Into the Magic Shop – Dr James R Doty

We have just added our review and read to our Planted bookshelf – Into the Magic Shop by Dr James R Doty

Thank goodness for recommendations

There are some reads that sit with you long after you finish the final page. You feel a sense of loss when you put book on the bookshelf to longingly look at each time you walk past. These reads resonated with you at the time of reading; timing is everything right?

I had seen on a friend’s social media page their recommendation for this book ‘it’s an easy read about Dr Doty’s life journey…he’s written honestly about his struggles & childhood challenges and the tools he learnt to navigate these.’

I’m still not sure why I thought this book would be of interest, I didn’t have any childhood struggles or challenges and I certainly wasn’t a doctor (neurosurgeon) but it was the words ‘magic of compassion and mindfulness’ that I felt meant something and was relevant to where I was currently travelling in my journey of life. Also, who doesn’t love the lure of magic?

The tangible nature of books

I make no apologies for the number of books I purchase on a monthly basis, they seem to all have a common theme, a theme of mindfulness and teachings that have me looking deep within guiding and reminding me to be present; to be grateful and to worry about what I can control, not what I can’t.

Finding Meditation

Meditation has played a fundamental part of my life’s journey since being introduced to the practice in 2017 by Al Jeffery. Al guided me through a number of workshops that allowed me to find grounding within myself, how to befriend myself, how to cultivate tenderness towards myself and most importantly, how to breathe.

While reading Into the Magic Shop there was more than one turning of the page that made me stop, think, reflect and breathe. No more so than the page that bought me into the simple place of mindful mediation. I share this moment with you now.

The Meditation

Close your eyes

I want you to take a deep breath and focus on your feet.

Bring your mind back to your feet.

Now think about your ankles. Your knees. Relax your thighs. Feel your legs getting heavy and dropping into the chair.

Now relax the muscles in your stomach. Tighten them and then relax them.

Now your chest. Take a deep breath in and out and relax your chest. Feel your heart beating and relax the muscles around your heart.

Focus on the centre of your chest. Feel the muscles of your chest relaxing. Take a deep breath in and feel your heart beating as you relax further. Now breathe out and again focus on relaxing the muscles of your chest.

Now I want you to relax your shoulders. Your neck. Your jaw. Let your tongue drop to the bottom of your mouth.  Feel your eyes and forehead tighten and relax. Let everything, every muscle in your body just relax.

Now open your eyes

The Outcome

Just reading these words [slowly] automatically made me feel more relaxed; it slowed everything down ensuring I focussed on one individual muscle making me feel more tranquil. It ensured I was present and aware.

How does meditation do this? Mindfulness; you are only focusing on ONE thing. The world’s greatest lie is that we can be highly effective people by multitasking – I call bullshit on that.

During meditation you have and can control your body and you can control your mind; it’s very powerful. Slowing down and being mindful, it can change everything.

This book may not have changed everything in my world but it changed something and for that, I am thankful. I am thankful that we have the likes of Dr James R Doty and other writers/authors who have the opportunity and ability to share their story with us. For that, I am forever grateful.