Why Can't I Meditate?

Why Can't I Meditate? is, as far as I know, the first in-depth and pragmatic analysis of a key issue that bedevils many people who undertake the practice of meditation. It is not at all uncommon for someone to encounter a deep resistance to meditation even though they are sincerely committed to it. This important study is an invaluable handbook that provides practical guidance and advice for anyone who strives to understand and overcome the obstacles that prevent meditation from becoming an integral part of one's life. -- Stephen Batchelor, author of 'Buddhism Without Beliefs' and 'Confession of a Buddhist Atheist'
.... insightful and helpful. I really like the discussion of the different selves within us and how one can be in conflict with another and that people who are fearful of unknown parts of themselves, their shadow, are going to struggle with compassion, becoming caught up in conflicts and struggles in contrast to observing them as 'nature's mind at work'. -- Professor Paul Gilbert, author of 'The Compassionate Mind'
I am very happy to finally see someone writing about why people can't meditate. I've known Nigel for many years; he's a sincere practitioner who has been thinking about how to untangle the blockages in the human mind for some time now. We had a lot of discussion together about the ideas presented here and I think his book will be very useful. It's helpful to know the underlying causes of meditation problems - this book shows how to work with them. -- Tsoknyi Rinpoche, author of 'Open Heart, Open Mind'
This book provides a rich, clear and compassionate account of the difficulties and barriers meditators may encounter on their path. It addresses so many of the everything-you-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask questions which eveyone who meditates runs into. But it also shows how powerful and healthy meditation can be. This book is an inspiration both for people who are interested in meditation but have never done it, as well as for more experienced meditators. -- Professor Bas Verplanken, Head of Department of Psychology, Bath University