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Grace of Mind speaks of meditation, referring to one of the many ways recommended by Buddhism.  It's written in the format of a narrated story.  You might imagine it recounted in your home, a meeting room, or as a play acted out on stage.​​

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Though there is much good in the world, unbalanced and closed human minds abound, often hold sway, and contribute a lot to the troublesome predicaments we find ourselves in.  Peacemakers are opposed by troublemakers.  This story is intended as a counter to the negative elements of society.

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What can we do to improve things?  We don't have the gift to remodel society through the authority of high office – most of us are just ordinary citizens.  However, we are not without influence.  We can at least trigger waves of understanding, happiness and kindness: some will be far-reaching.  To seed them in daily life we need mindfulness, awareness, clarity, and wisdom.  These qualities can be cultivated by meditation.

 

Grace of Mind  introduces meditation to anyone at all attracted to the possibilities of taking up the way of meditation, offers help for early-stage meditators, and is a reminder for practised meditators.

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I wondered what attributes help us to develop as higher creatures.  The result is a story about three enabling qualities of the mind that underpin human advancement.  These are calmness, balance, and open-mindedness.  When we function openly, with ease and balance, there is the opportunity to gain a profound understanding of oneself, other beings, and the environment.  Surely, such wisdom is undeniably beneficial.  It promotes clarity in the mind, and thus a wholesome, worthwhile way of living.

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For anyone interested in making a firm difference (wide-promotes clarity in the mind, and thus a wholesome, worthwhile reaching or modest) to the world, irrespective of their nationality, age, gender, or circumstances, there is a wonderful first move to be taken – and now is the time.  It really is.  One small step ...

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So that is the raison d'être for the book.  The central character is a man who has had reason to review his life, and his worth to humanity and the environment.  His circumstances have fluctuated.  We don't know, but perhaps he was raised in comfort, then there was famine.  Maybe there was violence in his country or town of origin, maybe not.  Could he have suddenly lost a loved one?  Possibly he is fortunate, and his family support each other?   Is he a conservationist who experiences variable success?  All in all, there have been intensely joyful, tragic, and sad times.  Anyway, despite this or that happening, he mostly copes with life.  Yet, something troubles him that he can't quite pinpoint.  It lingers and seems to affect his relationships.

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In quiet moments, he is able to look at his life.  He recently weighed up the good and ugly before sharing his thinking with his trusted grandmother.  The matriarch is a most intriguing woman. Quite her own person, she lives with a cat, and has recently nursed an injured raven which is now ready for re-wilding.  She noticed her grandson was set in his ways; kind but not always empathetic or judicious; prone to occasional outbursts, rashness even.  A good heart but a little self-centred perhaps.

 

Though it's not in our western culture, she told him while feeding the cat, why not try one of the meditation traditions?  I think it'll help you see things in perspective, and level out a little; maybe reduce the intensity of your thoughts.  My love, I know you can find a way to make friends with yourself.  For sure, there will be benefits. This cat and the raven are happy to be with you, and will help.

 

​That's where the story starts.​​

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According to the very first readers, the copy came across well by avoiding technical terms and jargon.  This edition follows the same style.​

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Can you imagine a freehearted, benevolent figure ready to give advice when asked?  This character is the kind person who narrates the ensuing tale in a brief, matter-of-fact, and conversational idiom.  He tries to maintain a practical tone and urges his audience to stay away from deeply complicated, philosophical thinking.

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As far as possible, do try to keep it simple, the narrator suggests with a friendly chuckle.