"I still get mad at my husband sometimes...but since I learned to meditate I just don't stay mad." There are lots of books about how to meditate. This is a book about why. And the quote above, which is from my wife, is a great example of the real-life benefits that come from making meditation a bigger part of your life. Meditation Made Me Do It is a collection of short essays, stories and life lessons that I (yes, this is really the author talking to you here, in the first person) call "reports from the corner of Meditation and Life." I believe meditation has the power to change everything because it polishes and expands the lens of consciousness through which we experience everything. It gives us a whole new perspective, which changes how we see things, how we think about things, how we react to things, and ultimately, it changes how we show up in the world in our everyday lives. The essays range from tips on how to be more present in the midst of everyday distractions, to the squishy Zen of picking up dog poop, to deep reflections on the illusion of separateness and the ground of being. Some take their inspiration from ancient wisdom traditions and some from pop culture. Some are inspired by questions students have asked, some by quotes from Rumi, Alan Watts, Mark Twain, Dr. Seuss and other great sages . . . and some are inspired by weird things my kids have done or said. I’m not an enlightened master (whatever that is), and don’t pretend to have everything figured out. I’m a guy who learned to meditate, found a way to make it stick, and whose moment-to-moment experience of life is so much better, in so many ways, for having done so. And I believe meditation could do the same for you. Which is why I write, and why I teach, and why I hope you enjoy this book. With love, James Brown Praise for this book... There aren't any quotes from people you may or may not have heard of telling you what they think about this book. And that's because I care more about what you think. So take a peek at the image of the back cover, which includes a snippet from one of the essays inside, and see if that piques your interest. Deal? "Light hearted and deep thinking. Great, bite sized essays on meditation and life." - Mairin Wilson "The title says it all. Well-written, wry, funny, and totally mensch-y, Brown's essays are an honest portrayal of what one can expect from meditation, and why it matters. Kudos for writing it." - Moon Dawson "James's style is accessible, even to those who shy away from spiritual teachings as being too "woo woo", while also being accepting of those who embrace the "woo." Great for anyone looking to start, deepen, or gain a fresh perspective on why meditation matters." - M. Levi "A refreshingly grounded take on why we meditate, filled with everyday examples that genuinely resonate. James' approach to teaching is incredibly powerful, and opens up an entirely new perspective on meditation- as he says in the book: like polishing the lens through which we see the world." - Daniel Zwilling "Just do it! Not to steal a slogan but...A collection of sharp, witty, deep and brilliantly told insights - worth a quick daily read!" - Dan D.