A Million Thoughts: Learn All About Meditation from a Himalayan Mystic

I truly enjoyed reading this book. It focuses on how meditation can help us uncover the fundamental questions that we keep buried in our minds, with no answers. What is suffering? How can we channel the tendencies of the mind, or the thoughts we've been carrying with us for a lifetime? When we are bothered by a lingering thought, how can we set them free and truly express who we are without concealing our emotions and expectations? This book definitely helps to discover ourselves through meditation. It details how to meditate, what is considered a helpful meditation session, and constructive practices to help one find a place and purpose. The author seems to have a vast understanding in many subjects and this is seen through his examples mentioned in the book. His subtle sense of humor, down to earth commentary, and constructive logic really help to understand meditation. He shares his meditation experiences in the Himalayas in the book and how certain techniques can help change our views on human life. Om Swami stresses that meditation is a supplement to physical and mental exercise. His detailing of certain virtues attained as a meditator makes the book supportive and encouraging. He does mention that meditation will come with its set of obstacles and by Yogic practices one can better meditate. The part I found most intriguing was his emphasis on self awareness and how we should journal our path to better meditation. Since practicing this, I found that following Om Swami’s advice makes me go deeper in my heart to find true answers and peace for myself. This sort of introspection along with meditation is the main idea that I took away from this book. Overall, I can say that this book is very helpful for those looking for inner peace. The topics covered, the examples Om Swami has given, and the lessons to be learned from it are truly fundamental for peace.

Good book

Meditation is not a new subject. Books on this art are available a dozen a dime. So what’s so special about this book? Well, imagine you are reading a book on how to get to the summit of Mount Everest. And it’s penned by an ace climber who overcame several unsuccessful attempts to get to the pinnacle over the course of a couple of decades. Such a climber would know the ins and outs of the summit like the back of his hand: the pitfalls (physical and mental), what works what doesn’t, different routes to the peak etc. And this is exactly what Om Swami and his book A Million Thoughts offer. The beauty of the book is how it’s able to cover a whole gamut of topics, caters to the entire range of aspirants (from a novice to an adept meditator), and at the same time somehow miraculously is able to firmly captivate the readers through its entirety. The author accomplishes this by adopting a seemingly paradoxical combination of brevity and comprehensiveness in his writing style. It’s evident that each element of the subject matter has been carefully chosen and arranged with thorough deliberation. The initial chapters lay down the necessary framework (and the lucrative incentives) that facilitates the subsequent deep dive into the actual practice. The author’s genuine interest in encouraging aspirants to reap the benefits of this art comes across unmistakably in every chapter of the book. It’s as if he’s flabbergasted as to why readers wouldn’t use this tool and thus is sincerely reaching out to them, urging them to make use of meditation to bring about a change in the quality of their lives. He does so with finesse and earnestness. For instance he does not mince his words when it comes to reminding readers of how arduous the journey can be for serious aspirants. At the same time he is able to offer alternatives to people who are just about dabbling with meditation (or have other full-time commitments/priorities). All in all, the simplicity with which the practical elements of meditation is communicated is a testament to not only the author’s complete grasp of the subject but also to his writing prowess that makes esoteric concepts appear relatable. A must-have book for anyone interested in meditation - will save you years of incorrect practice that may cause irreparable damage.

First one to buy it! :) Will come back to write a detailed review. Woohoo.... (12/11/2016) My review- 1- Swamiji, your books are definitely very informative and I believe that you can charge a little more for them than you are currently doing. 2- There are a few typos in this book. Please have them corrected. 3- If you had put few photographs of some handwritten notes on your experiences in this book it would have been wonderful. Please consider putting something like in this in your future books. 4- You mentioned that you practiced all the different types of meditation techniques mentioned in the book, a note to the reader on what to expect from each type, what you yourself have experienced would have been of great inspiration to the reader. 5- Perhaps you could also put a disclaimer about the results. You mentioned that someone meditating for 6 hours a day for 6 months is an intense meditator and will have intense results, and so on and so forth. I have meditated for the first 6 months for 5 hours a day and the second 6 months for 6 1/2 hours per day (2nd phase ending on 23rd Dec). In the third phase, I plan to increase to 8 hours per day. I have not seen any results. I am going to continue this way for few more years but I jut would like to mention that results are not guaranteed despite immense effort because of either past karmas or any of the many other reasons. Before I am told that meditation alone is not enough, I would like to mention that I fast every Monday, maintain verbal silence every Sunday, Feed animals daily morning and evening, donate to various organizations every month, donate blood every 3 months, and have sponsored the planting of over 160 trees, visit the temple once every week, have reduced my sleep and food quota in the first phase, reduced further in the second phase and will reduce even further in the third phase. I have been doing these things all my life but have done it more regularly and with great diligence for the past 1 year. In the next one year, If I see any results, any glimpses of life beyond this body and mind, I will come back here and post a brief paragraph confirming the same. Thank you.

I've read maybe 4 or 5 of this author's books. This one, along with his book on Mantra practice, is helpful. Nothing really new here, but the way he lays out the material is solid.

What a great book! Meditation can be difficult to even understand, what is it really? It's not just sitting in order to relax, it's an energizing and insightful exercise which requires a great deal of practice. This guide is a must for those seeking inner peace and tranquility and have not meditated before or have only engaged in "feel good" meditation. It's an art and a science which requires guidance from a truly experienced teacher in order to overcome the difficulties inherent in the practice. If you want to find the soul inside of you and connect to it's divine nature then you need a book written beautifully and by an experienced meditator. I read another book about meditation years ago and it put me off the practice with it's overcomplicating of the subject, this book has given me dedication to meditation!! Worth the money and time.

"A Million Thoughts" breaks down the whole idea and process of meditation into easy to relate steps and activities. It also makes the reader aware that finding inner peace and center is within grasp provided a practitioner is willing to put in the rigor and walk the path. In some ways it puts the ball squarely in the practitioner's court and requires him/her to make the necessary effort if indeed they want to travel the path of self-awareness, enlightenment and detachment. Swamiji has written this book with a singular aim of aiding and guiding the practitioner. This is not a memoir or a feel-good book. It is a call to action. "A Million Thoughts" will ask you – how willing are you to take control of your own mind, thoughts and indeed life by using some, many or all approaches Swamiji talks about? It would also make you wonder if you are still paralyzed by inactivity and would rather run around temples, saints and Swamiji for every single issue that you could potentially manage yourself if you make the effort. The dependency approach is always easier – it absolves us of any responsibility while we are ever ready to enjoy all fruits of life. I think in the end most readers would just read this. Some may try to follow the path and a handful would go beyond the preliminary steps. One or two would reach the state of unlimited bliss. Whatever effort you do – it's worth reading and getting to know what is possible if only you are willing to give it a try. As Swamiji says – "..this has been my journey. Go, embark on yours"

I have never found a more practical book on meditation. It touches all aspects of meditation and gives your practical advice on how to practice meditation. No jargon just plain simple practical methods

The richest book on the science of meditation

What a wonderful book on thoughts and Meditation! Thoughts are the integral and the biggest part of what, who, and how we are. And yet, we seldom think about our thoughts that why we have thoughts in the first place? What we can do with our thoughts, about our thoughts and what's the purpose of having them? Thoughts make us and/or break us. To know the power of thoughts and futility of thoughts both are equally important. This book helps understand ourselves better. I've never read something like this before, so new and refreshing knowledge! Meditation is the word which has become the talk of the world these days. And we can see many so called experts throw this word easily around to make their point. I'm into meditation for last 18 years, and did many yoga and meditation course. However, I learned for the first time, through this book, that Meditation is much more than five minute feel good exercise. In fact, the true meditation is not an enjoyable experience and requires lot of sustained effort, dedication and discipline to tread this path if we want to expeirnce the world of meditation which can be the most beautiful and rewarding experience in itself. This is the ultimate guide, and the must guide for those who wants to explore the true path of Meditation to experience our existence which is a way more than what we currently understand and accept. There is so much fluff in the market about meditation, that is truly intimidating and misleading. Rather wasting, many precious years doing the wrong practice of meditation consistently, it is much more wise to invest 4 hours to read this book and acquire the true knowledge before going further on the path of meditation. Om Swami, is a gift to this world, who doesn't preach but demonstrates the knowledge through self-experiments that prbably very few will dare to replicate in their lives. He's been there in deep woods of Himalaya and indulged in intense meditation for months. Walk the talk is more powerful than walk the walk, and that's exactly Om Swami does in this book by giving step-by-step guideline on how to proceed on the path of true Meditation. I wish, all Modern Meditation Gurus and speakers, read this book, endorse it and help spread the right knowledge in the world about Meditation. This ultimate guide on Meditation is must for your library.

Good condition. Good read. Highly recommend.

Se qualcuno volesse capirne qualcosa in più sulla meditazione direi che questo libro è quello che fa al caso vostro

"Complete"....that's reviewing this book in one word. If you are a serious student of meditation and just not a casual reader, then you would know that it's a rather misunderstood and frequently mis-explained concept. More often than not, its taught furthering certain ideologies or beliefs. This book allows you to look at meditation objectively and also see what goes under the bonnet. I think to some one who is not a practitioner, the benefits will come more if they resolve to dive deeper. But then meditation shouldn't be a casual subject anyway. I had the honour of meeting the author once and upon meeting, I said that I wanted to see him as I considered him a "Professor of Meditation".......this book vindicates this title! Vikram Avasthi Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham