A Tricycle BookBuddhist meditation originated when the Buddha "sat alone, accompanied merely by his own deep honesty and awareness, and refused to move until the barriers to truth were shattered." Only by focusing his attention inward, being unmoved by the stimuli of the outside world, was he able to achieve enlightenment. In this simple guide to meditation, Diana St. Ruth gives an overview of this ancient practice, likening it to "waking up as if from a dream." She explains specific techniques, such as counting breaths and walking meditation, in addition to providing helpful illustrations of postures and sitting styles. Throughout she reinforces the belief that with the regular practice of Buddhist meditation a person can come to know "the way of liberation from suffering and the realization of genuine happiness."