"Stay Woke" is a very unusual, but amazing meditation book! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to bring a little more activism into their meditation practice.

This book was so needed especially in this current climate. I have taken some of the author's online courses and had no doubt that I would enjoy this book and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I loved the images and the exercises throughout the book.

This isn't the type of book you sit and just read through. You need to sit and spend time with it but you will definitely come out on the other side as a different person. I recommend this book for anyone on a spiritual journey especially BIPOC readers.

A meditation guide for the rest of us! What a great way to stay grounded in a helter-skelter world. He checks off all the boxes on why I can't meditate and helps to address them all.

If you make disparaging jokes about SJWs, this is probably not the book for you. For the rest of us, in Stay Woke, Justin Michael Williams teaches his Freedom Meditation method (based on the teachings of Lorin Roche). Justin is a kind, compassionate, and encouraging teacher, and I appreciated his honesty, inclusiveness, and sense of humor.

I love how Justin framed his teachings with stories about learning to cook from his Baca (grandmother). More than any of the other books I’ve read on meditation, this book really does help you develop a recipe for a personalized practice that works for you. You’ll read some easy to understand discussion of the science regarding meditation and citations to some of the research. You’ll also find discussion of energy balls, healing touch, crystals, sage, and bibliomancy. Explore with an open mind, but know that substitutions are encouraged.

I loved Justin’s guidance for choosing and using a mantra. I never really resonated with using a mantra before, but I now have a mantra that inspires me. And I appreciated the section on meditations for social justice. One of my favorite exercises was the Privilege Walk. What a great way to learn about the different forms of privilege!

The author’s website features a free community portal offering more than 50 guided meditations, videos, a song playlist, and other resources. It’s a lovely collection, although it does require a login to access, which will add you to the author’s email list.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who doesn’t yet have a personal meditation practice. If you’ve been hesitant to try meditation or you’ve had trouble maintaining a meditation practice, Justin’s suggestions may be just what you need.

Be aware that the book does contain some profanity and discussion of adult topics. This is the first meditation book I’ve read that offers suggestions for working with unhealthy habits regarding sex, drugs, and porn.

Thanks to Sounds True for providing me with an unproofed ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.

Stay Woke is not a typical book about meditation and mindfulness. The author relates well to the impact of personal history, the stresses of our daily schedules and the many other things life throws our way to keep us from taking (not having, but taking!) the time to look inward, center ourselves, and discover/rediscover our passions and our best path. He's well aware of the many roadblocks in our way (or that we put in our way) of taking a "time-out" to connect with ourselves and he addresses how to handle them.

Williams speaks a lot regarding intention and also of framing our personal goals and actions not only on what we would like to see more of in our lives, but also on how they can be of service to others. I like that. I like that a lot!

His outlook is a positive one and he conveys his message well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sounds True for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions given here are my own.

First of all, the book was beautiful. This isn't one for Kindle, folks. This is a book that you need to hold in your hands. A print copy would let you appreciate the illustrations.

The best thing about this book is the author's voice. The book just feels so motivating and inspiring, it is as if the author is right next to you and present in a very non-judgemental way. I loved that about the book.

This isn't a typical meditation book. In fact, the author shares his own take on meditation, including how to meditate and the secret sauce to make it last.

Perhaps, my favorite section was the one on intention setting. A slightly different way, for sure, but one that worked for me.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.

Stay Woke is not your average meditation book. It is a book to help you with your goals and what your struggles are. It is to help you overcome what is blocking you and move forward. Great book.

This book was received as an ARC from Sounds True in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

When I first previewed this book I did not know what to expect since it clearly states in the book description that if you are looking for a mindset meditation book then this book is not for you. When I read on, their right this is not a mindset meditation book but a book of motivation to set you on the right path for success. The language expressed throughout the book was so positive and inspiring and Justin Michael Williams adapts to all types of personalities while focusing on perception. No matter the obstacle or goal in mind, this book will help anyone no matter the circumstance.

We will consider adding this title to our Self-Help collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.