Review: The Effortless Mind: Meditation for the Modern World, Will Williams

Note: I received a proof copy of the book in exchange for a review.



"The Effortless Mind is renowned meditation teacher Will Williams' must have guide for modern-day meditators. Suffering from chronic stress and insomnia, Will undertook years of research and training with leading experts from around the world, which led him to find the cure he was looking for in Beeja meditation."


 This book is such a powerful, fulfilling, and important read. It's not just about meditation, but about the science and psychology of it as well. Will starts with an engaging and clear breakdown about our evolutionary brain - most notably, the role of the fight or flight response. It is this understanding of our brain which underpins the whole book and why meditation is so important and useful. In a world in which our fight or flight response is triggered most of the time, when it is biologically meant to be in case of emergencies only, we need to find ways to put our minds at rest and recalibrate.


Will doesn't just explain the theory, though. He includes extensive personal stories in the book - not only of his own journey but those of his clients as well. All of it comes back to a particular form of meditation known as Beeja Meditation, the purpose of which is to calm one's brain down by playing a personalized sound in your mind for twenty minutes, twice a day.


As stress affects so many parts of the human biology and psychology, it follows that resting affects them positively. Beeja Meditation, as attested by the many stories in this book, is one provable form of effective self-care. Clients' stories in this book range from the open-minded to the highlight skeptical, but they all end with one conclusion - Beeja Meditation has helped them for the better.


Will doesn't just talk about Beeja Meditation, however. Throughout the book are different meditation exercises that are clearly explained for the reader to try. I did try some of them myself, and it is quite radical how much of a difference they make. There are some other practical, simple tips as well, designed purely to help us cope in a highly digital society, such as making your bedroom a digital free haven.


Overall, this is one of the most fascinating, fulfilling, and insightful books I have ever read. As Will says in the book, we simply are not built to be on high alert 24/7, with handfuls of days or weeks littered throughout the year to relax. Busyness should not be a sign of success - it's a toxic way of thinking that needs to stop. Good physical and mental health is the most basic and crucial of things to get right - and that should be our goal.