This is a classic. Any day that I spend time with this book - usually just one entry at a time - greater peacefulness and focus are assured. And often the author's insights turn my views upside down - there's much to discover here.

This is a classic. Any day that I spend time with this book - usually just one entry at a time - greater peacefulness and focus are assured. And often the author's insights turn my views upside down - there's much to discover here.

This book was recommended to me by a Sociology professor as a practical guide to exploring stress management techniques. I found it to be an interesting and basically useful introduction to Meditation Techniques and especially appreciated its inclusive, light-handed approach to encompassing more than just Buddhism when promoting the spiritual benefits of meditation.

There is certainly something to be gained from this book, whether it is life-changing "mindfulness meditation" or simply a new approach to self-awareness and the pursuit of peace.

For someone growing up from a Buddhist culture, I feel the author has captured the essence of meditation. Specifically, the author reminds to practice meditation without feeling that you are better than everyone else, which is what I have felt. He also suggests to practice meditation without the goal of becoming a better person, more calm, more relaxed, more focused... etc. These are merely by-products of practicing meditation. So why do we do it? Better read the book to find out!

A reviewer who gave it 1 star says that "the book puts you to sleep." This indeed happened to me a few times when I listened to the audio version of the book while trying to meditate. When I have much stress, this is actually a great way to get sound sleep without any meditation and therefore any side effects. And for this quality alone, I wish I can award the book 6 star.

I read this book after reading Ekhart Tolle's two books and listening to Jon Kabat-Zinn on Oprah's radio program. His ideas parallel Tolle. I devoured the book and recommend it to anyone who wants to grow in mindfulness.

This is a book to keep in your library for periodic re-reading. I wish I hadn't waited so long this time, to re-read it. Understanding and practicing this "philosophy" can change one's life for the positive.

I love the book, this was my second copy that I wanted to give as gift,however the seller did a very bad job of packing it for shipping, it arrived, but was completely open on one end. It had water and dampness damage, not from the mailing process. I could not give it as a gift. Seller would not contact me.

It's a great book and i am enjoying it. it had a good bit more markings in it than was described, but it's not a big deal.

Explore the new realm, of your mind. Becoming aware is the first step to solve any problem. If you do not know there is a problem, how can you fix it? This book is the prequel to, You.

I found this book to be very dissapointing. I forced myself to read 3/4 of it. If you want to get useful info.. Put up a book on buddism or yoga meditation. I found nothing special about this book. I read a lot of books on meditation, yoga, and buddism, and this book doesn't hold up to any of them. I read the reviews on this site and ran out to buy this book. After forcing myself to read it I finally had enough. I definately don't want this book to be in my libary.

Perhaps it is because I have some familiarity with the eastern thought that I really didn't connect with much in this book. I didn't find anything new or novel. Perhaps if you are completely new to meditation this could be an introduction but, then again, you will have to continue well past this book if you actually want to practice and benefit from meditation. In the spirit of the message of this book, I can say that this book didn't take me anywhere and therefore it succeeded brilliantly!

Definitely among my most treasured possessions. This is my introduction to meditation that wasn't too drastic. It offers an approach to serenity that includes and coexists with the routines and distractions of daily life. The language and layout lend themselves well to the kind of practical advice that is evenly parceled out at the reader's choosing. The steps are easily implemented which naturally leads to sustainable practice, important if you have work duties or family obligations to fulfill amidst the search for inner peace. Whether you read it through in one go or take time reading parts out of order, this thing works wonders. You will always get as much as you put in, which is better than a lot of other pursuits.

While I recognize that the power of some books rest only in that they come along at the right time of one's life...this book was simply beautiful. From the first chapter until about 3/4 of the way through, I was completely drawn in and found most of what Kabat-Zinn wrote to be compelling, relevant and so totally perceptive. He spends the first half of the book building the case for meditation and what it means for live life in the present moment of everyday. He then goes into detail about how to effectively meditate. I also purchased the tape companion meditation tapes and have used them to great effect. The book and the tapes have been a great introduction to the power of meditation in one's life.

People consider this book a contemporary classic on meditation for good reasons. It's lovely and accessible. Jon Kabat-Zinn tackles the difficult task of explaining the nonverbal practice of meditation, which many find alien or even threatening, and makes it accessible, useful and even homey. He explains meditation not only with references to classic texts, but also by recounting his own experiences, drawing parallels with Thoreau, and discussing work and family contexts. The chapters are brief, some as short as a page, each focusing on a single topic. Many are accompanied with prompting questions or simple exercises you can try immediately. getAbstract recommends this book to people interested in reducing their stress, deepening their self-awareness and sharpening their focus.

In the introduction to his classic mindfulness book, author Jon Kabat-Zinn writes, "This book is different. It is meant to provide brief and easy access to the essence of mindfulness meditation and its applications. It is offered particularly for those who resist structured programs and for people who don't like to be told that to do but are curious enough about mindfulness and its relevance to try to piece it together for themselves." In exquisitely austere prose, this text describes the rationale for mindfulness practice in daily life, enumerates formal meditation exercises, and introduces applications and perspectives on incorporating mindfulness in daily living.

Kabat-Zinn is lightly witty throughout the text. In `Keeping It Simple' he writes, "every time you get a strong impulse to talk about meditation and how wonderful it is, or how hard it is, or what it's doing for you these days, or what it's not, or you want to convince someone else how wonderful it would be for them, just look at it as more thinking and go meditate some more. The impulse will pass and everybody will be better off--especially you."

The 10th anniversary edition of Wherever You Go There You Are is a durable paperback on heavy paper stock with jacket flaps meant to be used as bookmarks. I made notes in the wide margin of my copy, highlighting the "TRY" paragraphs with specific meditation or reflection practices of appeal to me. I enthusiastically recommend that you pick up this book from your local library. You will be buying your own copy soon enough. Each of Kabat-Zinn's three books (of which this is the second) is also accompanied by a set of audio CDs that can be ordered from the author's website.

This book is a classic. I often give it to friends who are struggling or are just looking for a new way to live more freely. I also give them FREE YOUR MIND by Sensei Anthony Stultz. His book makes all of Kabat-Zinn's ideas more clear and in a how-to fashion that is really pragmatic. I highly recommend them both (I read Free Your Mind while in the UK where it is a bestseller).

This is the best self-help book I have ever read. It is easy to read and provides clear and concise methods to gain the wisdom to cope with the stresses encountered in everyday life. The author's language, writing skill and ability to provide examples in nature to explain Mindfulness are beautiful. Telling us to pay attention to our breath to keep our focus and get back on track he talks about sitting with dignity and paying attention to the things around us. He gives many examples that include standing, walking, laying down, and doing everyday things while practicing for a minute to 45 minutes depending on our life circumstance at the time. My favorite analogy is that of the mountain. He state: "Mountains are quintessentially emblematic of abiding presence and stillness." "By becoming a mountain in our meditation, we can link with its strength and stability, and adopt them for our own. We can use its energies to support our efforts to encounter each moment with mindfulness, equanimity, and clarity. It may help us to see that our thoughts and feelings, our preoccupations, our emotional storms and crises, even the things that happen to us are much like the weather on the mountain. We tend to take it personally, but its strongest characteristic is impersonal. The weather in our own lives is not to be ignored or denied. It is to be encountered, honored, felt, known for what it is, and held in high awareness since it can kill us. In holding it in this way, we come to know a deeper silence and stillness within the storms, mountains have this to teach us, and more if we can come to listen."

I recommend this book to anyone who is stressed, angry, and unable to escape or deal with their unpleasant environment.

This book delves more into the actual daily practice of mindfulness.
I like it!

Jon Kabat-Zinn is the master of mindfulness. I was impressed with him as a person and teacher when attending one of his workshops last year. I think readers will be impressed with this solid introduction to his work.
I continue to regularly use this book as a resource and have gifted copies to friends.

Even if you are not yet familiar with mindfulness - or even meditation - this book is a great read for "busy" people who want more peace and tranquility in their lives. I think you will find that as you work through this book, you not only will experience more calm, but you also will experience more energy and joy within your day. Who wouldn't benefit from that?

This book is a great instruction manual for becoming more present in EACH moment of your day - whether at the office, at home with the family or anywhere else.

Use this book to learn to live more fully in the present moment and you will see your life improve. This is such a simple read, with many very brief (2-3 page) chapters. There are many gems within these pages.

Highly recommended!

Mollie Marti
Author, Selling: Powerful New Strategies for Sales Success

If you are interested in spirituality and/or meditation and are looking for a book that is both deep and clear, this is the book to read. You will find that the book is worth several book on the same subject by other people -- and it does it in an articulate, elevated, succint, no-fluff manner that will impress the heck out of you as few books ever will. I must ad a warning, more about the subject matter than about the book per se: Not everyone is ready to assimilate its contents (or any other equally serious meditation book's content, for that matter). The saying that you have to be ready for something in order to understand it applies very much in this case. I can imagine that it could be taken as too ethereal by some people -- those who are not ready. You would need to have lived and realized that there are matters of the soul that you need to take care of to receive its message. But if you are genuinely thirsty about spiritual matters: order it right away! This makes what we normally take as "Eastern" concepts accessible to an educated Western mind, and you realize that there is no need to think of it as Eastern or buddhist or use any label at all. I am really thankful for this book. You will be too.

This can be a life changing book. It clearly outlines the concepts and methods of awareness meditation. I keep a copy on hand to give to people who paths I cross who appear to be lost in the happenings of daily life or those who are suffering major crisis. Whenever it is best to stop the world and get off. If only for a breath.

it's easy to meditate when the book puts you to sleep. oh yeah, don't forget to send more money for the tapes. must be so you can tape your eyes open while reading it.

I have read several of Kabat-Zinn's works and find they are terrific self-helps! "Wherever You Go . . ." is a short, cogent helper to enable the reader to break out of the rut and look at life from a different position. The book is non-denominational and not dogmatic! Any person of any faith or atheist can find the text helpful and instructional. There are eastern philosophical references and some of the meditational technique is based on centuries old practices & techniques. This is one of the books that helped me change my life and resolve some old internal issues. It has also helped my play in Tai Chi Chuan. I highly recommend it!

Doesn't matter if you meditate or not - this book is a great tool on finding that tranquil balance point as you fly through life. Stressed out? Read this book. No time? Read this book. Worried about deciding in getting this book? Read this book.

On my top 9 list.

This book has helped me understand how to practice mindfulness in a way that I can understand without being weird.

this is way too many CD's and not good for a beginner. It was a waste of money. If you have too much time on your hands, this may work for you but being a mother, I don't have even close enough time to incorporate into my life.

I brought this book after hear Jon on an Australian radio program and really liked hearing him speak. I've been meditating for about 20 years and usually practice most morning. I've read a lot of books on the subject and have visited Ashrams and studied Yoga in India on my travels. If you are new to the subject them I would recommend this book as Jon has a lot of useful and interesting things to say. If you have been doing meditation for a number of years then you will not really learn anything new. I don't want to sound arrogant but I've read most of what he has to say in other books. Meditation is basically just being in the moment. Just focusing on one thing, either an object, breath or mantra. If you are new to meditation it may be worth trying a few different styles of meditation to see what is best suited to you as we are all unique. What maybe good for one person will not necessary be good for someone else. I would also recommend reading other books on the topic. After you have read a few books they all basically say the same thing, "Just focus on the moment"

I brought this book after hear Jon on an Australian radio program and really liked hearing him speak. I've been meditating for about 20 years and usually practice most morning. I've read a lot of books on the subject and have visited Ashrams and studied Yoga in India on my travels. If you are new to the subject them I would recommend this book as Jon has a lot of useful thing to say. If you have been doing meditation for a number of years then you will not really learn anything new. I don't want to sound arrogant but I've read most of what he has to say in other books. Meditation is basically just being in the moment. Just focusing on one thing, either an object, breath or mantra. It took me several years to find the style of meditation that suited me. I tried mantra and visualization but they just didn't do it for me. When I learnt how to focus on the breath that was the style that felt correct for me. If you are new to meditation it may be worth trying a few different styles as we are all unique. What maybe good for one person will not necessary be good for someone else. I would also recommend reading other books on the topic. After you have read a few books they all basically say the same thing, "Just focus on the moment"

So you're a human... You want to learn to be more at peace, have less stress in your life, be more alive, enjoy life more, be more loving to the wife or kids... etc....

This is the book to read.

Even if you don't want to sit and meditate every day or every other day you should read this book. It shows how you can "meditate" while doing every day tasks like washing dishes or cleaning the house or just walking to the bathroom, etc...

And why is this important? Because it helps you get in touch with the Now moment, to live fully in the Present. And that is what this book is about, and what will make your life better.

This book is great! I don't know what happened between this and his book "Coming To Our Senses", but the other book is very wordy, very incohesive, and generally not that good. THIS book, however, is a gem, and I truly wish I could get all my friends and family members to at least read it.

But they will not, and I suppose that is only fitting, as one has to come to something like this on one's own. You are reading this review. That means you are ready. You won't find a better book on the hows and whys of meditation and mindfulness. And you won't find a better way to reduce stress and come alive and be more at peace within yourself and in the world.

I am enjoying this book very much. It was recomended to me by a friend. She has been reading it for several years. It is a great book to refer back to when your mind becomes muddled with the everyday stress of living>

I had been going through tremendous stress and anxiety related to a variety of issues. I started this book and it has helped me "rethink" the way things are and should be. It has helped me put so many things in perspective. I now read a small portion each morning as sort of a daily affirmation before heading off to work. It's one of the best books I've bought in quite some time related to the subject of mindfulness.

I had been going through tremendous stress and anxiety related to a variety of issues. I started this book and it has helped me "rethink" the way things are and should be. It has helped me put so many things in perspective. I now read a small portion each morning as sort of a daily affirmation before heading off to work. It's one of the best books I've bought in quite some time related to the subject of mindfulness.

I have read several "classic" books on meditation and buddhism, but this book is the one to read first. Kabat-Zinn is a wonderful writer and he speaks to a western audience in their own terms. The book is centered in Buddhist philosophy, but is sensitive to the fact that many readers are not familiar with Buddhism and are not necessarily actively interested in Buddhism or meditation as a religious practice. Other books written or translated from well-known Buddhist authors lack Kabat-Zinn's clarity, understanding of his audience and his not overtly religious presentation of mindfulness and meditation. Once I read Kabat-Zinn's book I was able to return to other books with a better understanding of mindfulness and meditation. A dear friend who has been a devotee of Buddhism for over twenty years found the book to be well written and enjoyed reading it, but she was already familiar with the information and concepts he presented. In general a very good introduction and a very good quality book.

I have read several "classic" books on meditation and buddhism, but this book is the one to read first. Kabat-Zinn is a wonderful writer and he speaks to a western audience in their own terms. The book is centered in Buddhist philosophy, but is sensitive to the fact that many readers are not familiar with Buddhism and are not necessarily actively interested in Buddhism or meditation as a religious practice. Other books written or translated from well-known Buddhist authors lack Kabat-Zinn's clarity, understanding of his audience and his not overtly religious presentation of mindfulness and meditation. Once I read Kabat-Zinn's book I was able to return to other books with a better understanding of mindfulness and meditation. A dear friend who has been a devotee of Buddhism for over twenty years found the book to be well written and enjoyed reading it, but she was already familiar with the information and concepts he presented. In general a very good introduction and a very good quality book.

Covers all sides of doing meditation in real life. All intricate details and nice related feelings of meditation.

If you do meditation or want to do, yo will find it extremely helpful and interesting.

Just such a great book.

I am browsing this from time time to, and it makes me thinking.

The most interesting thoughts are the nono clear ones, where you are thinking "on the verge", and you got your mind working!

For those of us who suffer from stress and anxiety thanks either to simple, everyday living or a one-time, traumatic event, Jon Kabat-Zinn offers a meditative approach called mindfulness. Based on his work in a stress clinic he founded at UMass medical center 30 years ago, mindfulness offers an entry into full wakefulness and focus that seems achievable through practice and dedication. The book itself is terrifically gentle and his prose evenhanded and engaging. There are tapes which offer meditative exercises based on the text, too.

For those of us who suffer from stress and anxiety thanks either to simple, everyday living or a one-time, traumatic event, Jon Kabat-Zinn offers a meditative approach called mindfulness. Based on his work in a stress clinic he founded at UMass medical center 30 years ago, mindfulness offers an entry into full wakefulness and focus that seems achievable through practice and dedication. The book itself is terrifically gentle and his prose evenhanded and engaging. There are tapes which offer meditative exercises based on the text, too.

If you want to learn how to slow down and realize where you are and what to do each day this book is the one! Easy and relaxing from the start.
Excellent for parents and for grandparents too.

This book has changed my life. My boss gave it to me as a gift and it has completely change my focus and priorities and slowed me down so I can enjoy life instead of just going through it like a robot not recognizing or enjoying anything. The title is misleading. The book helps you focus and look closely at things you do automatically without any regard or enjoyment. I use this as a reference...going back to different chapters that apply to my current state. I think everyone should own this book.

Jon Kabat-Zinn has written a simple and most important book for anyone who is considering meditation as a daily practice. It is a step by step guide to discover how mindfulness/meditation can be a part of your everyday life.

The book is well written, comprehesive, and enjoyable to read. I liked it so much I bought this one for my Grandaughter.

This is a book that is very easy to read and introduces a western person to concepts of Budism without the religious part. It is a great way to learn concepts that are helpful in daily life. It can help a person to be more focused and effective in life by being mindful. This is a must read. He also has CDs or Tapes for meditation which are very easy to learn to meditate from. It is not religious either. It is just focusing on your breath. This is budism that can be incorporated into the life of anyone of any faith because it is just the concepts and not the religious aspects, but after learning these things one might want to explore more into a faith that creates such wonderful things.

Wherever You Go, There You Are is a book that ought to be left on any table in one's home (not tucked away in a shelf). What a great book of wisdom.


Marina Kushner
Author
The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do about It

If you have any desire to learn about or practice meditation,you couldn't find a better resourse.

The langauge in which this book is written so clear and effective it is actually amazing. How Jon Kabat communicates such a foreign consept so easily and effectively. I couldnt believe how quickly I learned how to focus and be in the moment and enjoy the moment not worrying about what's next.

Excellent book, allows one to slow down and really be present to every moment of life, if we choose to do so.

Jon-Kabatt-Zinn is a master of being, in the here and now. Most of us judge our lives by what we can and will produce and cannot fathom what it is just to "Be" without all the trappings of expectations, judgment or busy-work. Kabatt-Zinn shows us how to think of life a bit differently by simply being and discovering who we truly are. When we can be mindful of ourselves, it brings us to a place of peaceful existence within and without. An empowering journey for those who continue to struggle with life and the cards we are dealt.

Unlike Kabat-Zinn's previous book, Full Catastrophe Living, which is a somewhat dense tome about stress reduction, this book is more a collection of short, interrelated tidbits that will get you to sit and meditate. Kabat-Zinn has a non-denominational approach to meditation, mentioning its Buddhist origins, but not proning Buddhism. For those of use who are atheists/agnostics, this is refreshing. The book itself does not give many instructions on meditation, so if you are looking for a first book on meditation, this is not what you need. But reading its short chapters from time to time might just remind you why you started doing this strange practice that is meditation, and help keep you sitting a bit longer.

The book is great, it blew my mind, and changed the way I see life. The delivery [of the book] was super fast. I Never received an item so soon when ordering. I was very satisfied with the whole purchase.