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Summary: A Practical Approach to Self-Acceptance
Review:
Over and over again Jon Kabat-Zinn offers us a practical approach to living in our own skins and finding a deep place of acceptance of what is. Through simple, yet compelling, exercises he brings, what often seems to be mysterious world of meditation, into our everyday lives. He shows us that meditation can be as simple as stopping what you are doing and looking around or closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths.
He also tells us that walking off the path of spiritual growth can be just as rich a journey as following every bend and curve with focused diligence. This is the true teaching of self-accpetance. Kabat-Zinn offers this teaching with ease, compassion and a real sense of humility born from his own experience.
I teach various forms of meditation and breathing techniques and put "Wherever You Go, There You Are" on all of my class reading lists.
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Summary: More than pleasantly surprised
Review: A family member bought this book. I found it sitting on a shelf, glanced at the cover and involuntarily thought to myself "uh oh, granola time," and came within a heartbeat of dismissing the book out of hand. Luckily, I did not. Instead, I read the introduction, and then found myself -- almost in a state of disbelief -- reading on and on. I was amazed to find that the book is not just one more new age book muttering away about a world none of us really lives in. To the contrary, the book is written by someone with a profound understanding of everyday reality, who is astonishingly good at sharing that understanding. This is simply a beautiful little book, beautifully written. I would be curious to know if others are reacting to this book the way I am: I feel compelled to rave about it. I read the book for the first time weeks ago, yet tonight in the grocery store I found myself slowing down, marvelling at the sight of my daughter gaily picking out tomatoes, and consciously basking in the moment. And I'm a middle-aged Republican, not particularly predisposed to spiritual impulses! The author of this book has something timeless and important to impart, and he does so with unusual intelligence and grace. I really like this book -- indeed, I hope I'm forgiven for suspecting that it is a work of genius. I also hope that the author happens to read this review, because he should know how much his work is appreciated!
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Summary: If you are interested in meditation, or, if you want to find
Review: a way to slow the pace of your busy world, Jon Kabat-Zinn can express the "out of body" concepts of meditation in a way that no one else can. You get to choose: "Wherever you go...." is a book that can be explored over and over, that can start you on a path to a new habit to find within yourself what you need to survive today's busy world; that can help you find a new habit to renew the life you lead. Or, utilize its message just as a brief "chapter read" to jump start the positive if you are not looking for a lifelong habit. It is very difficult to express, in words, the inner activities that result in becoming comfortable in your own skin. Kabat-Zinn writes thoughtfully and honestly about how he has accomplished this, and what things might work for you. There are many treasures in this book. For me, his ability to describe the rewards one gets from practiced patience, and to impress upon the reader the simplicity of the "body scan" and how it can lead to the habit of lying down meditation are two examples of things that readers can take away at any given time from his book. Many self-help readers today are looking for the "quick fix" or some small coping practice they can employ to keep their days positive. In some ways, in addition to helping you understand why meditation works and why it can change your life, Kabat-Zinn writes a poetic and illuminating version of the "one minute help" chapters that the "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" series provided to these readers in the busy working world. When you couple his vision and ideas with the lovely verse that liberally sprinkles his book (Kabir, Thoreau and Whitman are favorites) you have a quiet and inspirational message that can do more to help you understand and eliminate your stress than can all the meditation, control and organizational techniques advocated in today's America could ever do. Read "Wherever you go, there you are" and learn how mindfulness can change the course of your daily life for the better. It works.
Rating:
Summary: If you are interested in meditation, or, if you want to find
Review: a way to slow the pace of your busy world, Jon Kabat-Zinn can express the "out of body" concepts of meditation in a way that no one else can. You get to choose: "Wherever you go...." is a book that can be explored over and over, that can start you on a path to a new habit to find within yourself what you need to survive today's busy world; that can help you find a new habit to renew the life you lead. Or, utilize its message just as a brief "chapter read" to jump start the positive if you are not looking for a lifelong habit. It is very difficult to express, in words, the inner activities that result in becoming comfortable in your own skin. Kabat-Zinn writes thoughtfully and honestly about how he has accomplished this, and what things might work for you. There are many treasures in this book. For me, his ability to describe the rewards one gets from practiced patience, and to impress upon the reader the simplicity of the "body scan" and how it can lead to the habit of lying down meditation are two examples of things that readers can take away at any given time from his book. Many self-help readers today are looking for the "quick fix" or some small coping practice they can employ to keep their days positive. In some ways, in addition to helping you understand why meditation works and why it can change your life, Kabat-Zinn writes a poetic and illuminating version of the "one minute help" chapters that the "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" series provided to these readers in the busy working world. When you couple his vision and ideas with the lovely verse that liberally sprinkles his book (Kabir, Thoreau and Whitman are favorites) you have a quiet and inspirational message that can do more to help you understand and eliminate your stress than can all the meditation, control and organizational techniques advocated in today's America could ever do. Read "Wherever you go, there you are" and learn how mindfulness can change the course of your daily life for the better. It works.
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Summary: Inspirational...AND Practical?
Review: Absolutely! :) I guess I would just like to echo the various voices already singing this book's praises. Meditation IS possible in the world we live in today--and Jon Kabat-Zinn shows us how in a very beautiful, easily readable, yet thought-provoking manner. I had the pleasure of meeting both the author and his wife at a recent seminar on mindful parenting and sense that they truly LIVE these words, though each in their own unique way. And perhaps that's the beauty of mindfulness meditation--for ALL of us! Destined to be a classic (if not already.) Read it. Learn it. Live it. You won't regret it.
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Summary: Simple, yet profound.
Review: Dr. Kabat-Zin's work is deceptively simple. In order to learn about how to be mindful, this book must be read in a mindful way. Each page, each thought, each phrase is to be read and savored. Don't think about it too hard, or you will squeeze the magic out of his words. Read, but let the words talk to you; don't use mental faculties to reason, ponder over, intellectualize. A masterpiece.
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Summary: NICKSTER HOLDEN SAYS 'TRUE CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SPIRIT&SOUL'
Review: EXCELLENT book with the perspective sorely needed today in our fast paced lives. Deeply and truthfully appreciative of the individual human spirit and needs, that need to be addressed in all of us caused by past and present life and personal experiences. This book shows how each individual how to find their own way to take the time we need to take for ourselves and to appreciate the humanity in others and ourselves. GREAT BOOK. A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE. ESPECIALLY PARENTS AND COUPLES. ACTUALLY....ANYONE. Can't say enough good things about the inspiration this book inspired in myself both by the writing and the quotes the author uses. Our society should be looking to share more of this book on a wider scale. This book is true "chicken soup for the spirit and soul."
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Summary: Walden Pond is everywhere
Review: I almost wonder if even the author recognizes just what a home run he has hit with this book. Frankly, even if you never meditate you are likely to feel as if this book is worth far more than its purchase price. One of the many ideas to be gained from the book is this (at least, this is how I stumble to express it): every moment we are alive we are, in a manner of speaking, on the shore of Walden Pond. Every single moment offers an opportunity to observe with wonder the mere fact that we live! Even in tense situations, I now find myself quietly observing my own reactions and my surroundings, and feeling amusement and comfort instead of fear. This is the first "self-help" book I've ever owned that actually improved my life.
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Summary: Balm for the Soul
Review: I am a voracious reader of books of all types, with a strong interest in Buddhism, and particularly Buddhist psychology. This book is one of a precious few that I hold close to my heart. Kabat-Zinn has managed to write a book that is gentle, comforting, and practical. That the book is comforting and gentle does not mean that it shallow or filled with simplistic platitudes. Rather, comfort flows naturally from the quiet passion of a teacher sharing earthy wisdom. That the book is practical does mean that it is dry and monotonous, or that it emphasizes technique at the expense of the heart. Instead, Kabat-Zinn gently touches on what meditation and what meditation is not. Without arousing anxiety or dampening enthusiasm, he refutes misunderstandings and guides the would-be student around the common snags and obstacles of a new meditation practice. The book is organized in short "chunks" that can be read a digested easily. I carried the book with me on the subway where I found that I had enough time to read and contemplate one chunk before reaching my destination. Reading Kabat-Zinn's book is a meditation in itself. This book is one of my treasures. I highly recommend it to anyone who is exploring meditation or Buddhism, particularly those who may be depressed or discouraged and in search of solid, caring wisdom.
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Summary: This really works !
Review: I am not a meditator, I do not practice yoga, but this book works; reading it helped me work with my daily life stresses .
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