What is Mindfulness?

by Tamara Russell

Due to the recent widespread media coverage on the far-reaching health benefits of mindfulness, misconceptions about the practice have become common as it has moved from spiritual to secular realms. So what is the reality? And how can this one thing have such a dramatic impact on so many people, in so many areas of their lives? This book aims to demystify the confusions that often get in the way of mindfulness training, and help readers get to grip with it in a way they can put to optimal use in their daily lives. After an insightful introduction about why the subject of mindfulness is so worth exploring, each chapter then addresses a key What does mindfulness really mean and what are its benefits? Where does it come from and how has it developed through the years? How can I get the most from it? What are the key tools to develop it? And finally, what are the future possibilities for society as a whole with mindfulness? As such, this book brings readers on an exploratory journey through the fascinating world of mindfulness, giving us a deeper understanding of what it means to live mindfully, revealing the depth of its capacity to enhance our everyday lives, and in turn helping us lead more connected, aware and contented lives.

Genres: Personal Development, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2017

Reviews

[John Naylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free via Goodreads First Reads.

Given the subject matter, there is a hint of irony in that I misplaced this book for a few years after winning it.

The contents of this book start as an introduction to mindfulness. There are sections on the history and possibly the future of mindfulness too. Plus some exercises and how the reader could become more mindful. A reader is going to get out of this type of self help the same as they put into it. I accept that there were parts I would not do for reasons that are unique to me.

What I found this book to be was a reading experience that was uneven. It asked questions that it answered itself which might have prevented a reader from learning from their own answers. It was more generic as a self help book than I expected. It probably would help some people as anything can but I could see flaws in some of the conclusions that it made.

If you think that this book could help you in achieving a more mindful mindset then it probably will. That is a very human trait that should be encouraged. There are probably better books out there that could help too. For me, it didn't answer questions I will always have but only added to them.

[Alicia A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of self-help book, but this book is helpful for me. A very simple and quick read about mindfulness. This book contains simple scientific research, guidance and all FYI about mindfulness

[SALLY WHITE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for sending me this book. A comprehensive book explaining in a concise and easy to read manner on the subject of mindfulness. I contains the what, why, how, when and where about mindfulness and how anyone can use it to improve their life. Mindfulness has many similarities to other disciplines such as meditation and yoga, but heas enough differences to be distinct. Even if you are sceptical about mindfulness, the book is still an interesting read. The book itself is a handy A5 size, which makes it easy to carry around – perfect to dip in and out of when you are on the go and need to refer to it.

[Tim Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this book in a Goodreads giveaway. As a dabbler in Mindfulness I was pleased to have won this book, and it has been an interesting read. It covers things like the history of Mindfulness, misconceptions are debunked, and it as exercises and hints. It's nicely put together, but was a little 'dry' for me - however that may be me more than the book as I always struggle a little with non fiction. Good for those who know nothing, or know a little - can't comment for the more experienced practitioners.

[Zana Ab Rahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pocket sized book, but it took me so long to finish reading this book as this is something I read in between of my other current reading.

This book is a great start for someone who wanted to know the best approach to learn about mindfulness. It is not a book that will enlightened you with mindfulness as it explains very basic about it, but more on how to approach about learning it instead.

Though I find it a bit too basic. Definitely not a must read before deciding to learn mindfulness hence the 3 star rating from me (more like 3.5ish).

In all fairness though I still enjoyed reading this book.

[Lili Azieera · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book contains activities to master the art of mindfulness. I started journaling ever since I read this book and it does helped me on channeling out everything that I felt and making me feel better afterwards.

[Valerie Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little book. It gave you lots to think about and aspire to do.

[Muhammad Ikhsan Ramadhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done dr. Tamara. Simple yet informative prologue for mindfulness 👍

[Riasmagenta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taught mindfulness in a simple way.