Practical, imaginative and effective.
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Highly recommended. I have used it regularly for about two years and know that it has had a good effect on me. It is presented in a very clear, accessible, jargon-free manner. The two presenters, Vidyamala and Sona, (female and male respectively) have many years of meditation practice and teaching behind them and this clearly shows. Both present the meditations in a manner which manages to be both imaginative and down-to-earth, and which reflects their deep experience of Buddhist practice over many years. They work for an outfit called Breathworks (based in Manchester, UK) which offers courses in living well and in pain management. Both of these themes find their way into the way they present these meditations.
On the Kindly Awareness CD, each of the presenters leads through a practice which they call the Kindly Awareness practice. This consists of a series of five reflections designed to develop positive emotions towards oneself, to a friend, to a "neutral person", to someone one is finding difficult, and to the rest of humanity. Those with knowledge of Buddhism will recognise that the practice borrows intelligently from the traditional set of practices called the Brahmaviharas. The reflection includes some helpful guidance on dealing with physical and emotional pain and discomfort.
Overall the disc has a very practical feel to it, and I would recommend it strongly to both beginners and experienced meditators. (I have had a regular meditation practice for 16 years and have found it very helpful).
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Self and others
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I have found all the CDs offered by Breathworks very helpful. They were a revelation and life line when I first met them as part of the course at the Manchester Buddhist Centre. Since then they have become a staple of my meditation and efforts to lead a more mindful and aware life rather than being tugged in all different directions by events and outer stimuli in general. I particularly like and need this CD because it bridges the gap between self and others. Quietness, peace, awareness are achieved but the next stage, that of moving out to touch others and bring them into your world with all the risks this involves is inspired. Vidyamala and Sona's, voices, tone, pace reflect their integrity, compassion and deep knowledge and it is a privilege to have access to them on a daily basis.
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great!
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This CD stands on its own, but is an excellent complement to Vidyamala's other disks. If you've been doing Loving Kindness meditation for years, it'll revitalise your practice. If you're new to it, I bet it'll be a great introduction to this gentle method of changing your emotional relationship with yourself and other people - even the ones you find hard work!
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Kindly Awareness CD
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The Kindly Awareness recording nurtures an accepting and kindly attitude firstly towards yourself and then outwards to others. I found Vidyamala's voice, in particular, full of compassion, gentleness and understanding, helping to enter a deep state of wellbeing and relaxation. The speed she moves throughout the meditations is just right, not too fast, not too slow. The recordings show what a great and deep understanding the speakers have of chronic pain, stress, other ill-health and the body and the mind. I am sure their meditations will help many others, from complete beginners to those with more experience, to make profound differences to their lives. I strongly recommend them.
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Recovering from Breast Cancer
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I would like to recommend the Breathworks Kindly Awareness meditation CD to anyone. I received it soon after being diagnosed with breast cancer and I found the CD very helpful, as it was hard at times to feel love and compassion for myself. I am sure this benefited my immune system, along with the other Breathworks Cds, which helped my recovery. I particularly enjoyed the quality of Vidyamala's voice on the CDs - gentle, balanced and authoritative.
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