With sparkling clarity and humour, Rick Lewis explains exactly what meditation can offer to those who are ready to establish an island of sanity in the midst of an active life. This book offers a comprehensive look at everything a beginner would need to start a meditation practice, including how to befriend an overactive mind and how to bring the fruits of meditation into all aspects of daily life. Experienced mediators will also find refreshing perspectives to both nourish and refine their practice. Lewis's twenty-five years of disciplined sitting practice allow him to clarify common myths and confusions about meditation and its applications to life. His use of both inspiring insights and practical examples, together with anecdotes from the lives of masters and students of many traditions, make this book immediately accessible for mediators of all levels.