Asperger's Syndrome and Mindfulness: Taking Refuge in the Buddha [Paperback]

Chris Mitchell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1843106868 | ISBN-13: 978-1843106869 | Publication Date: December 15, 2008 | Edition: 1

Understanding who you are can be lonely and difficult following the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Asperger's Syndrome and Mindfulness illuminates this as an empowering path of discovery through the teachings of Buddhism.
Chris Mitchell draws parallels between the experience of his own journey towards personhood through AS and the spiritual tenants of Theravada Buddhism, as outlined through the Eightfold Path. Worry and anxiety, confusing desires or negative thoughts are among the everyday hindrances a person with AS faces. This book takes the reader through key beliefs of Theravadic Buddhism, such as Mindfulness and the Four Noble Truths, showing how practices such as Insight Meditation can lead to a positive resolution of these feelings.
Written in a friendly and personal style, this book provides helpful tips and suggestions for improving confidence and self-esteem towards an overall better sense of self that will certainly be of interest to anyone diagnosed with AS or their family and friends.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chris Mitchell was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 1998, when he was 20 years old. Having completed an MA (Hons) in Information and Library Management, he currently works at Durham County Council. He is an active advocate for raising awareness of the positive aspects of AS, giving talks, seminars and workshops throughout the UK. He also offers mentoring and support services for school leavers and students entering higher education with AS. Chris has written an autobiography of his own experience of AS, entitled Glass Half-Empty, Glass Half-Full: How Asperger's Syndrome Has Changed My Life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (December 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843106868
• ISBN-13: 978-1843106869
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming hindrances, July 1, 2009

By 

H. G. Posthuma (Netherlands) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Asperger's Syndrome and Mindfulness: Taking Refuge in the Buddha (Paperback)

Reading the book I recognized the hellish prisons that open up when a person with AS is living unaware of it and / or when the people in his surrounding are in the same situation. I also share experiencing the wholesome effects of Buddhist exercises: they are a medicine for one's mind and body. As these exercises have mindfulness at their base, clarity of mind is enhanced and self-knowledge is developed as well as knowledge of others. This is particularly relevant to a person with AS, as he suffers from a handicap in information processing as well as in understanding the psychological and social fabric.
The book gives a short overview of the basic Buddhist teachings to outline the context of the five hindrances: sense desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and doubt. These are mental states anyone meets when facing difficulties, and difficulties abound for persons with AS. Each chapter describes a hindrance or an aspect of it on the basis of the author's personal experience and concludes with advice for the person with AS as well as the people around him. Although the advice may fit a Buddhist context, most of it is not specifically Buddhist and may also be found in non-Buddhist books. As well most of the advice is not specifically AS related but about overcoming obstacles in general.
To me the main advantage of this book is that it opens the eyes for the suffering of people with AS as well as for the benefit they can have from Buddhist exercises. Another advantage is that people with AS can get specific advice on how to cope with the hindrances they experience in their lives, which surpasses quick fixes and helps for the rest of their lives. A disadvantage for me as a non-native English speaker is a lack of editing by the publisher. E.g. there are some very long sentences that need cutting in parts or punctuation marks added.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unmindful, November 9, 2010

By 

A. Robinson (Phx, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Asperger's Syndrome and Mindfulness: Taking Refuge in the Buddha (Paperback)

This is not a book about Buddhism or Mindfulness, it is a book about Asperger's with a hint of Buddhism behind it. I wanted a book about how a person with Asperger's could attain a state of Mindfulness, so I was very disappointed when this book did not even come close to giving me that information. The "advice" given in this book is not at all useful, consisting of admonitions to do better when faced with problems, but nothing at all on how to manage any of those problems utilizing Buddhist techniques. It's like saying, "In order to quit smoking, you have to have the discipline and strength to quit smoking" but telling you nothing about how to obtain discipline or strength. You want to be mindful in the Buddhist sense of the word? Then start acting mindful and you will be. There, I just saved you the money of having the buy this book by summarizing its contents for you.