The Effortless Mind: Meditation for the Modern World

245 Pages·2018·3.44 MB·English

by  Will Williams

Praise for The Effortless Mind
‘Will makes meditation cool. Say hello to a clearer mind thanks to your new
bulletproof technique to help you relax and unleash your best self.’
Madeleine Shaw, author of Get The Glow
‘Will’s meditation is a game changer. If you want to understand meditation more
deeply and how you can harness the benefits in the most profound ways
possible, The Effortless Mind is where it’s at. I will be giving this important
book to everyone I know.’
Jasmine Hemsley, author of The Art of Eating Well
‘Meditation can be a powerful tool in managing anxiety, stress and other
common daily experiences that so many people seem to face, and Vedic
meditation with Will is one of the simplest forms of meditation there is, making
it incredibly accessible for anyone to learn.’
Annie Clarke, author of Mind Body Bowl
‘I learned how to meditate with Will Williams two years ago and since then so
many things have changed. I have a lifelong tool that has brought me calm,
clarity and increased creativity and allowed me to far more effectively weather
the storms of everyday life. My husband and daughter have also been taught by
Will, and we now share a common thread of understanding and respect for this
incredible tool. Will is the most generous, warm and gracious teacher.’
Eminé Rushton, wellbeing director, Psychologies
‘Within a few months of learning to meditate with Will, I realised I was starting
to have so many ideas for songs and books, as well as helping me with a busy
schedule of touring and being a dad.’
Howard Donald, Take That
‘Vedic meditation is now part of my daily routine. It has been hugely beneficial
in so many ways. Will is very supportive and nurturing and makes learning seem
easy and fun. I feel extremely grateful this has come into my life.’
Cressida Bonas, actress
‘Will’s practical, non-woo-woo approach to meditation has enabled thousands of
busy people to find a way to fit a regular practice into their lives.’
Lesley Thomas, The Times
‘Will Williams did nothing less than open my eyes to meditation by teaching me
how to close them. Of all the practices I tried, and I tried many, his was the most
welcoming, the most inclusive and inspiring. And it works. We could all do with
a little Will Williams in our lives.’
Nick Duerden, author of Get Well Soon
‘Vedic meditation has been very transformative for me. I’ve noticed that I’m
able to calm my nervous system down, I’m ten times more aware and my
intellectual capability is increased. I’ve got more energy and I’m appreciating
special moments with my two children.’
Sam Branson, documentary maker

To my nephews Ryan, Lloyd and Owen,
and my godchildren Dexter and Charlie.
You are all so very precious.
CONTENTS
Preface
What Form of Meditation Do I Teach?
From Hedonism to Happiness: My Story
Mind and Body
Coping with Anxiety
Dealing with Depression
Managing Anger
Beating Insomnia
Tackling Addiction
Getting Your Digestion Into Shape
Relationships
Letting Go of Past Trauma
Improving Family Dynamics
Navigating Divorce
Being Your Best: Productivity, Creativity and Performance
Being More Productive
Navigating Workplace Confrontation
Enhancing Your Creativity
Finding Greater Purpose and Meaning in Life
Reconnecting to Yourself
Reaching Your Spiritual Potential
Connecting With Your Inner Truth
Afterword
Acknowledgements
Further Resources
Endnotes
Preface
Why Are You Here?
D
on’t worry – that’s not an existential question. What I mean is: why are you
here, now, reading this book?
It might be because you’ve been curious about meditation or mindfulness for
a while and have decided to see what it’s all about. Or perhaps you’ve tried other
forms of meditation in the past but for some reason or another they haven’t been
quite right for you. You might have a specific problem that you are desperate to
resolve, maybe an illness, a difficult relationship, or issues at work. Equally, you
may have no real problems to overcome; you’re a generally happy individual,
yet feel as if there might be more to life – that you could feel happier, more
satisfied.
Whatever your reason, I’m really pleased you’ve decided to take the time to
read this. And whatever it is you’re looking for, I’m pretty sure I can help.
Before we get going, a bit about me. I’m Will, and I’ve been teaching
meditation for six years, mostly in London, but also in many other places around
the world. I’ve found that every country I’ve visited, just like every person I’ve
taught, has its own unique characteristics, and yet, underneath it all, there are
always the same themes concerning the human condition and the human story
that transcend all cultural orientations.
My approach to teaching meditation is to do so in the most accessible and
easily understandable way, so that literally anyone can do it. I’ve taught artists
and academics, housewives and hipsters, judges and janitors, lawyers and
labourers, psychologists and scientists, bankers and billionaires, athletes and
addicts. I’ve even had the rare privilege of teaching royalty! In each case,