religion and spirituality

and don't know where to start, this is a great book and CD to get your feet wet. The Japa meditation is simple, calming, and beneficial for mental clarity and peace.

I mostly bought this book because it also contains a CD of a guided meditation called "Japa". I have never formally meditated before with guided imagery, so I thought I would give it a try, especially since I was familiar with Dyer's books and loved his personal style and wisdom. Japa meditation focuses on the sound "Ah", which Dyer notes is a sound common in all names of God, such as Yahweh, Allah, Ra, Jehovah, Krishna, Kali, Yeshua, and so on.

His gentle and soothing voice guides you to visualize 1the first 10 words of the Lord's Prayer (Our Father Who Art In Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name), and then focus on the "gap" between words where there is space and silence. Then, you voice the "Ah" sound along with Dyer. I realize that sound is very healing and sacred, but I personally don't like to verbalize the "Ah" sound along with Dyer. However, by hearing Dyer chant "Ah" between the gaps of the Lord's Prayer, it helps me center in on that "gap" and feel the vibration and Presence of God. I tend to be more visual, so imagining the "space between" helps to cease the mind's incessant chatter.

I highly recommend this book and accompanying CD for greater mental clarity and overall feelings of peace--especially if you have reservations about guided meditations or have never used one before. Getting in the Gap also contains a section of testimonials from those who have had remarkable experience using the Japa meditation.

I'm not into Zen and I only dabble in meditation, but I liked this book/CD combo a lot. I work and have three kids and there's never enough time FOR ME, so the quick/easy tools Dyer provides helped me relax. Great book for meditation beginners, like me. Of course, the other thing that helps me survive stress is laughing, and I recommend "I Sleep At Red Lights: A True Story of Life After Triplets," by Bruce Stockler, a hilarious romp across work, marriage, kids, ego, stress and the art of juggling--and finding inner peace.

This was my first experience using a meditation method. I choose to use the CD which comes with the book and it has helped me tremendously. I now look forward each day to take time out of my schedule to relax and meditate. I feel refreshed and I'm able to channel my enregy towards productive activities rather than wasting my energy on the thoughts that get trapped in my head. I think it is helpful because it has made me focus on the bigger picture of life rather than the trival details we each face everyday.