Meditation Made Easy

Lynn Sparrow is the instructor for this in-depth three-hour look at the art of meditation. Beginning with reassurances about how simple meditation is, and dispelling myths about the requisite hallucinations one must have in order to achieve a successful meditation, Sparrow guides viewers through an initial session, and then outlines some of the peripheral elements of the practice. Viewers are instructed in head and neck exercises, correct breathing, the importance of ritual, inspirational reading and music, the use of incense, chanting, and prayer--all as preludes to the actual meditation itself. However, after making a good case for the simplicity/practicality of meditation, the program begins to explore more fully the Edgar Cayce readings, and many viewers will feel as if they've taken a left turn into the Twilight Zone. Much attention is given to the act of sending healing prayers during meditation, and--although Sparrow leaves the choice of a supreme being up to the individual--the course heads more and more towards basic Christian praying. Too, over a three-hour period the technical shortcomings become increasingly more apparent, with sloppy editing and background noises (at one point Sparrow answers a studio technician, while supposedly in deep meditation--we can't see her face, since all of the meditations are accompanied by a static shot of a vase of flowers.) What begins as a reasonably straightforward program, gradually deteriorates into mysticism and substandard production values. Not recommended. (See MAKING THE EDGAR CAYCE REMEDIES AT HOME for availability.)