THE FINE ARTS OF RELAXATION, CONCENTRATION, AND MEDITATION: Ancient Skills for Modern Minds

The Leveys, who teach stress-management methods to a variety of organizations, including the U.S. Army Green Berets, offer an inviting and highly practical manual for those who want to enhance "health and performance, master stress and deepen their appreciation of life." They begin by discussing relaxation, presenting eight simple, discrete techniques for identifying and releasing tension within the body and mind. They then progress to concentration, offering 11 separate methods, including several deep-breathing exercises, designed to help one disregard distractions, stabilize the mind and bring one's full attention to bear on the object of concentration. Proper relaxation and concentration are fundamental for successful meditation, which here is both a path to spiritual liberation and also a real-world strategy for altering harmful patterns of thought and behavior. The Leveys then offer 39 methods of meditation, from simply listening purposefully to one's surroundings to imagining that one's body is hollow. They round out the book with reflections on integrating all these techniques into everyday life and work. Many of the strategies found here are clear, step-by-step procedures; others are scripts suitable to record on tape to play back during a relaxation, concentration or meditation session. Although they do not advocate any particular spiritual tradition, the authors continually emphasize the depth and sacredness associated with these "inner arts," resulting in a useful handbook that will appeal to a wide range of readers seeking increased tranquility in and mastery over their lives. (Feb.)