Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness

A classic book on the theory and application of mindfulness backed by years of research and real life application on hundreds of patients at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. A specific 8 week program called the Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) is outlined for systematic introduction of mindfulness in our lives. I have been recently afflicted by an illness induced by the very medical field that is supposed to help us. The doctors prescribed a dangerous combination of cipro (antibiotic) and ketorolac (banned in many countries) for a minor illness which has left my entire body debilitated and in chronic neuropathic pain. This book has helped me tremendously. It has taught me to detach the mental part( worry, despair, ego) from the actual physical sensation. Thereby the intensity of the pain has reduced. I no longer identify myself with my body condition. It has made me realize that we are something beyond our body. It has given me hope. My only regret is that I did not come across this book much earlier. For someone who is facing a catastrophe and dead end with no hope, this is a God send. My deepest gratitude to the author Dr Kabat Zinn

Jon Kabat-Zinn, the creator of "MBSR" (mindfulness based stress reduction") explains how and why it works. He takes you through a literal MBSR class so through reading this book you can ALMOST have your own, individual MBSR 8-weeks class. The book is full of stories from the stress reduction clinic and how people found relief and healing. At the same time, it is an honest record of the limits of MBSR. Jon quotes lots of evidence from research. This book helped me tremendously to understand the why and how of mindful meditation practice. Ans I love Jon's compassionate and calm way of dealing with pain. Like he says (quoting Alexis Sorbas) in life, we always deal with the "full catastrophe" of it - and it is still possible to laugh and to be centered.

I adore audio books. OK its athe abridged version but all of the main points are there and you can rewind. Mindfulless is a fantastic way to veiw and live life and this book along with the 8 week audio programme i also brought gives you a great grounding in what Mindfulness is about without being prescriptive as to what you should get out of it. I listen to this anytime during the day but find when I get into bed is the best time for me . Its surpising how much you do remember and I think it helps me to undertsand because I can hear the words. I do hope Amazon provide a wider range of audio books, as for me it makes reading so much more enjoyable.

Jon Kabat Zinn offers practical advice, hope, insight and practice to those human travelers suffering pain, depression and worse. This is my third copy, since each is ultimately given away to some friend in need. I cannot recommend this book more highly because it puts you in charge of the investment in your wellness. No magic potions, no pills - just learning to focus, to pay attention. "He had also learned that the sick and unfortunate are far more receptive to traditional magic spells and exorcisms than to sensible advice; that people more readily accept affliction and outward penances than the task of changing themselves, or even examining themselves; that they believe more easily in magic than reason, in formulas than experience. These are matters which in several thousand years since this era have probably not changed as much as many history books claim. But he had also learned that a seeking, thoughtful man dare not forfeit love; that he must meet the wishes and follies of men halfway, not showing arrogance but also not truckling to them; that it is always only a single step from sage to charlatan, from priest to mountebank, from helpful brother to parasitic drone, and that people would far prefer to pay a swindler and be exploited by a quack than accept help given freely and unselfishly. They would rather pay in money and goods than in trust and love. They cheat one another and expect to be cheated themselves..." Herman Hesse - Magister Ludi

I knew J K-Z for years and didn't read his books until I was lower than I could have fathomed possible. I was in the most extreme anxiety and could barely function. He mentioned a woman who came to the evening meditation each week for 2 years before she could be calm enough to sit still to meditate. That kept me going. Practicing Mindfulness Meditation has changed my brain. It has given me a tool to manage my emotions. I highly recommend this book and the CD guided meditations that come with it. I can't recommend enough.