The Mindful Woman: Gentle Practices for Restoring Calm, Finding Balance, and Opening Your Heart (Paperback)

by Sue Patton Thoele (Author)
Key Phrases: white eagle, few mindful moments, cultivating compassionate awareness, Lone Cypress, Mother Nature, Thich Nhat Hanh (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Imagine a day in which you can be in the midst of chaos but maintain a clear head and sense of balance and focus and have your feet firmly planted on the ground. Even the busiest of women among us has the ability to embrace mindfulness and will reap the benefits of doing so!

In The Mindful Woman, Sue Patton Thoele shows you how to incorporate mindfulness into your busy and dynamic life. The book's gentle and humorous approach makes it a practical and easily understood guide for those who are new to the practice of mindfulness as well as those who are already familiar with its gifts.

The book offers over sixty-five simple and effective practices to help you embrace mindfulness one moment at a time. Filled with both the author's and other women's personal stories about the joys and hurdles that come with embracing mindful living, The Mindful Woman is a friend whose hand you can hold on the path toward being present in the moment. Finding your way will lead naturally to a more open heart, inner peace, and greater zest for life--a path well worth pursuing.

From the Publisher
In The Mindful Woman, best-selling author and psychotherapist Sue Patton Thoele shows the woman who does too much how practicing mindfulness, cultivating calm, and restoring balance can increase feelings of well-being, hopefulness, and happiness. A happier, calmer woman can be more successful and productive as well as more loving and relaxed.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications (April 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572245425
• ISBN-13: 978-1572245426
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #361,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that guides you to mindfulness, May 2, 2008

By	Cynthia L. Wall, LCSW "The Courage to Trust" (Mendocino, California) - See all my reviews

I dived into The Mindful Woman, and whipped through part one, admiring the writing and synthesis of LOTS of information presented elegantly and simply. I slowed down in part two, where she offers practical examples, savoring each sweet bite of advice and wisdom. I honor the brilliance of what Sue Thoele has accomplished. It is not merely a book about mindfulness: Sue has created a mindfulness experience for every reader. This book will live on my nightstand. In just a few minutes, I reclaim gentleness and compassion toward myself and others. The most magical aspect of Sue's approach is that anyone can find support for their beliefs, whether Christians, Buddhists, Jews, or agnostics. It is all about seeking peace of mind.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How To Live In The Moment, May 9, 2008

By	Story Circle Book Reviews (www.storycirclebookreviews.org) - See all my reviews

Are you a recovering drama queen? Is it difficult for you to avoid being sucked into the stimulation vortex to which society as a whole seems addicted? According to Sue Patton Thoele, mindfulness is a wonderful form of rehab.

In The Mindful Woman, she first explains how the practice of mindfulness--consciously living in the moment--can enrich our lives. "When consciously and kindly focusing awareness on life as it unfolds minute by precious minute, you are better able to savor each experience." For those who are so over-obligated that they feel as if they are being "nibbled to death by ducks," choosing to focus only on the ducks nibbling in the moment helps alleviate feelings of being overwhelmed.

I have spent way too many days running on autopilot and wondering where the hours went. Now I realize that this kind of "automatic living" is essentially the opposite of mindfulness. Thoele believes there are four basic elements necessary for becoming more mindful: paying attention, living in the moment, simplifying, breathing. I found that her breathing exercises were a wonderful way to rein myself in to the moment and to tame my "monkey mind." Since reading Simple Abundance by Sarah ban Breathnach some years back, I have been on a quest for my authentic self. Therefore, Thoele really grabbed my attention with her assertion: "All you are and can be is within. Your assignment is to pay attention and gently coax your unique authenticity into expression."

For most people, it would not be practical to spend most of their time away on retreat, or to spend hours each day in meditation, in order to achieve a Zen-like state of mindfulness. However, Thoele feels that even a few mindful moments can make a world of difference. With her book and its myriad exercises, I think anyone can create "minutes of mindfulness and oases of awareness amid the hustle and hassle of everyday activities."

by Becky Lane
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book!, May 20, 2008

By	Colleen Patrice (Golden, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Reading "The Mindful Woman" was like meeting with a wise, witty, wonderful friend for coffee every morning. It's the kind of book I never wanted to end! "The Mindful Woman" is also a book I can turn to again and again when I feel I the need to be inspired and/or guided... I can simply open to a page and see the perfect message for the moment. There is comfort in knowing that the book really isn't over!
I also HIGHLY recommend "The Courage to be Yourself", and "Heart Centered Marriage" by Sue Thoele... books I feel have been overlooked and have SOOOOooooo MUCH to offer... reading them has changed & transformed my life.