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Meditation Is Not What You Think: Mindfulness and Why It Is So Important Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 323 ratings

Welcome to a master class in mindfulness.

Jon Kabat-Zinn is regarded as "one of the finest teachers of mindfulness you'll ever encounter" (Jack Kornfield). He has been teaching the tangible benefits of meditation in the mainstream for decades. Today, millions of people around the world have taken up a formal mindfulness meditation practice as part of their everyday lives. But what is meditation anyway? And why might it be worth trying? Or nurturing further if you already have practice?

Meditation Is Not What You Think answers those questions. Originally published in 2005 as part of a larger book entitled Coming to Our Senses, it has been updated with a new foreword by the author and is even more relevant today. If you're curious as to why meditation is not for the "faint-hearted," how taking some time each day to drop into awareness can actually be a radical act of love, and why paying attention is so supremely important, consider this book an invitation to learn more -- from one of the pioneers of the worldwide mindfulness movement.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

This warm, witty, and wise guide should bring relaxation to stressed-out people.

-- "Publishers Weekly on Wherever You Go, There You Are"

About the Author

Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, is professor of medicine emeritus and the founder of MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) and of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He has written numerous bestselling books including Full Catastrophe Living; Wherever You Go, There You Are; and Mindfulness for Beginners, and is coauthor, with his wife Myla, of Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B075QB2JQY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Balance; 1st edition (May 1, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 1, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 227 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 323 ratings

About the author

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Jon Kabat-Zinn
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Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, is internationally known for his work as a scientist, writer, and meditation teacher engaged in bringing mindfulness into the mainstream of medicine and society. He is professor of medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and author of numerous books, including Full Catastrophe Living, Arriving at Your Own Door, and Coming to Our Senses.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
323 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful for mindfulness and meditation. They appreciate the author's writing style and find it inspiring. However, some readers feel the writing is too wordy and there are times when a whole paragraph is just one sentence.

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5 customers mention "Mindfulness"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the mindfulness and meditation tools in the book. They find it helps them understand why meditation is challenging.

"...grateful for all of his efforts to publicize and scientifically ground the practice of meditation...." Read more

"...This book helps me understand why meditation is not easy. I have learned a lot from the writer's voluminous knowledge in science and meditation...." Read more

"Helpful to anyone learning meditation" Read more

"Best mindfulness book you can buy IMO...." Read more

6 customers mention "Word quality"3 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the writing quality. Some find it inspiring and praise the author's prose as stirring. Others feel the book is too wordy, with many paragraphs being one sentence.

"...prove the health benefits of meditation, he is among the finest poets whose prose is so stirring, so inspirational, that reading him remains a true..." Read more

"...My only gripe is many times a whole paragraph is one sentence! The writer has a long-long-winding-serpentine writing style...." Read more

"Jon's writing always inspires me! Another wonderful book!" Read more

"To wordy, cannot get more than 5 pages at the time, still no word “ what is Meditation/Mindfulness”...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2018
    I have yet to read or listen to anything by Jon Kabat-Zinn that wasn't excellent. As a meditation teacher myself, I am profoundly grateful for all of his efforts to publicize and scientifically ground the practice of meditation. Its recent popularity, due in large part to his pioneering work over the last 30 years, means that thousands of people are now benefiting from the practice of meditation. Just be aware that if you have already purchased "Coming To Our Senses", which was published a number of years ago, that in an effort to make this rather large book more approachable, he recently split up that book into 4 smaller books, and that this is one of them, so if you already purchased Coming To Our Senses, you already have this material.
    46 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2024
    I used this to add mindfulness to my daily meditations. Keeps me calmer, less anxious.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2018
    Kabat-Zinn's 'Coming To Our Senses' in bite size chunks, much less intimidating. If you want to learn about meditation this is the place to start. Learn from the man who created Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and you can't go wrong. A great introduction to practice.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020
    I've been trying meditation a million times! This book helps me understand why meditation is not easy. I have learned a lot from the writer's voluminous knowledge in science and meditation. My only gripe is many times a whole paragraph is one sentence! The writer has a long-long-winding-serpentine writing style. Many times I have to go back to the beginning of his sentence to keep track of his thought process. Reading his books requires a lot of concentration.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
    I purchased this title two days ago and am halfway through the book. Truth be told, I have long been a fan of Kabat-Zinn, and have practiced mindfulness meditation in the past. This book has sparked a new commitment to resume same. In fact, it has rekindled such enthusiasm, I’ve underlined nearly every sentence. Yes, it resonates! I feel like I’ve come home!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2019
    To wordy, cannot get more than 5 pages at the time, still no word “ what is Meditation/Mindfulness”.
    Read to page 30 nothing showing, I do not want to know how many books he has written. Sorry this author was suggested a very good.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2018
    Although he is the first scientist to empirically prove the health benefits of meditation, he is among the finest poets whose prose is so stirring, so inspirational, that reading him remains a true pleasure from cover to cover. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2019
    Great book! If you’re looking to solidify your self compassion and effectively deal with life’s daily challenges this is your book. Essential personal and professional development guide.
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Derek Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and meaningful
    Reviewed in Canada on November 18, 2019
    This is a great and inspiring read. Totally great value and will have you thinking from the first page on!. Excellent!
  • Michael
    5.0 out of 5 stars Durchhalten bis zum 1. Kapitel
    Reviewed in Germany on March 15, 2019
    Vorwort & Einleitung sind etwas umfangreich geworden. Tipp: mit dem ersten Kapitel wurde es besser.
    Eine Erklärung ist, dass der Überblick / das was vorne weg kommt, bevor es eigentlich los geht, für alle 4 Bücher dieser Serie gilt.
    Wenn man das Buch als Kletter Tour beschreiben sollte, stände da: Kräfte raubende Schlüssel Stelle zu beginn. Danach genußkletterei bis zum Gipfel
  • NickyM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 5, 2018
    very good read
  • Nadia David
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended
    Reviewed in Germany on May 9, 2021
    Very clear meditation , reaches deeply, healing.
  • Ty Schultz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous
    Reviewed in Canada on January 10, 2019
    A very thoughtful and engaging look at the root of meditation and mindfulness practice and history in present form and function.

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