as well as giving simple directions so that one may actually begin to practice meditation.
Final chapters include answers to 'frequently-asked questions', sample meditations, a quick account of the body's energy fields, and finally a summary of the benefits of meditation. Remarkably, Jim Baltzell has managed to provide all of this information within a compact sixty-four pages including references for further exploration. WHY MEDITATION WORKS is a must-have for anyone interested in meditation, especially those who are eager to manage their state of health and wellness.
(STELLA POLARIS, WHITE EAGLE LODGE MAGAZINE)
UK and USA release May 2006
64 pages, photos and line illustrations
178 x 144 mm landscape, paperback
ISBN 1-905398-08-5
UK £6.99 - US $12.95