A Million Thoughts: Learn All About Meditation from a Himalayan Mystic Paperback – November 16, 2016

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.

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.

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.