A Course in Meditation

the long version

“A Course in Meditation,” the book, is an all-new design of the popular Internet-based course by Theodore (Ted) Phelps. It is a carefully designed set of instructions that enables self-motivated readers to learn an enjoyable, relaxing, health-supporting style of meditation in a few days and to learn it in a low-cost, culturally neutral format based in natural functions of the human body and mind. The seven-day course teaches how to meditate in a natural style (non-striving, based in natural functions of the mind and body) and how to get benefit from meditation by meditating in a daily practice. Sally Kempton, yoga meditation teacher, contributor to “Yoga Journal,” and author of “The Heart of Meditation,” calls the book a “classic manual for basic practice…extremely friendly and accessible…and true to the tradition.” The second half of the book gives optional readings in practice. It also provides subtle, yet down-to-earth descriptions of naturalness and meditative theory, including the role of intention, the relationship of meditation to long-range growth, wisdom, and even enlightenment. These highly subtle topics are carefully presented in fresh terms accessible to ordinary human experience. Phelps, the designer of Natural Meditation teaching method, offers a rich source of new analysis of meditation, with helpful new definitions of “meditation,” “meditative function,” “nature-supporting,” “natural meditation,” and an innovative and illustrated description of the journey through meditative stages leading to enlightenment.