Quiet Mind, Open Heart: Finding Inner Peace Through Reflection, Journaling, and Meditation

by Laura Wright and Laura Wright

In our busy world, we all need a way to settle into the quiet space inside and access deep peace and inner stillness. With penetrating self-inquiry as its cornerstone, this book clarifies the process... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0978775767
• ISBN13: 9780978775766
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Bristlecone Publishing
• Length: 253 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

"Writing Meditation?" Why not!

The subtitle of the book is "Finding Inner Peace Through Reflection, Journaling, and Meditation." That combination of ideas is really an excellent summary of the point of the book. Reflection and meditation are subjects we've covered quite a bit here, as well as in most other Buddhist books; the interesting facet of this book is the emphasis on personal journaling. There are many meditation exercises and stories, but it is the journaling portion of the book that I am going to focus on. Personal journaling, as most writers will know, is essentially a form of diary-writing or personal essays that you write to yourself. The point of this is that if you take the time to write out and organize your thoughts, it will assist in the "reflection" part of it all and aid meditation. From my own experience, I can attest to the idea; one of the main reasons I like writing for Daily Buddhism is that by explaining things to my readers, it helps increase my own understanding. Even if it's a topic I already know all about, just the act if writing about it helps focus my ideas. The author explains that the book was written "so that sincere practitioners would have a method for going from a busy mind to a quiet mind. It weaves stories with reflective journaling exercises to give the reader excellent tools for unloading thoughts onto paper, and thereby emptying the mind and setting the tone for meditation." For example, here are the reflective journaling questions that follow a section on Existential Depression: From "Difficult Emotions" Page 193-194: * How is existential depression a function of wisdom? * What pragmatic views do you uphold and how might softening your attitude allow for more beauty in life? * How have you experienced impermanence? * How do you see suffering in your own consciousness? * What is selfishness, and what is selflessness? * Can you accept that there is a knowing beyond logic? There are no right or wrong answers, no one is there to grade you, it's just a way for you to explore your own thoughts and ideas on a huge variety of themes. I like the idea. By exploring ideas and putting your own thoughts down on paper, you can organize your own thoughts, which makes meditation less haphazard. I will say that it's not for everyone, if you don't enjoy writing, there isn't that much here for you. If you do enjoy writing, give this one a try. If you are already familiar with the ideas of journaling, or if you are already doing it, then absolutely pick this one up.

a better way

Just spent the last hour journaling, and find that even the simplest questions Laura Wright poses lead to rich and helpful insights. Incorporating guidance from several different spiritual disciplines, she illuminates both the necessity and the joyful promise of the reflective, responsible path in life. Her writing is elegant and crystal clear; her suggestions for meditation are a true pleasure to follow. I am sincerely grateful for the intelligence and learning Laura Wright has so generously poured into this enlightening book. I believe many will feel the same.

Strongly recommended two years into the process

I strongly recommend this book. Extremely insightful, very well written, easily understandable, and most of all - inspiring. Characteristic performance by an excellent author. This beloved author has an amazing level of Attainment in the her spiritual Path, clearly is a first rate educator of the practice of journal writing, and happens to be a Yoga teacher as well. (You should see her in person! Wow!) All this shows clearly in this text which reaches and teaches the reader on so many levels: from fundamental and solid spiritual progress, no matter the reader's religious persuasion, to totally useful methods of using journal writing as a developmental method of character and self discovery. That last part was the core of the text for me, and it is an excellent teaching tool, successfully getting this lazy person to WANT to write in his journals and to benefit so completely from doing so. It has changed my life. I have two copies of the book along with two journals so one is always with me. No matter the problem or occasion, I am prone now to sit and write and benefit from that. I can't say strongly enough that no matter who you are, you can't walk away from going through this well expounded text and not be a better, calmer, happier, more insightful person. A deep bow to this author. Thank you for helping this one's Path in life. HikerBob of El Paso