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The Meditation Doctor
Customer Reviews
Rating:  - Recommended with some reservations and caution
Stylistically the book seems to surf the wave of the success of The Food Doctor (except in this case, Martina is not a doctor). It has very clear layout but with a reliance on insipid stock-photo imagery. In fact, in its clarity the prescriptive meditations seem to take on a recipe-like format: each begins with a simple summary, and then a table of distinguishing factors such as duration in minutes, difficulty level, frequency, etc. is shown next to their corresponding color icon, ending with the numbered step-by-step instructions. This structured format will be of good use and appeal to those who appreciate clear, visual information (like myself) and dislike 'extraneous' narrative verbiage - most of the techniques are succinctly covered in one page each.
Some of the writing does fall into the worn groove of new-age thinking such as "Enlightened individuals, such as Buddha or Christ, can activate the light of all one thousand petals, thereby creating a halo of light around their head." Joseph Campbell said that many religious-minded people make the mistake of confusing metaphor for literal truth.
For those sincerely interested in meditation, possibly the best gift you could give to yourself is an understanding of posture. After all, sitting still is essentially maintaining a stress-posture and understanding it will keep you free from years of pain. Its importance is understood by all the major traditions - hathayoga is a preparation of the body for meditation; in the Fukanzazengi Dôgen Zenji said, "Thus sit upright in correct bodily posture, neither inclining to the left nor to the right, neither leaning forward or backward. Be sure your ears are on a plane with your shoulders and your nose in line with your navel." In the Alexander Technique the Primary Control of the body is the position of the head and neck - the balancing of the heavy head upon the tip of the spine is essentially achieved by releasing held tension in neck and back and allowing the chin to tuck back in place. In Robin McKenzie's (highly recommended for treatment and prevention) books on neck and back posture, there is a similar message, that we have become a nation of neck-craners and back-slumpers and what to do about it. Physical therapists up and down the country would tell you the same.
I write the preceding because here Martina, whilst certainly paying lipservice to its importance, either disagrees or plain misunderstands what it is. In her fundamental instructions on basic sitting postures she advises to "Keep your head upright while tilting your chin slightly forward (!) to create a clear air passage." And this is shown throughout in the accompanying photos (E.g. see the back slumped and neck craned on page 24). Jutting out the chin - even slightly - causes all the weight of the head to be distributed right to the back of the neck and will cause all kinds of problems. If this is done only "to create a clear air passage" you can rest assured that anatomically you do not need to push out your chin at all to breathe freely.
For a little more depth and substance but equally as accessible I'd recommend Meditation: Buddhist Way of Tranquillity and Insight by Dharmachari Kamalashila which although Buddhist is non-partisan; the Barefoot Doctor also offers modern hybrid techniques from a range of traditions but, similar to this title, is more superficial in approach to their comparative richness and depth.
Rating:  - Inner Peace
I practice meditations from the Meditation Doctor in the morning before work, and allow myself time in the work day to sit in stillness and use techniques to center myself. I feel clearer, more grounded, and more present to the people I work with as well as to my family and friends.
Rating: - Meditation for Mind and Body
Of all the meditation books I have consulted, The Meditation Doctor is the most beautifully designed and the most accessible while offering resources to those readers who have varying degrees of experience with meditation. I have given this book to many friends and they regularly make references to techniques that help them with sinus headaches, fatigue, and back pain. The colorful photographs and illustrations along with the inspiring meditations make this the perfect mind-body text.
Rating: - A treasure!
This book is destined to become a classic. It is beautifully written and photographed with helpful illustrations that make the techniques easy to follow. The author draws from a rich tradition of both western and eastern techniques. The book offers guided meditation and imagery to address common ailments such as headaches, back aches, nausea and cold symptoms. The author also provides basics in meditation postures and breathe work. The book is a treasure!
Rating: - Being in tune
The Meditation Doctor has been a benificial guide for my personal and spritual growth. Martina Glasscock-Barnes has done an outstanding job on informing and explaining to the reader proper breathing, various sitting positions, history, and providing ways to utilize meditation practices on a daily basis. Before I began meditation practices I was not able to sit still and focus, having characteristics of ADHD. In practicing meditation I have learned how to sit and focus on what my body and mind are telling me. I have learned how to be in tune with my self and my surroundings, and how to release nervous and negative engery. I have done many of Martina's meditations and have had outstanding results, short and long term. I recommend this book for all, beginner or veteran, there is much to be learned and much inner peace to be obtained.
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