The cover photo itself (that of a monk bent in prayer) speaks volumes about the contents of the book - that of prayer, prayer and prayer. In the likeness of books on prayer by Thich Nhat Hanh, this one seeks to uncover the benefits of meditation as prayer. The author proposes many benefits and (if one is to believe) all peoples in the world, regardless of race, language or religion, should allow themselves the benefit to sit in silence, meditating either in silence, with a chant, with words from Scripture, or with concentration on the breath. The latter, when done with full concentration, is able to nourish and to heal the mind, body and spirit. The author provides various exercises on how to meditate using the breath at the end of his book. I believe some of these exercises have been covered in his other books as well.

The author quotes from Christian Scripture and even uses the Lord's Prayer - the "Our Father" - in one of his examples on meditative prayer. Really, this is a book not only for Buddhist meditation practitioners but for all seekers of meditation practices. The exercises to still the mind apply to all races, language or religion. If we can all practice the mindfulness that the author writes of, we can apply the practice to our faiths. For example, a Christian could use the ability to stay in tune with silence to meditate on God's Word, or a Buddhist could use this ability to be silent within to concentrate on a chant. The idea is really how one can grow to befriend silence in view of the opposing attacks from the noise of daily living - television, media, people around us, loud music, our fears and worries, the pursuit of desires and wants, the list goes on.

I like the book for the solace and comfort and the encouragement it contains. As one who enjoys silence, I could embrace the spiritual benefits of meditation that the author writes about. I wish more people will practise meditation because then the "collective consciousness" (as Thich Nhat Hanh calls it) of the created world can only get better and in turn rub the sense of peace, joy and tranquility to others. Om. Peace.