No Matter Where You Go There You Are

No Matter Where You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn,  Ph.d                Audiobook:3hours, 9 mins      Paperback Book:  304 pages              

This is the best book I have read on mediation and meditation techniques.    I have read other books by Jon Kabat-Zinn but I have to say, this is the best of his books I have read so far and the one I would most highly recommend.   He talks a lot about  Buddhist and Zen principles in this one and how we can relate them to whatever situation we find ourselves in.    He mixes stories with real life and shows how we ourselves and others in our lives can put extreme pressure on us to adhere to a way of life that might not be our path, seeking peace with all decisions, requests on our time, frustations, resentments, can all be addressed through meditation.    He shows how as the saying goes, “Sleep on it,”  when we have major decisions to make or problems to solve, anxiety drenched pressures from work, family or uber commitments can stress us out and literally shorten our time in this incarnation by making us sick but meditation can heal us from the inside out.   Meditation can slow our roll so to speak.   It can soothe the soul like the balm of Gilead.   We can go so deeply into a meditative state once we give ourselves over to it that the experience approaches a metaphysical state.   It feels much like centering yourself and truly being in the zone or one with the universe where you feel the walls disappear and a feeling of being free lifts your spirits and your mind to the point that your alpha waves increase and you move into a creative state of mindfulness.    Jon Kabat-Zinn delivers.   It is amazing stuff and leaves you with a freeing of your mind experience.  Truly his best work.   Yes, I highly recommend it – this book would especially be helpful to those suffering from depression or other maladies of the mind or personhood.    Kabat-Zinn can lead you to a nirvana like place of contemplation.    Good book, I highly recommend it to everyone, kids on up.   It will open your mind.

Mindfulness For Beginners

Mindfulness For Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn            AudioBook: 2 hours, 24 minutes         Hardback  Book:  184 pages                   


Jon Kabat-Zinn takes the reader to a place where consciousness transcends to awareness.   In this book, he instructs the reader on how to go so fully into your meditation that you become so aware of your surroundings, a place where heart and mind come together, where the reader can learn to step out of time through his teachings on achieving mindfulness.    His teaching is to be fully present in the moment.   To notice things so many others don’t pay attention to and neither do we normally, but through being in the moment and noticing your breathing, giving freedom to your thoughts – let them go where they will then ease them back to what it is you are focusing on.   He doesn’t tell the reader to clear your mind, or focus only on one thing, Kabat-Zinn says if you try to stop your thoughts you will only get a headache, it is o.k. to let your thoughts fly where they will for a time then slowly bring them back to concentrating on your breathing then to the subject you are meditating on.   Creative thoughts are often delivered to you in this way.    While letting your thoughts dwell on climbing Kilamanjaro when you started out meditating on the obstacle in your path, perhaps in your pursuit of climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro the answer will be delivered to you as to what you should be doing to rise in your career path or how to overcome the obstacles along the way to get there (someone who is jealous who is trying to block your path, or your need to learn certain skills that are currently not in your skill-set but which you could learn by taking some classes that would teach you what you need to know to even the playing field.    Being in the moment, taking the quiet time to concentrate to use your Beginner’s Mind allowing it to be free of distractions so it show you what it is you seek and what it is you need to know.  In this way you are resting in not knowing what we don’t know.   He teaches that Buddhist Monks take each moment as fresh.  Often starting their talks with, “I know nothing.”   It is not a false modesty  Kabat-Zinn says,  they really do see each moment as fresh in practicing mindfulness or being fully in the moment letting their breath, the life force flow into and out of even through their bodies as they befriend mind and heart thereby touching awareness – full awareness of self within each breath within each heartbeat.   Just sitting silently in your awareness of all that is and your place therein allowing the chi or lifeforce surround you and become a part of you as you take it into yourself.    This experience will take you outside of time and outside yourself merging or becoming one with the universe.   Like an empty mirror you know the quality of awareness that gives you a whole other dimensionality to live in and a calm you didn’t have before you learned this technique to become one with the universe, and gain this deeper understanding of spirituality and your place within those separate concepts now joined into one.   Our thoughts are liberated and begin to heal us by connecting to what is going on in our lives then through our awareness tap into what is going on and what we can do to heal the situation and make our lives better by providing the insight which provide answers offering instruction into clear and reliable solutions when we seek shifting what is to what we want the outcome to be in the way that is best for us providing a loving connection with ourselves and the world.   He teaches mindful meditations on breathing, eating, focusing on your body, focusing on objects, he also teaches what he calls are the Attitudinal Foundations of Mindfulness on Non-Judging, Patiene, the Beginners Mind, Trust, Non-Strife, Acceptance and Letting Go.   His basic premise is:  Mindfulness Meditation is letting the doing come out of the being right now in this moment.   He says that the word mindfulness in all Asian languages is the same word for mind and heart.    He says that meditation is about awareness and that wisdom is knowing reality without being caught up in our own value systems.    Discernment is clear seeing, openness, kindness, paying attention, caring or our heart’s intrinsic compassion – not what we have but what we are, your sense of where you are in time.   He notes that we should be good listeners to all around us and that often sounds draw us back in our pasts.     Lots of interesting concepts shared here in getting to that oneness with awareness, in being mindful in the moment and curing whatever we are up against and tuning in to what our subconscious wants to bring to our attention.    Good book.   I would recommend it to anyone who would like to de-stress and gain control of their lives focusing on the simplicity of the moment and who would like to tap into their inner consciousness for guidance.

 - Shirley J.

Guided Mindfulness Meditation Series 2

Guided Mindfulness Meditation Series 2 by Jon Kabat-Zinn            Audio Book:  3 hours, 37 minutes    Book: estimated 150   

Jon Kabat-Zinn has such a great understanding of meditation that he imparts to the listener or reader.     I know a lot of meditation books try to be how- tos, but, this one accomplishes what the others merely attempt.   The meditations found in this manual to the art are most excellent.    The meditations truly do raise your consciousness in such a way that you are carried along with the instructor so fast it is almost like being hypnotized.   He cuts to the very core of quieting your mind,   relaxing your body so you can hear your breath and he guides you whether novice or experienced meditator in such a Zen (no pun intended on Kabat-Zinn) way that you ride on the dream-like wave of calm to a deep state mental as well as physical relaxation.   I tried it and I can honestly say some issues that were plaguing me afterward didn’t seem so fierce afterall.   I can only describe it as a deep felt sense of calm or better said, perhaps, a lack of worry and a sense of all will be well in the universe.   Now, I’m not saying it is a type of mental high but more an awareness that all will work out and everything will be fine.   No more, no less.   Kind of like when you are a kid and you think the world is crashing in on you for whatever reason and your Mom talks to you in that gentle understanding voice and counsels you on how to make things right in your world.  Like that only without the talking just the occasional bell and his soothing words directing you to visionary paths with mountains and lakes while you mindfully follow his words and instructions directing your sitting and lying meditations to nirvana or profound peace of mind.    He really helps the reader to accomplish that.   Not enlightenment but peace of mind.    I highly recommend this instruction as I am a witness it worked.    This work is a companion piece to his other book,  “No Matter Where You Go, There You Are,” which I plan to read, too, though this instructive book on CD was a stand alone work in its own right.    Good going, Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan Harris and Jeff Warren with Carlyle Adler             Audio Book: 8 hours, 34 minutes     Hardback Book:  304 pages          

On June 7, 2004, Dan Harris, a news anchor for ABC news experienced a panic attack while live on Good Morning America.   He felt it coming as he was giving a report on cancer and if you watch the Youtube video you can see he is beginning to sweat, he is getting a slight eye tick and he is fumbling over his words.   He quickly wrapped the report and does a quick, “now back to you…”   He had to get himself together.   His doctor told him to lay off the recreational drugs he was using to calm his hyper workaholic self.   He had spent several years prior in war torn parts of the globe reporting on every war,  9/11,  street crimes etc.    His adrenalin had him so constantly pumped up, he couldn’t relax and became depressed.     He knew he had to do something different to address his problem with the depression the extreme anxiety he was experiencing.    He began researching ways to cope and decided on Mindful Meditation.     At first he thought meditation was a lot of hocus pocus hippie stuff and really had to work at settling down and keeping his mind clear from distractions but after finally getting the hang of it, now he swears by it and recommends it to everyone he can.   He doesn’t promise you will be 100% happier for meditating but he does promise you will be at least 10% happier for meditating.    He proselytizes vehemently for it.    He is a strong believer and wants to share with the world how it took his anxiety away, calmed him down and relieved the depression all with 3 simple steps:  1.) Sit with your back straight and your eyes closed.   2.)  Notice the feeling of your breath coming in and going out.    3.   Notice when your mind becomes distracted and start over.       He still has times when he has to clear his mind from worrying about stuff when he goes to meditate which is why he calls the book Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics because he was one until he found out all the benefits meditation brings a raging mind.    He has found that grounding yourself is refreshing.   It leaves you feeling peaceful and serene, seriously, not a metaphysical way but in a slowing life down and letting you catch your breath kind of way.   Each exhale is an opportunity to relax the lines in your face, relax your neck and shoulders and your body.    Not so you will bliss yourself out hyperventilating, but, giving you a feeling of enjoyment a hair above normalcy.    While humans tend to focus on the negativity in life, meditation brings in positivity leaving your mind and your body feeling rested from all the assaults to your brain in any given day.   Meditation is like social growth.   It helps with your eating habits, you are calmer so you aren’t running to food for comfort, you are de-stressing yourself instead of distressing yourself.   Your sleep will be more enriching and fulfilling, too.    Meditation will calm the mind, body and soul so you don’t toss and turn all night with worries haunting you.     He swears meditation will make your world saner.   He says it took him 8 years to learn to relax and meditate without becoming distracted.   But now he feels great, he can deal with things as they come up now instead of going from zero to FREAK-OUT!    He meditates all the time not just once a day.   Whenever he is in a place he can close his eyes for a few minutes he does so.   It is a process of collecting oneself and opening your mind to clearer thinking not the irrational fears of feeling incompetent or suffering bouts of low self-esteem with the I’m not good enough thoughts plaguing him.    He has now interviewed everyone from the Dalai Lama to Ru Paul about how they meditate and the good it brings to their lives.     He also has a website:  www.10percenthappier.com/access/

  that offers behind the scenes videos and guided meditations, etc.     He and meditation teacher, Jeff Warren went on a cross country quest to spread the word of all the benefits meditation offers and they debunk the myths and misconceptions that keep people from trying it.    You don’t have to go to an ashram, you don’t have to get into a pretzel pose while tinkling bells nor hire a Yogi.    All you have to do is sit still, listen to your breath coming in and going out and let your mind clear and rest.   Dan also says it is o.k. to fall asleep if you get that calm.   He has done so many times and it is a very relaxing sleep.   Fun book on a very necessary topic.   In today’s fast paced life from cradle to grave, it is nice to slow down and close your eyes and picture that happy place where life is good, the sun is shining making you feel warm and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Why Buddhism Is True

Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Richard Wright, 321 pages




The title of this book is misleading. Even the subtitle of the book doesn't provide enough clarity. That may turn some away that might be interested once they started reading the book. It may interest those that have an interest in philosophy and psychology.


Wright is not talking about reincarnation or gods that Buddhists worship. He is focused on whether meditation does what it says it does and if attaining enlightenment is possible. In doing so, he looks at the Self and "who" or "what" is in control as well as feelings.


Wright uses evolution, especially evolutionary psychology, to show how science is proving the efficacy of meditation.


Wright uses personal examples of his experience with meditation (not always successful) to illustrate his points and provide clarity to what he is trying to say.


I have read multiple books and articles on Buddhism and specific components such as meditation and the self. I found that even despite reading all those things that Wright provided a different level of clarity that I didn't have before.

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything across Italy, India, and Indonesia

Eat,Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything across Italy, India, and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert, 334 pages

"Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali." I really liked this book, even more than I thought I would.  I decided to read it because of the hype not necessarily expecting it to be that good but it pretty much did live up to the hype for me.  I would recommend it to people who like memoirs or biographies or even realistic fiction, since it reads that way most of the time.