Readings & Resources for Mindfulness

Mindfulness is our capacity to pay attention, moment-to-moment, on purpose and non-judgmentally.

"Mindfulness isn’t about focused thinking, introspection, self-analysis or mental gymnastics. It’s simply about bringing full attention – not thinking – to whatever occurs."  – Saki Santorelli, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.  Here are a few resources for you to explore:

Websites

• Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society  
• Guided Meditation Practices
• Resources on Mindfulness
• Dr.Dan Seigel
• Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute

Books

• Brach, Tara. (2013). True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart. New York: Bantam.
• Chapman, Susan Gillis (2012). The Five Keys to Mindful Communication: Using deep listening and mindful speech to strengthen relationships, heal conflicts and accomplish your goals. Boston: Shambhala.
• Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. (1997). Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life. New York: Basic Books
• Goleman, Daniel. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More than IQ. New York: Bantam.
• Gunaratana, Bhante. (2011). Mindfulness in Plain English. 20th Anniversary Edition. Boston: Wisdom Publications.
• Kabat-Zinn, Jon. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. New York: Dell
• Kahneman, Daniel. (2011.) Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• Lesser, Marc. (2009). Less: Accomplishing More by Doing Less. Novato: New World Library.
• Stahl, Bob. GoldStein, Elisha. (2010). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook. Oakland: New Harbinger Press.
• Tan, Chade-Meng. (2012). Search Inside Yourself: The Unexpected Path to Achieving Success, Happiness and World Peace. New York: Harper Collins.

Audio

Click here for guided audio files to practice Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (by UCSD Centre for Mindfulness)

• 45 & 20 Minute Body Scan
• 45 & 20 Minute Seated Meditation 

• 15 Minute Lovingkindess Meditation
• 10 Minute Wisdom Meditation

 Below are some resources from previous classes called Touching the Earth taught by one of our practitioners, Stephanie Curran.  The one called "guided relaxation" was given as a closing exercise at the end of each class. It is a short 5min body scan that helps to calm the nervous system and creates a deep relaxation response throughout the whole body. Here is an audio recording of it so that you can continue practising at home. It is most ideal to practise lying down and in a quiet environment without interruptions.