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Mindfulness for Beginners: Reclaiming the Present Moment—and Your Life Kindle Edition
by Ph.D. Kabat-Zinn, Jon (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,601 ratings
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An Invitation to the Practice of Mindfulness
We may long for wholeness, suggests Jon Kabat-Zinn, but the truth is that it is already here and already ours. The practice of mindfulness holds the possibility of not just a fleeting sense of contentment, but a true embracing of a deeper unity that envelops and permeates our lives. With Mindfulness for Beginners you are invited to learn how to transform your relationship to the way you think, feel, love, work, and play—and thereby awaken to and embody more completely who you really are.
Here, the teacher, scientist, and clinician who first demonstrated the benefits of mindfulness within mainstream Western medicine offers a book that you can use in three unique ways: as a collection of reflections and practices to be opened and explored at random; as an illuminating and engaging start-to-finish read; or as an unfolding “lesson-a-day” primer on mindfulness practice.
Beginning and advanced meditators alike will discover in these pages a valuable distillation of the key attitudes and essential practices that Jon Kabat-Zinn has found most useful with his students, including:
Why heartfulness is synonymous with true mindfulnessThe value of coming back to our bodies and to our senses over and over againHow our thoughts “self-liberate” when touched by awarenessMoving beyond our “story” into direct experienceStabilizing our attention and presence amidst daily activitiesThe three poisons that cause suffering—and their antidotesHow mindfulness heals, even after the factReclaiming our wholeness, and more.
The prescription for living a more mindful life seems simple enough: return your awareness again and again to whatever is going on. But if you’ve tried it, you know that here is where all the questions and challenges really begin. Mindfulness for Beginners provides welcome answers, insights, and instruction to help us make that shift, moment by moment, into a more spacious, clear, reliable, and loving connection with ourselves and the world.
Includes digital access to five guided mindfulness meditations by Jon Kabat-Zinn, selected from the audio program that inspired this book.
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188 pages
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Review
Review
Jon Kabat-Zinn is one of the finest teachers
of mindfulness you will ever encounter.
JACK KORNFIELD
Author of A Path with Heart
Jon Kabat-Zinn provides access to the
essence of meditation and its applications
for both the beginner and those who
wish to deepen and expand their practice.
He embodies what he describes.
DEAN ORNISH, MD
"Jon Kabat-Zinn is one of the finest teachers
of mindfulness you will ever encounter."
-JACK KORNFIELD
Author of A Path with Heart
"Jon Kabat-Zinn provides access to the
essence of meditation and its applications
for both the beginner and those who
wish to deepen and expand their practice.
He embodies what he describes."
-DEAN ORNISH, MD
"Jon Kabat-Zinn is one of the finest teachers of mindfulness you will ever encounter."
JACK KORNFIELD
Author of A Path with Heart
"Jon Kabat-Zinn provides access to the essence of meditation and its applications for both the beginner and those who wish to deepen and expand their practice. He embodies what he describes."
DEAN ORNISH, MD"--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Back Cover
What if you could profoundly change your life just by becoming more mindful of your breathing? According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, you can. What if paying attention on purpose (and nonjudgmentally) could improve your health? Again, according to Dr. Kabat-Zinn-it can.
On Mindfulness for Beginners, this internationally known scientist, bestselling author, and teacher who brought mindfulness meditation into the mainstream of medicine and society gives you immediate access to a practice that can potentially add years to your life, and will certainly enhance the quality of your moments and your years.
Join Dr. Kabat-Zinn to:
Explore five guided meditations that lead you breath-by-breath into the essence of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a program offered in medical clinics and hospitals around the world
. Cultivate the Seven Key Attitudinal Factors of MBSR-qualities of heart and mind that lay the foundation for mindfulness practice and for seeing and accepting things as they are as a first step to working wisely and compassionately with stress, pain, illness, and sorrow as well as life's joys and pleasures
. Free yourself from limiting perspectives, and become more intimate with your own boundless awareness
You're already in the perfect moment for inhabiting this liberating awareness, which is always available, teaches Jon Kabat-Zinn. With Mindfulness for Beginners, he invites you to cultivate mindfulness as if your life depended on it, which it surely does, and experience the magnitude and beauty of who you already are.
Course objectives:
Apply an understanding of the concept of mindfulness
. Utilize simple guided meditations led by Kabat-Zinn
. List the ethical and attitudinal foundations necessary to cultivating mindfulness
. Assess how we can choose where to focus our awareness
. Plan to use mindfulness to help us develop compassion and insight into our true nature--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Product details
2012
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,601 ratings
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From Australia
Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on 14 February 2019
Very easy to listen to to and understand he has a way of explaining things that everyone can relate to , I have listened to it twice now and come out feeling better and with more understanding about yourself
Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on 30 January 2015
If you feel as though meditation is to monotonous then this book happily dispels that notion
Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on 10 August 2022
I bought this book 2 years ago based on the recommendation of my therapist and I ignored it. After many psychology books which recommended me to read this one, finally I did. Be aware of how your mind is working to be happy. Yes, it is about how to be happy, to be free and to enjoy of everything the life brings you. Read it and may be you can simplify your life and be happy.
From other countries
SC
Great book on mindfulness
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 20 April 2023This is an excellent book for beginners as the title states. If you are new to the subject, then this is the book for you!
Joel Shiver
Comparison with Jack Kornfield's "Meditation for Beginners."
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 6 April 2011I have been looking for a way to explain mindful meditation to my deeply religious friends, who, here in the southeast, tend to put up a wall against anything they think may be asking them to challenge their faith in the Lord. Of course, one cannot speak of mindfulness meditation without mentioning the Buddha, and Kabat-Zinn does so by placing him in the context of the great thinkers, e.g., Einstein, Newton, who have innovated ideas of such profundity that they dramatically altered our understanding of what's going on here. This is a wonderful cd for that. However, it is based significantly in an intellectual discussion and requires full attention and replaying it over and over to understand everything he is saying here. In that regard, it is exactly what I had been looking for.
I prefer it, as well, to Jack Kornfield's Meditation for Beginners . Kornfield places more emphasis on the spirituality of mindfulness. My thought is that the practice of mindfulness will deepen one's spirituality. It's the direction of the causal arrow. I pursue mindfulness because of its practical applicability to my daily life. As a consequence, my spirituality is deepened. This is opposed to the causal arrow going the other way: I want to deepen my spirituality and took up Buddhist practices, and got the practical benefits of mindful meditation as a consequence. It's the same door, I suppose, but it's how the door looks, say, to a devout Christian. One looks like the door to a tool shed, the other looks like a forbidden door to to some alien mysticism. Thinking that a Christian will find the first door less intimidating or threatening, I prefer to turn my Christian friends onto the benefits of mindful mediation by handing them the Kabat-Zinn cd and saying, "This will make you a better Christian," which it will. Jack Kornfield's approach injects a little more of the spiritual aspect up front. He even tells of a cartoon he saw one time where this fellow was walking down the sidewalk with a sandwich board which said, "Jesus is coming soon." There was a little fellow behind him with a sign that said, "Buddha here now." My Christian friends would find that offensive and they would turn away from mindfulness because of its being a perceived threat to their spirituality.
Whereas Kornfield comes to it from his training as a Buddhist monk, Kabat-Zinn comes at it from his training as a scientist. If you prefer the more spiritual approach, then go with Kornfield. If you prefer the more deeply intellectual approach, go with Kabat-Zinn. By using these terms to describe the different approaches, by no means do I disparage either one. I understand that by my stating my preference for Kabat-Zinn, it could feel as if I am speaking against Kornfield. I am not. They both lead to the same place, and both will be very very good at helping you get there.
I prefer it, as well, to Jack Kornfield's Meditation for Beginners . Kornfield places more emphasis on the spirituality of mindfulness. My thought is that the practice of mindfulness will deepen one's spirituality. It's the direction of the causal arrow. I pursue mindfulness because of its practical applicability to my daily life. As a consequence, my spirituality is deepened. This is opposed to the causal arrow going the other way: I want to deepen my spirituality and took up Buddhist practices, and got the practical benefits of mindful meditation as a consequence. It's the same door, I suppose, but it's how the door looks, say, to a devout Christian. One looks like the door to a tool shed, the other looks like a forbidden door to to some alien mysticism. Thinking that a Christian will find the first door less intimidating or threatening, I prefer to turn my Christian friends onto the benefits of mindful mediation by handing them the Kabat-Zinn cd and saying, "This will make you a better Christian," which it will. Jack Kornfield's approach injects a little more of the spiritual aspect up front. He even tells of a cartoon he saw one time where this fellow was walking down the sidewalk with a sandwich board which said, "Jesus is coming soon." There was a little fellow behind him with a sign that said, "Buddha here now." My Christian friends would find that offensive and they would turn away from mindfulness because of its being a perceived threat to their spirituality.
Whereas Kornfield comes to it from his training as a Buddhist monk, Kabat-Zinn comes at it from his training as a scientist. If you prefer the more spiritual approach, then go with Kornfield. If you prefer the more deeply intellectual approach, go with Kabat-Zinn. By using these terms to describe the different approaches, by no means do I disparage either one. I understand that by my stating my preference for Kabat-Zinn, it could feel as if I am speaking against Kornfield. I am not. They both lead to the same place, and both will be very very good at helping you get there.
95 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer
If you have tried meditation and have failed at it, try this
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 25 September 2009If you have tried to meditate only to discover that it's extremely difficult, this CD can get you going on the right path. If you are an experienced meditator, you may find this CD unnecessary.
The package includes two CDs. In the first CD, the author starts by explaining what mindfulness is: "paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, as if you life depended on it, non-judgmentally". It explains how the mind is always busy thinking about one thing after another, incessantly. I have listened to this CD more than once, and every time I get something more out of it.
In the second CD the author gives you several guided mindfulness exercises that allow you to quiet the mind in a progressive way. This is perhaps the most valuable aspect of this CD, that it guides you, through baby steps, down the path of meditation.
The author leads you first to focus on a simple task: eating a raisin. As you discover that you can focus on that, the CD then takes you to focus on other things like sounds, and sounds only. As you do the sound exercises, you begin to witness your thoughts, how you judge the sounds, how you interpret the sounds and so forth.
The last exercise is mindfulness as pure awareness. You no longer focus on anything but experience life by witnessing everything: sounds, thoughts, emotions, and anything else that comes in and out of your awareness. This step has the odd effect of giving you extreme peace of mind.
I have bought other products by the same author: a book called "Wherever you go, there you are", "Coming to your senses" and a "Mindfulness Meditation" CD. I recommend getting the Mindfulness for Beginners first and if you find it useful, then read these other books and get the meditation CD. I have also bought several copies of this CD as a gift to friends and family, not everyone has taken to it, but those that have spent the time going through the exercises have told me that the exercises have helped them become more relaxed and "at ease in their own skin".
On my end, mindfulness has completely turned around my life. I went from worrying about the future, worrying about what people thought of me, to enjoying life as it unfolds. Kabat Zinn was recommended to me by an organizational consultant that saw me stressed out worrying about my job and my life in general. Up until then, I had tried meditation multiple times by focusing on my breathing, but I failed miserably at it. When I started listening to this CD, I began to break through a wall of thoughts, thoughts, and more thoughts, circling in my head.
If you have been curious about meditating but struggled to do it, this CD can get you unstuck and on a journey of self discovery that will completely transform your life.
The package includes two CDs. In the first CD, the author starts by explaining what mindfulness is: "paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, as if you life depended on it, non-judgmentally". It explains how the mind is always busy thinking about one thing after another, incessantly. I have listened to this CD more than once, and every time I get something more out of it.
In the second CD the author gives you several guided mindfulness exercises that allow you to quiet the mind in a progressive way. This is perhaps the most valuable aspect of this CD, that it guides you, through baby steps, down the path of meditation.
The author leads you first to focus on a simple task: eating a raisin. As you discover that you can focus on that, the CD then takes you to focus on other things like sounds, and sounds only. As you do the sound exercises, you begin to witness your thoughts, how you judge the sounds, how you interpret the sounds and so forth.
The last exercise is mindfulness as pure awareness. You no longer focus on anything but experience life by witnessing everything: sounds, thoughts, emotions, and anything else that comes in and out of your awareness. This step has the odd effect of giving you extreme peace of mind.
I have bought other products by the same author: a book called "Wherever you go, there you are", "Coming to your senses" and a "Mindfulness Meditation" CD. I recommend getting the Mindfulness for Beginners first and if you find it useful, then read these other books and get the meditation CD. I have also bought several copies of this CD as a gift to friends and family, not everyone has taken to it, but those that have spent the time going through the exercises have told me that the exercises have helped them become more relaxed and "at ease in their own skin".
On my end, mindfulness has completely turned around my life. I went from worrying about the future, worrying about what people thought of me, to enjoying life as it unfolds. Kabat Zinn was recommended to me by an organizational consultant that saw me stressed out worrying about my job and my life in general. Up until then, I had tried meditation multiple times by focusing on my breathing, but I failed miserably at it. When I started listening to this CD, I began to break through a wall of thoughts, thoughts, and more thoughts, circling in my head.
If you have been curious about meditating but struggled to do it, this CD can get you unstuck and on a journey of self discovery that will completely transform your life.
34 people found this helpful
hollybrat72
Great way of seeing things
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 7 March 2023I enjoy the concept of mindfulness. A therapist introduced this to me and gave me the name Jon Kabat Zinn, so I decided to buy this book. It is a great beginning into the world of mindfulness. "Do no harm" and "experience your life, the good and the bad"
2 people found this helpful
TomcatMWI
Meh
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on 3 August 2022Flatulent, pretentious and overly mystical. It goes on overexplaining simple things chapter after chapter, and says very little about what mindfulness is, or why is it good for you. It was a pain to chew through this book, and at the end, I learned nothing new. What I did, is that basically mindfulness is a Western simplification of Buddhist meditation, but in turn that's an oversimplification of Indian Vaishnava teachings, which I'm familiar with. So it's like re-learning an ancient philosophy through another ancient philosophy, in turn a modern, materialistic ("scientific", as they like to put it) filter, through someone who has trouble explain simple things in simple terms. To be fair with the author, his main audience is American everyday people, who have zero connection to any spirituality, except maybe horoscopes in chick magazines. At the end I learned nothing about meditation techniques, just a quick rundown on the last few pages, summarized as "yea, you can do that too, bye."
O
The paper back doesn't come with the guided meditations
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 30 March 2023Unfortunetly the paper back version doesn't come with the 5 audio guided meditation as advertised in the back flap. The book is interesting, but i'm disapointed with the missing meditations.
4 people found this helpful
Jeanne Espenan
Great book- highly recommend to everyone
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 30 November 2022WOW. What a great book! I suggest everyone read this. It has short, easy to read chapters even for busy people. The principles in the book are practical and do-able. It has lots to teach us on the topic of mindfulness. Mindfulness helps us to focus back on what's important and what's at hand right now. It's about being kind to ourselves first then to others. In our busy world, we all could use more mindfulness in every day. Great book.
4 people found this helpful
Curtis Jones
Great if you have experiences even a little "living in the moment" in your life.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 30 November 2020Recently, I had a mindfulness experience that once I described to a friend, she said was mindfulness. It was dramatic and sudden - and felt amazing. I bought this book which is amazing. As I read the book, I kept saying, "Damn! Yes! That makes sense!" My only concern is that if I had had an interest in this topic but hadn't yet experienced any of this or felt any living in the moment, I wonder if I would get something out of the book or if I would ask if the author had been taking drugs and speaking in a drugged-out state. I think if at all possible, the author could have brought it down to earth just a little bit more, it might be more effective for people who may not even know what mindfulness is. I might be completely wrong here ... and maybe if someone has the interest enough to read the book, they are pre-disposed to being able to pick up some of this.
4 people found this helpful
Daniel F. Hammang
Great Introduction, especially for folks on the go
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 27 September 2017This set of CDs is a great introduction to mindfulness narrated by Jon-Kabat-Zinn who pioneered the use of it within a structured program for use in health services. The multidisciplinary approach used by the program which combines mindfulness and yoga has been replicated in many places. Kabat-Zinn's low key explanations are helpful and often soar with inspiration.
In the introduction to his paper book with the same title he describes the first CD as having grown out of a series of lectures that he had given that in his words, "...described the practice of mindfulness and explained why it might be valuable to engage in its cultivation to begin with." There are ten tracks totaling about an hour of recording. Please note that it is not a recorded version of the paper book with the same title. It is an excellent alternative for folks who might not have the time or inclination to sit down and read but who might have the time to listen while doing something like driving.
The second CD has 5 guided meditations, each ranging from 10 to 18 minutes long. His gentle, knowledgeable directions are terrific signposts leading into a daily practice. I think it would be helpful to beginners as well as to seasoned practitioners.
The paper book of the same title is a very helpful companion guide. It is written in very short chapters, most are two to three pages, that could be read before or after a meditation as a short reflection. The 166 page book can lead one much deeper into the practice and can serve as a steadying hand as the entrant navigates their way into finding a space for mindfulness in often demanding schedules.
I'd recommend it to anyone interested in mindfulness.
In the introduction to his paper book with the same title he describes the first CD as having grown out of a series of lectures that he had given that in his words, "...described the practice of mindfulness and explained why it might be valuable to engage in its cultivation to begin with." There are ten tracks totaling about an hour of recording. Please note that it is not a recorded version of the paper book with the same title. It is an excellent alternative for folks who might not have the time or inclination to sit down and read but who might have the time to listen while doing something like driving.
The second CD has 5 guided meditations, each ranging from 10 to 18 minutes long. His gentle, knowledgeable directions are terrific signposts leading into a daily practice. I think it would be helpful to beginners as well as to seasoned practitioners.
The paper book of the same title is a very helpful companion guide. It is written in very short chapters, most are two to three pages, that could be read before or after a meditation as a short reflection. The 166 page book can lead one much deeper into the practice and can serve as a steadying hand as the entrant navigates their way into finding a space for mindfulness in often demanding schedules.
I'd recommend it to anyone interested in mindfulness.
38 people found this helpful
Bill Gallagher
Not Just for Beginners
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 9 January 2012In the introduction to Mindfulness for Beginners (p.4) Jon Kabat-Zinn tells us he has covered material on mindfulness in greater detail in other books such as Full Catastrophe Living. But as anyone who has read FCL knows, that's a big thick book which was published enough years ago that a fair bit of it had to focus on justifying meditation and mindfulness as a worthwhile endeavor. In Mindfulness for Beginners, JKZ assumes you know the value of bringing greater awareness into your life, allowing him to focus on inspiration and instructions.
The book is not presented like a conventional "Intro to Meditation" with a first you do step A and then B. Rather, there are many short entries, that introduce one to mindfulness in a gradual way with the understanding you will use the enclosed guided meditation CD. While initially slightly disoriented by this, when you think about it, this is a more real-life way to learn mindfulness techniques as life doesn't usually work in a Step A-Step B way--especially for something as encompassing as greater awareness (JKZ wisely emphasizes the importance of not restricting increased awareness to the meditation bench or cushion).
The greatest strength of the book is Jon Kabat-Zinn himself. I once had the great pleasure to talk to him one-on-one. Within a very short time he made me feel very comfortable and as though he had all the time in the world for me. Despite his renown as a meditation teacher and author, he was very down-to-earth. There was nothing of the aloof meditation teacher about him. That warm and realness comes through in this book. He never puts ideology ahead of effectiveness. This is why he is such a great teacher. Almost all of us can benefit from what he has to offer.
The book is not presented like a conventional "Intro to Meditation" with a first you do step A and then B. Rather, there are many short entries, that introduce one to mindfulness in a gradual way with the understanding you will use the enclosed guided meditation CD. While initially slightly disoriented by this, when you think about it, this is a more real-life way to learn mindfulness techniques as life doesn't usually work in a Step A-Step B way--especially for something as encompassing as greater awareness (JKZ wisely emphasizes the importance of not restricting increased awareness to the meditation bench or cushion).
The greatest strength of the book is Jon Kabat-Zinn himself. I once had the great pleasure to talk to him one-on-one. Within a very short time he made me feel very comfortable and as though he had all the time in the world for me. Despite his renown as a meditation teacher and author, he was very down-to-earth. There was nothing of the aloof meditation teacher about him. That warm and realness comes through in this book. He never puts ideology ahead of effectiveness. This is why he is such a great teacher. Almost all of us can benefit from what he has to offer.
128 people found this helpful
Kindle Customer
Wonderful Read
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 31 May 2022This book is very simply put but has great suggestions on becoming awre thruogh mindfulness in easily digestible chapters. I highly recommend!!!
2 people found this helpful
Lea
Heavenly Bliss in first Session.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 31 December 2014I received this CD yesterday & immediately opened and popped in CD1 of 2 disks. The first is purely an explanation of what mindfulness is and how it can benefit you. The entire disk runs for approximately 30/40 mins and have to admit, my attention only managed to capture about 10mins in total. His voice is quite melancholic and so you easily lose focus.
However, on disk 2 is where all the good stuff is at. There are 5/6 different meditations, using different senses and by the fourth meditation I were in heavenly bliss. I suffer from crippling, disabling anxiety and depressive states that make me housebound and can't take the traditional antidepressant medication, so I'm constantly looking for different avenues. This is most definitely one avenue I will be exploring far more. It has a lot of potential.
The one thing I will say is you will only get out what you put in, so from what I've seen so far this is one way of 'being' that is worthwhile investing in.
However, on disk 2 is where all the good stuff is at. There are 5/6 different meditations, using different senses and by the fourth meditation I were in heavenly bliss. I suffer from crippling, disabling anxiety and depressive states that make me housebound and can't take the traditional antidepressant medication, so I'm constantly looking for different avenues. This is most definitely one avenue I will be exploring far more. It has a lot of potential.
The one thing I will say is you will only get out what you put in, so from what I've seen so far this is one way of 'being' that is worthwhile investing in.
19 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer
Mindfulness is awareness in the present moment
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on 18 July 2022We all have our desires to achieve things to change things happening around us. However, this can put us in a doing mode where we completely forget to reconnect with ourselves. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn touches wonderfully on the subject of mindfulness. The book is excellent for beginners like me with each chapter touching on the concepts beautifully. Highly recommended!
richuk8
Fully functional though slightly lacking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 4 January 2008This was my first taste of Jon Kabat-Zinn, though I've studied mindfulness before. As a general introduction to the subject it is fine. Jon is a gentle and engaging speaker, and on the first CD gives you a thoughtful, basic understanding of mindfulness. There are several meditations (as mentioned) on the second CD, which are also basic, but clear and helpful.
I liked his presentation and have ordered his 'Full Catastrophe Living' as a result of listening to these CDs. I would, however, reccomend this set as an aid, rather than as a proper introduction. It is a very nice addition, if you are interested in stress reduction and/or mindfulness, and can help both to clarify understanding of the system and fine tune your meditation technique. If you are looking for a thorough introduction to the subject though, I would reccomend the book 'Mindfulness in Plain English' by Bhante G. For around the same price, you get a much more thorough understanding.
I liked his presentation and have ordered his 'Full Catastrophe Living' as a result of listening to these CDs. I would, however, reccomend this set as an aid, rather than as a proper introduction. It is a very nice addition, if you are interested in stress reduction and/or mindfulness, and can help both to clarify understanding of the system and fine tune your meditation technique. If you are looking for a thorough introduction to the subject though, I would reccomend the book 'Mindfulness in Plain English' by Bhante G. For around the same price, you get a much more thorough understanding.
72 people found this helpful
Self-help junkie
Take time to savour - there is so much in this small book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 6 March 2012Very, very slowly I feel that I am getting to grips with understanding mindfulness and what it might be about. I have been reading books on and off for years, and dabbled in formal mindfulness practice. But this year, 2012, I have suddenly been making connections about how mindfulness might actually be not just a nice relaxing thing to do, but in fact a really essential part of living in a crazy world - that's the outer world and my own internal world too!.
Jon Kabat-Zinn is, of course, the Mindfulness 'guru' for many people and I've certainly used my fair share of his books and tapes. This new book doesn't, in a way, present anything new. But somehow I just love it - and find each small chapter perfect for quiet reflection and pondering. Maybe I'm just at the 'right' point in my life to hear what has been there all along, but his writing touches on so many of the questions I have about mindfulness, its use, its understanding of 'the self', about how mindfulness can possibly help in situations of real danger, pain or loss...
Sip slowly, savour and swallow mindfully! There is so much here to nourish. I hope it help you as much as it is helping me.
Jon Kabat-Zinn is, of course, the Mindfulness 'guru' for many people and I've certainly used my fair share of his books and tapes. This new book doesn't, in a way, present anything new. But somehow I just love it - and find each small chapter perfect for quiet reflection and pondering. Maybe I'm just at the 'right' point in my life to hear what has been there all along, but his writing touches on so many of the questions I have about mindfulness, its use, its understanding of 'the self', about how mindfulness can possibly help in situations of real danger, pain or loss...
Sip slowly, savour and swallow mindfully! There is so much here to nourish. I hope it help you as much as it is helping me.
45 people found this helpful
J. Holroyd
An enlightening read! Love it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 1 August 2014I loved this book. I kept thinking I didn't get it, so I had to re-read bits to fully understand everything. However as it's in such short chapters it helps making it easier to read and digest.
I have been diagnosed with dysthymia, I never really got the point of life, and was told by a mental health professional that I probably never would, which was very depressing to say I'm only in my early 30s, so there could be a lot more life to endure, which is how life often feels an endurance not an enjoyment. However reading this book and doing the meditation suddenly enabled me to see what life is all about, experiencing the moments life offers,and suddenly I can see a point to existence! I still have good and bad days, but I feel to understand myself more and try to make time for meditation. I am reading more around mindfulness and depression to understand how to try to prevent further episodes of depression.
I can understand how it's not for everyone, but it definitely helped me as a starting point! I can also see that if I was experiencing an episode of depression that this book would be beyond me!
I have been diagnosed with dysthymia, I never really got the point of life, and was told by a mental health professional that I probably never would, which was very depressing to say I'm only in my early 30s, so there could be a lot more life to endure, which is how life often feels an endurance not an enjoyment. However reading this book and doing the meditation suddenly enabled me to see what life is all about, experiencing the moments life offers,and suddenly I can see a point to existence! I still have good and bad days, but I feel to understand myself more and try to make time for meditation. I am reading more around mindfulness and depression to understand how to try to prevent further episodes of depression.
I can understand how it's not for everyone, but it definitely helped me as a starting point! I can also see that if I was experiencing an episode of depression that this book would be beyond me!
14 people found this helpful
Dr. Kaman C. Hung
Short and concise, but not shallow.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 9 October 2018I am a mindfulness practitioner and teacher and this is the book that started it all for me. I originally bought other books however this was the book that gave me the best overview and with the CD at the back of the book, I just listened and absorbed as much as I could. I gave this book four stars because there is little research in the book, unlike Kabat-Zinn's other books, specifically: "Full Catastrophe Living", this book is a little thin. While I would recommend it if this is the first time you've actually been exposed to mindfulness, you will be able to immediately turnkey the information in this book and move onto more complicated literature that will get you deeper. This book takes a secular approach to mindfulness, if you are looking for something more non-secular (more religious/spiritual), another book that I would recommend is "Mindfulness in Plain English" by Bhante Gunarantana.
One person found this helpful
John boynton
Peace
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 11 April 2022Learn to appreciate the present moment, accept what happens lightly, appreciate it and move on.
The lessons taught in this book about mindfulness and warding away anxiety and stress was truly a breath of fresh air, and fundamentals of thought moving forward in life. Worth every penny. Also highly recommend ‘wherever you go there you are’
Probably my favorite book of all time
The lessons taught in this book about mindfulness and warding away anxiety and stress was truly a breath of fresh air, and fundamentals of thought moving forward in life. Worth every penny. Also highly recommend ‘wherever you go there you are’
Probably my favorite book of all time
One person found this helpful
Luiz Cézar
Excelente livro para quem deseja compreender melhor a atenção plena.
Reviewed in Brazil 🇧🇷 on 10 March 2022Embora não seja num livro tão longo, ele cobre vários aspectos importantes da atenção plena para quem deseja compreender melhor o tema e iniciar, ou solidificar, uma prática diária com qualidade.
Recomendo a leitura.
Recomendo a leitura.
L. Cameron
new PB copies do NOT include CD
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 26 July 2021I purchased my copy as a new paperback through Amazon Prime, from this webpage, which notes in product title: Mindfulness for Beginners: Reclaiming the Present Moment and Your Life(Book & CD)). I think the book will be very interesting, but I expressly wanted the CD because I have a CD player in the room where I wanted to set up my meditation practice.
Well, as the back cover and table of contents of the book itself confirms, and some other reviewers noted, resources are online only.
I had asked the question on the buyers' Q&A, and had a reply that yes it did come with a CD... but I really should have waited for a reply from the current edition's shipper. Lesson learned.
Well, as the back cover and table of contents of the book itself confirms, and some other reviewers noted, resources are online only.
I had asked the question on the buyers' Q&A, and had a reply that yes it did come with a CD... but I really should have waited for a reply from the current edition's shipper. Lesson learned.
12 people found this helpful
doug hone
A Good Place To Start
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on 11 July 2020If you are looking for yourself, this is a good place to start. I think that what the book is trying to say is, "If you are lost in the woods, and need help, stop moving around. You will be easier to find." Life being a journey without maps can make it difficult enough to find yourself.
2 people found this helpful
RAS
Une introduction
Reviewed in France 🇫🇷 on 7 May 2018Une introduction au mindfulness par un des spécialistes mondiaux de la discipline. La version Kindle n'a pas de CD avec les paroles prononcées par Kabat-Zinnn, mais on peut les télécharger sur Internet, l'adresse est indiquée dans le livre. Il n'y a pas de doutes, le mindfulness est à la mode, comme il y a eu d'autres courants qui ont un moment défrayés la chronique. En restera-t-il quelque chose, ce livre répond d'emblée par l'affirmative. On ne doit croire en rien, ne faire partie d'aucun courant et ne pas pratiquer des exercices compliqués. Quels sont les principes, les méthodes, les preuves scientifiques et les principales erreurs?
One person found this helpful
Frank Zepp
A Good Primer
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 14 March 2011I recently graduated with a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During my studies, I came upon two concepts that piqued my interest for further study. One being Positive Psychology and the other Mindfulness.
As I was reading Mindfulness by Shapiro, Jon Kabat-Zinn's name kept coming up, so I bought the CD. The package contains two CD's. Disk one is lecture format where Kabat-Zinn explains the basics of mindfulness. His conversational tone is easy on the ears. I appreciate the way he dispels myths about Budhism and other beliefs about mindfulness.
Disk two is a series of mindfulness exercises that one can practice. At first I felt a bit silly trying them, but then as time went on, grew more comfortable progressing through them. (The first exercise has you examining a raisin and eating it. I don't like raisins so I substitued chocolate covered peanuts).
I highly recommend the CD for those wishing to engage in the practice of mindfulness and/or those, who like myself, may be exploring the possibility of using it as a technique in clinical practice.
As I was reading Mindfulness by Shapiro, Jon Kabat-Zinn's name kept coming up, so I bought the CD. The package contains two CD's. Disk one is lecture format where Kabat-Zinn explains the basics of mindfulness. His conversational tone is easy on the ears. I appreciate the way he dispels myths about Budhism and other beliefs about mindfulness.
Disk two is a series of mindfulness exercises that one can practice. At first I felt a bit silly trying them, but then as time went on, grew more comfortable progressing through them. (The first exercise has you examining a raisin and eating it. I don't like raisins so I substitued chocolate covered peanuts).
I highly recommend the CD for those wishing to engage in the practice of mindfulness and/or those, who like myself, may be exploring the possibility of using it as a technique in clinical practice.
7 people found this helpful
Fawn A.
Excellent product for beginners at meditation and for those who want to restart their meditation practice
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 13 May 2015My husband purchased this CD as a means to try introducing himself to meditation. He has been very stressed with his job, raising a preschooler, and putting up with our puppy (okay...and maybe his wife, too...lol). He listens to Howard Stern, who strongly recommends meditation, and specifically recommends John Kabat-Zinn as a meditation leader. The Howardd Stern endorsement is what made my husband decide to give this a try (not my recommendation for years, as I have used meditation for stress relief for a long time). He bought this CD with another meditation CD that is highly recommend by other Amazon customers, but he has mainly used this CD, as he finds that this CD really helps him to really help him to de-stress during his meditation practice, but this CD has helped him to de-stress (he even listens to it in the car to calm himself before work). We both would highly recommend this CD for people who are beginning their meditation practice, and for those who want to add restart their meditation practice with simple techniques and exercises.
9 people found this helpful
Denis Tarasov
A great introduction from great author
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 26 October 2013The practice of mindfullness can be really a life-changer and Jon Kabat-Zinn is by far the best author to learn from. This book contains very compact and vivid explanation of what mindfull is and why is it important. Book also gives valueable tips, directing reader to find the best way of cultivating mindfullness.
Yet, if you are new to mindfullness, you should note that this book alone is not sufficient, nor is it inteded to be a compehensive guide. If you get your hopes on it too high you are likely to be disaapointed. This book as it title says is "Introduction". If you want not just introduction to mindfullness to satisfy your curiosuty, but intend to become serious practionier, guided meditation CDs are "must have" since no book can teach you mindfullness without practice, and after reading this book, you probably should consider other books by Jon Kabat-Zinn as well, particulary, "Full Catastrophe Living" will be good next step.
That said, "Mindfullness for beginners" is excellent "gateway" to the world of mindfullness.
Yet, if you are new to mindfullness, you should note that this book alone is not sufficient, nor is it inteded to be a compehensive guide. If you get your hopes on it too high you are likely to be disaapointed. This book as it title says is "Introduction". If you want not just introduction to mindfullness to satisfy your curiosuty, but intend to become serious practionier, guided meditation CDs are "must have" since no book can teach you mindfullness without practice, and after reading this book, you probably should consider other books by Jon Kabat-Zinn as well, particulary, "Full Catastrophe Living" will be good next step.
That said, "Mindfullness for beginners" is excellent "gateway" to the world of mindfullness.
6 people found this helpful
Kindle Customer
The book is best used as a good motivation before starting out practice.
Reviewed in India 🇮🇳 on 8 October 2018The title suggests it as an absolute beginners book.But it actually makes more sense after getting some introduction from other soures.It is still a very good second book to read.I had my introduction from Dan Harris's 10% Happier app.The introduction from Joseph Goldstein makes you understand the world of meditation really well.But after you get some idea, this book becomes an amazing read, particularly because you would have experienced everything Dr.Zinn mentions.And it would then certainly create enough motivation for sustainig practice. His experience really comes to play here because everything he says is quite accurate about how you would havefelt.
Gryphonisle
I Would Have Preferred More Exercises
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 7 August 2011Die-hard fans of "Monk" who are into meditation, or want to try, should find these tapes right to their tastes, as Mr. Kabat-Zinn sounds very much like, and shares a speaking manner with the TV character "Monk". I would imagine that coming to this blind would also be better for you than it worked for me, as I had just read Kabat-Zinn's "Wherever You Go There You Are" and thought CDs would be helpful. As a result, I found that too much of the CD is devoted to explanations I'd already read, while not enough goes into actual exercises--which are all on the second disc.
The only play list is on the front of each CD, so if you forget which tracks you wanted to revisit, you either have to be able to display that info on your device, or take the CD out. I would have preferred a printed play list on the jacket, especially given that so much of it is blank and so perfectly suited to the idea.
It's a good quality CD with nice packaging, and for a beginner with no exposure to meditation concepts, should more than do the trick. For someone who wants more exercises, or more specific explanations to things like "Moments", I would think this particular set would come up lacking.
The only play list is on the front of each CD, so if you forget which tracks you wanted to revisit, you either have to be able to display that info on your device, or take the CD out. I would have preferred a printed play list on the jacket, especially given that so much of it is blank and so perfectly suited to the idea.
It's a good quality CD with nice packaging, and for a beginner with no exposure to meditation concepts, should more than do the trick. For someone who wants more exercises, or more specific explanations to things like "Moments", I would think this particular set would come up lacking.
2 people found this helpful
Dr. Ravikiran Paturi.
Your service is Excellent
Reviewed in India 🇮🇳 on 16 June 2021I am a law student and your books on law are very useful to me.
Other books like 1. Power 2. Mastery. 3. Art of war are also very good books.
My overall experience with Amazon is MORE THAN SATISFACTORY.
Other books like 1. Power 2. Mastery. 3. Art of war are also very good books.
My overall experience with Amazon is MORE THAN SATISFACTORY.
One person found this helpful
JoAnn
This is a very good CD.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 23 May 2007I bought this CD at the recommendation of a social worker. I'm a perfectionist, which frequently leads me to experience anxiety. I've lived this way for 50+ years but it's not healthy. However, it has been the norm for my life. Yes, I've done some counseling over the years, which has been extremely helpful but I constantly battle with trying to do too much, making it all perfect and then dealing with the anxiety that follows.
Although I've tried relaxation techniques in the past, I learned that Jon Kabat-Zinn's information is more than relaxation. It is learning to incorporate "mindfulness" into my busy, waking day. I found the information in this CD to be very informative. I've only listened to the CD two times and will need to repeat several more times to better learn this technique. Kabat-Zinn is the narrator and his voice is excellent as a reader or narrator. I highly recommend this CD, as well as the follow-up CD I am now listening to, "Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Mediation in Everyday Life".
Although I've tried relaxation techniques in the past, I learned that Jon Kabat-Zinn's information is more than relaxation. It is learning to incorporate "mindfulness" into my busy, waking day. I found the information in this CD to be very informative. I've only listened to the CD two times and will need to repeat several more times to better learn this technique. Kabat-Zinn is the narrator and his voice is excellent as a reader or narrator. I highly recommend this CD, as well as the follow-up CD I am now listening to, "Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Mediation in Everyday Life".
82 people found this helpful
Justin Martin
Mind-blowing and eye opening
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 22 September 2021This book really opened my eyes to so many questions and realizations. This kind of book is meant for anyone and everyone but not everyone will embrace it and really give it a chance. I do recommend giving it that chance and really be patient.
One person found this helpful
Needs Caffeine
Perfect
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 12 October 2015If you have come across this area of focus, and you are ready for it, there is no better introduction to the concept of mindfulness than this book. As someone who's sought a solution to the general feeling of inauthenticity in life, this really explained to me -- in clear, sensible and non "touchy-freely" terms -- what the meaning of mindfulness is, why it is important, how to understand and practice it, and its value for a happier existence. I paged through numerous self-help books from the Shambalas of the world, and if that's your interest and passion, those are fine, but too much spirituality for me. I was looking for pragmatic insight into anxiety and stress reduction, and Kabat-Zinn's work is straightforward and practical. The book started me off but more helpful were his introductory CDs with mindfulness exercises. Really helped me a lot.
38 people found this helpful
Melody J.
Great guide on mindfulness
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 10 August 2021I really loved this book. It is short and profound and not overwhelming. It really simplifies mindfulness so that I have been able to incorporate it into my everyday life. It’s getting easier to catch myself and instead be aware, nonjudgmental of myself and others.
Mel S.
LISTED 'USED - LIKE NEW' ... COULD PASS FOR 'NEW!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 9 October 2021Book LISTED 'USED - LIKE NEW' ... COULD PASS FOR 'NEW'! Very pleased w order. Excellent price. Free shippng, arrived 5 days after placing order, very well packed to protect from damage yet easy to open.
Amazon Customer
Not what most beginners are looking for
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 26 January 2014This is not a book on HOW TO DO Mindfulness meditation but a book ABOUT Mindfulness meditation. Its kind of funny as the book is in some ways a giant contradiction to the statements he makes in the very begging. I will be honest I gave up half way through this as I kept wanting to get to the part where I would get instructions on how to meditate and it just never came. Instead its this non-stop sales pitch of how great it is and how much it will change your life. I kept thinking over and over as I read it "OK! I get it, you have sold me, now lets get to it?!??". But it never did.
I browsed ahead to near the end of the book and it just kept being more about meditation and never got close to instruction on how to start. Maybe this book finally gets there, I don't know. But the way its written has turned me off of this book and the author so I'm done. I'm going to find another book.
Do not waste your time on this if you are looking for help in actually meditating. This book might be good for more advanced people that already know how to meditate and what to learn more about the benefits and history of the practice but honestly it didn't seem that well written for that either.
I browsed ahead to near the end of the book and it just kept being more about meditation and never got close to instruction on how to start. Maybe this book finally gets there, I don't know. But the way its written has turned me off of this book and the author so I'm done. I'm going to find another book.
Do not waste your time on this if you are looking for help in actually meditating. This book might be good for more advanced people that already know how to meditate and what to learn more about the benefits and history of the practice but honestly it didn't seem that well written for that either.
15 people found this helpful
Fausto Izcaray
It is probably the best introduction to meditating with mindfulness
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 3 December 2015It is probably the best introduction to meditating with mindfulness. Jon is an excellent teacher and he should be since he is the creator of MBSR program at Boston University Medicine School. The Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program has expanded widely worldwide. Jon Kabat-Zinn is a master of the processes involved in meditation. The book was written in a language understandable by the common reader and yet, it's inspirational. I have read it several times and go back to it every once in while. This book and Jon's videos that you can watch in the web convinced me to start meditating with mindfulness every day, for several months now. I can breath and go back to mindfulness every time I need to focus my wandering mind.
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