The Inward Trip
The Untold Story of Meditation in the West
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Pub Date Jan 12 2027 | Archive Date Dec 31 2026
W. W. Norton & Company | Liveright
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Description
A groundbreaking journey through meditation in America—from the arrivals of the first yogis and Zen masters to today’s mindfulness era.
Meditation has gone mainstream. Across the country, in doctor’s offices, classrooms, and corporate wellness pamphlets, mindfulness and yoga are touted as science-backed tools for self-improvement. But a generic idea of meditation—an image, a vibe—is in danger of eclipsing meditation itself.
Journalist Jennie Rothenberg Gritz grew up in the small town of Fairfield, Iowa, the home of Transcendental Meditation, where two thousand people would gather twice a day to meditate together in enormous golden domes. Now, she sets out to trace the many forms of meditation available today back to their roots. From the arrival of Swami Vivekananda, who first brought yoga to spiritually curious Americans in the 1890s, through the rise of Western Buddhism and mindfulness, she reveals how ancient Eastern practices transformed American culture—and how America, in turn, transformed the meaning of meditation.
Along the way, Gritz visits laboratories at the forefront of new research, delving deep into the science of how meditation changes our bodies and our minds—how some practices can lower your blood pressure, while others thicken your cerebral cortex—and she makes an irresistible case for “mind-wandering,” which has been proven to enrich our creativity. Concluding with a practical guide that emphasizes just how accessible and diverse the meditation world truly is, The Inward Trip is an essential read for anyone looking to enhance—or begin—their own journey inward.
About the Author:
Jennie Rothenberg Gritz is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine and a former senior editor at The Atlantic. She is a graduate of Maharishi International University and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, as well as a trained teacher of Transcendental Meditation. She lives in Washington, DC, with her two children.
Advance Praise
"To my mind, there could be no better, wiser, more qualified guide to the science, history, mysteries, and benefits of meditation than Jennie Rothenberg Gritz. The Inward Trip is smartly researched, warmly engaging, and 100-percent free of New Age blather. It's a bounty for beginning meditators — and the simply curious — yet has much to offer the experienced practitioner. Dive in(ward)!" -Mary Roach, New York Times bestselling author of Replaceable You
"The Inward Trip is not just a fascinating history of meditation in America, but an illuminating, even profound exploration of the nature of the human mind. Gritz is a wonderful writer, companionable and wise. An intellectually bracing work—yoking together east and west, science and religion—this is also one of the most affirming books about our brief lives on this earth as you're likely to read." -Scott Stossel, author of My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind
"For anyone who has ever felt confused about meditation, or guilty for not doing it, The Inward Trip is a revelation. Jennie Rothenberg Gritz uses warmth, wit, and rigorous reporting to show that meditation isn't a monolith. There are many ways to meditate and glean its benefits, and this book explains meditation in a way I've never before understood." -Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
"In her groundbreaking book The Inward Trip, Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, brilliantly illuminates the smorgasbord of meditation options for those justifiably mystified by their similarities and differences. Written in a welcoming style, mixing erudition with compelling personal anecdotes, readers will find The Inward Trip a voyage of discovery worth taking." -Norman E. Rosenthal, New York Times bestselling author of Transcendence: Healing and Transformation through Transcendental Meditation
"If you want to understand what meditation is, where it comes from, and how it can work in your life, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! The Inward Trip offers a wonderfully thoughtful and insightful history of meditation practices and the science behind them, which is embedded in a deeply personal and beautifully written narrative that overflows with insight, warmth, and wisdom. Whether you’re an experienced meditator or a newcomer, and whether you’re interested in stress reduction, optimizing performance, or personal enlightenment, this book will inspire you to go within and experience a wellspring of calm, clarity and stability that will help you thrive in a world that is changing at lightning speed." -William Stixrud, Co-Author of The Self-Driven Child
"Touring us wittily and robustly through the outer reaches of meditative consciousness (and their history), Jennie Rothenberg Gritz has a sure human grip on what might make us want to meditate in the first place. I had a beautiful experience reading The Inward Trip." -James Parker, author of Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781324097105 |
| PRICE | $29.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 384 |