Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life
Jon Kabat Zinn 1994 Hyperion
In a crowded and overly hyped market of books and teachings on mindfulness and meditation this is the book that I was hoping to find. Written by one of the pioneers in the field and the co-founder of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Clinic in Boston, this is the book that brings together all of the knowledge that Kabat-Zinn has gained from working with thousands of people. This wonderful book follows his ground breaking Full Catastrophe Living and is not a new book, published in 1994, but it is a new discovery for me. It is a practical handbook that you can open at any place and start reading to find something to work with right on the spot, or read through as a step by step guide to learning and improving your mindfulness and meditation practice. I keep it out and as possible consult it for brief readings throughout the week.
For example, this morning I was feeling restless about a few things and could hardly concentrate on getting ready for work. I stopped and opened the book to:
“Try: The next time you feel a sense of dissatisfaction, of something being missing or not quite right, turn inward just as an experiment. See if you can capture the energy of that very moment. Instead of picking up a magazine or going to the movies, calling a friend or looking for something to eat or acting up in another way, make a place for yourself. Sit down and enter your breathing, if only for a few minutes. Don’t look for anything – neither flowers nor light, nor a beautiful view. Don’t extol the virtue of anything or condemn the inadequacy of anything. Don’t even think to yourself, “I am going inward now.” Reside in the center of the world. Let things be as they are.” p.98
Filled with quotations by Thoreau, Whitman, the Dalai Lama, the Chinese Taoist masters and others this book contains all of the teachings. It, in itself, truly is enough. Chapters are short and in the form of readings. Interspersed with the chapters are practical and effective activities which can be practiced throughout the day and usually which take only a few moments to complete.
“Try: Staying with one full in-breath as it comes in keeping your mind open and free for just this moment, just this breath.” p. 19
“Try: Asking yourself from time to time, “Am I awake now?” p.27
The book discusses just about every aspect of mindfulness, from working with the breath, to waking up, to non- doing, patience, loving kindness, walking meditation, concentration, parenting and many many more. It is absolutely a must have for anyone who is interested in the subject.
Awakening, or practicing mindfulness does not seem easy, but in reality it is the simplest of all things. It is a struggle because in today’s society there is much reinforcement to consumption and stimulation. We want to get as much accomplished as quickly as possible throughout the day. The wonderful thing about the path of mindfulness, and what really makes it relevant to western culture today is that we can practice non-doing in action:
“Non-doing can arise within action as well as in stillness. The inward stillness of the doer merges with the outward activity to such an extent that the action does itself. Effortless activity. Nothing is forced. There is no exertion of the will, no small minded “I,” “me,”or “mine” to lay claim to a result yet nothing is left undone. Non-doing is a cornerstone of mastery in any realm of activity.” p.40 (italics mine)
Mindfulness is mostly a matter of practicing some self reflection, increased concentration of attention on activities without rushing, and being kind to yourself and others. Practice gently and you will simply find yourself awake in the present moment while the doing is happening. This gives a wonderful feeling of freedom, like a breath of fresh air for your being.
Be sure to pick up this book! It will give you plenty of material to get started on the path to awakening without beating yourself (or others) up. The path doesn’t have to be complicated, religious or even spiritual. It is very simple and practical. Just follow the advice of this author, he is a well studied and trustworthy guide.
“If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, This is the best season of your life.” Wu-Men p.16
