The Wonder of Presence: And the Way of Meditative Inquiry

This refreshingly iconoclastic collection of dharma talks encourages readers to deemphasize issues such as posture, the ""stages"" of enlightenment or the proper meditation techniques in favor of ""effortless being."" Packer, founder of the Springwater Center for Meditative Inquiry in western New York, draws on an eclectic assortment of thinkers, from traditional Zen masters to Krishnamurti. This anthology has some repetition of ideas, but in general, the various pieces adhere quite well. Packer's emphasis on awareness and ""the wonder of presence"" combined with her rare ability to make abstract concepts seem simple, even obvious makes this a welcome addition. (Apr.)