Mindfulness Meditation: Cultivating the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind

Rating:
Summary: Mindfulness Meditation Practice tape, Series 1, Guided Body
Review: I have stubborn chronic insomnia, often waking in the middle of the night. I have used Jon Kabat-Zinn's audio cassette (Series 1, Guided Body Scan, side 1) for years most often to help me to get back to sleep from the middle of the night moving forward. Recently, the tape finally wore out and I unsuccessfully tried another author's CD which prompted me to offer a recommendation for this tape. I appreciate that this Guided Scan is only spoken word which I find helps quiet my mind chatter as a music-only CD is unable to do. I find Kabat-Zinn's voice soothing and at a properly slowed pace (but not too slow)...think of when you read a child a bedtime story. The meditation is 45 minutes long talking you through relaxing your body and breathing step by step from your toes to the top of your head. Often you fall asleep before it finishes. Unfortunately, Kabat-Zinn only sells this Guided Body Scan as a pair of tapes/CDs combined with other yoga tracks which I have no interest in. I also had tried reading one of his earlier books, "Full Catastrophe Living" a few years ago but found that less helpful. Stick with the Guided Scan instead.

Rating:
Summary: A great start on the mindfulness path
Review: If you are not familiar with "mindfulness meditation", this is the perfect starting point. The basics are covered in this set of 2 tapes, narrated by the author. I found it very helpful in dealing with anxiety I was having, as well as helping me rethink my automatic responses to life. I highly recommend this tape or anything else by Kabat-Zinn for anyone interested in exploring a mindful path.