Mindfulness—the art of paying attention with an open and curious mind to present-moment experiences—has attracted ever-growing interest and tens of thousands of practitioners, who have come to the discipline from both within and outside the Buddhist tradition. In Fully Present, leading mindfulness researchers and educators Dr. Sue Smalley and Diana Winston provide an all-in-one guide for anyone interested in bringing mindfulness to daily life as a means of enhancing well-being. Fully Present provides both a scientific explanation for how mindfulness positively and powerfully affects the brain and the body as well as practical guidance to develop both a practice and mindfulness in daily living, not only through meditation but also during daily experiences, such as waiting in line at the supermarket, exercising, or facing difficult news.
Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
You wouldn't go through your day after having left your leg at home, so why are so many of us living lives with our minds left behind? Smalley, a former professor of biology, and Winston, a former Buddhist nun, answer this question and enable readers to remedy the absent-minded lifestyle. As founder/director and director, respectively, of UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, the authors draw on their experience of bringing mindfulness to the masses and present the scientific side of mindfulness with an artful approach that results in a well-rounded synthesis accessible to scholars and laymen alike. Research studies, personal accounts, and practical applications illuminate mindfulness as a form of meditation; with activities as simple as breathing, listening, and walking, the practice can be easily incorporated into any lifestyle. Though a surprisingly extensive list of benefits from mindfulness is supported by what current research exists, the authors simultaneously acknowledge that more needs to be done and they find encouragement in positive results that reveal mindfulness as a simple yet profound solution to daily problems. Smalley and Winston will pique interest in living a completely present life, even if what that means has yet to be fully understood.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
Library Journal, 6/22/10
“Excellent. Fully Present offers one of the clearest introductions to mindfulness in the field.”
Publishers Weekly, 8/2/10
“The authors draw on their experience of bringing mindfulness to the masses and present the scientific side of mindfulness with an artful approach that results in a well-rounded synthesis accessible to scholars and laymen alike. Research studies, personal accounts, and practical applications illuminate mindfulness as a form of meditation; with activities as simple as breathing, listening, and walking, the practice can be easily incorporated into any lifestyle…Smalley and Winston will pique interest in living a completely present life, even if what that means has yet to be fully understood.”
“The authors draw on their experience of bringing mindfulness to the masses and present the scientific side of mindfulness with an artful approach that results in a well-rounded synthesis accessible to scholars and laymen alike. Research studies, personal accounts, and practical applications illuminate mindfulness as a form of meditation; with activities as simple as breathing, listening, and walking, the practice can be easily incorporated into any lifestyle…Smalley and Winston will pique interest in living a completely present life, even if what that means has yet to be fully understood.”
Cincinnati Parent, 8/13/10
“[The authors’] collaboration in Fully Present draws on their expertise and experience in ways that readers can totally relate to…Take your time with this one. It's that good.”
CurledUpWithAGoodBook.com, 10/14/10
“A comprehensive manual that explains in layman’s language not only the supporting science behind mindfulness, but also the art and the how-to…There are so many excellent reasons to develop mindfulness and an equal number of excuses for putting it off. Now that we have Fully Present as a gentle guide, we can no longer claim ignorance as one of those excuses.”
“A comprehensive manual that explains in layman’s language not only the supporting science behind mindfulness, but also the art and the how-to…There are so many excellent reasons to develop mindfulness and an equal number of excuses for putting it off. Now that we have Fully Present as a gentle guide, we can no longer claim ignorance as one of those excuses.”
Mindful, January 2011
“Seamlessly combines easy-to-read reports on scientific research with first-person accounts and practice instructions…A lively read.”
Metapsychology Online Reviews, 12/13/10
“A good introduction for those who are not familiar with mindfulness and who would like a practical introduction to how it works, what it offers, and how to apply it in their lives.”
“A good introduction for those who are not familiar with mindfulness and who would like a practical introduction to how it works, what it offers, and how to apply it in their lives.”
“Talk of the Town,” WTVF (Nashville, CBS), 1/11/11
“Enjoyable and useful.”
Inquiring Mind, Spring 2011
“An interesting book…Presents research findings in a splendidly organized, reader-friendly way.”
“An interesting book…Presents research findings in a splendidly organized, reader-friendly way.”
WanderingDhamma.org, 10/7/11
“This book offers practical guidance for those seeking to use mindfulness in a secular way to enhance their lives.”
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Betsy
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I began reading "Fully Present", I was amazed by its stunning amount of information and insight. The next day, after finishing the entire book because I simply could not put it down, I realized how READABLE it was as well. I am relatively new to the concept of "Mindfulness" (a mental state that can be learned about and cultivated by anyone with the desire to enrich the experience of living) and after reading this book, feel that I have a much fuller understanding of what it means, why it works and how it can be cultivated. I found the book's scientific information (particularly on the brain's plasticity - or ability to grow and evolve over one's entire life - a relatively new discovery) not just fascinating, but (for a non-scientist like myself) highly accessible. As for the book's "non-scientific" information (on everything from the practice of meditation to the cultivation of gratitude), it was explained and discussed in a way that would make sense to even the most scientifically minded reader. This book is a must-read for anyone interested not just in enhancing their life, but in enhancing the moment-to-moment, day-to-day joy of living it.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's pretty difficult to write a credible study in social science and a useful self-help book. Authors Susan L. Smalley and Diana Winston have done quite well in accomplishing this task. Smalley and Winston are colleagues at the Mindful Awareness Research Center, and this well-written treatise helps to explain their ideas on meditation and wellbeing. They suggest that through mindfulness, essentially living life in the moment and taking full advantage of it, humans may help ease chronic pain, reduce stress, and assist all individuals in achieving their goals.
Authors Smalley and Winston emphasize that while Western medicine is closely tied to pharmaceuticals, there is a strain of Western medicine that also offers scientifically-documented approaches to well-being that emphasize non-pharmacological treatments. "Mindfulness, they write, "is a tool we can use to examine conceptual frameworks, to lessen the influence of preconceptions, and to experience `what is' by choice rather than through drugs" (p. 10). This is not living the life of a monk seeking self-realization through reflection and study; the authors believe a life fully lived may also succeed in this effort.
They argue for breathing exercises and body awareness, and they offer suggestions for how to achieve this. They also offer methodologies for overcoming depression, finding happiness, and moving beyond stress.
"Fully Present" is a tight read, interesting and insightful.
Authors Smalley and Winston emphasize that while Western medicine is closely tied to pharmaceuticals, there is a strain of Western medicine that also offers scientifically-documented approaches to well-being that emphasize non-pharmacological treatments. "Mindfulness, they write, "is a tool we can use to examine conceptual frameworks, to lessen the influence of preconceptions, and to experience `what is' by choice rather than through drugs" (p. 10). This is not living the life of a monk seeking self-realization through reflection and study; the authors believe a life fully lived may also succeed in this effort.
They argue for breathing exercises and body awareness, and they offer suggestions for how to achieve this. They also offer methodologies for overcoming depression, finding happiness, and moving beyond stress.
"Fully Present" is a tight read, interesting and insightful.
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The authors do a wonderful job combining practical guidelines with current scientific evidence, to understand the concept of neuroplasticity, the brain functions and the power of the mind. It is the perfect tool to learn the practice of Mindfulness, to lead a more joyful, healthy and meaningful life.
As an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist, the chapter "Working with Physical Pain" was most helpful. As a reader, I loved all the wonderful quotes.
As an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist, the chapter "Working with Physical Pain" was most helpful. As a reader, I loved all the wonderful quotes.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
So So
I purchased this book for a book club and still haven't finished. There is too much reiteration and its a slow read for me. Read more
Published 18 hours ago by R
5.0 out of 5 stars
The key to happiness is inside your own mind. Learn how to use it with...
I read this book with an open mind. I tried the meditation practices for only a short time and have truely experienced life changing results. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maura F.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Practical instruction And knowledge on mindfulness. I would recommend this book to others. Helped my start meditation more consistently. Thanks.
Published 2 months ago by durant
5.0 out of 5 stars
loved this book!
the best thing I did was to bring this book away with me on vacation.....so enlightening....was able to practice many of techniques of mindfulness...... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Victoria gise
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to understand and unhelpful
There are a lot of books out there on this topic and I read the reviews for many of them hoping to find just the right one for me. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Katie Milner
1.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book if you want to improve your mindfulness
I loved this book. It was highly recommended to me by a co-worker. The "science" of mindfulness is well explained; for me, that makes the "practice" much easier. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Trish Hacker
5.0 out of 5 stars
FULLY PRESENT
EXCELLENT READ. A COMPLETE BOOK ON THE BENEFITS, RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUES OF MINDFULNESS. IT CONVINCED ME THAT IT SOMETHING I SHOULD BE DOING..
Published 14 months ago by Wesley Kirkpatrick
3.0 out of 5 stars
donated to the public library......
donated to the public library......Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness....hoping others will enjoy this book also.... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Donna's Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Mindful Keeper
Very well written and documented book that includes in the "notes" a Bibliography. Also includes an index. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Charlie Prade
5.0 out of 5 stars
you need to read this and share it
Fully Present is an accessible, balanced and wonderfully written book linking the current scientific evidence-based research and studies on mindfulness with the ancient mindfulness... Read more
Published 21 months ago by susan alexander
