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Why We Meditate: The Science and Practice of Clarity and Compassion Paperback – December 3, 2024
by Daniel Goleman (Author), Tsoknyi Rinpoche (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 98 ratings
This “rare and exquisite exploration of the art, science, and practice of meditation” (Roshni Joan Halifax, author of Standing at the Edge) offers a much-needed antidote to the forces of stress that overwhelm so many of us—from New York Times bestselling author Daniel Goleman and renowned meditation teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche.
We all experience negative emotions from time to time. But in a world with as much frenzy and pressure as ours, it’s incredibly easy for these same emotions to become destructive. Now, by blending Eastern tradition with Western science, Why We Meditate effortlessly helps you embrace and understand meditation as never before with advice that is “fresh, accessible, and profound” (Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart).
Based on groundbreaking neuroscience, Why We Meditate is a guidebook that will help you not only break free from negative patterns of thought and behavior but radically embrace your very being. Revolutionize your health, relationships, and soul with this book that is perfect for both serious meditators and those new to the practice.
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Editorial Reviews
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"Why We Meditate is a rare blend of genuine, far-reaching meditative wisdom and the cutting edge neuroscience that both explains and supports it. Tsoknyi Rinpoche transmits these teachings with his characteristic depth of understanding, clarity of expression, and warm-hearted compassion, while Daniel Goleman contributes his decades-long familiarity with the Western exploration of the science of the mind. This book is an extraordinary collaboration and a great jewel that will benefit all who read it. Highly recommended."--Joseph Goldstein, author of Mindfulness and A Heart Full of Peace
"Why We Meditate is an exciting new book that combines recent research into meditation with fresh, accessible and profound teachings on the actual practice. I consider Tsoknyi Rinpoche one of my beloved teachers and so wholeheartedly endorse any attempt to share his healing and liberating teachings with the world." --Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart
"This remarkable book by meditation master Tsoknyi Rinpoche and science writer and longtime meditation practitioner Daniel Goleman is a rare and exquisite exploration of the art, science, and practice of meditation. Practical, wise, humorous, and an extraordinary resource, it is a book that the reader and practitioner will return to again and again."--Roshi Joan Halifax, author of Standing at the Edge
"Two giants team up for a kind of meditative buddy film-- What's not to like? In this book, you'll get practical, doable techniques for making two game-changing inner moves: getting out of your head, as well as taming your demons with warmth rather than our habitual resistance, indulgence, and denial. The best part is that all of it is backed up by rigorous science. Highly recommend."--Dan Harris, author of 10% Happier
"An appealing, instructive mixture of Eastern spiritual practices and modern psychological research."--Kirkus Reviews
"As valuable for skeptical or reluctant meditative practitioners as it is for experienced ones, this book is actionable, intentional, personal, and practical."--Library Journal
"Those looking for an accessible, jargon-free primer on meditation should check this out."--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Daniel Goleman is the bestselling author of several books, including Emotional Intelligence, Focus, and Optimal. He was a science journalist for The New York Times, received the American Psychological Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and was honored by Harvard for his contributions to education, business, and society. He lives near New York City. Find out more at DanielGoleman.info.
Tsoknyi Rinpoche is one of the most beloved teachers among the new generation of Tibetan Buddhist masters. Widely recognized as an outstanding meditation teacher for over thirty years, he is the author of Open Heart, Open Mind, Fearless Simplicity, and Carefree Dignity. He has received accolades from prominent Buddhist teachers, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Find out more at TsoknyiRinpoche.org.
Product details
Publisher : Atria Books (December 3, 2024)
Language : English
Paperback : 224 pages
ISBN-10 : 1982178469
ISBN-13 : 978-1982178468
Item Weight : 8.2 ounces
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.56 x 8.38 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #2,728,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#441 in Dalai Lama
#16,635 in Meditation (Books)
#22,083 in Happiness Self-Help
Customer Reviews: 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 98 ratings
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Daniel Goleman
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Daniel Goleman
DANIEL GOLEMAN is the author of the international bestsellers Emotional Intelligence, Working with Emotional Intelligence, and Social Intelligence, and the co-author of the acclaimed business bestseller Primal Leadership. His latest books are What Makes a Leader: Why Emotional Intelligence Matters and The Triple Focus: A New Approach to Education. He was a science reporter for the New York Times, was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and received the American Psychological Association's Lifetime Achievement Award for his media writing. He lives in Massachusetts.
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From the United States
E
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is packed with practices & wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
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When I bought this book, I had no idea it would be so abundant in practices for body, heart/feelings & mind. It also has amazing wisdom and practical applications in daily life. So glad I found this particular book and the gifted teachers & authors. Highly recommend!
One person found this helpful
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Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars Cambios internos
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023
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Te ayuda mucho a tender mucho las cosas
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joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Let's consider meditation
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2022
Many know of Daniel Goleman for his writings on emotional intelligence. With that credential, he seems to me to be the perfect guide to learning more about and understanding meditation.
Meditation seems in some ways to be a deceptively simple practice but it is actually complex. Daniel Goleman will help readers to understand how this Eastern practice can help us in our world that is, at times, filled with the negative.
There is lots of advice in this book. This is a case where the advice is professional and based upon neuroscience. It will help those who pick it up to let go of some negative influences on their lives.
I think that both those who already practice mindfulness and/or meditation will find much to contemplate in this excellent guide. A few of the chapter titles include What This Book Offers You, Beautiful Monsters, and Calm and Clear. Definitely worth a read.
Note that Goleman’s co-author is a well known teacher of Buddhist meditation. He offers the practice and Goleman the science; a terrific collaboration in a book that is full of things to try.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
5 people found this helpful
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Alan
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly helpful for dealing with our chronic modern day stress.
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2022
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Goes beyond mindfulness practice to help us understand & work with the subtle anxiety that so many of us feel. This book has so many methods for working with our emotional body including the science behind why these methods work. We all want to be enlightened but first we need to be healthy human beings & this brilliant book shines a bright light on the way to inner freedom.
8 people found this helpful
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Kamala
5.0 out of 5 stars Best of both worlds
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
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Although I have been a big fan of both writers over the years, I learned even more from this collaboration.
This book could be especially helpful to your Mr. Science brother-in-law who could really benefit from some meditation practice as well as your on-the-fence friend who needs to see that meditation is really not so daunting and can be transformative in very tangible, scientifically-proven ways.
7 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023
This is great and wonderful insight as to why other methods have not worked.
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Joe
5.0 out of 5 stars This Little Book Packs A Punch.
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2022
I've been reading books about meditation for about 15 years now, and it never ceases to amaze me how I can always learn something new. And here's yet another. This rather short book is full of great teachings.
One thing that makes this book so unique is its structure. Each chapter is divided into three parts: 1) the explanation ['why we meditate'] 2) the practice [practical meditation strategies] & 3) the science. The buddhist teacher, Tsoknyi Rinphoche, writes the first two parts on 'explanation' and 'practice' while Daniel Goleman writes the concluding 'science.' This is my first book by Tsoknyi Rinpoche and I really enjoyed learning his approach to meditation, as he starts first with physical breath-work and then moves into mindfulness and cognitive exercises. This is my second book I've read by Daniel Goleman. The other work I've read by him--which I loved--is the book he co-authored with Richard Davidson, 'Altered Traits.' I read that book twice. Goleman's scientific explanations don't contain too much new information from what he's already written--but it is refreshing to read it in this new context of Tsoknyi Rinphoche's teaching.
This book is small but it packs a wallop. I read it within a couple of days on my Winter Break--I kept turning the pages wanting to learn more. However, I know in my speed I've likely missed a lot. No doubt I'll return to this book in the future.
Tsoknyi Rinphoche's teaching is very accessible, honest, inspiring and helpful. I learned a lot from it.
For the Audible version, I was sad that the book was not narrated by the authors, but the narrators do a good job of reading clearly. I enjoyed the listen along with the read. If you'd like to hear the author's speak about the book in their own voices, I recommend listening to their interview with Dan Harris on his podcast '10% Happier.' That is how I originally learned about this book.
Thank you Tsoknyi Rinphoche & Daniel Goleman!
7 people found this helpful
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Daphné Allanore-de Baritault
4.0 out of 5 stars Complete but why so many typos!
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2023
I am halfway through and there is stylo or missing word every other pages almost that makes the reading cumbersome. A good approach of meditation for anybody. Please correct the text.
5 people found this helpful
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Born to Read
5.0 out of 5 stars A Standout in Content and Presentation
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2023
Tsoknyi Rinpoche brings deep insights along with unique tools and information to explain our emotions and how we process our feelings in our mind and bodies--among other critical topics related to meditation and the mind.
I'm only on chapter 4, but had to write this review because the material is so compelling and outstanding. I read a lot of meditation books, many that cover the neuroscience of changing the brain, al la traditional teachings as translated by Dr. Rick Hanson. In this text, Dan Goleman provides the scientific evidence, which is wonderful, and I'm sure his name was essential to marketing. This bridges the world of Buddhist teachings with the scientific evidence, which is being revealed more and more in current scientific and popular literature.
Goleman is familiar with both, of course. Rinpoche is the master here and he offers a unique perspective applying this science to the his traditions.
I have paper, kindle, and audible versions. The latter is a standout because the voice of Francois Chau brings Rinpoche's teachings to life in an engaging, authentic way.
Good material here. Unique, which is hard to do in this field these days.
4 people found this helpful
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Carey
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful guide for both beginner and experienced meditators.
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2022
A refreshing, deep yet compact and accessible guide to meditation from two outstanding experts in their fields. This is a rich and practical book which introduces traditional meditation practices with a unique approach to understanding the needs of western/modern world living: Meeting our minds ‘beautiful monsters’ with kindness and wisdom to help develop a healthy human being. Inspiring for both seasoned or new comers to meditation. Instant classic!
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