Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been a fan of Deepak Chopra for over twenty years. This could very well be one of the best books he's written in years. Total Meditation is intelligent, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and sublime. Readers should know, however, that this is not an introduction to meditation. If you're looking for something that includes guided meditations or techniques on how to quiet the chatter in your brain, then it would be best to check out one of the many excellent meditation apps on the market, like Calm or Headspace. This book is about taking meditation to the next level, where individuals can live at a higher state of consciousness, at a higher state of awareness of themselves and the world around them, all the time. Hence, the title Total Meditation. This is not easy, nor is it really difficult either. It takes commitment, it takes imagination, it takes being open to the peace that resides inside you. That can sometimes be hard to find, but what I love about this book is that Deepak assures us that we can change our reality, by thinking, perceiving, and living differently. This is a challenging read. No doubt about it. But I've been running Deepak's ideas in my head--and in my meditation practice--and I can feel something stirring inside me. I can't guarantee that the book will have the same effect on you, but I can say that I've noticed a change in myself. One more thing a reader should know is that the book is essentially broken into two sections/parts. The first is the philosophy behind Total Meditation and expands on Deepak's teaching on consciousness and the nature of reality. This part almost requires that you slow down to read it. I tried racing through the first couple of chapters and felt lost, but I stopped myself, put the book down for a bit, and then came back to it when I wasn't so scattered in my head. Those chapters were revelatory. And maybe that was the point. I had noticed something off inside me, I did what I had to do to center myself, and when I came back to something I thought was difficult, it all started to flow. Also, there are exercises to do along the way that reinforce Deepak's teaching, which I am finding helpful. The second part of the book includes practices to engage more fully in the concept of Total Meditation including a 52-week mantra program, which I'm very excited to begin. All in all, this book might not be for everyone, but I love Total Meditation and look forward to applying Deepak's practices in the days and weeks to come.