Total Meditation: Practices in Living the Awakened Life

Total Meditation: Practices in Living the Awakened Life

Deepak Chopra

3.94(1642 readers)
The definitive book of meditation that will help you achieve new dimensions of stress-free living, from New York Times bestselling author Deepak Chopra.

For the last thirty years, Deepak Chopra has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution in the West. Total Meditation is the culmination of his teachings over the years, a complete exploration and reinterpretation of the physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual benefits that this practice can bring. Deepak guides readers on how to wake up to new levels of awareness that will ultimately cultivate a clear vision, heal suffering in your mind and body, and help recover who you really are. Readers will undergo a transformative process, which results in an awakening of the body, mind, and spirit and a life led in a state of open, free, creative, and blissful awareness twenty-four hours a day.

With this new book, Deepak elevates the practice of meditation to a life-changing quest for higher consciousness and a more fulfilled existence. He also incorporates new research on meditation and its benefits as well as a daily program of meditations to help revolutionize every aspect of our lives.

Publisher

Harmony

Publication Date

9/22/2020

ISBN

9781984825315

Pages

336

Categories

Medicine

About the Author

Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra, MD serves as the Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Foundation, and Co-Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.

As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.

Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.

GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."


Questions & Answers

The essence of "Total Meditation" lies in its comprehensive approach to consciousness, aiming to integrate all principles of awareness into daily life. It differs from traditional meditation practices in several key aspects:

  1. Comprehensive Approach: Total Meditation encompasses all aspects of consciousness, not just occasional practices. It seeks to apply these principles to everyday life, rather than just during meditation sessions.

  2. Integration with Daily Life: Unlike traditional meditation, which is often practiced at specific times, Total Meditation encourages applying the principles of meditation to all daily activities, creating a consistent state of awareness.

  3. Focus on Inner Knowing: It emphasizes inner knowingness, recognizing the innate awareness present in every individual, and deepening this awareness through meditation.

  4. Mind-Body Connection: Total Meditation emphasizes the interconnectedness of the mind and body, viewing them as a single entity (bodymind) and promoting balance and healing through this connection.

  5. Transformation: It views meditation as a tool for transformation, aiming to heal the divided self and achieve a state of wholeness and inner peace. This contrasts with traditional meditation practices that may focus on achieving specific outcomes or states of mind.

The concept of "the awakened life" is deeply intertwined with Total Meditation. It represents a state of being fully conscious, aware, and connected to the totality of consciousness. Total Meditation is the practice that facilitates this awakening, helping individuals transcend routine, habitual thinking, and the ego's limitations.

Embracing the awakened life brings numerous benefits:

  1. Enhanced Awareness: It fosters a deeper understanding of oneself and the world, leading to better decision-making and a more balanced life.
  2. Inner Peace: By quieting the mind, it reduces stress, anxiety, and worry, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
  3. Self-Empowerment: It connects individuals to their true self, empowering them to make choices aligned with their highest values and potential.
  4. Transformation: It opens the door to personal growth, healing past traumas, and overcoming negative patterns.
  5. Connection to the Universe: It helps individuals feel part of a larger whole, fostering a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

In Total Meditation, the mind-body connection is foundational, emphasizing that the body and mind are not separate entities but a unified whole, known as the bodymind. This connection allows for the integration of physical, emotional, and mental aspects of an individual, facilitating personal transformation and well-being.

By acknowledging the bodymind, Total Meditation encourages individuals to be more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This heightened awareness helps in identifying and addressing imbalances, such as stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, which can lead to physical symptoms. By meditating and focusing on the bodymind, individuals can cultivate a state of balance, leading to improved physical health, emotional stability, and mental clarity.

Moreover, the mind-body connection in Total Meditation empowers individuals to tap into their inner wisdom, fostering self-healing and personal growth. It allows for the realization of the body's innate intelligence and the potential for transformation, as the bodymind works in harmony to support the individual's journey towards well-being and enlightenment.

The concept of "stickiness" in beliefs and experiences refers to the deep and persistent impact they have on our lives, often shaping our perceptions and behaviors. These "stickiness" elements, rooted in beliefs and emotions, can lead to limitations, negative patterns, and a lack of personal growth.

Total Meditation can help overcome stickiness by:

  1. Self-Inquiry: By questioning and examining the origins and validity of our beliefs, we can identify and challenge the stickiness of negative thought patterns.
  2. Mindfulness: Being present in the moment helps us recognize and release the hold of past experiences and beliefs on our current state.
  3. Emotional Release: Techniques like deep breathing and visualization can help discharge emotional energy associated with stickiness, allowing for healing and transformation.
  4. Intention and Resistance: Aligning our intentions with our true self and overcoming resistance to change can help break free from the grip of stickiness.
  5. Cultivating Awareness: Regular meditation practice increases our awareness, enabling us to recognize and release the hold of past experiences and beliefs on our present life.

In Total Meditation, insight meditation is crucial as it connects individuals to their true self, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. It helps achieve life goals by providing insights that guide choices and actions. By meditating and seeking insights, individuals can:

  1. Discover Truth: Insight meditation allows individuals to question and reassess their core beliefs, leading to more informed decisions and a clearer sense of self-worth.
  2. Enhance Awareness: It increases awareness of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, enabling individuals to respond rather than react to life's challenges.
  3. Achieve Goals: By focusing on specific life goals during meditation, individuals can gain clarity and direction, aligning their actions with their aspirations.
  4. Cultivate Balance: Insight meditation promotes emotional and mental balance, reducing stress and anxiety, which are barriers to achieving goals.
  5. Experience Fulfillment: By living in the present and embracing the journey, individuals can find fulfillment in their daily lives, not just in achieving specific goals.

In essence, insight meditation empowers individuals to live a more conscious, balanced, and fulfilling life by connecting them to their inner wisdom and guiding them towards their true potential.

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