Total Meditation

I just started this book and am completely hooked. I've always struggled with meditation because I can't sit still or quiet my mind, and Chopra's introduction has changed my perspective in a way I did NOT expect. I'll keep reading and continue to give mediation a chance based on this book. Definitely recommend this to anyone looking to try meditation or who, like me, has struggled with anxiety, especially in these very hard times.

I often listen to Deepak Chopra's guided meditations that he does with Oprah, so I was looking forward to this book. I am so glad that I read it because I have learned a lot more on how to incorporate meditation into my life daily. It is important for us to find ways to "self soothe" throughout these trying times, and this book is very helpful in learning how to integrate meditation into one's life. I recommend it highly.

This is a very in-depth book on meditation, great for beginners and advanced. Offers many lessons and techniques on how to incorporate not just meditation, but total meditation into your life. This book has a lot of great information and is definitely a book to savor.

Total Meditation by Deepak Chopra is a book designed to help the reader develop their meditation practice and make a part of their daily life. I am familiar with Deepak Chopra's work and approach to meditation through his podcast and have enjoyed his guided meditations. The author provides a variety of breathing exercises and mini-lessons throughout the chapters. One unique lesson was lesson 2 which points out how our experience and consciousness are simultaneously "in here" and "out there", using dreams as an example which we typically don't consider "real" despite how vivid they may be. I found the examples to be powerful throughout the book and have helped me reconsider the state of being, experience, and presence, which feels a bit woo-woo for me but demonstrates the power of the author's writing. I also found the chapter defining self-inquiry, reflection, contemplation, concentration, prayer, quiet mind, controlled breathing, and bliss helpful as some of these words are used interchangeably which is not accurate. This also provided a deeper understanding of how to approach different aspects of my meditation. Overall I enjoyed this book and highly recommend for anyone hoping to get into meditation!

Many thanks to the publisher Rodale Inc. - Harmony and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I have read Chopra in the past so I knew what I was getting into. This one is very thick and "intense" and a lot of information to receive and process- but in a very good way! Also, love the practical tips and exercises. I need a book like this every once in a while to shake things up and make me reflect Mediation is a subject I am always looking more to learn about.

Many readers are going to be familiar with Deepak Chopra, because of his work with Oprah Winfrey. He offered a wonderful series of free recorded meditation sessions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I think a lot of people will remember his name from that as well. Not to mention that he is an established and respected name in his field of mindfulness and meditation. This is a great book for anyone looking to enhance the quality of their life with meditation, and it includes a 52-week series of meditations for a year of mindful living. Looking forward to recommending this to a lot of stressed out readers! The author takes a kind and compassionate approach.

This book offered some really great insights about getting the most out of meditation. I always like Deepak Chopra's works. This book was no exception.

If you are looking to start or deepen your meditation practice, I highly recommend this book. Deepak is acknowledged as an expert in this area. I already practice meditation on a regular basis and found it powerful to be reminded of what the it can accomplish within your mind and body. I also appreciated the specific awareness and breathing exercises. The learning can then be put into place by following his daily meditation programs.

Headline: Being Present
I recently started my practice of mindfulness, paying attention on purpose, that is why I wanted to read this book to enhance my practice and learn more. To me Deepak appears to be the Father of meditation and takes the practice to a life-changing and a more fulfilling existence. In my practice I struggle with my spirituality it feels like I’m going to get in trouble for meditating. But thankfully this books adds spirituality into the practice and de-mystifies the idea of mindfulness as mystical practice from Buddhist.

This book goes into the benefits of mindfulness like self-empowerment. Chopra says in Chapter 6 that "total meditation expands your awareness, and with that expansion comes personal power". So I share this last comment from the book under lesson 17 Noticing; you cannot change what you are not aware of" being aware is another way of saying being mindful.

A galley copy of this book was provided in exchange for my thoughtful & honest review.

This was my first time delving into Deepak Chopra's work, and I got a lot out of it. I have been half-heartedly meditating for several years using Headspace and 10% Happier, but was in a rut. I found myself able to get into a meditative state while listening to the guided sessions, but it wasn't carrying over to my day-to-day mentality. Total Meditation offers a guide to complete immersion and feels like the missing link I need to deepen my practice. My sole pseudo-complaint is the staggering amount of information provided, it was a bit long and overwhelming to read straight through. But that is a good problem to have, and just meant that I highlighted a lot of sections to go back and review. Also, the practical suggestions were greatly appreciated and made this guidance much more approachable.

Total Meditation is an extensive book that provides a series of thought provoking exercises aimed at teaching the readers how to wake up to new levels of awareness. It is much more than a book on meditation and will encourage you to look at your practice in much more depth. I enjoyed the exercises, even though they were deep they were simple enough to follow. Most could be done right there and then as you read the book. I am already a big Deepak Chopra fan and have read the majority of his books. His writing style is so eloquent and lulling and you are gently rocked into the truth of his words. As soon as I saw this book I knew I was in for treat and it did not disappoint. The perfect thought provoking and soothing book in these difficult times. It has encouraged me to dig out all of my other DC books and read them again. Brilliant – Thank You

Total Meditation is a wonderful choice if you are a new or seasoned practitioner of meditation. It is brand new to me and I feel there is no one better than Deepak Chopra to guide me through this process. I will continue to reference this book as I discover this way of life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I’ve had a meditation practice for something like 25 years, sometimes more deliberate than at other times. Since COVID forced us all indoors I have been working on a mindfulness practice. I mention all of this as a way of saying I approach ‘Total Meditation’ with a little bit of experience having read lots of books about various forms of meditation including several books by the prolific writer Deepak Chopra.

While always interested in the literature on mediation, I approached ‘Total Mindfulness’ with some skepticism and trepidation. I was hoping for something different than yet another introduction to meditation; ‘Total Meditation’ exceeded my expectations. The book is in two parts: The first is Chopra’s philosophy of Total Meditation and its roots in consciousness; The second part is an eminently practical plan for integrating Total Meditation in your daily life.

Total Meditation is a kind of meditation that must have its roots in Chopra’s years of practice and writing, which he is now able to articulate in a way that enfolds the principles of consciousness that are results of many years of research in cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology and fundamental ideas that go back to John Wheeler in the 1950s - and the conference that HH Dalai Lama held at MIT in 2003. I think to be able to appreciate and integrate this section of the book requires some previous experience with meditation, or perhaps a teacher or a ‘Total Meditation’ study group, with a teacher.

In my mind, the real gift of ‘Total Meditation’ is the second part of the book which is entitled ‘Making Your Practice Richer’, in which Chopra lays out several different sets of daily or weekly practices to enrich your meditation practice to work towards the goal of Total Meditation: Feeling the Miracle; a 7-day Meditation Course that is wonderful; 52 mantras; and the Master Meditation. I have started with the weekly mantras, each of which has an affirmation to study for the week.

In sum, what I was afraid would be yet another meditation book was exactly the opposite. I think ‘Total Meditation’ represents Chopra’s lifetime’s work in health and wellness and he gives us a manual for, as Chopra quotes Thich Nhat Hanh, “a serene encounter with reality.”

You will not be disappointed with ‘Total Meditation.’ It may not be the beginner’s book, but part 2, ‘Making Your Practice Richer’ is invaluable with something for everyone.

I would like to thank Harmony Press and NetGalley for the copy. I have voluntarily left this review.