Calming Your Anxious Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Anxiety, Fear, and Panic [Paperback]

Jeffrey Brantley (Author), Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007

The Mindfulness Solution to Anxiety

Drawing on techniques and perspectives from two seemingly different traditions, this second edition of the self-help classic Calming Your Anxious Mind offers you a powerful and profound approach to overcoming anxiety, fear, and panic. From the evidence-based tradition of Western medicine, learn the role your thoughts and emotions play in anxiety. And, from the tradition of meditation and the inquiry into meaning and purpose, discover your own potential for presence and stillness, kindness and compassion-and the tremendous power these states give you to heal and transform your life.

Use this encouraging, step-by-step program to:
• Learn about the mechanism of anxiety and the body's fear system
• Develop a healing mindfulness practice-one breath at a time
• Start on the path to presence, stillness, compassion, and loving kindness
• Practice acceptance during mindfulness meditation
• Feel safe while opening up to fearful and anxious feelings

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is a welcome addition to the anxiety disorders field. Comprehensive as well as clearly written, it provides a wealth of information on the use of meditation and mindfulness practice in recover from anxiety difficulties.
—Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D., author of The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook and Coping with Anxiety

"Dr. Brantley’s book is clear and warm. It takes the mystery out of meditation and explains how things that at first sight appear ‘ordinary’ are in fact very important. His extensive clinical experience and his empathy constantly shine through the book."
—Jonathan Davidson, MD, director of the Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Program at Duke University

"I think the book is fantastic and believe it will fill an important niche in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The information on the physiology of anxiety and the stress response helps to demystify the symptoms for readers, making their problem seem more manageable. Beautifully guided meditations anticipate and address the questions that anxious new meditators will have. The instruction to stay present with the anxiety is powerful and healing. I know I will be recommending it to my patients and colleagues."
—Holly B. Rogers, MD, staff psychiatrist with Duke University Counseling and Psychological Services

"As a psychotherapist and teacher of stress reduction, I find this book helpful to clients and clinicians, as well as to meditators wishing to deepen their own practice. Brantley gives practical and compassionate guidance to anyone seeking skillful ways to work with anxiety and panic."
—Allie Rudolph, LCSW, founder and codirector of the University of Virginia Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program

From the Publisher

This is a major revision of the classic book using mindfulness to overcome anxiety. It includes information on the latest research into mindfulness, new step-by-step exercises, and new thoughts on taking daily mindfulness to deeper and more rewarding levels.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; Second Edition edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572244879
• ISBN-13: 978-1572244870
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders
  • #56 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Mood Disorders

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

134 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but short on some details., April 6, 2004

By 

C. Murdock (Salt Lake City, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calming Your Anxious Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Anxiety, Fear, and Panic (Paperback)

I bought this book to help me deal with Social Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, and depression.

This book could serve as a nice introduction to mindfulness meditation. The first few chapters detail some of the research that has come out concerning the impact of mindfulness on anxiety and anxiety disorders.

It was rather skimpy on some details; specifically, how one can tie all of this mindfulness into reducing or dealing with anxiety. The author takes up an entire one chapter - one - in dealing with this specifically.

Much of the book's content can be found in Jon Kabat-Zinn's wonderful book, "Full Catastrophe Living", which is also much more detailed. I recommend that the customer look into that book first, and then supplement his reading with this one second.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only half way through, but give it 5 stars already, January 7, 2007

By 

joysjane "joysjane" (Casper, WY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Calming Your Anxious Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Anxiety, Fear, and Panic (Paperback)

This book is wonderful. I am only half way through, but it already deserves five stars. It is a great book if you take your time and do the work and pratice the "mindfulness". It can and will change your life. I have noticed during a very unexpected stressful day recently, that several times the word mindfulness popped into my head and I just centered myself in the moment instead of thinking of how behind I was and how mucy more I had to do that day. And at that point, I hadn't even really learned what mindfulness meant. Give this book a try. I don't think you'll be sorry.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A life-changing book, June 27, 2007

By 

Douglas Hill (Lancaster, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Calming Your Anxious Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Anxiety, Fear, and Panic (Paperback)

Along with Jon Kabat-Zinn's Full Catastrophe Living, this is an indispensable book for anyone who suffers from GAD, SAD, or panic disorder. This is compassionate, pragmatic, deep therapy that has great power on its own and can be a great supplement to working with a therapist. There's strong current science behind it, and 2500 years of Buddhist practice. Very simply, if you learn to focus in the present you won't worry so much about the future, or beat yourself up about the past.