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Why We Meditate review: A convincing argument for regular meditation

Meditation seems to divide people into hardline converts or sceptical questioners. Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi Rinpoche's new book comes ready to answer any doubts

By Jonathan R. Goodman

18 January 2023

small group of people meditating on the beach. doing yoga when the sun rising.

Meditation seems to reduce stress and the risk of certain ailments

tamer alkis/istockphoto/getty images

Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi Rinpoche (Penguin Life)

I OPENED Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s Why We Meditate: 7 simple practices for a calmer mind with some scepticism. I am not a regular meditator, and while I have read a few popular books that aim to convince you of its usefulness, I have never been convinced. Questions like “How can I relax and stay focused on work?” and “Isn’t some stress necessary for living during angsty times?” prevented me from accepting meditation as…

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