Updated February 6, 2014.
Many years after it was first published in 1994, Wherever You Go, There You Are, by mindfulness meditator, Jon Kabat-Zinn continues to be an important and influential book for those interested in learning about meditation.
Jon Kabat-Zinn can explain meditation concepts simply–in a way that no one else can. His writing style is thoughtful and honest. The book is an excellent introduction to mindfulness meditation, and Kabat-Zinn makes the practice of meditation seem accessible to everyone.
A Book Review: Wherever You Go, There You Are
The following is a review of the book from Spirituality & Practice:
“Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice which has profound relevance for our present-day lives,” write Jon Kabat-Zinn in this popular book. “This relevance has nothing to do with Buddhism per se or with becoming a Buddhist, but it has everything to do with waking up and living in harmony with oneself and with the world.”
The author, who is the founder and director of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, appeared on the 1994 PBS series Healing and the Mind with Bill Moyers. Kabat-Zinn sees each chapter in this book as “a glimpse through one face of the multifaceted diamond of mindfulness.”
What are some of the benefits of a regular personal practice of mindfulness meditation? It helps calm us down. It puts us back in touch with our inner wisdom, creativity, and vitality. And it opens up “new ways of being in our skin and in our world.”
Mindfulness meditation grows out of patience, the practice of letting go, the art of non-doing, and the ability to be non-judgmental, trustful, and generous. Dwelling in stillness enables us to savor the treasures of the present moment.
Kabat-Zinn concludes with practical suggestions and applications of mindfulness. He discusses the importance of posture and the art of sitting, walking, and standing meditation. The author’s comments on parenting, cleaning the stove, and washing cat food dishes show how mindfulness meditation has helped him reframe these everyday activities. Wherever You Go, There You Are is instructive and inspirational.
Have you read Wherever You Go, There You Are? What were your thoughts about it?
