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audio: Relaxation and Meditation music

The Tired Sounds of... - Stars of the Lid

Live recordings from 'The Path':

1. The Tibetan Singing Bowl Orchestra 2. Ani Choying Drolma

Music for Zen Meditation (and other joys)

Music for Zen Meditation (and other joys)

- Tony Scott++

This landmark album is a collaboration between the clarinetist Tony Scott and two Japanese musicians: koto player Shinichi Yuize and shakuhachi (bamboo flute) player Hozan Yamamoto. Based on the Zen concept of Beginner's Mind, a state of openness that leads to exploration, each track is a gentle improvisation with an emphasis on pauses and tranquility. Sublime. Audio clips and more reviews. Recorded in 1964 and reissued in 1997. >> £7.99 plus p&p from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com.

Live recordings from 'The Path'

1. The Tibetan Singing Bowl Orchestra
2. Ani Choying Drolma

Reviewed together by Chris Dooks

UK only. I am sure it's a familiar story: being energetically challenged means you have to miss out on some great cultural events, breaking our exhausted hearts from time to time. However, limited relief for me was found recently regarding an audiovisual "happening" that was staged in the Scottish Highlands during May-June 2000. Relief comes in the form of two belatedly released CDs. …This cultural event, entitled "The Path” won awards and rave reviews. It was not very ME-friendly, basically being a two-mile "art-hike" up a hill in the middle of nowhere - in the dead of night. The project shuttled a "pack of townies" to the wild country on special buses in order for them to walk mindfully into the enhanced glen of light and sound.

A review from The Times put it like this: "As one crosses a wooden bridge to accept a Buddhist blessing... you are heading towards a summit that from a distance looks like a maypole, but is actually a makeshift temple, from which tentacles of worship flags hang. The descent is awash with candles, amplified chants and Tibetan singing bowls... with (visions of) stones that 'grow' - and pacts with local monsters.” It seemed to span Gaelic, Celtic, European and Tibetan influences and culture. What has been released from the show is Himalayan: two CDs of both Buddhist chanting and Tibetan singing bowl music. Together, they make a great double souvenir of the event; the works are also strong enough musical pieces in their own right. They both make for gently penetrating listening.

The Tibetan Singing Bowl Orchestra

A live (amplified) recording, all chimes and decaying tones. Two percussion masters, based in Kathmandu but performing in the Scottish glen, gently gong, pulse and tinkle low resonating bowl tones for the best part of an hour. This is on the CD as one long continuous track. Listening to this recording, it's clear that it's no precise studio session... Heard on headphones, it reveals the distant buzz of an amplifier and it comes across as a well-preserved document of this event. But that's to its advantage… The knowledge that you are listening to a performance gives it extra charge and pregnant expectation of the next gentle ripple of notes between the gaps - or gaps between the notes. It works really well as a gentle "night chimes" release - quiet metal bubbles and trickles of sound drifting off into the dark air - an ideal piece to listen to first thing on a morning or last thing at night. Beautiful.

Ani Choying Drolma

This CD is also entitled "Live Recordings From The Path" and is a more direct, but equally meditative release. The Tibetan nun sings alone on this piece, which is also one continuous track. This seemed at first to be slightly annoying as there are many different chants on this recording. But the intention seems to be to listen to it all in one sitting, for a dedicated period of time. The production is similar to the Tibetan Singing Bowl Orchestra's CD - a warm location-based recording, simply recorded. It seems to differ from the above release in that Ani's voice is washed slightly with what sounds like an artificial reverb or delay which I found made me feel cheated a little bit, although it does allow your brain to sink into the piece. The sleeve notes claim this reverb is natural and environmental and if it is, it is stunning - can it be true? it sounds like a cathedral! ..

There's a pivotal moment half way through on this gorgeous record, when you know what you are listening to simply occurred in one particular moment in time - a jet flies overhead and it gently soaks into the composition for almost a minute. It made me think of the view from the aircraft of the spectacle below and then from the point of view of below, to above. When I thought about this, I realised this was a kind of ‘sound of the sky’ on the recording which I felt was pertinent.

A great addition to this release would have been an English translation of the chants. Although the music is wonderful, relaxing and inspiring, and repetitive, we British folks sit soaking up music like this, often labelling it ‘spiritual’, without enquiry. But I believe that Ani is not singing a Sainsbury's shopping list here, and that it's highly likely it comes from a very authentic tradition. I just want to know what the words are...

In all, a fine couple of CDs, which are available as a special offer from the organisation that staged the event [see below]: £12 each or £20 for the pair of CDs. >> Available with a cheque (UK only) from nva organisation, 3rd floor, 128 Elderslie Street, Glasgow, G3 7AW tel: 0141 204 3304, email: contact@nva.org.uk.

The Tired Sounds of... - Stars of the Lid

Review - 'Melatonin melodies for exhaustives' - by Chris Dooks

The Stars Of The Lid are a Texan duo; their double CD The Tired Sounds of… is two hours of the most subtle drones that makes rich listening pleasure - but also is of particular interest to those of us who are medically exhausted by whatever cause. It could almost be a chronic fatigue syndrome commission. This music is like medicine. I have been playing it constantly since I discovered it in Amsterdam and it's amazingly gentle lullaby music - sourced, by the sound of it from string instruments and delicate field recordings.

The Tired sounds of… contains music that seems to grow from nothing, and if you paid listening attention at any particular point, there would be little more than a slow string loop present, but it's the sum of it's parts that effects. You notice after one of the "movements" on the CD that you've been somewhere, but it's when it's on its way out, or after the piece has played, that you feel the benefit. It's very 'centering' music this. It's emotional without being emotionally sapping.

Forget those relaxation compilations, or so-called chill out or ambient CDs. They are marketed by those who, well, forgive them Lord for they know not what they do. This avoids the clichés and it's right back to the source. >> Read more about the band, stream full-length tracks or download mp3s from the fabulous epitonic site. Also short samples of all tracks and reviews from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk.

audio: meditations, online and to purchase

 Wildmind has an excellent selection of meditation CDs and mp3 downloads to purchase.

Belief Net's Meditation page has several online audio meditations. Particularly recommended: Thich Nhat Hanh's Being Peace, which has a both calming meditation and a breathing exercise.

The Meditation Society of Australia offers a free online meditation course. Each of the ten lessons has instructions and an mp3 download, which runs for around 15 minutes. In the first lesson you imagine a candle flame as the doorway to peace and breathe in a golden, peaceful energy through your heart and release tension with the out breath.

audio: Guided meditaton/health-related

Body Scan - Breathworks: check the website for CDs and mp3 downloads. For example, a Body Scan meditation by Vidyamala whose soft and gentle voice guides your awareness through each part of the body in turn; you simply notice and accept whatever sensations are there (42 minutes) This approach, called mindfulness, can be a very powerful way of releasing pain and tension. The CD also includes a shorter version of the meditation, by Sona, so you can choose whichever you prefer

Where can I find out about Buddhism?

The Reaching Buddhism Page gives extensive information about how to find different Buddhist resources, as well as its own Buddhism for Beginners article.

 The Reviews Page covers a range of books on meditation and Buddhism, tapes, CDs, videos and DVDs.

Navigate around this site using Pages or Categories in the left hand side-bar

Patient Meditation Groups

Find out what's available in your area

Meditation instruction specifically tailored to the needs of those with chronic illness or pain are sometimes run by charity/voluntary sector organisations or NHS patient groups. In some cases, joint ventures between both sectors lead to local initiatives bringing meditation instruction to patients (see below). If you want to investigate whether such an initiative has been carried out (or is being considered) locally, try the appropriate self help groups and outpatient clinic for your health condition(s). Try to ensure someone logs your request, even if the answer is ‘no’, and state that you hope it would help you manage your health condition: in this way the growing interest in meditation is more likely to be taken into account by decision makers who develop services. Other useful sources of information include disability forums, local health centres and your local library.

Setting up a group - a case study

Simon Ounsley, a former committee member of the Leeds ME self help group, told us about a successful meditation class he helped to set up for their members. “Funding can be obtained in some cases from the Local Authority or Health Trust via a Joint Community fund”, he advised, adding, “probably the best way to find out is to contact the local umbrella organisation for voluntary groups, who can usually provide information on sources of funding.” As for the teacher, Ounsley made an arrangement with the local branch of the FWBO (Friends of the Western Buddhist Order) to be the group’s instructor. Some individuals prefer this to learning how to meditate at a mainstream course or retreat, as a class can be tailored and allows the instructor to focus on specific physical or mental difficulties related to symptoms, eg posture, concentration etc. It can be embarrassing to always be the only one in a group who’s ill or can’t sit for long periods due to pain. “You feel less self conscious when everyone in the room knows what its like to have mobility problems or pain,” says one participant of such a group. At the time of the Leeds course, Simon found that their teacher had ‘no problem with people lying down to meditate if they find sitting difficult, and problems with meditation were discussed at our last session.' Simon wants to make it clear that projects such as his are rare. Doing the organising yourself requires considerable energy for form filling, locating a venue, organising publicity; added to which you may need the back up of a willing committee or fellow members some personal interest in meditation.

What about those too ill to attend?

If you are too ill to attend a group, you could try an audio guided meditation -

see reviews of guided meditation tapes and CDs

2. Buddhist Book, Magazine & Audio suppliers

What follows is a necessarily selective list of publishers of books, audio and magazines on Buddhism. Priority has been given to a) contacts offering ordering by mail and phone and b) non affiliated organizations & suppliers. In the case of publishers linked to a particular Dharma tradition, as material will prioritise their own teachers & practice we give information about the parent organization and have attempted to represent the range of traditions found in the UK today.

Suppliers of general Buddhist material

Wisdom Books

Largest mail order supplier of books, audio material and videos on Buddhism in the UK. Unaffiliated business, stocks titles relating to all Buddhist traditions - Theravada, Tibetan, Zen/ Ch’an, Mahayana; also Tao and other schools. Catalogue includes short reviews for each title. Some print catalogues available but they advise use of the web site if possible due to stock changes. Contact: Wisdom Books, 25 Stanley Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1RW, UK. Tel: 0208 553 5020, email

Also provide the following non-affiliated Buddhist magazines:

• Tricycle is a quality Buddhist Journal published in the US with in depth, topical contributions from many of the best writers on Buddhism today. Published quarterly - approx. £6.50 per issue.
• Buddhadharma ‘the practitioners quarterly’ - quality magazine focussing on Dharma discussion and teachings. £6.25 per issue.

Buddhist Publishing Group

Independent publisher of a range of CDs, Dharma talks and books from different Buddhist traditions; also Buddhist magazine Buddhism now; organize the annual Buddhist summer school and are also connected to the Golden Buddha project (see communities). Contact (subscriptions & orders): Buddhist Publishing Group, Orchard House, 9 Kerswill Road, Exeter, EX4 1NY, UK. Tel: 01392 679002. Fax: 01803 732037.  To join the mailing list, send this email.

• Buddhism Now journal covers the teachings of all schools of Buddhism: it is independent of any one tradition, organisation or teacher. Buddhism now ‘deals directly with living a Buddhist way of life, offering practical help for ordinary people.’ Email.

Gaia House

Centre for Meditation, Inquiry and Compassion, non-affiliated. Offers Insight (Vipassana) and Zen Retreats.

Available from bookshop: Insight Tapes (approx £5 each), based on lectures by resident and visiting teachers at Gaia House can be ordered online or write to Insight Tapes, Gaia House, West Ogwell, Newton Abbott, Devon TQ12 6EN. Brochure of their talks available on request.  Gaia House, West Ogwell, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6EN, UK. Tel: 01626 333613. Email.

Suppliers linked to specific traditions

Community of Interbeing (COI)

UK organisation that supports the practice of Mindfulness as taught by Vietnamese Zen master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh. ‘These teachings are based on conscious breathing and being fully aware of the present moment. Through the practice of meditation in everyday life and by showing compassion to all living beings, peace becomes possible within ourselves and extends to everyone we touch.’

• Bookshop supplies CDs, tapes and videos of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings, and all of his books available in English. To obtain list of titles, send s.a.e. to: Teri West, Sloo Cottage, Horns Cross, Bideford, Devon EX39 5EA. Tel: 01237 451588. Publications will also be appearing on their web site soon, online ordering available second half of 2005.  See also Parallax Press(US); Community of Interbeing website; Plum Village retreat centre.
• The Mindfulness Bell Journal (3 issues a year), US published, “a journal of the Art of Mindful Living, including essays, stories, teachings, photos and artwork”. To subscribe in the UK write enclosing a cheque payable to Community of Interbeing, to: Community of Interbeing, 18a Hove Park Villas, Hove, BN3 6HG, UK. £12 /£10 (low income) per annum/ £4 for a sample issue.
• Free online manual for developing the practice of Mindfulness.

Friends of the Triratna Buddhist Order (FTBO), formerlyWestern Buddhist Order (FWBO)

Founded in 1967 by Sangarakshita, an Englishman who lived in India for 20 years where he was ordained into the three main traditions of Buddhism. The Sangha has 38 centres with several thousand members in the UK plus in many other countries. Centres often run beginners and drop- in classes in meditation. Contact: London Buddhist centre, 51 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 0QN. Tel: 020 8981 0091  FWBO

• Windhorse Publications - an extensive range of books, brochure sent out on request. Contact: Windhorse Publications, 11 Park Road, Mosely, Birmingham B13 8AB, UK. Tel: 0121 449 9191
• Dharmachakra audio publications - catalogue of lectures, talks and meditation courses.  Tel: 01223 868 625. Email, or write to PO Box 50, Cambridge, CB1 3BG

Soto Zen Tradition

Throssel Hole Abbey  is a training monastery and retreat centre in the Serene Reflection meditation or Soto Zen tradition. Men and women monastics have equal status and are ordained within the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. Bookshop offers a selection of books, taped talks by Senior monks at the Abbey and videos including Serene Reflection Meditation for beginners. Contact: Throssel Hole Buddhist Bookshop, Carrshield, nr Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 8AL, UK. Tel: 01434 345204. A catalogue of books is on the web site but for those who are unable to access web due to illness or disability, a printout will be posted - email

Theravada Tradition

Amaravati is ‘a monastery in the Theravada tradition of Buddhism and a centre of teaching and practice. Its heart is a resident community of monksandnuns, whose life of meditation and work is open for visitors to share, as a living example of the Buddhist path. Amaravati Publications have many books which have been sponsored for free distribution (except postage cost). To obtain please send SAE to "Books", c/o Amaravati Buddhist Monastery. ‘The weight and minimum size of envelope for each book is given as a guide for your requests. You may send one envelope with extra stamps for requests of more than one book.’ Forest Sangha Newsletter (also available free if postage costs covered) provides list of regional centres. For retreat information send SAE to Retreat Manager.

Contact: Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 3BZ.

Tel: 01442 842455.  See also  forestSANGHA, download talks at Amaravati

Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism’s spread in the West has been inextricably linked to efforts to preserve what remains of Tibetan religion and culture since the Chinese occupation of Tibet, which destroyed many temples and monastic communities. There are five distinct lineages in Tibetan Buddhism. Beginners are advised to note that practitioners are expected to commit to one lineage.

• FPMT (Foundation for the preservation of the Mahayana tradition) set up by Lama Thubten Yeshe. Publications include Discovering Buddhism series DVD & videos from £50. UK centre Jamyang Buddhist Centre - see under courses. Publishes Mandala Magazine 6 issues a year. £2.70, back issues available  Contact: FPMT, PO Box 46744, London SW17 7WR UK, email (also available from Wisdom Books).
• RIGPA UK 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB. For regional groups tel: 020 7700 0185, email. Run classes based on Sogyal Rinpoche’s teachings, found in the classic Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. RIPGA’s audio visual publisher is ZAM. Print brochure from RIGPA UK, or direct tel (France): 0033 4 6788 4632.
• Awakened Heart Sangha - see courses.

Mail order Mind Body suppliers 

Cygnus PO Box 15, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 6YX, UK. Tel: 01550 777701 for bargain prices for current New Age titles as well as writers on Buddhism and meditation. Those on the mailing list receive a popular free inspirational magazine with reviews, listings and articles.

The following also sell high quality remaindered material (new age, holistic, meditation, Buddhist) at low prices:

• The Speaking Tree Bookshop, 5 High St. Glastonbury, BA6 9DP.  Tel: 01458 835974, email.
• Greensleeves family-run business also selling secondhand titles. PO Box 156 Chipping Norton DO, Oxford, OX7 3XT, UK. tel 01608 676140, Greensleeves.  email
• Tao of Books Tel 0845 3456222 - includes audio music range.
• The Inner Bookshop, 111 Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RQ UK tel 01865 245301, have a huge selection of mind body material including both new and used books (including a Buddhism  section) as well as audio available online or by mail order (email or call for the catalogue).

Lending Libraries 

Some tips

• Your own local authority library may run a housebound delivery service, in which case you can specifically ask for books on Buddhism, meditation or related themes to be brought to you at home. Services vary from area to area - call your local library (in the phone book under the local council departments) for details. 
• Regional Buddhist groups & centres may have a collection of books and tapes to loan out to their members. If you’re not well enough to attend meetings, it’s worth telephoning and explaining your circumstances - they might post material out to you. Larger centres are more likely to offer a mailing service for library material

Contacts

• The Buddhist society operates a postal lending library. For details of membership and costs send SAE. Contact: Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, UK. Tel 0207 834 5858 (afternoons). 
• Jamyang video library - extensive collection of material on Tibetan Buddhism including videos featuring HH Dalai Lama, available to borrow by post. Mention you're a Stillpoint user & ask for Gordon tel: 0207 820 8787

audio: Guided meditation

Guided Meditations - Bodhipaksa.

The narrator has a soft, calming voice that gently takes you through each meditation, stage-by-stage, and makes the whole process fairly simple. It begins with the classic meditation on the breath (27mins), audio sample: Mindfulness of Breathing. Also includes a meditation to nurture Loving Kindness and a Walking Meditation. This is Amazon's best-selling meditation CD - not surprising considering the superb customer reviews it gets. The meditations are Buddhist in origin but no spiritual beliefs are involved. Guided Meditations for Stress Reduction is also worth a look.
>> CD from Wildmind Buddhist Meditation (also as MP3 download) and Windhorse Publications t 0141 630 4164; also from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Audio info To give best results with dial-up modems, clips are all lo-fi quality, either in RealAudio™ format (free RealPlayer® here), or mp3.

Breathing Peace - Richard Farmer

A simple yet effective method, ideal for beginners. The session begins by setting up a comfortable, balanced posture and relaxing the whole body. Then, with the out breath, the emphasis is on releasing and letting go. This sets up a state of receptivity for the in breath, so that with it you experience each new moment as it comes. Audio sample: The Peace of Stillness. 24 minutes. Track 2 is a meditation for the heart, 22 minutes.
>> Tape or CD from Living Dharma Tapes, e-mail, t 01432 840860.

Learn to Meditate Kit - Patricia Carrington.

A comprehensive course teaching 'Clinically Standardized Meditation', which was developed purely as a relaxation technique. An instruction manual and four audio tapes guide you step by step; the emphasis is on making meditation as easy as possible (audio sample) with advice on adapting the technique to suit each individual; much of the course is devoted to overcoming problems that might occur. I am not a natural meditator and had made several previous attempts to learn, but using this course I was finally able to establish a regular and satisfying practice. Not cheap, but well worth it if you have problems learning meditation.
>> From Bookplace Ltd (UK/Europe) t 01923 229933 and EFT (North America).

Vipassana Meditations - Ram Dass

If you have done some meditation before you might enjoy these practices of extended focus on the breath by the legendary Ram Dass (Vipassana audio sample). The tape also includes a short mantra meditation and a Q&A session.
>> Tape or CD from Living Dharma Tapes. E-mail, t 01432 840860.

Beginning Meditation Class - Jim Malloy.

Each of these four simple meditations uses a different element as the focus for your attention. The first uses the breath; you are gently guided into the meditation (audio sample), then continue for about ten minutes with music playing and the occasional gentle reminder to bring your attention back to the breath if it has drifted off - then the exercise is brought to a close. All the meditations have a similar format; one uses a mantra as the focus, another uses the light on the inside of your closed eyelids, while a fourth, Spiritual Sun, focuses on the more spiritual aspects of meditation. Includes a booklet with tips and information to get you started; e-mail support is also available. 56 minutes in total, on CD.
>> $19 inc. shipping to anywhere in the world from World Wide Online Meditation Center. 30-day money-back guarantee

Guided Meditations - Diana Lampen.

These ten short stilling practices use classic meditation techniques such as using a mantra and meditation on a candle flame; some of the relaxations also use imagery (imagine you're a bird riding a thermal...). A good way to try out different techniques and ideal if you just want a short relaxation, audio sample.
>> Tapes and CDs from Diana Lampen

Breath of Time 2 - Charles Vald

A good sound track for meditating on the breath. Ethereal synthesised music is mixed with the soothing sounds of flowing water, and the pace of breathing is set by the gentle chiming of a bell. Side 1 has five bells a minute (sample), side 2 just three bells a minute (30 minutes each side).
>>From Hypnosis Health Care (more samples); $19.99 inc. shipping worldwide.

Cosmic Candle (& Yoga Nidra) - Muz Murray.

Feeling adventurous? Try this: 'imagine yourself as a gigantic candle, sculpted in your own likeness, with your backbone as the wick, rising upwards into the middle of your head - and softly glowing with a gentle flame that illumines the interior of your mind', audio sample. You then proceed to melt. This is definitely a little weird, but I find it deeply relaxing as all the tension just melts away (and yes, you do get to put yourself back together at the end of the meditation). 35 minutes. Sold as Yoga Nidra, 'The Sleep of the Yogi's' - the title of the flip side. This is a method of deep relaxation by slowly withdrawing consciousness from the tips of your toes through to the top of your head; 45 minutes, with sitar music.
>>From Muz Murray (cheque payment). Or to buy online it's a hefty £8.95 (CD £15.99) plus £1.40 p&p from The Inner Bookshop, t 01865 245301.

Where to browse for more tapes & CDs
Sounds True has a vast catalogue of meditation tapes & CDs, many with audio clips. Amazon.co.uk's Relaxation and Meditation category (also Amazon.com) has many meditation tapes, and The Inner Bookshop also has a good selection.

Reviews of online meditations

 

All reviews by Simon McGrath (relaxationreviews.org).

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