Rigorously researched and deeply illuminating, world-leading neurologist Dr Steven Laureys works with celebrated meditators to scientifically prove the positive impact meditation has on our brains.

Dr Steven Laureys has conducted ground-breaking research into human consciousness for more than 20 years.

For this bestselling book, Steven to explores the effect of meditation on the brain. He uses hard science to explain the benefits of a practice that was once thought of as purely spiritual. The result is a highly accessible, scientifically questioning guide to meditation, designed to open the practice to a broader audience.

A mix of fascinating science, inspiring anecdote and practical exercises, this accessible book offers scientific evidence that meditation can have a positive impact on all our lives.

Make a spiritual connection to nature with real, raw, natural incense The Incense Bible is a comprehensive guide to the spiritual meaning of real, raw, natural incense and how to use it in prayer, meditation, or simply in creating a home environment to reconnect with divinity and nature. This unique book examines the spiritual and ritual uses of pure incense (not sticks, cones, or synthetic mixtures), explores our attraction to it, and explains how we can use it at home to increase wellness. Filled with easy-to-use references and easy-to-understand technical information, the book also looks at the use of incense in health and medicine, a history of its use in a variety of countries and cultures, and various types of raw incense, including eucalyptus, sandalwood, sweet grass, agarwood, frankincense, and myrrh. The Incense Bible examines aspects of spirituality and religion, health and medicine, botanical medicines, ethnobotany, and history of real incensenot the low-quality, processed, synthetic fragrances most people think of as incense. This enlightening and entertaining book, written in everyday language and filled with photgraphs, examines why incense appeals to our sense of smell, of adventure, and of spiritual and physical well-beingand has for centuries. The book looks at the use of incense for purifications and cleansings, creative inspiration, meditation, worship and prayer, for inducing dreams and sleep, to improve learning and problem solving, and as a perfume for clothes, hair, and body. Topics examined in The Incense Bible include: types of raw incense, including balsam, cedar, mugwort and moxa, and white sage safety how the sense of smell works the link between taste and scent scent and memory allergies and sensitivities oils and flower essences for healing how to make incense incense materials and symbols the use of incense in Egyptian, Greek, and Roman times, in Buddhism and Shamanism, in Israel, in the Catholic Church, in Native American sweat lodges, and in the African rainforest and much more! The Incense Bible is an essential resource for anyone interested in health and natural medicine, botanical medicines, and ethnobotany, and for anyone seeking to express their spirituality by reconnecting to nature

Spaces of Serenity showcases the small structures from Jeffery S. Poss, built for contemplation, meditation, and peace. These buildings are exquisite examples of architecture that promotes harmony between the occupant and the outside environment.

A beautiful oracle deck of 44 African goddesses, spirits, queens and ancestors from many powerful peoples - reaching from the continent of Africa and throughout the diaspora. Although African spirituality is vast, most practices share foundational beliefs including ancestral veneration, reverence for elders and community, respecting natural phenomenon and the power to transmute obstacles. This stunning card deck is faithful to sacred truths and secrets passed down through oral tradition and will support you as a tool for divination, healing, awakening and personal development. 'From the moment that I received the sacred assignment to birth this deck, these magical folks would not leave me alone. I come from generations of intuitives and healers, so divine channelling is not new to me. But these oracle keepers were persistent! They "dreamed me," pursued me and guided me through this co-creation.' - Abiola Abrams, from the guidebook

The Sunday Times bestseller FEATURED ON THE DELICIOUSLY ELLA PODCAST We're all on a search for happiness, but we're looking in the wrong places. Everyone looks externally to find contentment, we think material possessions will unlock our happiness. A Monk's Guide to Happiness explains how and why we need to look within, and connect to our true essence, in order to find peace. Everyone has the potential to be happy, after all, we're all 'hardwired' for happiness. But how do we get there? By meditating. Not just in the morning, but throughout the day by introducing micro moments so we never drop the mindfulness ball, even when we're busy. Meditation is more than just a stress-reduction tool or a relaxation therapy, it is the key to finding long-lasting happiness. Gelong Thubten, a Buddhist monk who has worked with everyone from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to Ruby Wax and Benedict Cumberbatch, explores the theme of happiness in his debut book and explains how to bring meditation into our busy 21st century lives with simple exercises. 'Thubten is a very generous and kind monk who writes with the lived honesty and humour of someone who has experienced the wisdom he shares. His writing is full of inspiration but also the pragmatism needed to form a sustainable practice. His book clearly illustrates why we all need meditation and mindfulness in our lives.' - Benedict Cumberbatch

Easwaran takes the timeless teachings of the Buddha and other mystics and shows how we can train the mind not just during meditation but throughout the day. Feeling trapped by unwanted thoughts and emotions can seem an inevitable part of life. But Easwaran, who taught meditation for nearly forty years, shows a way to break free. Just as a fitness routine can create a strong, supple body, spiritual disciplines can shape a secure personality and a resilient, loving mind. Writing as an experienced, friendly coach, Easwaran takes the timeless teachings of the Buddha and other mystics and shows how we can train the mind not just during meditation but throughout the day. Working with difficult colleagues, choosing what to eat, and listening to a child's needs are all opportunities to try out different, wiser responses. Easwaran shows how training the mind is a glorious challenge - one that brings joy and purpose to life. --

A book of fresh meditations, Morning Light offers beautifully written bursts of inspiration to help you begin each day with renewed self-confidence and serenity. Amy Dean brings the comfort and courage offered in her top-selling mediation book Night Light to this companion for the morning hours, helping devoted fans and new readers start their day on a bright and positive note. Written in her signature personable style, these sensitively chosen quotations, inspiring reflections, and simple prayers work together to make each day of the year one to look forward to.

This book provides background, strategies, and tips for higher education faculty and instructors interested in incorporating meditation in their classrooms. The work is based on research involving introducing brief meditation practices to college students and developing a detailed guide. Readers will learn how to develop their own meditation practice as an academic, to set the stage of introducing practice to students, to create ideal conditions for meditation in the classroom, specific, classroom-friendly meditation methods, ways to advance meditation practice with students and keep it interesting, and how to spread the culture of meditation across campus. A detailed script is provided.

Use your mantram when you're ill or anxious, tired or restless, and it will guide you and comfort you like a true friend. The Mantram, or mantra, is a short, powerful, spiritual formula from the world's great traditions, repeated silently in the mind, anytime, anywhere. Easwaran, the author of Passage Meditation and the best-selling translations of The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads and The Dhammapada, taught the use of the mantram for forty years as part of his passage meditation program.The mantram can help you to steady your mind and free it from anxiety, anger or resentment. Easwaran explains how the mantram works, and gives practical guidelines for using it to focus your thoughts and access deeper resources of strength, patience, and love.

In contrast to the generally dismal results of various approaches to rehabilitation, these consciousness-based strategies have proven effective in preventing crime and rehabilitating offenders! This book will introduce you to a powerful, unique approach to offender rehabilitation and crime prevention. In contrast to the generally dismal results of most rehabilitation approaches, studies covering periods of 1-15 years indicate that this new approachemploying the Maharishi Transcendental Meditation (R) and TM-Sidhi programsreduces recidivism from 35-50%. Transcendental Meditation (R) in Criminal Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention provides the reader with a theoretical overview, new original research findings, and examples of practical implementation. With this book, you will explore what motivates people to commit crimes, with emphasis on stress and restricted self-development. Then you'll examine the results and policy implications of applying these consciousness-based techniques to offender rehabilitation and crime reduction. Most chapters include tables or figures that make the information easy to understand. Transcendental Meditation (R) in Criminal Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention does not merely review the theory behind this innovative approach to rehabilitation and prevention but also emphasizes the practical value of the programs it describes and reports how techniques and strategies based on Transcendental Meditation (R) have been put to use in a variety of settings. This book will familiarize the reader with: a rehabilitation approach so universal in its applicability that any adult or juvenile offender can begin it at the point of sentencing, during incarceration, or at the point of parole the in-depth background on adult growth and higher states of consciousness necessary to understand this consciousness-based, developmental approach the results of empirical studies conducted in prisons around the country, with up to 15 years of follow-up a preview of how cost-effective the rehabilitation program might be implications for public policy and the judicial systemincluding an innovative alternative sentencing program how this approach deals not only with individuals but also with the community as a wholewhen practiced by a small percentage of the population, the TM and TM-Sidhi programs may reduce crime in the larger community how these society-level prevention programs may prove to be effecitive in reducing not only school violence in the community but, if applied on sufficient scale, war deaths and terrorism in the greater society

Harnessing the power of positive thinking to uplift, encourage, and inspire, Calm: 100 Affirmations for Serenity guides you through empowering affirmations and more to achieve personal growth. The way we speak to ourselves matters. Positive affirmations and meditations are an important tool for personal growth-and these uplifting, inspiring, and motivational statements, when implemented regularly, can have a profound impact on our lives. This mindful book incorporates original, modern, and charming line art on every page as well as 100 guided affirmations to help you reflect, maintain positivity, and grow as a person. Here is a sample of the type of guided affirmation included in this beautifully designed book: Today's affirmation: I embrace myself in this moment. Why is this affirmation powerful?: Embracing yourself exactly as you are in this moment is an excellent way to cultivate self-acceptance and self-love. Whatever you're feeling in this moment, whether positive or negative, this meditation reminds us that every expression of ourselves is worthy of love. Journaling prompt: Let's cultivate a little mindfulness and connect to the present moment. Take a few breaths and close your eyes. How do you feel exactly in this moment? What thoughts are going through your mind? How does your body feel? Journal anything that comes up. Bonus exercise: Give yourself a hug for at least 30 seconds. I know this might sound strange, but it's a great way to self-soothe.

The books in the Hazelden Meditation Series have guided millions as they search for the wisdom and understanding they need to live one day at a time. Originally developed for people recovering from alcoholism and other addictions, these books will also appeal to anyone interested in personal and spiritual growth.

"In God's Care "guides readers in understanding and strengthening their connection with a Higher Power, however they choose to define that presence. With the inspiration and support unique to Hazelden meditation books, "In God's Care "offers encouragement and guidance for "practicing the presence of God" in daily life.

Find beauty and happiness in nature and create beautiful drawings and prints with this stunning guide to the mindful art of drawing floral patterns. Drawing can be a powerful tool to combat anxiety, stress and depression. In From Petal to Pattern, New York-based pattern designer and illustrator Michelle Parascandolo teaches us how the act of drawing repeated floral shapes can connect us to nature, reminding us to look around ourselves and notice the world which surrounds us. With step-by-step guides to 20 intricate patterns for us to recreate at home, this gifty how-to book helps us explore the meditative practice of drawing through the creation of repeating flower patterns. From bouquets to blocks of densely-packed flowers, the botanical patterns in this book cover all styles, from folk art to tropical, and also offers tips for creating your own original designs. With mindful affirmations as well as flower facts and lore, this book combines creative self-expression with art-therapy principles and an appreciation of the natural world. Accessible for all artistic abilities, from total beginners to experienced artists, this book teaches us how to make these colourful and bright designs into attractive prints, so you can apply them to materials of your choosing to fill your home with beautiful blossoms!

This beautiful, full-colour journal gives would-be naturalists a way to explore their natural world and contemplate their places in it. Easier than reading Thoreau and more fun than a field guide, Wild Calm is the ideal companion to anyone searching for a stronger connection to nature.