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Mind Full: Unwreck Your Head, De-stress Your Life
In 2007, comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan arrived at a comedy festival in an ambulance after having a panic attack en route. Realizing this was not a sustainable way to travel to future gigs, he decided to become a meditation teacher and learn how to de-stress without annoying the emergency services. Telling Dermot’s own story and offering useful everyday tips and techniques, Mind Full is his funny and accessible guide to meditation.
If you feel like you’ve lost touch with the happier version of yourself and would like
SLEEP BETTER
REDUCE STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION
HAVE MORE PATIENCE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
FEEL LESS ‘MEH’
ENJOY LIFE MORE
…this book is for you.
You’ll discover that learning to meditate doesn’t require you to blow up your life and move to Nepal, but it does help you make very small changes that make a long-lasting difference. With exclusive access to Dermot’s guided meditations, Mind Full will help you restore your sense of fulfillment, happiness and true contentment.
"Fixed whatever block I had harbored towards the concept of meditation…I had convinced myself that I wasn’t one of those people. Now I realize there is no prerequisite character type. It’s just for…people. A lovely, funny, honest book." - Cillian Murphy , from the Foreword
If you feel like you’ve lost touch with the happier version of yourself and would like
SLEEP BETTER
REDUCE STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION
HAVE MORE PATIENCE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
FEEL LESS ‘MEH’
ENJOY LIFE MORE
…this book is for you.
You’ll discover that learning to meditate doesn’t require you to blow up your life and move to Nepal, but it does help you make very small changes that make a long-lasting difference. With exclusive access to Dermot’s guided meditations, Mind Full will help you restore your sense of fulfillment, happiness and true contentment.
"Fixed whatever block I had harbored towards the concept of meditation…I had convinced myself that I wasn’t one of those people. Now I realize there is no prerequisite character type. It’s just for…people. A lovely, funny, honest book." - Cillian Murphy , from the Foreword
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2021
87 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 2, 2021
Overview: Today FM Radio Host, Dermot Whelan, gives an overview on mindfulness and why we should all implement a regular meditation practice.
Likes: Interesting story on Dermot’s own mindfulness journey, removes the awkwardness about meditation, humorous (I burst out laughing several times throughout), warm, light hearted, practical resources with tips & tricks, the perfect length.
Dislikes: No major call outs. Loved this book so much more than I thought I would. I have always been a huge Dermot Whelan fan, and love the topic of mindfulness, so was open to this book. But it way surpassed my expectations.
Recommend For: Anyone skeptical of mindfulness, meditation or yoga. I have particularly recommended this to a lot of “stereotypical Irish-males” in my life who may have been reluctant on the topic :)
Favorite Recommended Tools and Techniques:
Box Breathing for 16 seconds: 4 secs in, 4 secs hold, 4 secs out, 4 secs hold
Loving-kindness meditation: “May I be happy, May I be healthy, May I be safe, May I live with ease”, then repeat with someone you have a good relationship with, someone you have a poor relationship with, someone you have a neutral relationship with, etc.
Body Scan Meditation
Likes: Interesting story on Dermot’s own mindfulness journey, removes the awkwardness about meditation, humorous (I burst out laughing several times throughout), warm, light hearted, practical resources with tips & tricks, the perfect length.
Dislikes: No major call outs. Loved this book so much more than I thought I would. I have always been a huge Dermot Whelan fan, and love the topic of mindfulness, so was open to this book. But it way surpassed my expectations.
Recommend For: Anyone skeptical of mindfulness, meditation or yoga. I have particularly recommended this to a lot of “stereotypical Irish-males” in my life who may have been reluctant on the topic :)
Favorite Recommended Tools and Techniques:
Box Breathing for 16 seconds: 4 secs in, 4 secs hold, 4 secs out, 4 secs hold
Loving-kindness meditation: “May I be happy, May I be healthy, May I be safe, May I live with ease”, then repeat with someone you have a good relationship with, someone you have a poor relationship with, someone you have a neutral relationship with, etc.
Body Scan Meditation
May 25, 2021
I find mindfulness books hard going just down to the language that is used, I overthink what I'm being told to do, its like when the doctor tells you to breath in and out and you have to think about it and you end up huffing and puffing cos you've forgotten how to breath.
This book was different, having seen Dermot do improv comedy and listen to his radio show I find him funny so thought I would give the book a go. It has moments that I think only Irish people will giggle at as you can see it or hear the person saying it. He goes through how he came to do meditation and then gives you different options to try out for yourself, to find your own way of meditating and why it is good for you.
I really enjoyed reading the book and I will be doing my best to give meditation a go, especially the 16 second breathing technique
This book was different, having seen Dermot do improv comedy and listen to his radio show I find him funny so thought I would give the book a go. It has moments that I think only Irish people will giggle at as you can see it or hear the person saying it. He goes through how he came to do meditation and then gives you different options to try out for yourself, to find your own way of meditating and why it is good for you.
I really enjoyed reading the book and I will be doing my best to give meditation a go, especially the 16 second breathing technique
November 5, 2021
3.5/5 Entertaining and practical this 'how to' guide for meditation newbies has a nice blend of personal anecdotes and research based facts along with a variety of different meditation styles for you to try. The audio book (available on BorrowBox), read by Dermot Whelan himself, is a lovely easy listen - I'll definitely be giving his meditations a go in future!
June 25, 2024
Mind Full / Dermot Whelan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ I was demanding perfection from my performance on a daily basis, something that by it’s very essence is impossible to achieve there is just too many variables. Perfectionism of any kind, in any job, comes from the same place, a feeling of not being enough. If I make one mistake they will see I’m not up to the task and will be found out... ~
A nice insight into meditation with the one and only Dermot. To see where he came from to where he is now, told only in the way he can, is a delight to listen to. the stories of Mullinavat and the karaoke bar show this. I was happy he was able to find his peace, but also how to spread the peace he has found.
It gave a beginner’s insight into meditation, and I aim to use the 16 second one going forward.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ I was demanding perfection from my performance on a daily basis, something that by it’s very essence is impossible to achieve there is just too many variables. Perfectionism of any kind, in any job, comes from the same place, a feeling of not being enough. If I make one mistake they will see I’m not up to the task and will be found out... ~
A nice insight into meditation with the one and only Dermot. To see where he came from to where he is now, told only in the way he can, is a delight to listen to. the stories of Mullinavat and the karaoke bar show this. I was happy he was able to find his peace, but also how to spread the peace he has found.
It gave a beginner’s insight into meditation, and I aim to use the 16 second one going forward.
April 25, 2024
This was a fantastic read and very timely. Very relatable, practical and down to earth. Mixed with funny and insightful. It’s written in a very conversational way and makes meditation accessible. Practical approaches to meditation and techniques for implementing it in your daily life
May 19, 2021
This is a how-to book on meditation. Concise.
June 16, 2021
I'd love to say this book is going to change my life, time will only tell.
Hopefully it is at least a step in the right direction.
I listened to it on audio, but plan on buying a hard copy.
Hopefully it is at least a step in the right direction.
I listened to it on audio, but plan on buying a hard copy.
Read
May 17, 2023i didn't listen to the guided meditations (his voice was not for me), but the rest was really good!
April 11, 2025
A great book if you want to start meditation as a practice. Also a great reminder of why we should be focusing on meditation, and how small habits can lead to big results!
July 20, 2025
Great book and made me start meditating 🙃
September 26, 2021
Meditation for the ordinary Joe or Josephine Soap!!! Loved it. I listened to it in audible read by Dermot himself. Always find it more impactful when the author reads their own work.
July 22, 2024
Loved it! Enough pop culture reference and no linen wearing on a dock 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
November 23, 2021
Love! Love! Love! A must read! My brain feels lighter and less worried already
September 8, 2021
After following Dermot and Dave on the radio for years it was such a celebration to hear he had written a book and on something that, I feel since the pandemic, has come front and centre in some people's lives due to various... stress, anxiety, worry.. I could go on and on. His very honest stories of his own struggles along with facts on research really did add to this book.
At times he did have a good rant, but I stuck with it and he did bring the focus back to the point, eventually.
This book gave me time to breath, time to reflect and a good start on meditation that I've always wondered about.
Will I be starting to put some of the things into practice... I sure will and I have been already. Little steps but it's a start and I do a breathing exercise daily which helps me calm and helps me sleep too. Winner!
High 5s and thanks to you Dermot.
At times he did have a good rant, but I stuck with it and he did bring the focus back to the point, eventually.
This book gave me time to breath, time to reflect and a good start on meditation that I've always wondered about.
Will I be starting to put some of the things into practice... I sure will and I have been already. Little steps but it's a start and I do a breathing exercise daily which helps me calm and helps me sleep too. Winner!
High 5s and thanks to you Dermot.
May 4, 2021
Very disappointing. The author is a DJ cum standup comedian. He spends the first 100 pages telling the reader how stressed his life had become and that meditation got him back onto the straight and narrow. The next 100 pages are made up of a number of simple meditation routines. But the whole book is desperately repetitive and after 200 pages I felt I'd had enough. That said, it's currently top of the Irish bestseller list so my view may be a minority one.
February 15, 2022
Listened to this on audio book the last few days really enjoyed it I now have a better understanding of mindfulness and will be making time each day for this 😊
March 15, 2022
A humorous account of Dermot's experiences of stress and panic attacks and how mindfulness and meditation help him through. While admitting he has no medical qualifications, he shares tips that have worked for him and acknowledges that we are all different and can choose what works best for us - a little at a time. Very practical.
In 2007, comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan arrived at a comedy festival in an ambulance after having a panic attack en route. Realizing this was not a sustainable way to travel to future gigs, he decided to become a meditation teacher and learn how to de-stress without annoying the emergency services. Telling Dermot's own story and offering useful everyday tips and techniques, Mind Full is his funny and accessible guide to meditation.
If you feel like you've lost touch with the happier version of yourself and would like to:
SLEEP BETTER
REDUCE STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION
HAVE MORE PATIENCE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
FEEL LESS 'MEH'
ENJOY LIFE MORE
...this book is for you.
You'll discover that learning to meditate doesn't require you to blow up your life and move to Nepal, but it does help you make very small changes that make a long-lasting difference. With exclusive access to Dermot's guided meditations, Mind Full will help you restore your sense of fulfillment, happiness and true contentment.
In 2007, comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan arrived at a comedy festival in an ambulance after having a panic attack en route. Realizing this was not a sustainable way to travel to future gigs, he decided to become a meditation teacher and learn how to de-stress without annoying the emergency services. Telling Dermot's own story and offering useful everyday tips and techniques, Mind Full is his funny and accessible guide to meditation.
If you feel like you've lost touch with the happier version of yourself and would like to:
SLEEP BETTER
REDUCE STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION
HAVE MORE PATIENCE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
FEEL LESS 'MEH'
ENJOY LIFE MORE
...this book is for you.
You'll discover that learning to meditate doesn't require you to blow up your life and move to Nepal, but it does help you make very small changes that make a long-lasting difference. With exclusive access to Dermot's guided meditations, Mind Full will help you restore your sense of fulfillment, happiness and true contentment.
August 30, 2021
My boyfriend very thoughtfully surprised me with this book last month as he knows I love learning more about MH etc but I’d always much prefer read it told lightly or through humour as that’s just personally more relatable to me.
This book was everything I needed & more, it’s opened my eyes to so many things (specifically the practice of meditation, which I’ve always been intrigued by but like many of us I just didn’t know where to start) I also found myself nodding along to feelings Dermot describes almost the whole way through as I too have experienced them.
I went along to one of @dermottodayfm radio tour shows when himself & Dave were touring Ireland & you would never have guessed when seeing him perform on stage so confidently, making a room of people laugh until their stomach hurts that behind the closed doors he was enduring these thoughts & feelings, and that’s the really important msg I took away from this as well, it doesn’t matter how happy or confident someone may seem, you never know what’s going on inside their heads!
This is a book I plan to keep forever, I want to use the meditation mantras in my daily practice & I know I’ll reach for it on those days that are just a little bit harder than others!
I think I can safely say I highly recommend this book ❤️
This book was everything I needed & more, it’s opened my eyes to so many things (specifically the practice of meditation, which I’ve always been intrigued by but like many of us I just didn’t know where to start) I also found myself nodding along to feelings Dermot describes almost the whole way through as I too have experienced them.
I went along to one of @dermottodayfm radio tour shows when himself & Dave were touring Ireland & you would never have guessed when seeing him perform on stage so confidently, making a room of people laugh until their stomach hurts that behind the closed doors he was enduring these thoughts & feelings, and that’s the really important msg I took away from this as well, it doesn’t matter how happy or confident someone may seem, you never know what’s going on inside their heads!
This is a book I plan to keep forever, I want to use the meditation mantras in my daily practice & I know I’ll reach for it on those days that are just a little bit harder than others!
I think I can safely say I highly recommend this book ❤️
May 11, 2025
This book was on my list for a while, but typical me I only got around to it when he released his latest instalment in the mystery of mindfulness and meditation! (His second book - Busy and Wrecked is available now) I’m a bit behind with book reviews as studying and exams have taken over, but with the the day that was in it for Darkness into Light I felt I had to share.
Many of us originally would know Dermot from his radio show with Dave, presenting shows like Republic of Telly, but his career took a surprising shift after a mind alerting panic attack on his way to the Cat Laughs comedy festival.
Dermot was burning the candle at both ends, doing radio in the morning and comedy at night, something had to give and this was the wake up call he needed. In finding his answer, he fully absorbed himself into the world of mindfulness, meditation, breath work and body scanning. It transformed his life and he believed he could help others to do it to.
He’s honest about his struggles (angry nuns and all IYKYK) , admits his demons and lets us learn from his mistakes. The book is a mix of theory, personal reflection and guided meditation. (You can also access these on his sound cloud https://m.soundcloud.com/dermotwhelan...) it’s for those that are happy, but not happy, those in a state of meh and those that want to shrink their amygdala. It definitely made this weeks commute a lot more calming!
Many of us originally would know Dermot from his radio show with Dave, presenting shows like Republic of Telly, but his career took a surprising shift after a mind alerting panic attack on his way to the Cat Laughs comedy festival.
Dermot was burning the candle at both ends, doing radio in the morning and comedy at night, something had to give and this was the wake up call he needed. In finding his answer, he fully absorbed himself into the world of mindfulness, meditation, breath work and body scanning. It transformed his life and he believed he could help others to do it to.
He’s honest about his struggles (angry nuns and all IYKYK) , admits his demons and lets us learn from his mistakes. The book is a mix of theory, personal reflection and guided meditation. (You can also access these on his sound cloud https://m.soundcloud.com/dermotwhelan...) it’s for those that are happy, but not happy, those in a state of meh and those that want to shrink their amygdala. It definitely made this weeks commute a lot more calming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2022
I got this book as it proclaims meditation is for everyone. I believe this but have friends who don't, with one friend making the claim, as Whelan did, that she 'doesn't have the type of mind for meditation'.
How did a straight-talking Irish comedian becomea meditation teacher? Whelan was busy. He was so busy that his body and mind rebelled in the form of a panic attack that made him think he was dying. Anything is better than that, thought he and came to meditation. While extolling the vitues of meditation he didn't give it adequate time. Mind and body rebelled again and Whelan now practices meditation daily to keep himself healthy in mind and body.
I didn't listen to all the techniques and guided meditations as I read when walking to and from school run, shopping etc it was potentially dangerous. I meditate at home but found the box breathing a useful tool for instacalm when feeling frazzled enroute to places.
this is a warm, funny book that demonstrates meditation is for every body, and mind.
How did a straight-talking Irish comedian becomea meditation teacher? Whelan was busy. He was so busy that his body and mind rebelled in the form of a panic attack that made him think he was dying. Anything is better than that, thought he and came to meditation. While extolling the vitues of meditation he didn't give it adequate time. Mind and body rebelled again and Whelan now practices meditation daily to keep himself healthy in mind and body.
I didn't listen to all the techniques and guided meditations as I read when walking to and from school run, shopping etc it was potentially dangerous. I meditate at home but found the box breathing a useful tool for instacalm when feeling frazzled enroute to places.
this is a warm, funny book that demonstrates meditation is for every body, and mind.
October 11, 2021
I found this a really light approach to meditation which made it very accessible and gently challenged the shoulds and aughts that have crept back into my relationship with my mind and to some extent meditation. There is a lot of preamble and scene setting by the author and you could progress straight to chapter 9 if you wanted (although you probably need to know that the "nun at the end of the bed" is the authors term for the judgemental wassock in your head trying to undermine you) but I found it helpful understanding the nature of the authors previous experience so his occasional flippacy didn't seem "off". The covid times broke my routine of 3+ times a week bus journey meditation and I'd not found a new regularity but Dermots light touch approach has opened up a little glimmer of hope that not finding a regular 20 mins for my practice doesn't mean the yawning abyss of despair is the only alternative.
August 26, 2021
Dermot Whelan has succeeded in creating a very accessible easy to consume, enjoyable, enlightening and motivating book about meditation. I do recommend the audiobook version, it's read by Dermot himself, who makes for a wonderful orator and he talks you through some guided meditations during the book also (very useful, especially for new people to this habit).
Dermot gives you some of his personal history, explaining how and why he got into meditation, then gets you started with some easy to do meditation exercises.
Then continues with some good advice on how to form and maintain a meditation habit yourself, the latter part is not something explained or advised very well in other meditation books that I have read in the past.
The overall tone of the book is casual and light hearted with plenty of Dermot's enjoyable humour, and this makes for this book being a pleasure to read (or listen to in my case).
I'd definitely recommend this book to all.
Dermot gives you some of his personal history, explaining how and why he got into meditation, then gets you started with some easy to do meditation exercises.
Then continues with some good advice on how to form and maintain a meditation habit yourself, the latter part is not something explained or advised very well in other meditation books that I have read in the past.
The overall tone of the book is casual and light hearted with plenty of Dermot's enjoyable humour, and this makes for this book being a pleasure to read (or listen to in my case).
I'd definitely recommend this book to all.
November 19, 2022
I listened to the audiobook
What I liked
- the scientific benefits of meditation explained
- the introduction to different types of meditation
- practical advice on how to meditate and how to make it fit into your daily life
- the personal anecdotes that made the book easier to read
- the guided meditations in the audio version
What I didn't like
- the repetitiveness of quite a lot of the arguments
- the sanctimonious tone at times
- and more importantly: the constant effort to be funny. It's like he felt he had to crack a joke every other line and it got old
What I liked
- the scientific benefits of meditation explained
- the introduction to different types of meditation
- practical advice on how to meditate and how to make it fit into your daily life
- the personal anecdotes that made the book easier to read
- the guided meditations in the audio version
What I didn't like
- the repetitiveness of quite a lot of the arguments
- the sanctimonious tone at times
- and more importantly: the constant effort to be funny. It's like he felt he had to crack a joke every other line and it got old
November 5, 2021
Good all round book. I felt the book could be more precise in parts but it is certainly a good down to earth intro into mindfulness and meditation and the benefits one gets. The authors passion for promoting such is contagious. Ch9 in particular is brilliant summarising in lay mans terms the various types of meditations that exist. There is also online access to free audio meditations with a passcode for readers.
February 7, 2025
This book has supported me to understand and effectively try meditation for the first time.
Delivered humoursly and pragmatically with scientific evidence to back up the purpose. As well as real-life scenarios and stories.
I loved this, and so did my husband.
Last night, we had our first family meditation and it brought me/us absolute joy.
Thank you Dermot, you may have changed all of our lives for the better.
Delivered humoursly and pragmatically with scientific evidence to back up the purpose. As well as real-life scenarios and stories.
I loved this, and so did my husband.
Last night, we had our first family meditation and it brought me/us absolute joy.
Thank you Dermot, you may have changed all of our lives for the better.
May 23, 2021
I have never sat to meditate before and never thought that I would be one of those that would pick up a book like this, but having listened to Dermot on the radio the past 10+ years I decided to try. And it did not disappoint. This is a well written biography to meditation that keeps you wanted more, and gives you the starting blocks to get into meditation.
November 16, 2022
#BorrowBox
#audiobooks
This was actually hard going. An awful lot about why and how Dermot found mediation. When he actually started to mention actual mediation techniques it was 3/4 way through the book.
He would be great to listen to for a mediation audio if it was just the technique with his Irish lilt he is is very calming.
#audiobooks
This was actually hard going. An awful lot about why and how Dermot found mediation. When he actually started to mention actual mediation techniques it was 3/4 way through the book.
He would be great to listen to for a mediation audio if it was just the technique with his Irish lilt he is is very calming.
November 30, 2023
I liked Dermot's honesty in relation to drink and panic attacks and his own vunerabilities....
His knowledge of Meditation and its benefits is impressive and he has a gift in making the whole area so accessible to us all by straight forward explanations.
He is a great advocate for the benefits of meditation for all and this book is an excellent introduction to meditation.
His knowledge of Meditation and its benefits is impressive and he has a gift in making the whole area so accessible to us all by straight forward explanations.
He is a great advocate for the benefits of meditation for all and this book is an excellent introduction to meditation.
June 13, 2021
Very funny and enjoyable perspective on mindfulness, unlike anything I have read before. Had already loved Dermot as a DJ and comedian and he played his comedic skills with faultlessly in his approach to mental health. It's not always necessary to be so serious with a serious matter!
January 3, 2022
Really enjoyed this, a very entertaining read and hilarious in parts but with a serious and important message. Very practical too. I am a user of Insight Timer for a few years now, but sporadically. this has given me motivation to take it further and really tap into the power of meditation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews