Still Life: The Myths and Magic of Mindful Living

by Rebecca Pacheco

From renowned yogi meditation teacher and author of Do Your Om Thing Rebecca Pacheco comes Still Life, offering an in-depth exploration of mindfulness and meditation misconceptions to arm the reader with inspirational and practical tools for cultivating a consistent mindfulness practice.

For years Rebecca Pacheco has taught readers and students alike how to embrace the wisdom of the yoga sutras and reap their mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. In Still Life, she turns her focus to mindfulness, demystifying a seemingly esoteric practice and giving readers practical, real-life tools to implement mindfulness in their own lives—regardless of experience level or lifestyle. 

Pacheco begins by deconstructing the common arguments against meditation—from “meditation is easy” to “you have to sit still with your eyes closed’ and the infamous “I don’t have the time.” Pacheco offers valuable insight into what mindfulness entails, and why the process of cultivating more of it can improve not only our own lives, but also the lives of others. 

Pacheco also takes on the reductive messaging about mindfulness commonly heard from the contemporary wellness community, including the popularly-held tenet that meditation is about “good vibes only.” A contemplative life, Pacheco argues, isn’t synonymous with bliss and positivity, but rather a degree of mental, emotional, and spiritual grappling. 

Still Life challenges readers to dig deep, to learn and practice tools that can ultimately lead to joy—to waking up in the present, reclaiming the moment, and living life fully. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Audiobook, Spirituality

288 pages, Hardcover

Published April 6, 2021

Reviews

[Stephen Nock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building on her well-established foundation where she paints the breadth of the tree of yoga in Do Your Om Thing, Rebecca Pacheco beautifully crafts a map of the arts and sciences of mindfulness. She covers the practicalities of how to practice mindfulness, as well as the challenges that steer us toward and away from being (with) ourselves.

I was profoundly perplexed why the book is titled "Still Life," thinking of the art form of depicting static moments. Are we meant to focus on sitting still - is that the point? Pacheco answers in creative form: "Life can be lonely and short. Wildly unjust. Dangerous or devastating. It is still life."

It is still life, regardless of how we choose to live, so why not live mindfully?

[Erin Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me forever to get through but that's not to say it wasn't GREAT -- I think I just wasn't in the mood for self-help/non-fiction at the time.

If you are new to mindfulness and meditation, this book would be a fantastic place to start! It covers the history, gives you lots of tangible practice tips, discusses larger social implications, etc.

It's an incredible reminder to notice and BE PRESENT in our lives.

"Be in your life while it's happening." (p. 171)

"Relaxation is power... Strength resides in the present." (p. 189)

"Silence is not the absence of sound but rather the absence of noise." (p. 224)

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

In many ways this book was exactly what I needed it to be. Pacheco gave me a gift by taking what I feel (and what I’ve never been able to properly convey) and wrote it down. A great medium of hippy-dippy-ness and realism when it comes to mindfulness and meditation. Some lovely, non-pressured how-tos and tips.

[Fatimaeliza Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written book, that has different meditation techniques, but most importantly reminds us how connected we are to everyone and everything. We practice meditation in the good controlled times to be able to do it in the difficult times. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it is a practice that needs to be practiced. I absolutely loved this book, and even purchased for friends. It brought me back to my cushion and was a wonderful inspirational read.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca’s work and yoga has been a touchstone in my life for many years, but she still breathed new life into my mindfulness practices with this book. She makes mindfulness accessible by speaking to the current moment and providing simple but profound practices to try. Most of all, she reminds us the purpose of mindfulness — not to prove that you can sit in a pose for hours, but to bring more love and acceptance to yourself and those around you, and ultimately to build a world where mindful living is possible for everyone. This book is a bright spot, like Rebecca herself.

[Caroline Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a good read and refreshing reminders about meditation and mindfulness that left me with a more enthusiastic and better outlook on my own practice-> meditation as a way of self-acceptance, not self-improvement. Glad that the book did not completely ignore social justice and intersectionality. Some favorite quotes:

"The purpose of meditation is not to give us what we want. It teaches us to show up fully and compassionately for what is. It explores how we respond when faced with what we don't want."

"We don't meditate to get really good at sitting in a room with our eyes closed not talking to people. We meditate to feel greater peace and presence in our lives, among people, and in relationship to the world around us."

[Jessica Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca’s easy to relate to writing style, voice while directing you into yoga posses and getting your mind set for meditation, and her good natured humor have always felt very comforting to me. I have re-read her first book Do Your Om Thing many times and know that this book, Still Life, will be the same. Rebecca provides easily accessible ways in to meditation and mindfulness peppered with personal stories that make you feel like you are not alone. And the overarching theme that you cannot do meditation wrong is the reminder many of us need!

[Michaela Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. It was apparent that Pema Chödrön was an inspiration and a guiding role model to Rebecca Pacheco. As many of Pema’s practices were brought up. This book can be appreciated, some of the exercises are grounding. On the other hand, many could think this is a book filled with regurgitation of many other idols versions of mindful living. Still, give this piece a fair shot if you’re new to this culture. This book breaks down mindful living into layman’s terms, so I do think this would be a great jumping off point if interested in incorporating mindfulness into daily life.

[Leslie Walstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Life is a beautifully written, accessible guide to meditation and mindfulness. It's not a book you'll read once, but rather something you will return to again and again for its encouragement, practical ideas, exercises, and examples. When terms like mindfulness or self-care can seem like just something we are not doing enough or doing wrong, Rebecca demystifies things and helps us all tap into what will work for us. Highly recommend!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't work well for me. I felt like she tread a lot of the same ground as other books on mindfulness. The advice on meditation trickled through several chapters and so was not as coherent as I would like for that particular aspect of mindfulness. All this being said, the author writes in an easy way to follow and her passion for the subject is contagious. I would read another book by her in the future.

[SUSAN CHAREST · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Pacheco has a warm and calming way about her, and this wonderfully written book, helped me through a sad time. Meditating daily, and learning to be more patient with myself and others, is because of this enjoyable read. Rebecca is wise, caring, and funny, and a great writer. I will read it again, and again, and have highly recommended it to my family and friends.

[Angela Thresher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the perspecive that this author presented on mindfulness and the practice of meditation. There are so many ways to practice it that there should be an option that fit nearly everyones needs.

[Cameron Sanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a time where "hectic" would be an understatement, this offers a lot of interesting insights on the benefits of being mindful, and many examples of practices one can take to slow down their own life and make sure they are truly living it.

[Fox · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shoe-horning political ideas into a book about mindfulness is icky.

[Naomi ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

it felt a bit fucked up to have been listening to this at 3x speed but i found it really enjoyable in the self-help department

[Anna Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

like reading meditation

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an excellent book. Love the breathing exercises and the realization that fidgeting during meditation is normal.

Also, it’s just a good read.

[Megan Uy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible, practical, reassuring, inspiring.

[Ann Perreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book on meditation! The author explores meditative practices and their implementation in a practical way that I plan to use. Great book!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book to own if you want to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your daily life. Easy to read and follow. Definitely a book I will keep coming back to time and time again.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want a hard copy of this to use in my yoga classes! Fantastic practical application of meditation in every day life!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful and down-to-earth meditation on meditation. A life-changer and a must read.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time I sat to read this book, I imagined I was having a conversation with Rebecca. Her voice is clear, funny, and wise. This is an accessible and thorough introduction to mindfulness.

[Brittany Wiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

read

[Kain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this useful and practical.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful book on meditation and mindfulness. Worthwhile read on how to stay present.

[Esther Dushinsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful reminder of meditation, prayer, stillness and movement

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a thoughtfully written book that is a great introduction to mindfulness & meditation. As I have some experience, I found it to be mostly a good reminder of best practices and there were certainly some nuggets to take away.