Treasure Maps to Meditation: A Guide For Those Who Have Tried and Given Up

Treasure Maps to Meditation

A Guide for Those Who Have Tried and Given Up

Linda Preston

Cape Cod Center for Body & Soul

Copyright © 2025 Linda Preston. All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. The material presented is for informational purposes only. The author and publisher make no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy or effectiveness of the advice provided. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. Readers should seek professional guidance as needed.

While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional when appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, personal, or other damages.

No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the author or publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews or educational purposes, as permitted by copyright law.

ISBN : 979-8-218-55567-2

Cover design by Lucinda Rae

Illustrations by Linda Preston

Graphic Images obtained from IStockphoto.com, Mudra Photos obtained from IStockphoto.com, Masaro Emoto photo provided by Emoto Masaru LLC

Linda Preston

Cape Cod Center for Body & Soul

South Yarmouth, Ma. 02664

https://www.capecodbodyandsoul.com/

https://www.lindapreston.com/

This book is dedicated to my parents, Thelma Lee and Vernon Lucas Preston. Thank you for giving me a great life and for assisting me in seeding the perfect imperfections that led to my quest for healing and awakening.

This book is also dedicated to my beautiful husband, Peter, for his unwavering love and support.

You will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

Jesus

On-line Meditation Access

Access to the audio versions of meditations offered in this book is available at:

https://www.lindapreston.com/bookmeditations

The password is

Treasure

Contents

1.Preface

2.Introduction

3.Pillar I. Basic Instruction for Self-Care

3. Understanding and Setting Up Good Habits for Meditation

4.Pillar II. Going Deeper: Meditations for Psychological Insight and Wellness

4. Chakras and Energy Field; Understanding Your Psychological Terrain

5.Pillar III. Meditation for Spiritual Alignment, Awakening and Evolution

5. From Conscious Embodiment, Exploring Heart and Soul Connections and the Mystical Experience

6.Conclusion

7.The Benefits of Meditation Audio Recordings

8.Meditation Practice 1 of Pillar I (Recording)

9.Meditation Practice 2 of Pillar I (Recording)

10.Meditation Practice 3 of Pillar I (Recording)

11.Meditation Practice 4 Pillar III (Recording)

12.Vital Points of Linda's Spiritual Journey

13.Acknowledgments

14.Works Cited

15.Recommended Reading

16.Bibliography

17.About the Author

Preface

This book is a guide to the practice of meditation and to spiritual awakening, informed by my own spiritual quest. You might choose to simply take each meditation lesson in its simplest form by reading the summary at the end of the practice. Reading and following the suggestions for each meditation will offer you more depth, and the summaries at the end of each practice can provide a quick review as you continue. Approach this book however you choose, and if reading the summary is easiest, then begin there.

All the impressions, developed philosophies, and evolution I hold as a soul-searching child of the 60's have inspired the creation of this book. These elements will be shared to provide a foundation on which lessons will be based making them clearer and more accessible for you.

During the late 1970's, times were changing rapidly, as seen by music, spirituality, social justice and relationships. Humanity was striving toward more authenticity, and I, in the process of my own self-discovery, began to study guided visualization, having been inspired by the work of Carl O. Simonton and Shakti Gawain.

Both were pioneers in this field, using imagery for healing and personal growth. Over time, clinical hypnosis, meditation and metaphysics wove their way into the mainstream, though this took time.

While living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, unbeknownst to me, in the vicinity, foundations were being laid by Ram Dass, Timothy Leary, (both affiliated with Harvard University) and Jon Kabat Zinn, (Professor of Medicine at University of Massachusetts Medical School). I later discovered them and the profound impact their works had had on the culture at that time.

There was something in the air that was definitely contagious. Even the Beatles and others were catching it. The focus was on meditation and a search for enlightenment through Eastern philosophies. Hallucinogenic drugs were used to transcend the normal state of the mind. During this time I felt a mystical hunger to connect with spirit in a more special way and to find my soul's voice. Perhaps I might investigate enlightenment and access my deepest wisdom and clarity. I was a bona fide Seeker of the Truth, of the Great Mystery, and of my own Light.

In the Boston area, my search led me into the field of Massage Therapy, and to my first meditation teacher in 1980, Marci Kirsten. I found this experience to be magical, wonderful and life changing. I began attending classes at Marci's place for meditation; her apartment was sparsely furnished, immaculately clean, and spiritual. The rooms were basically empty, with beautiful hardwood floors, a simple cot, a few folding chairs, and a small table with a candle. In that monastery-like-space, I knew I was in the presence of a truly amazing soul. Marci proved to be wise, loving, and a very knowledgeable teacher and guide. Within weeks we were all meditating and experiencing enhanced intuition. In other words, we seemed to be acquiring psychic abilities.

Suddenly my life was now flowing in a totally different direction. Subsequently, I began an intensive course of study of Guided Imagery and Visualization which deepened my knowledge and experience in self-hypnosis and meditation.

During this time, I continued to pursue more training in massage therapy and reiki healing while also entering the fitness industry as an instructor. I pursued more training in Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, Shamanism, and attended metaphysical conferences. I joined the Theosophical Society to study metaphysics and other forms of meditation.

I relocated to New Jersey in 1983 to continue my education and professional practice. Subsequently, in 1989 I enrolled at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing in New York, then in 1993, A Society of Souls training for Non-Dual Kabbalistic Healers.

During these years meditations were an integral part of my daily curriculum., in the prelude to, during and in closure of healing sessions. Those meditations were difficult, as we were asked to venture into places within ourselves that most of us had rarely gone before. I remember sitting there with excruciating pain in my back, feeling it was unbearable to remain motionless for the required time.

Later I came to understand that this ordeal was part of a process of breaking down muscular tightness, promoting a healthier flow of energy in my body, accomplished simply by bringing my awareness to a new level. Who knew? My teachers coached me to go deeper into my body- experience with non-judgment, in order to develop presence, the art of being present. This amplified self-awareness, kept me clearer about my boundaries, making it possible for me to delineate myself from my clients and resist taking on their energies.

This work also magnified the intensity of energies I could hold and transmit to others, a necessary attainment to become an effective energy and kabbalistic healer. But this skill is so very important for ANYONE who wants to become more present. This is an attribute which takes time and patience to develop, and in simple terms just makes life better. Imagine being more present when your family members and loved ones are dealing with difficult situations, in pain, or challenged in different ways. Your stronger sense of presence for listening and holding the space for them can be helpful and healing.

Those early years of accelerated personal growth were intense. I was always dealing with my angst, self-doubt, and a sense of having no direction. I was questing for my true identity, my place, and therefore my soul’s mission, an idea which was introduced several times by different teachers.

Meditation is a tool that brings up personal awarenesses. The programs in which I was enrolled, required me as a student to be in psychotherapy to learn how to deal with and process all the material that would surface from doing the work in the curriculum. This included meditations as well as exchanging hands-on-healing sessions with other students. Both are effective catalysts for bringing hidden parts of our consciousness to the surface to be released. The idea of this may seem foreign to you, as it did for me at the time, but, as with any cleaning process, the debris and clutter is better out than in, right?

We all have wounds from early life and have developed defenses to avoid the pain. Those defenses have aided our survival. While helpful for a while, such defenses can be ultimately limiting. They can block our energies and impede them from flowing freely in our bodies. Think about this. If you have had past traumas,