What do you think?
Rate this book
Mindfulness for the Mindless: A no nonsense guide to breaking free from a mindless life
Librarian Note: This is the latest edition with updated cover from ASIN B079NVLZY6
Mindfulness for the Mindless is a no nonsense guide to how mindfulness can improve and bring more enjoyment to the lives of normal people with bosses to keep happy, children to organise and homes to run. The book presents mindfulness in a way that is easy for most people to access without too much effort and highlights that mindfulness is for all and does not involve any spiritual or religious requirements.
Mindfulness for the Mindless is a no nonsense guide to how mindfulness can improve and bring more enjoyment to the lives of normal people with bosses to keep happy, children to organise and homes to run. The book presents mindfulness in a way that is easy for most people to access without too much effort and highlights that mindfulness is for all and does not involve any spiritual or religious requirements.
- GenresNonfictionPsychology
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2018
2 people are currently reading
958 people want to read
About the author
John Burley
2 books3 followersJohn Burley lives in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom and at the point of writing Mindfulness for the Mindless is the director of a software development company producing software solutions to mainly the gaming industry. He also blogs about mindfulness at www.amindfulway.blog which has a growing following both on the blog itself, the accompanying Android app and on social media.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 2, 2018
'Mindfulness is just about deliberately paying attention to what is happening right now’
British author John Burley lives in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom and is the director of a software development company producing software solutions to mainly the gaming industry. Though he is very active on the Internet – blogging – this is his first published book.
Reading John’s book is more like a conversation with a man who cares about the quality of life we carve. His Introduction is an example of the book’s mission – ‘Mindless Adjective | Mind - less lack of consciousness or mind, not mindful. I live in a bright and colourful world full of interesting people, different cultures, amazing animals and a wonderfully diverse nature. A world that makes every moment worth savouring and enjoying as much as possible. I awake each morning not knowing what the world has to offer me today differently to yesterday. Sounds good doesn't it? Well you live in a world very similar to mine. After I'd started actively practising mindfulness I noticed some immediate benefits, for example, strangers smiling at me in the street, my general outlook was a bit more positive and I was more inclined to see my own and others’ mistakes as opportunities to learn. My friends and family immediately noticed the difference and started to ask what had changed in my life to cause a such a dramatic change. The quality and speed of my work improved almost overnight. Customers and people that I worked alongside also noticed a difference in my approach too. Once I'd explained it was down to me practising mindfulness they all wanted to try it and realise the same change as I'd had. While I could point them to my reading list on mindfulness, I quickly realised that there wasn't just one book that gave them enough information and guidance to start seeing the benefits as quickly as most of them would like. As with most people, before I'd started practising mindfulness I'd heard and seen many books in the shops about it. From the very little that I had heard about mindfulness in the media and from what I'd heard from other people it all sounded a bit wishy washy and too woo woo for me, and I knew I certainly didn't have time to sit around all day meditating. I had been told that it would help and I should give it a go several times but I'd had no idea where to start, and it wasn't clear what I was going to gain from doing it anyway. There are what seem like thousands of books on mindfulness in the bookshops and online, all with their own takes and viewpoints on how to practice mindfulness and get various benefits from it. People who already practice mindfulness will suggest books to you and quote wonderful and sometimes truly inspiring sound bites from those books to make you think there is something great to be found in mindfulness. But they all suggest different books, and who has the time to read them all just to find the one book that explains mindfulness in a way that works just for you? What I did was listen to the people closest to me that had actually read books on mindfulness instead of those who just quoted what they thought they knew from the media and social media posts. They were the people that lived in my world and would likely have a similar outlook to me, so in theory they would have been looking for similar benefits to me from mindfulness. This was my logic but it still meant reading many books. When you start reading these books there are some noticeable reoccurring problems that I found. Either the books were long and included everything possible about mindfulness, from the history of mindfulness to every possible benefit mindfulness could bring you if you dedicated vast amounts of time to it. After reading some of these you feel so overwhelmed with all the information that you're given that you become less mindful because you're now trying to think and digest it all. At the other end you have short books and e-books that get straight to point and tell you how to practice mindfulness and meditation techniques without explaining what you are trying to achieve with them. Some just talk in general terms without actually giving you useful instructions and some leave you feeling like you've wasted a few hours that you'll never get back. I am not saying that any of these books are bad, in fact in almost every book that I have read I have found something useful to take away, make me think, or just a better explanation of something I'd read in another book. I would also say that with the way, speed and focus that I read with, it is actually a good step towards being mindful in itself, as I shut out all the other chatter in my head so all this reading probably hasn't been all bad on a mindful front. So here is another book on mindfulness! The intention of this book is to provide a quick way to understand the principles of being mindful, so you can see some of the benefits as quickly as possible in your everyday life without having to give too much of your time to it initially. Mindfulness can help in many different areas, but my focus will be on just getting you started and helping you to see some close to instant improvements in your life. I will try to explain how to do it and what you can expect to gain by doing it in the shortest way and yet still give you enough information so you understand how it works. I will combine all the best explanations and methods that I have found so far from all of my reading on mindfulness to save you having to trawl the book shops. Like I explained earlier, once I'd actually bitten the bullet and given it a go, I got results almost overnight.’
John then divides his book into the following sections – MINDFULNESS, BENEFITS, PREPARATION, CONTROL, BEING HAPPIER YOU, BEING HAPPIER IN RELATIONSHIPS, BEING HAPPIER AT WORK, HOW TO BE MINDFUL, MINDFULNESS WITHOUT MEDITATION, and finally FORMAL MEDITATION.
Comfortable to read, free of extraneous sidebars that distract the process, this is one of the finest books on finding and achieving mindfulness. Highly Recommended
British author John Burley lives in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom and is the director of a software development company producing software solutions to mainly the gaming industry. Though he is very active on the Internet – blogging – this is his first published book.
Reading John’s book is more like a conversation with a man who cares about the quality of life we carve. His Introduction is an example of the book’s mission – ‘Mindless Adjective | Mind - less lack of consciousness or mind, not mindful. I live in a bright and colourful world full of interesting people, different cultures, amazing animals and a wonderfully diverse nature. A world that makes every moment worth savouring and enjoying as much as possible. I awake each morning not knowing what the world has to offer me today differently to yesterday. Sounds good doesn't it? Well you live in a world very similar to mine. After I'd started actively practising mindfulness I noticed some immediate benefits, for example, strangers smiling at me in the street, my general outlook was a bit more positive and I was more inclined to see my own and others’ mistakes as opportunities to learn. My friends and family immediately noticed the difference and started to ask what had changed in my life to cause a such a dramatic change. The quality and speed of my work improved almost overnight. Customers and people that I worked alongside also noticed a difference in my approach too. Once I'd explained it was down to me practising mindfulness they all wanted to try it and realise the same change as I'd had. While I could point them to my reading list on mindfulness, I quickly realised that there wasn't just one book that gave them enough information and guidance to start seeing the benefits as quickly as most of them would like. As with most people, before I'd started practising mindfulness I'd heard and seen many books in the shops about it. From the very little that I had heard about mindfulness in the media and from what I'd heard from other people it all sounded a bit wishy washy and too woo woo for me, and I knew I certainly didn't have time to sit around all day meditating. I had been told that it would help and I should give it a go several times but I'd had no idea where to start, and it wasn't clear what I was going to gain from doing it anyway. There are what seem like thousands of books on mindfulness in the bookshops and online, all with their own takes and viewpoints on how to practice mindfulness and get various benefits from it. People who already practice mindfulness will suggest books to you and quote wonderful and sometimes truly inspiring sound bites from those books to make you think there is something great to be found in mindfulness. But they all suggest different books, and who has the time to read them all just to find the one book that explains mindfulness in a way that works just for you? What I did was listen to the people closest to me that had actually read books on mindfulness instead of those who just quoted what they thought they knew from the media and social media posts. They were the people that lived in my world and would likely have a similar outlook to me, so in theory they would have been looking for similar benefits to me from mindfulness. This was my logic but it still meant reading many books. When you start reading these books there are some noticeable reoccurring problems that I found. Either the books were long and included everything possible about mindfulness, from the history of mindfulness to every possible benefit mindfulness could bring you if you dedicated vast amounts of time to it. After reading some of these you feel so overwhelmed with all the information that you're given that you become less mindful because you're now trying to think and digest it all. At the other end you have short books and e-books that get straight to point and tell you how to practice mindfulness and meditation techniques without explaining what you are trying to achieve with them. Some just talk in general terms without actually giving you useful instructions and some leave you feeling like you've wasted a few hours that you'll never get back. I am not saying that any of these books are bad, in fact in almost every book that I have read I have found something useful to take away, make me think, or just a better explanation of something I'd read in another book. I would also say that with the way, speed and focus that I read with, it is actually a good step towards being mindful in itself, as I shut out all the other chatter in my head so all this reading probably hasn't been all bad on a mindful front. So here is another book on mindfulness! The intention of this book is to provide a quick way to understand the principles of being mindful, so you can see some of the benefits as quickly as possible in your everyday life without having to give too much of your time to it initially. Mindfulness can help in many different areas, but my focus will be on just getting you started and helping you to see some close to instant improvements in your life. I will try to explain how to do it and what you can expect to gain by doing it in the shortest way and yet still give you enough information so you understand how it works. I will combine all the best explanations and methods that I have found so far from all of my reading on mindfulness to save you having to trawl the book shops. Like I explained earlier, once I'd actually bitten the bullet and given it a go, I got results almost overnight.’
John then divides his book into the following sections – MINDFULNESS, BENEFITS, PREPARATION, CONTROL, BEING HAPPIER YOU, BEING HAPPIER IN RELATIONSHIPS, BEING HAPPIER AT WORK, HOW TO BE MINDFUL, MINDFULNESS WITHOUT MEDITATION, and finally FORMAL MEDITATION.
Comfortable to read, free of extraneous sidebars that distract the process, this is one of the finest books on finding and achieving mindfulness. Highly Recommended
April 24, 2018
Great read
December 10, 2018
I won this Kindle ebook from Goodreads Giveaways.
Very nicely put together book. Very useful tips and includes links to learn more. I would recommend this book
Very nicely put together book. Very useful tips and includes links to learn more. I would recommend this book
September 19, 2019
Johns style is casual but direct. He doesn't waste time with too many examples and long winded stories of how mindfulness has affected others. He just tells you the facts and how to use it day to day to improve your life little by little. This was an enjoyable and informative read that I have taken much from and have already started to notice a difference in my view of things. I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling to find what all the fuss is about when it comes to mindfulness.
October 9, 2018
Learn to live deliberately
Learn to live deliberately through the practice of mindfulness. A simple and easy way to teach yourself to live in the moment. Having used the techniques described in his book on a regular basis for over 40 years I have found that the techniques described in his book work and help you control your mind by mindfulness awareness. Live. In the moment, learn to live deliberately.
Learn to live deliberately through the practice of mindfulness. A simple and easy way to teach yourself to live in the moment. Having used the techniques described in his book on a regular basis for over 40 years I have found that the techniques described in his book work and help you control your mind by mindfulness awareness. Live. In the moment, learn to live deliberately.
April 18, 2018
I won this Kindle ebook from Goodreads Giveaways.
This is a nice collection of practical mindfulness skills and strategies for every day use. The author notes many references at the end of the book, which is a plus if you want to expand on your exploration. It is an easy read for anyone who is interested in learning more about mindfulness, meditation, and intentional ways to change your life.
This is a nice collection of practical mindfulness skills and strategies for every day use. The author notes many references at the end of the book, which is a plus if you want to expand on your exploration. It is an easy read for anyone who is interested in learning more about mindfulness, meditation, and intentional ways to change your life.
September 19, 2019
Enjoyed this book very much. Easy to read in most parts. Some of the information I have heard before but there was plenty of new ideas and thoughts and was written in an engaging way. Would like to see John turn his attention to another similar subject.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2019
Wow! I was blown away by this book. I have tried numerous times to get my head around mindfulness but John makes it all so simple. This book has really made me think and changed my outlook on the world and my life. Well done John.
September 21, 2019
I have to say I really enjoyed this book and it opened my eyes to many things. It's definitely a book worth owning and referring to again. Practical advice that isn't that difficult to apply for the rest of your life presented thoughtfully and easy to access.
September 22, 2019
I have to say I really enjoyed this book and it opened my eyes to many things. It's definitely a book worth owning and referring to again. Practical advice that isn't that difficult to apply for the rest of your life presented thoughtfully and easy to access.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2019
Excellent informative book. Buy this book if you want great advice on mindfulness and want to improve your mindset.
September 20, 2019
Great book, not too long and well laid out. Highly recommended read for everyone human.
September 21, 2019
Loved it!
September 21, 2019
A good read. Written for the general public, a book that would benefit everyone.
September 21, 2019
Found this very interesting. I am trying to reform some habits and found this a very enlightening read. Highly recommended.
September 22, 2019
A good read. Written for the general public, a book that would benefit everyone.
September 22, 2019
A good read. Written for the general public, a book that would benefit everyone
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2018
As mindfulness becomes more popular, introductory texts such as this one are quite advantageous. Mindfulness for the Mindless in particular is an accessible read for all audiences, written in a casual style. Burley's goal of sharing a summation of what he has learned about the definition and practice of mindfulness is clearly attained within this quick read. Readers will gain an understanding of what being mindful means, how mindfulness may benefit them, and further, brief introductions to several forms of meditation. Burley includes an extensive list of further reading, which could be helpful for those wanting to pursue additional specific topics. Perhaps I received an early edition, but my copy was in need of a good editing. There were a few repetitions and grammatical errors that may have been fixed in later editions.
I received an ebook version as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author/publisher for participating in the giveaway.
I received an ebook version as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author/publisher for participating in the giveaway.
July 16, 2018
Goodreads giveaway
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews