How to Meditate Without Even Trying

Introduction

I first encountered meditation as a student at Cambridge University in the 1960s. Like many of my peers, I had become curious about Eastern religions and their relevance to the modern world. Most of these traditions emphasized the importance of meditation as a way of quieting the mind and discovering one’s true nature. So, wanting to taste these changes for myself, I began exploring.

What began as a simple curiosity soon evolved into a lifelong fascination. I found a technique that worked for me, traveled to India to deepen my practice, explored the philosophy behind it, and then trained to be a teacher of meditation. Back in the UK, I conducted research into its effects, established a meditation center, and went on extended retreats.

My explorations led me to a richer understanding of the human mind and the nature of consciousness itself, as well as a fuller appreciation of the wisdom in the world’s spiritual traditions. The more I investigated, the more I came to value the skill of quieting the mind — a skill that is especially important in today’s rapidly changing world.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching meditation and sharing what I’ve learned with thousands of people. I’ve given numerous talks, hosted local groups, led retreats, run corporate programs, produced videos, and created an online course. Yet I’ve never brought it all together in one place — until now.

This book is not an exploration of different teachings and techniques, nor is it tied to any particular tradition. The suggestions I offer come from my own discoveries — both from my personal practice and from teaching others. They focus on simple ways to make meditation easier, more effective, and more enjoyable — and so to find the inner calm most of us long for.

If you are new to meditation, the basic practices I’ll be sharing will serve as a good starting point — and, in some respects, they are all you need. If you already have a practice, my approach will help you relax more easily and deeply into your meditation. If you’ve been meditating for a number of years and are interested in alternative practices, this book will offer new approaches for you to explore. Wherever you are in your journey, I trust my suggestions will bring as much benefit to you as they have to me.

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