Customer Reviews

Coming to Our Senses

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

*****

This book woke me up, literally. "Coming to Our Senses" is a large, long, and for me---difficult, book about mindfulness. That said, it is well worth the read. The experience of reading this book was an awakening for me to the world outside my head, where I live most of my life, and where I suspect most of us live our lives. I don't think how I can explain HOW this happens, either, but I know it does.

I started reading it on vacation in Hawaii on my balcony outside, and slowly but gradually I became aware of the environment all around me----the sounds, the smells---and the environment within me---my aches and pains, my feelings, bodily sensations, etc. It was a new experience for me. It was really exciting to have it happen on vacation in Hawaii. I would think though, that wherever you are, if you make the time for the adventure of reading this book, and stick with it, you will have this same "awakening" experience.

Much of the book is about meditation as well as mindfulness, the author's own experiences, and his reflections on our society. He also writes about conventional medicine and how it is beginning to utilize mindfulness. Jon Kabat-Zinn is a fine writer, and though the book is a tome, it is SO worth it. He got me excited about meditation, whereas other books have not. I am a Type A person, so I get anxious at just the thought of sitting around doing nothing for even a few minutes (or seconds); however, the author describes the incredible benefits to be delivered from a simple meditation practice after only several weeks of daily effort, so for me this would be well worth it. It gives you enough information to get started (you apparently really don't need that much), but the author also has references, further reading lists, web site lists, and his own CDs and resources (which he doesn't push but simply offers). After spending almost 700 wonderful pages with him, I trust the author and feel very privileged to have read his book.

The writing style of the book is scientific, philosophical, and grounded, not "new age" at all, another aspect I appreciated. I would encourage you to buy it and read it if you enjoy reading AND thinking, and if you're intrigued at all by the subject matter. I haven't read any of his other books, so I don't know how this one compares. I truly am baffled by previous reviewers who were "disappointed"; in this book, the author definitely delivers! It is a gorgeous hardback book with rough-cut edges (and it smells great too)---well worth the retail price (unlike many hardback books) let alone Amazon's discounted price.

*****

I'm going to be harsher in this review than I should be, since I think the message of the book is essential. I have read Kabat-Zinn's other books, and have the same ambivalent feeling about his first, Full Catastrophe Living, though his second, Wherevery You Go There You Are is much more to the point.

The problem is this: there are four books in here, struggling to break out of a single binding and become individual. Unfortunately, while Kabat-Zinn has great ideas, he is not the best writer, and he rambles. Oh, does he ramble... This 600-page book would have made a great 200 page book, with a great deal of editorial guidance to give it direction. As it stands, it is a mish-mash of unrelated essays about three different subjects: meditation; stress reduction and neuroscience; living in the present; and finally some ramblings about politics.

The meditation parts are well-written, concise instructions on how to meditate, why we want to do so, what sort of techniques to use, etc. The stress reduction and neuroscience parts should be a separate book, where the author could exercise his penchant for wordy sentences and references to studies and tests (and citing his stress reduction clinic over and over). As for the rest, the "living in the present" part, there is a great deal of waste. He says the same things over and over - not necessarily a bad thing, since it gives you different ways of reading similar ideas - but after a while his wordiness gets to you. He can't say something simply; he has to use too many words to say something that could be more poetic. Example: "Our bodies, quantized condensations of vital protoplasm, the most complex and differentiated conglomerations of matter and energy we know of in the universe, arise and pass away." That second clause could be nuked, leaving a more pithy: "Our bodies arise and pass away." Or, with a few modifiers, "Our bodies, complex and uncomprehended, arise and pass away."

In a way, this book seems to be a "toss it all at the wall and see what sticks" collection. There is some internal organization, but not enough. There is no macro-editing (that is, selecting what is really worth saying, and getting rid of the rest). While it is full of good ideas, you need to wade through a lot of chaff to find the wheat. And that is a shame, because Kabat-Zinn is one of the most perceptive authors of books on meditation in a non-religious context.

I hope his next book will be better edited, more taut and concise, and less a compilation of everything he thinks about everything. There is ego in this book, and it disappoints.

Kabat-Zinn's writing is accessible and understandable to those who may not be well-versed in meditation techniques and the concept of mindfulness. He is able to convey to newcomers how to practice mindfulness in every day activities, provides very helpful analogies and images, and gives the reader a concrete idea of the benefits received from practicing mindfulness. He is the best author out there on this subject that I have come across.

If I taught a class in being fully alive and well, this would be the assigned text. Not that it resembles a textbook. It doesn't. It is as comprehensive and well organized as an academic might wish, yet it has the personal story-telling flow of the popular self-help genre. So, it is easy to read while it weaves together complex philosophical, spiritual, scientific and practical living issues and makes them understandable and immediately useful.

The author does indeed teach about the application of mindfulness meditation and other practices to the healing of our bodies and minds. (In fact, this book is a treasure chest filled with what-to's, why-to's and how-to's.) And, he teaches us how to create a mentally and spiritually rich life, filled with well-being. But, as a further accomplishment, he points the way to healing the existential wound of our conceptual "separateness" from each other, our world and the universe.

Perhaps the appreciation of our interconnectedness will lead us to the healing of the world.

In Zinn's chapter, `Meditation is Not for the Fainthearted,' he writes:

"Awareness offers a safe haven in which to restore ourselves and rest in a vital and dynamic harmony, tranquility, creativity and joyfulness NOW, not in some far-off hoped for future time when things are `better' or we have gotten things under control, or have `improved ourselves.'

This sentence sums up the philosophy of Zinn's eagerly awaited book, and very effectively gets to the crux of what lies at the "dis-eased" heart of our society. As a mental health/drug counselor who daily witnesses the destitution found in the souls of my clients, and in the past my own, I became mesmerized by Zinn's "mindfulness" concept in his book, "Wherever You Go, There You Are." My life was so profoundly changed by utilizing that concept, I enthusiastically added Zinn's works to the suggested reading list for my clients. And, after reading this sequel, I have gratefully added it to that list as well. Zinn states our absorption with the future and the past has become such an overriding habit that awareness, and more importantly, connectedness with the present is completely lacking. Technology was created to make our lives easier and bring our world closer...thus providing more time to connect with self and greater intimacy with our fellows. Ironically, the exact opposite has occurred. Never in history has man been such a stranger to his own soul. Zinn's book not only shares the recipe for healing that estrangement...mindfulness...but leads the reader through the steps to accomplish that healing...meditation. For readers who may believe meditation to be "new agey" or "out there," rest assured Zinn uses practical, proven methods of meditation that are easy to follow and will be appreciated by those who embrace their spiritual side and by atheists as well. Voltaire once wrote, "We never live; we are always in the expectation of living." Zinn, thankfully, proves Voltaire wrong.

How many books do you read in a lifetime where you can say this book is capable of truly changing a person's life? How many books truly impact you in a unique way unlike any other you might have read. This author, and this book are in a class by itself. Simply put, I RELISHED reading this book.

I am a student of technology. Medical technology is a field where I have considerable expertise. In my work with heart disease, I have come across literally thousands of sufferers where there is no scientific reason why the disease is present. This is true for victims of heart attacks also. These people have perfectly normal Cholesterol levels, yet the disease is ravaging their bodies.

One of the few explanations left is STRESS, and the individual's inability to deal with stress in their daily lives. Jon Kabat-Zinn takes you through the joys of meditation. On every page, he intrigues the reader by coming at him from a position that you will rarely encounter if ever in a book.

It is clear that the author is at peace with himself, and the world. His ability to achieve this state in the context of our culture is extraordinary. Listen to the flow of his words, the cadence, and the poetry. "...Make more of your ordinary moments notable and noteworthy by taking note of them. This also reduces the chaos and increases the order in the mind. The tiniest moments can become veritable milestones. If you were really present with your moments as they were unfolding, no matter what was happening, you would discover that each moment is unique and novel and therefore, momentous."

His words are beautiful, and moving. You will absorb this book intellectually and unconsciously. You will become a better person for having read it, and what could be more meaningful than that. Read it yourself, absorb it, and share its delights with others.

We have all heard that there are no second acts, and life is not a dress rehearsal. We have all been given a limited allotment of time on this planet to do with, as we will. This author shows us, indeed forces us to reflect on how we have chosen to used that time. For those suffering from stress-induced illnesses like heart disease, you must consider employing the meditation techniques that this author introduced to this country many years ago. We are talking about potentially saving your life, and slowing down the insidious progression of disease.

Mr. Kabat-Zinn can show you the way to change your life. He cannot force you to drink from the well. The choice is yours, choose wisely, and just sit back and enjoy the experience of reading every word in this marvelous book that we can all be grateful that he has written for our benefit.

Richard Stoyeck

Jon Kabat-Zinn's Coming to Our Senses is simply a loving, moving book, one that, if you are open to it, will inspire you and motivate you to open your mind, open your senses. I began this book with a bit of scepticism. Would it hold my interest? Would it have relevance to my life? Yes to both questions. Kabat-Zinn is an excellent writer--his prose is beautiful. The substance of what he is advocating is even more beautiful. His message of mindfulness may start you on a journey, or take you further down your chosen path. This book is not for everyone, but, if you are interested at all in meditation or mindfulness, I think you ought to read this book. It will not disappoint.

As a teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, I admit that I am biased in regard to Dr. Kabat-Zinn's work, but that having been said, this book is truly a treasure that I will take great pride in recommending to the most important people in my life (family, friends, patients, colleagues).

Dr. Kabat-Zinn has the unique ability to act as the ultimate matchmaker: introducing (or re-introducing) each of us to our very own lives. He does this well in the first part of the book where he refines and deepens the ideas and practices he has talked about in his previous works. Then he goes on to take mindfulness into the broader context of the "body politic" and does a masterful job of putting aside any agenda and simply observing how mindfulness and resting in awareness could benefit our "dis-eased" political and social environment in profound ways. His description of making an "orthogonal rotation" in consciousness of the problems faced in our modern world (as he has taught about doing in our personal world as well) is truly radical and potentially highly impactful if our leaders take heed of his suggestion.

All in all, a deep, moving and potentially important book on many levels. I highly recommend it!

"Coming to Our Senses" is a very in depth and thoughtful exploration of mindfulness. This masterfully crafted work will be (or at least should be) a classic. Mindfulness, or the practice of being more awake and aware of the present moment, is vital to our emotional, physical and spiritual health. In this book, the phrase "coming to our senses" has more than its common meaning. It also refers to the wisdom of being more attuned to our senses in this present moment. As your mind wanders (as all of our minds do) bring your self back to enjoy your sense of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. In other words, Jon Kabat-Zinn asks us to really "wake up" and smell the roses... he also urges us to wake up and hear the music, feel the breeze, taste the food and to see the art of everyday life. Towards the end of the book, Jon Kabat-Zinn addresses not only individual suffering and health, but also gives a wise perspective on what it might take to make a healthier world community. The endless pursuit of material objects or a life of distraction will not bring long-term peace or happiness. This book may help you begin or continue the very worthy practice and adventure of mindfulness.

Jay Winner, M.D., author of the book and CD set Take the Stress Out of Your Life: A Medical Doctor's Proven Program to Minimize Stress and Maximize Health

I bought "Full Catastrophe Living" by Kabat-Zinn for $1 at a garage sale in 1997. Since then, I've yellow highlighted, paperclipped, dog-eared pages and written in the margins of that old book. Integrating mindfulness has enriched everything....relationships, work, spirituality. It is a deliberate and effort based skill. I've read many others on this topic, but Kabat-Zinn is the master. He proves that with "Coming To Our Senses". He always pushes this to places I not yet thought. Either people get this ( you can almost see it in their eyes) or they don't (you can read it in their book review). Fortunately for me, the lady running that garage sale didnot.