The first book I read about meditation was "Peace is Every Step" by Thich Nhat Hanh. I remember thinking, "A 6 year-old could get this! Surely there must be more to it than that?" Well, there is. Lots, lots more. But the sad truth is, it can become an endless round of techniques, retreats, frustration, and disappointment. The more ideas you have about what you "should" be doing floating around inside your head, the harder it is to just sit down and be present.
Clark has written a wonderful book for people interested in learning how to meditate without gurus or becoming a Buddhist. Unfortunately, the only people who might see the beauty of this simple approach are people who have already been on the treadmill too long and are exhausted. And while Clark openly shares stories from his journey, it is NOT a book about his struggle with depression. Face it, no one comes to meditation because they are thrilled with their life. We come because we feel a longing for something more; a need to connect to something bigger than ourselves. That something turns out to be no more than present moment. And this book can go a long way towards helping you recognize it if you let it.
Clark, like so many others who have left the monastery or cloister, has learned that like everything else, spirituality too can become a trap - just another obsession that keeps us from living our lives here and now. I'm so glad I picked this book back out of the pile when I did. In rereading Clark's story, I saw the next 10 years of my own life laid out clearly before me. Striving for enlightenment, missing what matters. Thankfully, I also saw the way out. "Be simple. Stay low."
Sometimes simple IS better. And surely meditation is one of those times. Osho has said meditation is nothing more than giving your mind less and less to do. Or, as Clark put's it, it is to stop doing what you normally do. Surely there must be more to it than that? Or is there?
The Wooden Bowl is out of print and very hard to find. I was lucky enough to buy mine used on Amazon - unfortunately for you - I ain't selling my copy.
I really loved this book.
I'm a student of Buddhism and am looking for clarity and instruction on meditation without a Guru - I liked that this book was recommended as such - as meditation instruction without a Guru - so if you're looking into meditation either through a Buddhist perspective or just looking into meditation without any "school of thought" this is a fantastic book.
The biggest lesson I got from the book was keeping meditation as a hobby. I could see that my meditation was getting close to me "punching in" before I sat and The Wooden Bowl simply reminds you the joy of keeping meditation as a hobby rather than as a job - or a rigid activity.
I can't express in words the simplicity and warmth that this book provides. There is very little instruction - but the instruction given is perfect.
Clark Strand (the author) puts it perfectly - his thoughts are on instructing meditation is like giving driving directions - the easier and simpler - the better.
Think for a minute - telling someone how to drive from your house to the mall.
Throughout this book you also get reminded what the present moment is - the present moment is always right here and right now -
I really enjoyed this book - it's simple and for everyday life.