5 comments about SmartFrench: Beginner Level - Learn French from Real French People.

1. Dear Mr. Christian Aubert:
   
   Merci beaucoup for offering the great learning tools Introduction to French, Volumes 1 & 2, and SmartFrench Audio CDs~Beginner. It is apparent that much time and thought has been spent on how best to present the lessons.
   
   Learning a new language is very challenging. There is a big difference between memorizing phrases and formal greetings; and a person actually being able to hold meaningful conversations. Your methods of teaching not only encourage retention, but also provide practical advice on how to speak the everyday language. No wonder you earn such glowing commendation on Amazon.com.
   
   The more time spent utilizing the audio CD's and supplementary materials the more the true essence of the French language is understood. The auxiliary tools offered on [...], such as the Verb Blog, have provided added support, which is greatly appreciated.
   
   I will definitely recommend your product to others interested in learning to speak French.



2. I took three years of French in high school over twenty years ago, and I recently decided to take up the language once again. I have tried various programs, such as Rosetta Stone, Michel Thomas, and Pimsleur. However, when I tried to have a conversation with native French speakers, I was always disappointed because a) When they spoke at a natural pace, other than picking out a word here and there, I could not understand what they were saying and b) While I could make myself understood, I was told that my sentences were too rigid or unnaturally formal.
   
   As far as I know, Smart French is the only program available that teaches the student to speak in a natural and fluent manner. The program begins with an excellent review of French sounds. Then, a series of vignettes are presented in which an interviewer discusses a topic with everyday French speakers such as a model, a chef, an art curator, a metal worker, an actor, etc. The converstations are presented in stages. The first stage, breaks down the sentences into bite sized segments in slow motion. The ensuing stages move progressively faster, until the sixth stage, when we hear the actual interview at normal speed. At first the converstions seemed impossibly fast, but after listening to them a few times, I began to understand more and more of what the speakers were saying.
   
   The Smart French course has helped me tremendously in developing an ear for French as it is spoken by real people and in improving my accent. In my opinion, it is by far the best program available, and the best value for the money.



3. If you're looking for courseware that will teach you a sizable amount of French vocabulary or grammar, then this product isn't for you. The four CDs are limited in their content from that respect.
   
   But, if you're interested in understanding why the French you hear spoken in France, doesn't sound like the formal French that you learned in a classroom, then this product is for you. I haven't found any other that does a better job. If you're diligent about doing the exercises, you'll be better equipped to both comprehend and speak "street" French.
   
   What I find unacceptable is that for this product's high price tag for such a limited amount of content, I would expect it to be flawless. There are blatant inconsistencies between the French conversations on the CDs and the documented conversations in the handbook. There are also inconsistencies in the handbook between the French conversations and the English translations. There is not that much content, it could have easily been reviewed and corrected during the courseware development process!
   
   The other aspect that I find unacceptable is that the last page of the handbook gives credit to a number of people, but not to an audio technician. There are three voices that you hear in each section. There is a conversation in French between an interviewee and an interviewer, and a course instructor that analyzes the conversation. In most sections the interviewee's voice is only 2/3 the volume of the instructor. The interviewer's voice is only 1/3 of the volume. If an audio technician was used, perhaps all three voices would be equally discernable.



4. 
   I teach a small group of adults French and I've just started using the Smart French Beginner Audio CD set with my students who love it. They all agree that listening to the conversations is an excellent way to increase comprehension and augment vocabulary. We all value listening to native speakers carrying on conversations about everyday topics.
   
   I find that including both a slow version and a fast version of each dialogue
   makes the Smart French series an excellent tool for teaching and for learning French.
   
   Sandy K.
   Berkeley, CA.



5. These CD's are produced for an English major. If your goal is to learn some French phrases, this is the wrong choice.

5 comments about Through the Open Door to the Vastness of Your True Being.

1. I am enjoying this CD very much. I have listened to it twice on a long car drive. Good quality recording.



2. The 2nd CD is incredible ... new ideas even though it's from 2004 .... it's not all a repeat. So glad I bought this set.



3. Can't stop listening and getting insights from This Eckhart Cd set. I've had this one for sometime, but lately I've been "hearing" (as apposed to listening) new, exciting revelations in this 2 Cd set!! It's Great!! I have all of Eckhart Tolle's works and love Everyone of them dearly, he is My "Teacher"
   
   ...I want to make it clear for those of you that may Not share my enthusiasm that I Have read many books with other "Teachers and Masters" in My defense. Not one has been as clear and simple to understand and follow as Eckhart Tolle. My gift in words would be to you, give him another try...Make it This Cd set, Through the Open Door to the Vastness of Your True Being (in stillness....)
   
   For those Dear Eckhart disciples This Ones a Must Have!! ~Quillnpen



4. I need to listen to Eckhart's message over and over again. This CD reinforces the tenet of being in the moment. Eckhart has a very soothing voice and leads us into stillness very quickly.
   
   A great tool to use when you are immersed in mental noise and can't seem to snap out of it.



5. Even if you have never read nor heard Tolle before, listen to the Open Door and I guarantee you will come through it a slightly different person.

5 comments about Channeling Grace: Invoking the Power of the Divine.

1. Caroline is certainly say it like it is and don't sugar coat it kind of person. I found myself jumping in spots as Caroline yells at you - but then I know she is extremely passionate about what she is talking about - Grace. This might be off putting to many people but I believe it is because she is passionate about God.
   
   I also found myself confused at times as she seems to put God in a box as "a judgmental someone" out there (the Catholic God I grew up with), and then turns it around that God is NOT "someone" out there but is a loving being out there while simultaneously being a part of us - the God I have come to know. I found that a little disconcerting. I also agree with the other reviewer about the mind. She says the mind plays tricks on you - yes it does. The mind can not heal you. But we are commanded to "love God with all of our hearts, souls and minds". I think there is a good reason mind is mentioned - we need to train our minds to think in line with our heart and soul rather than allow it to wander off on its pseudo intellectual pursuits. We need to practice being present and aware of what is on our minds. There is much more to say about that but for what it's worth that was my 2¢ on the subject.
   
   If you are a person like myself who has wondered what on Earth Grace means, this will answer your questions about it. Aside from the confusion about how she refers to God at times, The meditations / invocations are powerful and oh so beautiful. Caroline Myss has an incredible gift as a wordsmith. This will certainly open your eyes to grace abounding in your life.



2. Carolyn Myss' audio sessions tend to be spirited and insightful, and this is no exception. The invocations are a lovely contrast of calm and warmth to her impassioned discussions. Some describe what I receive as passion and conviction as judgemental and shrill. If you asked her yourself I would wager that she would agree that she has these tendencies - but so what? Carolyn Myss never passes herself off to be anything other that Who She Is, and I love it!
   
   This latest work brings together ideas previously explored under the banner of self-esteem, together with the more soulful aspects of communion with God through prayer, as desribed in Entering the Castle, reflecting the work and words of Teresa of Avila. Steve McNamara's meditative compositions beautifully bookend both the CDs and the invocations. Channeling Grace - herein lies timeless and beautiful wisdom for living fearlessly in the light, in honesty, in grace; "in the breath of God".



3. IT was great listening to this cds. Caroline is always teaching us in a profound and inspiring way.



4. As usual, Ms. Myss provides no nonsense spiritual education & guidance. I would recommend this 2 CD set to anyone wanting to expand their spiritual life and experience.



5. Usually I love Caroline Myss, from her Energy Anatomy and Advanced Energy Anatomy audio series, to her book Why People Don't Heal and How They Can, to all of her work with archetypes in Sacred Contracts, etc. But this little piece of work is INSANE! Caroline has always been one to call someone on their crap, or call out the garbage in the world, but she straight berates and belittles her audience in this one. On at least four (probably more - I lost count) occasions she outright yells at her audience, scolding them like "spoiled brats". The rest of the time she goes off on these crazy tangents about nonsensical definitions of what "grace" is. The only part of this CD that's good is the meditation towards the end of the second disc. I am so glad I only paid the Amazon price for this instead of actually seeing this in what I'm sure was a very expensive seminar. I seriously would have asked for my money back. There are times when we all need a "harsh wake-up call" to move ourselves out of safe harbors and into more enlightened ground, but then there is the act of throwing people under a bus because you're on a power trip. This seminar would be a good example of the latter. I'm not saying people shouldn't buy her other works, I'm just saying to stay away from this one. Maybe she was having an "off day" or dealing with personal or health issues in her life at the time. Who knows? But save your money for her better works and continue to benefit from those instead.

5 comments about The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2 Audiobook: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance, Revised Edition (9 CDs).

1. This is a great book to read for pleasure and to read to your kids. So much information about world history and what is going on all over the world at that time period.



2. Great Stuff! At home, my daughter plays the CD's while playing at the same time. We had purchased the volume 1 last year and she loved it. She is only seven years old and she learns a lot by just listening to this stuff. Not just her but also us her parents because we listened to it a lot when we go for long trips. As a family, it's one of our favorites and we highly recommend the product.



3. I'm trying to work with The Story of the World, Vol. 2: The Middle Ages. With respect, how does one write a history of the Middle Ages and leave out:
   
   Cathedrals ("The medieval cathedrals of Europe--there are over a hundred of them--are the greatest accomplishments of humanity in the whole theatre of art." P. Johnson, Art: A New History [New York: HarperCollins, 2003]; p. 153): they were the center of both secular and religious life in the Middle Ages.
   
   An explanation of how the monks in Ireland kept Western Civilization alive and re-introduced it to the continent.
   
   The Rule of Benedict (a foundational document for Western civilization, right up there with the Magna Carta, that has influenced everything from constitutional government to corporate organization.)
   
   Scholasticism & Humanism (yes, it began in the Middle Ages): Thomas Aquinas and his Summa Theologica, marrying Greek rationalism and Christian theology, which has made Western Civilization the unique creation it is, arguably the most successful and influential civilization the world has seen to date. Aquinas developed, among other things, the concept of natural law and God-given rights. The line from Aquinas to Jefferson is profoundly important.
   
   Guilds (the valuing of labor, the attendant social mobility that came with guilds, including the beginnings of a middle class)
   
   The founding of universities by the Church
   
   The establishment of hospitals by the Church
   
   The cessation of slavery in Western Europe because of Christianity
   
   In sum, the book does not report the pre-eminent role and the great contributions of the Church in creating what we have come to know as Western Civilization. Consider what Kenneth Clark writes:
   
   " ... [T]hree or four times in history man has made a leap forward that would have been unthinkable under ordinary evolutionary conditions. One such time was about the year 3000 BC, when quite suddenly civilization appeared, not only in Egypt and Mesopotamia but in the Indus valley; another was in the late sixth century BC, when there was not only the miracle of Ionia and Greece--philosophy, science, art, poetry, all reaching a point that wasn't reached again for 2000 years--but also in Indian spiritual enlightenment that has perhaps never been equaled. Another was around the year 1100. It seems to have affected the whole world; but its strongest and most dramatic effect was in Western Europe--where it was most needed. In every branch of life--action, philosophy, organization, technology--there was an extraordinary outpouring of energy, an intensification of existence. ... These changes imply a new social and intellectual background. They imply wealth, stability, technical skill and, above all, the confidence necessary to push through a long-term project. How had all this suddenly appeared in Western Europe? Of course there are many answers, but one is overwhelmingly more important than the others: the triumph of the Church. It could be argued that western civilization was basically the creation of the Church." (K. Clark, Civilisation [New York, 1969], pages 33-35)
   
   That story is missing from Bauer's account of the Middle Ages.



4. We've just begun this series of 4 books due to Classical Conversations homeschool curriculum. I have enjoyed teaching history, but my kids haven't quite caught the bug. This series has given them something to look forward to. Every day for homework they read a couple chapters and relate to me how much they like the stories; never a complaint.



5. The books in this series are well written in a manner that is interesting to read. They impress me as a great way to get an overview of the big picture of human history as preparation for more indepth study in the higher grades.
   
   Each volume covers a particular segment of history and is designed for one school year. The historical period covered is pretty much parallel to the period covered in the home schooling program we are following, but the book holds one's attention better than the one used in home schooling, which has more of the text-book format. I understand that there is a companion question and answer book for each volume, but I have not seen one of these books.

5 comments about Music An Appreciation - 5 Audio CD Set.

1. The shipping estimator gave me a month window for the CDs to arrive. I had them in a week. These discs were purchased for a music class.



2. strongly recommended for any one who is interested in knowing more about music. i found this book very fun and interesting that i enjoyed every single page of it.
   the topics are great, statements are strong and words are clear.
   I am so very happy of this purchase.



3. Good deal. Cheaper than buying it in the bookstore.
   The came came in a very good shape.



4. CDs arrived quickly. Had a hard time getting the first disc to work in the computers in the house but the rest worked fine.



5. GREAT PRICE ON THIS CD SET. DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM, WHICH WAS UNKNOWN TO THE SELLER. HE WAS VERY GRACIOUS IN TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM. WOULD NOT HESITATE TO PURCHASE FROM AGAIN. VERY HONEST SELLER!

5 comments about The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles.

1. I was initially intrigued by Lipton's comments, especially his long discourse on how genes and proteins work. However, about 5 minutes from the end of the audio book, he mentions "Jesus" at least twice in the context of our ability to create miracles, or the "miracles of Jesus', with our mind. I was not sure where he was going with the book since almost all of it is discussion of cell biology, or at least cell biology as described by Lipton. The author goes through a lengthy explanation of cell biology only to end up asserting we can change our gene expression, or biology, through our thoughts. As other reviewers have noted, he does not go into how we can change our biology, simply referencing some techniques. The book is really just a "scientific" argument to lay the groundwork for something else, namely another new age theory of how mind energy can control matter. I bought this book on iTunes and only after hitting the "Buy" button did I think to run Lipton through a quack detector. There is little out there but I did find some discussion on a forum for readers of Richard Dawkins; I would give the link to the forum, but Amazon keeps deleting it in my review. Some of the other reviewers have done an excellent job of pointing out the problems with Lipton's theory.
   
   I agree that we really do not know all that much about the universe, why we are here, how our brains work and so on. We have a lot to learn and we may very well discover someday that our thoughts can have a substantial impact on our gene expression, cure us of disease and perform an infinite number of miracles. However, the evidence for this is sketchy and almost all experiments to prove the existence of psi, or other mysterious mind energy or control, have shown that nothing like this exists, or at least we cannot measure it yet. I am skeptical and need evidence - Lipton's book provides none. The book is just rambling weird science and I cannot recommend it because it does not do a good job of addressing epigenetics (this is a real area of science) and seems to be the foundation for Lipton's new age philosophy and business. Also, Lipton's mention of Jesus at the end of the book is incongruous; faith is not science because you cannot observe, measure, prove or disprove mythological beliefs and their consequences. By resorting to religious fervor at the end of the book, Lipton completely undermines his credibility as a scientist, and all his material up to that point gets called into question. Look elsewhere for learning about epigenetics - this book goes onto the shelf with the new age hucksters.



2. This is the best cell biology book i have ever read. After 7 years of college and 7 years of teaching, this is the best science book I have ever read.



3. This was a wonderful explanation of how our bodies work, how cells do what they do, how the intelligence in life-forms animates itself. I learned so much about the mechanics of the human body right down to a cellular and atomic level, all of which strongly reinforced many of my spiritual beliefs. Lipton takes the woo-woo out of the spiritual side of life and explains it in a way that makes sense to those of us who need more than an admonition to "take it on faith". I bought the audio version so I can listen to it over and over in the car (it takes me a while to grok the intricacies of the science) and am so glad I did. The author reads the book himself and is compelling in his presentation.
   
   I did think it fell apart a bit at the end where I expected more than a couple of sentences on how to use the information, but he does give further resources for those of us interested in pursuing it further.



4. Bruce Lipton is just one of many scientists and authors stating the same discovery: what we think and intent is what we are able to see and get in life. For more scientific evidence of Lipton's (and others) theories read Lynne Mc Taggarts "The Field" and "The intention Experiment".
   
   Bruce Lipton reveals in his book our ability of changing conscious beliefs. He states, that he is not certified in changing unconscious beliefs and refers for that matter to PSYCH-K.
   
   Personally, Bruce Liptons book - and the following I've read and studied - changed my life 180 degrees and has given me emotionally, physically, professionally and monetary a fulfillment which I would never have dreamed of before.
   
   But then again: These new discoveries are for those who are able, willing and open to understand them. And if you do: nothing can hold you back to realize yourself the way you want to!!
   
   
   
   
   
   The Intention Experiment: Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the WorldThe Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the UniversePSYCH-K...The Missing Peace In Your Life!Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future (and a Way to Get There from Here)



5. In this ground-breaking book Bruce H. Lipton presents scientific research that supports the age-old anecdotal evidence and theories regarding the power of positive thinking.
   
   In "The Biology of Belief" Lipton discloses that it isn't DNA and genes that control our body and destiny, but signals from outside our cells, especially our thoughts, that influence the DNA. He asserts that it is these signals that ultimately determine our physical, mental and emotional health and experiences.
   
   Backed by the recent discoveries in Quantum Physics and Biology, he presents a strong case for a whole new way of looking at ourselves and our potential.
   
   Introducing us to the new science of Epigenetics, Lipton helps us to see that our lives are influenced by, but not predetermined by our DNA. He points out that thoughts, the mind's energy, control the body's physiology, and that harnessing the power of your mind can be more effective than the drugs we have been programmed to believe we need. This is welcome support for those who have long believed in "mind over matter" and witnessed its effectiveness.
   
   Dr. Lipton says the theme of this book was summed up by Dr. Bruce Mosely, a surgeon at Baylor University, when he told the Discovery Health Channel: "In this world anything is possible when you put your mind to it. I know that your mind can work miracles."
   
   In Lipton's words, "Learning how to harness your mind to promote growth is the secret of life, which is why I called this book "The Biology of Belief."
   
   As a side note, a couple of decades ago I was presenting health and human potential conferences at the University of Minnesota and other colleges featuring doctors and researchers such as Carl Simonton, Bernie Siegel, Norman Cousins, Gerald Jampolsky, Karl Menninger, and others who were at the leading edge of mind/body research and treatment. If I were still organizing such conferences Bruce Lipton would be one of the first I would invite.
   
   This well-documented, well- written book is a significant contribution to our world and certainly is deserving of 5 stars.
   
   Finally, in the last line of the book he says:"The best growth promoter is love." How true.

5 comments about Living a Life of Inner Peace.

1. Living a Life of Inner Peace by Eckhart Tolle. I think Eckhart Tolle's fans will enjoy this CD. This is a very relaxing CD for the listener. A tranquil stillness will come over the listener and all that mental noise should quiet until one reaches that state of transformation. Tolle is actually funny at times during these very moving transformative talks.
   
   
   + + + + + + + + ++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
   Are you a spiritual retard, or are you on the path to ENLIGHTENMENT?
   + + + + + + + + ++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +



2. Every time I play this while driving, I get something new from it. I like hearing his thoughts in his own voice. His book,A New Earth, changed my life, and this audio tape has added to that.



3. The book I ordered, by Eckhart Tolle, "The Power of Now," has truly helped me to apply the things I have learned over the course of my life. We tend to forget how to enjoy the things that are the most important to us at the moment we are in. We let our minds get out of control with our thinking about the past and future, and do not access the true power within us right NOW. I watch my thinking very carefully now and live in the present moment. It's a book I will refer to often along the spiritual journey of life.



4. I already owned a copy of 'inner peace'and it had given me so much insight that I sent a copy to my sister. Tolle is a brilliant and funny man. I have several of his CD's and never tire of listening to them, even though the content is similar from one to the next.



5. I have listened to other Eckhart Tolle sessions and found this one to be the most rewarding. I think everyone who is undergoing treatment of any kind should listen to these words of wisdom.

5 comments about The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment.

1. This book offers refreshing insight into the benefits of practicing mindfulness. Tolle focuses on the concept, the practical application, and the benefits without the usual religious hang-ups. This book is an important read for all who seek peace of mind in this life.
   
   Buy it - Read it - Pass it on to a friend



2. For Me, this is the best book I have ever read.
   I am not proposing ET to be the new Messiah, a genius of original thought, or the creator of a new religion. The PoN is a pragmatic rehash of Buddha principals which I find very secular and pragmatic. Like many, I have toyed with, bought books, etc Buddha principles and meditation etc. After going through several of the bestselling books it just did not stick to my wall, so to speak. This is where ET shines. This is a very well written, easy to read pragmatic book, which I highly recommend to all, particularly the modern American Yuppie or other that feels harried by our fast paced lives, chauffeuring the kids from one event to the other, that you never seemed to have when you were young, the BMW payments, a boss who should be in The Far Side and / or Dilbert and the rest of the modern pressures. Buy it NOW; you won't be able to put it down, although you are supposed to chronically to contemplate the principles.



3. On my spiritual quest I have read a good number of books, my favourites where especially the Seth books by Jane Roberts. But obviously I "needed" Eckhart Tolle's "Power of Now" to truly understand: We are all "bags of beliefs", and our ego directs our consciousness according to those beliefs. The ego and its beliefs are supposed to be a "tool" working for our advantage, but when we identify fully with what we believe in, our consciousness can get clouded almost entirely, especially through destructive beliefs (Tolle uses the word "pain-body"). We start to function like an airplane run by an autopilot that is programmed by our beliefs. The best way out of our beliefs is INTENSE PRESENCE IN THE NOW, as described in this book. Whenever I stay focused and try to look at my world open-mindedly, I feel a presence in myself that is ME unclouded by beliefs. To feel one's own center or Being is such a boost of positive energy, and it is this state that is described as "enlightenment". In truth there is nothing special about it, since we are born in this Being-ness. Whoever lost track of this powerful feeling of her- or himself need only look at children or remember days of her own childhood, when she (or he) was totally herself and blissfully engrossed in her own Being. Animals (unbothered by human influence) live in this state all of the time, as can be easily observed. This state is not passive, not at all, it is the center, the core from which all action is triggered. If we want our thoughts and actions to be positive we need to act with an unclouded consciousness. The "trick" is the following: Whenever you feel hurt, for instance, just allow this feeling to swell in you, give yourself to it, let it live ... and then try to sense your Being "apart" our "outside" of those feelings -- You (apart from you) can act like a "watcher" of this emotional event. This "watcher" is Yourself unaffected by your current feelings (and its underlying beliefs; -- since all feelings follow your beliefs, and not the other way around). Through focusing on Yourself and hence allowing your feelings to pass by like clouds on a vast sky you can transform your beliefs (and their attached feelings) with the realization that in the Here and Now there need not be any fear because Yourself is unaffected by whatever your worry. As for me, it takes constant "training" to stay focused, my "autopilot" is still very strong, but I manage to slip into states of intense clarity and even bliss several times a day. Since I am an ordinary human being, this is possible for everyone. Who would not want to live in clarity, serenity and inner peace? I recommend this book to EVERYONE!



4. This is one of the most profound well-written books I've ever read. However, I'm having difficulty writing a review without feeling I am doing the author and you an injustice. It's a little like trying to summarize a beautiful poem.
   
   Perhaps the best way I can convey the essence of this work is by sharing some of the many interesting points Eckhart Tolle makes in "The Power of Now."
   
   Early on he states that you are not your thoughts. It is not so much that you use your mind wrongly...you usually don't use it at all. It uses you. He insists that the single most vital step on your journey toward enlightenment is to learn to dis-identify from your mind.
   
   Tolle explains that you are not the possessing entity - the thinker. Knowing this enables you to observe the entity. The moment you start watching the thinker, a higher level of intelligence becomes activated. That's when you are in touch with the real you.
   
   He urges you to start listening to the voice in your head as often as you can. That is what he means by "watching the thinker."
   
   He says the mind itself is not dysfunctional. It is a wonderful tool. Dysfunction sets in when you seek yourself in it and mistake it for who you are.
   
   Now we get to "The Now." ... He points out that the present moment is all you ever have. There never is a time when your life is not "this moment." So the only place where true change can occur and where the past can be dissolved is the Now. Furthermore, it is impossible to have a problem when your attention is fully in the Now.
   
   Tolle goes on to offer compelling, valuable insights on worry, happiness, forgiveness, and the importance of conscious breathing.
   
   The profundity and value of this book will probably make you want to reread it often to fully absorb, appreciate, and use the amazing power of Now.



5. I only gave it four stars because it's heavy reliance on acim (a course in miracles) and the wondering style from spirituality to self-help and relationship counselling. Having said this, Tolle is dead on. His style is good and his reading voice is excellent (I of course do not read, but listen :) due to my busy schedule, (this review is of the audio book that Tolle reads). Of course most of the concepts of the Power of Now have been described in meditation studies and my favorite author/teacher is Osho who described the power of now as the true existence is a (|) line while illusion or maya is a horizontal line (-----) representing the linear nature of time, which is not real and to be avoided. Anyway, I recommend highly the audio book to the stressed out commuters who worry about their job.
   
   Andras Nagy
   [...]

5 comments about Guided Mindfulness Meditation.

1. I come back to these cd's time and time again. I really need to consistently practice as he recommends even when life gets busy and that's what I'm doing now. I read "Full Catastrophe Living" before purchasing these cd's and though JKZ is quite pedantic and wordy in his descriptions of meditation and mindfulness, it works well for me. I'm sure his "voice" in describing mindfulness practice may not speak to everyone, but that's how life is. As JKZ said in his book, there are is one ultimate path to God/enlightenment (or whatever word you want to use), but many roads to that one path. Thich Nhat Hanh or Pema Chodran may work better for others, but they all say the same thing essentially.
   
   These cd's are great. No music to distract you. I want to really meditate, not just relax to new age music, or picture myself in a meadow or something. But you'll find when you really get into a habit of meditating with the cd, relaxation is a natural consequence. You really have to commit to the practice though (which is difficult).
   
   There are 4 cds included: meditation, body scan, hatha yoga I and yoga II. Each one is approximately 40 minutes. It's just JKZ talking and describing things. I personally love JKZ's voice. Yes, he talks a little more than some would like during the meditation cd, but I don't mind. The body scan is also a great and effective tool. I love all 4 cds. I love JKZ's patience and his soft and gentle voice as he describes things.
   
   Ultimately, I think a lot of people don't understand or have a false idea of what meditation is. I definitely can say I was confused. Should I meditate to clear my mind and not think? Should I visualize success and abundance? Should I just focus on my breathing? What if I'm breathing wrong? What's the point? After you read Full Catastrophe Living and do the meditation cds a while, you get some clarity. It's not about stopping your thinking or achieving some state. It's about watching your thoughts, your body sensations, your emotions, your pain and just being present with it. And allowing this presence to carry over into your daily life. It's so simple, yet so not simple. The book and cds have really helped me in my breathing (sounds strange) and my knowing of what meditation is really about.
   
   The only drawback I found with both the book and the meditation cds is that it focuses more on alleviating physical pain and less on emotional pain, upset, and anxiety than I'd like. Those emotional things are more my "problems." But this is a minor critique as dealing with physical pain better is something we could all use and because I know JKZ's background is helping patients at a medical center deal with chronic pain. Plus, you can substitute the word anxiety or anger or fear whenever he talks generally about pain. I really love Jon Kabat Zinn and think he's a great voice for presence and mindfulness in this world.



2. Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Meditation CD's correspond to many aspects of his 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. Thus, this is a great resource to allow you to learn the same mindfulness techniques as you would learn in the formal MBSR program. The CD's are also a great accompanyment to his seminal mindfuless book, Full Catastrophe Living. The CD set includes: 2 Hatha Yoga exercises, a body scan, and a sitting meditation. Kabat-Zinn is definitely a master in his use of language to articulate subtle mindfulness concepts. The body-scan is a great exercise to start with when building a mindfulness practice. It will introduce you to the current state of your body in the present-moment- and for some this is a first time experience! Not only will you become aware of the sensations and state of various body regions, but you will also learn how to experience and observe these regions with a compassionate and non-judging attitude. This is extremely helpful if you are someone that has excessive muscle tension and/or pain.
   
   Mindfulness Meditation and Stress Reduction for Beginners: The Garden of NOW



3. I have Asperger's and this selection in particular was suggested by my therapist as something she uses for Mindfulness. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same luck.
   
   Honestly, it's hard to explain. Getting into the Mindfulness mindset was just extremely difficult, and though I know that not having any direct and deliberate added distraction sources such as ambient music is important, for someone like me or others that can't control being able to "turn you mind off" the format of CD1 might actually be counter-productive. Not having a base, controlled place to focus makes any and every external sound influence impossibly distracting and can ruin several minutes of progress or combine into killing a session all together. Autistic listeners may also have issues with the length, which is very difficult to push through and one's mind can wander back to the things you're trying to avoid after going too far. For these persons and those with the sort of mind that is continually processing information or speaking with itself on multiple levels this probably won't be a terribly helpful program.
   
   Moreover, if the Mindfulness is the specific goal as part of a mental health or social rehab regiment, having CDs 2 and 3 feels kind of meaningless and you may want to look into something with more focus and more specific options.
   
   In a month of efforts I often felt like I had been deliberately punishing myself by going through the entire session. How it's presented is clearly more for the 'average listener' and not for persons specifically targeting mental conditions. On the other hand, I know family and others that have used it (after I gave it to them) and they've given it decent marks, which is why I'm rating a 3/5 anyway. I personally consider anything lower to imply that it has no productive purpose to anyone, and this certainly will be helpful for a lot of people... just not those like me.



4. The guided mindfulness meditation helps me maintain my focus and helps keep me calm
   and relaxed. My chronic pain appears to become less active and I can relax much better.



5. My wife and I frequently use meditation as a tool for general wellness. She has several illnesses that respond to the instructions given on this CD. I would highly recommend this to anyone with a disabling disease as a useful means of gaining some relief.

5 comments about Mindfulness for Beginners.

1. Excellent introduction for new comers and a quick review for people who are already familiar with Jon Kabat-Zinn's work. If you want a whole package of on "how to live" the eastern or yoga way, get Sunil Sheoran's Mylife Framework: A Model For A Successful Life Based On The Yoga Principles. The book doesn't talk only "mind" or "thinking" pieces but will really get your ready to get started on a meaningful life - in a VERY simple and disciplined way!



2. I attend a group meditation and my psycologist recommended this in conjuction with our group session work. Since the group only meets once a week, this CD is very helpful in guiding a beginner, like myself, through mindful meditation. I use this on the days when we don't meet. Personally, I find Jon's voice to be soothing and comforting, but every person is different. Just about everyone in my group session has purchased Jon's CDs and have been throughly satisfied. All you can do is give it a try and see if it works for you. That's life: trial and error.
   
   Mindfulness for Beginners



3. If you have tried to meditate only to discover that it's extremely difficult, this CD can get you going on the right path. If you are an experienced meditator, you may find this CD unnecessary.
   
   The package includes two CDs. In the first CD, the author starts by explaining what mindfulness is: "paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, as if you life depended on it, non-judgmentally". It explains how the mind is always busy thinking about one thing after another, incessantly. I have listened to this CD more than once, and every time I get something more out of it.
   
   In the second CD the author gives you several guided mindfulness exercises that allow you to quiet the mind in a progressive way. This is perhaps the most valuable aspect of this CD, that it guides you, through baby steps, down the path of meditation.
   
   The author leads you first to focus on a simple task: eating a raisin. As you discover that you can focus on that, the CD then takes you to focus on other things like sounds, and sounds only. As you do the sound exercises, you begin to witness your thoughts, how you judge the sounds, how you interpret the sounds and so forth.
   
   The last exercise is mindfulness as pure awareness. You no longer focus on anything but experience life by witnessing everything: sounds, thoughts, emotions, and anything else that comes in and out of your awareness. This step has the odd effect of giving you extreme peace of mind.
   
   I have bought other products by the same author: a book called "Wherever you go, there you are", "Coming to your senses" and a "Mindfulness Meditation" CD. I recommend getting the Mindfulness for Beginners first and if you find it useful, then read these other books and get the meditation CD. I have also bought several copies of this CD as a gift to friends and family, not everyone has taken to it, but those that have spent the time going through the exercises have told me that the exercises have helped them become more relaxed and "at ease in their own skin".
   
   On my end, mindfulness has completely turned around my life. I went from worrying about the future, worrying about what people thought of me, to enjoying life as it unfolds. Kabat Zinn was recommended to me by an organizational consultant that saw me stressed out worrying about my job and my life in general. Up until then, I had tried meditation multiple times by focusing on my breathing, but I failed miserably at it. When I started listening to this CD, I began to break through a wall of thoughts, thoughts, and more thoughts, circling in my head.
   
   If you have been curious about meditating but struggled to do it, this CD can get you unstuck and on a journey of self discovery that will completely transform your life.



4. I have read the author's book on Mindfulness. It was great. I was hoping the CD was something I could use with my therapy clients and family members who need an intro to Mindfulness. The material on the CD is way over the head of the average person - not for beginners, in my opinion. He uses a lot of unfamiliar words, phrases and concepts that the 'beginner' would not know. Maybe this would be useful for someone who had already been exposed to mindfulness and needed some encouragement to practice it.
   
   I returned the CD and got a refund.



5. I am a therapist and coordinator of therapeutic activities for an intensive psychiatric service team. I run a lot of DBT groups and was hoping I could supplement them with this resource. I was really disappointed after listening to it. I found the exercises to be overly intellectual and cerebral. This was so different from the experience of the author's books. It felt as though the author was filling a need to hear his own voice! This incessant talking left little space for observation. While I would highly recommend his books I would not recommend this CD for someone beginning mindful practices.