Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga Paperback – December 3, 2002

One of my yoga teachers read from this book in class one day. I was so impressed with the passage she read that I asked which book it was. I tried reading it piece-meal, as she suggested, but just couldn't get into it. A couple of years later, I picked it up and began at the beginning. (Always a good idea!) I read it every morning after I meditate and pray. After counting the number of yoga books on my shelf recently (27), I realized this is the best of the lot. The quotes are excellent, the writing is beautifully done, the ideas are accessible, the tips on practice are wonderful. I recently completed all 365 essays and have now re-started the book. It's that good. When an Iyengar friend moved to a new home, I sent her a copy as I told her that her new house needed to have this book on a bookshelf. For anyone seeking to integrate religion with yoga practice, I believe this book can help show them the way. Just a wonderful book!

I have practiced yoga and meditation for many years. I love this book. Rolf Gates has taken the path of integrating yogic and Buddhist wisdom into his being further than I have and like a gentle guide, his words in this book took me by the hand and led me further down the path. I read little bits everyday and then meditate. The wisdom in this book is profound and best taken in small doses to fully integrate. The stories are completely grounded in the practices of yoga and meditation, so it is a huge inspiration to practice daily and with a lot of mindfulness. The book is an illustration of a person living these yogic truths and telling truthfully how it plays out in his life experiences and how the practices and teachings of yoga and other spiritual traditions help to resolve past experiences. He speaks honestly of the struggle to practice loving-kindness meditation toward difficult, even abusive people. There are beautiful visuals in the stories as well. "If you are willing to jump out of an airplane you simply need to walk toward the door. At some point well before you actually get to the door you get swept up. Grace is like that. If you are willing to aim your life at an ideal you simply need to walk toward it. At some point grace will sweep you up." I bought this book because I wanted concise, inspirational nuggets to help integrate yogic truths into my practice and this book definitely delivered that and more.

I loved meditations from the mat. I have now found a studio here with teachers trained by Rolf Gates. My first experience with them has been amazing. In regards to this book, my interest in yoga in people with PTSD and trauma has been on going for a few years now. Mindfulness, the study of and practice I believe is one of the most effective ways to heal from trauma or if nothing else manage it. My life has changed completely from both yoga and mindfulness. It is not an easy fix but it is worth every step it took to get here. Without meditation, yoga and staying present I can't imagine where I would be. This book is a great way to start your meditation practice, to do before yoga or just to remind us to stop and get present. When I stay present and honor my intentions I stay on track with my life. When I have a difficult day mindfulness and meditation pulls me back to the mat and my life. In time I learned I could live with my past and really appreciate the present moment. This is an important book considering all the uncertainty going on in the world today. Truly am grateful for this book and Mr. Gates. I have heard over and over when the time is right the teacher will appear. I am grateful for the wisdom in both books, this one especially. Thanks to Amazon for such quick delivery during the holidays.

If you want to love yourself more and be a better person to your family and friends and move through this world like you were made for it and it was made for you.... read R Gates. One page a day is all it takes. Changed my life for the better and when I started recommending it to friends, changed them too. Thanks!

This is a stunning and beautiful book. I have been a yoga practitioner for over 16 years and a teacher since 2009. I have had a daily meditation practice for several years. I had the privilege of receiving a galley copy of this book before its' release. I have sat with it every morning after meditation for two months. Rolf's ability to bring in his experiences in a way that is relatable, down to earth and profound at the same time is his genius. This book lands truths in the mind, body and heart that are a testament to the wisdom and grace available in the practices of yoga and meditation. The voice of the writing seems effortless and reads like silk. Each entry carefully leads to a deeper insight at its conclusion as surely as steps in walking meditation or the inbreath and outbreath of sitting meditation. Each entry, for me, imparts the felt experience of meditation. It is already dog-earred and much loved by my students and myself. I am deeply grateful for this amazing and lucid book.

Got a used one, still has Goodwill price tag on back... Think this book belonged to someone that died. There's a note written in it too. But aside from that not sure abt a leap year. Overall if this is of interest to you, it's a good addition.

Sure, some might say this book can be a bit cheesy, or a weird read, but it's amazing for what it is. What it is, is simply a daily prompt for reflection. I pick the book up every morning and read a whatever it is for that day (I don't try to read more than the content for one day, it's usually just a couple of paragraphs, which take a minute or two to read).It provides me with a starting point for my day, helps me think, opens up my mind, challenges me, inspires me, but more importantly, allows me that time to simply be for a minute or two. It's like being on my mat, in that this is my space and time where I get to think about how my practice extends from my mat into my life. It's been a great help for me, and my wife.I don't think this book is limited to students of yoga, but it is an extremely useful tool for them. It's great to have this everyday, and especially for the those days when I don't get on my mat. I highly recommend it.