Congratulations to my valued client Li-Anne Tang, Ph.D., on the publication of her new self-help book, “Get Off Your Cushion: Weaving Meditation into the Fabric of Life.” The title is self-explanatory! While millions of people recognize the value of meditation in all its forms, too many think of meditation as something that you have to do deliberately and in a pre-determined physical setting. You have to set aside time, they think, and assume a particular posture, such as sitting cross-legged on a cushion on the floor. This means you’re removing yourself from everyday life – stepping outside, so to speak. You’re clearing a space free of distractions to alow your mind and spirit to wander (or focus, as the case may be).

That’s fine, but Li-Anne Tang wants us to look at meditation differently – not as a practice set aside or divorced from “real life,” but something you can weave into your daily activities. Why not bring a meditative approach to your work, your home life, your recreation?

As the book blurb says, whether you want to use meditation to ease anxiety or set yourself on the path towards spiritual enlightenment, with “Get Off Your Cushion” you can learn how to move from stress to serenity in the moment, cultivate continuous mindfulness from dawn to dusk, apply Buddhist teachings to all aspects of everyday life, and ease your suffering.

Reconsider the old habit of meditating only by sitting cross-legged on a cushion! This book can be your guide to bringing meditation to every experience of your life, and show you the path to spiritual awakening.