The Little Pocket Book of Mindfulness: Don't dwell on the past or worry about the future, simply BE in the present with mindfulness meditations by Anna Black

by Anna Black

Many of us find it difficult to simply appreciate the present moment. We either dwell on the past or worry about the future, moving mindlessly from one activity to the next. When we are not being mindful, we miss out on small moments that are often incredibly valuable – be it a beautiful park that we walk through on our journey to work or the taste and texture of a delicious meal. In mindfulness meditation we pay attention to our ongoing experience whether it is pleasant – such as appreciating a beautiful sunny day; unpleasant – a disagreement with a loved one; or neutral – doing household chores. This 'Little Pocket Book' is the perfect introduction to mindfulness and is packed with easy-to-follow tips and suggestions that will allow you to incorporate simple mindful moments into your daily life.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Reference, Meditation

Paperback

First published December 17, 2014

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The Little Pocket Book of Mindfulness’ (2012) by Anna Black – is a short, straightforward and seemingly comprehensive introduction to and outline of the practice and benefits of mindfulness.

As with all such books encompassing mental and/or physical exercises – in written form, some of these are difficult to properly visualize and understand without the benefit of being in an accompanying class or with and a teacher/instructor. Nevertheless, there’s lots of useful insights and direction here concerning the clinically proven benefits of mindfulness.

Despite what feels like quite a lot of repetition (there is so much here that seems to come back time and time again to breathing and body scanning etc) – it is a pretty well concise and to the point book providing a good introduction to the world of mindfulness.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I did not fully read this book. I have, however, gone through it all. Given the format of the book, it started seeming silly to read all of the exercises for the sake of reading them rather than reading them for the sake of trying them out. I have read the information at the beginning and many of the exercises in the book. I have also tried a number of the exercises, with plans to incorporate them into my day-to-day life. I also plan to read more of the exercises as I go along and add the ones that work for me to my day-to-day activities.

I am glad that the 'bookstore fairies' drew me to this book (which did purchase). The book has some good information for people who are wishing to bring more mindfulness into their lives. I have been seeking to 'live more in my body' and the book has excellent suggestions and exercises to do just that. I enjoy the fact that Black brings in information about how meditation and mindfulness work without being too 'heavy' and without 'dumbing down' the information. I also like that she lists many (many, many) exercises to try and encourages people to take what works for them from the suggestions. I appreciate that the exercises cover various aspects of life (eating, showering, working with what is good in life, dealing with what is not so good, etc.). I also really appreciated that Black included some exercises that 'require' setting aside some time to do as well as exercises that can be done throughout the day with no real special preparations, and without anyone around you even knowing that you are doing them.

Finally, I enjoy the whimsical illustrations that are found throughout the text.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helped me to take a step back from my life and think about things and take more notice of how things affect me and see more of what is going on in the world around me. The exercises are great and I love the commentary alongside each one.

[Leilani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book considering its intended use. It contains many mindfulness exercises and explains the basics of mindfulness practice. Although I read it cover to cover, it can best be used as reference material. It is very easy to read and I used this as a refresher guide and to give me a variety of mindfulness exercises, as I completed an eight week mindfulness course several years ago and already knew the basics. This just reinforced them for me and enhanced my understanding. It should also be easy to follow this book if you have no formal mindfulness training. The only qualm I have with it would be that it does not contain enough further reading suggestions on the web for people who do not live in the U.S. or the U.K.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too into self-help books but I have a gift card and this tiny little book called out to me. Reading it is one thing, actually implementing the practices is another. So in a way I'm not done with the book.

Very great at kind of helping me put into words some of my self-created anxieties and showing me how to tune into my body and breath. Many of the practices felt repetitive but I think it is fundamental we understand that we need to ground ourselves into the breathe or the body and how easy it is to practice everyday during menial tasks. Excellent, tiny book.

[Mitch Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see this book as helpful to people at varying levels of awareness, of mindfulness itself. Many helpful practices you're unlikely to have come across.

I give this a 4th star due to the variance it teaches with.

I give this a 5th star due to the message it possesses. Understanding our thoughts and feelings, and doing so, with healthy curiosity.

No longer do our thoughts inherit judgement from ourselves. Nor do we need take on the energy of negative judgements from others. We can simply call it out, try to understand more about it, and move on with our lives. *Ahhhhh*

[Ella H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first books on meditation and mindfulness that I bought a while ago. It's a great entry into the topic with a variety of meditations and exercises so you can try which one works for you.

[SANDRA RIVERO ALBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

¿Que es el #mindfulness?
Son una serie de ejercicios enfocados a conocer a tu cuerpo en este momento, sin juzgarlo ni condicionarlo.
El estrés diario provoca que nuestro celebro esté siempre alerta para huir o luchar, es la repuesta natural de nuestro cuerpo, si embargo es agotador y perdemos la perspectiva de lo realmente importante.
El mindfulness no te dice que no te vas a estresar, sino que te ayuda a conocerte para que cuando haya alguna anomalía puedas ayudar a tu cuerpo con antelación.
Trae varios ejercicios de conciencia corporal, reconozco que solo me sale el de la respiración consciente… el del hilo que te estira aún no lo pillo del todo, y el de los bebés para padres me ha parecido feo pedir un bebé prestado… llamadme tímida… 😁
Aunque se que todo dominio viene de la repetición de los ejercicios, por más que te digan que si algo no te hace sentir bien es que no debes hacerlo, que deberíamos salir a caminar sin un rumbo fijo, comer de forma consciente , sin distracciones, no darle vueltas a las cosas cuando tomas una ducha y disfrutar de la ducha en si, alejarte de las personas que te perturban y apreciar todo lo bueno que tienes… es muy complicado hacerlo a diario. Será cuestión de repetición hará que lo asimiles naturalmente.
Este libro me vale para el #24retosdelectura para:
14.- Donde nadie muere
22.- Libro viajero

“Escucha tus silencios”

#librosautoayuda #bookaholics #bookstagram #bookstagramespaña #leoyrecomiendo #leerdiezminutos #librossaludables #librosilustradosparaadultos #annablack @libreroibp

[Monty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little book and dip in and out of it every now and then! Have been doing so over the past few weeks, slowly. It's not a book to rush or read cover to cover even.

This little book is full of great, simple, and easy ways on how to practice mindfulness in your day to day, and the "Try This" sections are so helpful.

Some of the topics that have resonated over the past few weeks have been:

- those who irritate us
- letting go of technology
- doing the dishes
- cultivating body awareness
- seeing
- touching

Definitely worth some time in your day, and the pictures and lovely

[Mikee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

It's practical and gentle. The act of reading it is calming. But I think I couldn't fully appreciate it because I just read another mindfulness book before it, so my head is already filled with a bunch of different practices already.

[Seyi Adekola · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite repetitive read; with meditation and mindfulness the end goal is being centred and at peace but this book aggressively repeats and reiterates a 1000 things you have to do to get there. seems a bit unrealistic.

[Yesica Aguirre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly drawn in completely harmony with the text, I loved the tips after each lesson

[Quentin Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtfully written, insightful and beautiful accompanying illustrations

[Denisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó el libro, aunque hay que decir que casi todo el libro son ejercicios.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best mindfulness books i have read that is simple to follow and offers easy practical ways to keep sane.

[Numberbox]

Given to Dana Kenny (in PEI) to practice his Spanish

[Maartje Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that gives you helpful ways to practice mindfulness in a busy life

[Maria Lucia Seidl de Moura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple but dense book for people interested in developing mindfulness. Excelent suggestions of practices.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good in-depth information about mindfulness and meditation, easy to understand and digest and beautiful watercolour illustrations!

[Cici suciati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Anna show us how to be mindfull from every little thing.

[Lenka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has nice drawings!