Peggy Ludington has excelled in the many facets of her life, as lawyer, artist, writer, farmer, environmental activist, wife, and mother. However, the path to this fruitful life was rocky. Growing up in an alcoholic home left its shrapnel in her psyche. Then, as she embarked on a promising legal career, her father–and mentor–was arrested. The drama that followed blew a hole in her heart and ambitions. Anxiety and depression descended. Therapy helped.

Meditation was the game changer. But it took years to find her way to it, and then not easily. With her kids in college, she felt adrift. A sweat lodge experience rekindled her teenage fascination with meditation. But how to learn? In search of the “right way,” she read volumes by experts, listened to their recordings, attended workshops. Her attempts left her empty and wanting something more.

Finally, she discovered meditation should be simple, that there was no one “right way.” A friend guided her through a meditation so she could experience what it felt like. This freed her to cobble together her own path, one that includes the best parts version of all those teachings. She shares this path with readers in Meditation Manual.

Meditation now serves as the calming hub of her busy and abundant life. By expanding the richness of her inner life, meditation has expanded the richness of the life she is living.

Peggy’s goal is to demystify the process to make it easy and accessible for anyone. She hopes this book lights the way for others seeking the benefits of a quiet mind and sitting in stillness.