"A profound invitation into the effortless essence of meditation and awakening. With rare clarity, Russell guides readers beyond technique to the timeless peace at the heart of true meditation. His wisdom distills decades of research and teaching into accessible, transformative insight. Instantly usable, gently radical, it is destined to become a classic in the field of contemporary spirituality." -- Deepak Chopra, MD "With great clarity and warmth, Peter Russell dismantles the belief that we have to struggle with the mind, and invites us instead to rest in the natural ease of the present moment." -- Rupert Spira, author of The Nature of Consciousness, You Are the Happiness You Seek, and The Shining of Being "Peter Russell has written an extraordinarily accessible and clear offering that is both engaging and deep. He deftly invites us to discover the great secret of meditation practice: Rather than efforting to make something happen, learning to deeply relax and allow life to move through us is the way to profound connection with our true nature." -- James Baraz, coauthor of Awakening Joy and cofounder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center "May [this book] support those many seekers who have the thirst to meditate but needed this simple, pure drink of practices and companionship to satisfy their longing.
" -- Dr. Margaret Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science and Restoring Sanity "Meditation methods vary widely in the amount of mind control they demand. Peter Russell knows that depth, stillness, and clarity are to be found at the effortless end of the pool." -- Philip Goldberg, author of American Veda and Karmic Relief "Gently dismantles one of our most persistent misunderstandings about meditation -- that it is something we must do or achieve. This book doesn't just explain meditation; it quietly reveals it, gently guiding the reader into the effortless recognition of their true nature." -- Richard C. Miller, PhD, author of Yoga Nidra "A gentle, wise, concise guide to effortless meditation and to the possibility of awakening right now from unnecessary suffering." -- Joan Tollifson, author of Nothing to Grasp and Death: The End of Self-Improvement "This book invites the reader into that which is present to every experience -- whether joy or sorrow, confusion or clarity, pain or pleasure.
We gradually learn that the Presence, which is here in each one of us, has no judgment, no aversion, no clinging. It delivers our freedom, and ultimately, great gratitude for simply being here now." -- Dorothy Hunt, spiritual teacher and author of Ending the Search "A simple, wise, and elegant distillation of the essence of meditation that is both easily accessible and profound. Highly recommended." -- John J. Prendergast, PhD, author of Your Deepest Ground and The Deep Heart "Peter Russell's clear and simple approach dissolves whatever resistance we might have to things often associated with discipline and work. Gently guided by his wise words, we find ourselves relaxing and opening. We aren't just reading about meditation, we are having a meditative experience.
" -- Susan Campbell, PhD, author of From Triggered to Tranquil and Getting Real "With warmth, humor, and refreshingly simple wisdom, Peter Russell shows that calm isn't something to chase -- it's something that unfolds naturally when you stop striving for it. Through everyday examples and effortless practices, you'll learn how to rest your mind without forcing it, and how to find moments of presence anywhere: in a quiet morning, a busy commute, or even a wandering thought." -- Lama Palden Drolma, author of Love on Every Breath.