Simply Mindful: A 7-Week Course and Personal Handbook for Mindful Living

Book excerpt: Comprehensive 7-Week Course with Concepts, Skills and Research Mindfulness is not a magical panacea, but when understood and applied properly, it offers the benefits of greater wholeness, connection to others, and balance for dealing with life's ups and downs. Simply Mindful offers an easy-to-follow curriculum that is science and research-based. Written by international mindfulness expert, psychotherapist, award-winning author and former Buddhist monk Donald Altman, MA, LPC, these pages can help anyone gain the real-life benefits that mindfulness offers. Ideal for individuals, educators, coaches, counselors and business persons who want a step-by-step approach to learning and mastering mindfulness, as well as using this guide to teach mindfulness to others, either individually or in a group setting. Simply Mindful brings all the essentials you need to know about mindfulness into this one book--because it includes everything from an overview of the ancient, traditional four foundations of mindfulness and its role in Buddhism, to how it was introduced into Western healthcare and business. Plus, it delivers a clear understanding of the core concepts of mindfulness, along with 36 detailed practices and skills for learning and applying it at work, at home and in relationships. Whether using this guide for yourself or teaching others, you'll appreciate how the curriculum in Simply Mindful includes new science and research that illustrates the benefits of how mindfulness works in the brain and body. Plus, the skills in these pages can be used for developing acceptance and compassion, as well as for managing stress, improving relationships, boosting creativity, and enhancing productivity. In the pages of Simply Mindful you'll discover: - The latest neuroscience behind mindfulness and stress reduction. - Cutting-edge research about why present moment awareness improves health, creativity and productivity. - Over 35 detailed practices for learning and applying mindfulness--from mindfulness of the breath to intentional awareness and the loving-kindness practices. - The 5-Steps to G-R-E-A-T Mindful Self-Care which are like your boot-camp for preparing a successful mindfulness practice. - A Dedicated Mindfulness at Work Chapter, for building collaboration, increasing productivity, and boosting creativity--including research and practices. - A Dedicated Mindfulness at Home Chapter for applying mindfulness at home, for cultivating caring relationships--including research and practices. - Handy tools for finding practices and getting more information, such as an Index of Exercises and Practices, Biographical References, For Further Reading and Online Resources. Whether you're distracted and exhausted, or calm and connected, here's your all-natural resilience-building remedy. REVIEWS Simply Mindful is for today's coaches and leaders. It integrates science and practice to give you the essential tools help you become more productive and satisfied with your life. - John Baldoni; executive leadership coach and author, Grace Mindfulness expert Donald Altman has done it again, offering refreshing and timely mindfulness exercises and advice in an effective format. Prepare to be transformed by the end of your journey. - Chris Willard, PsyD; educational consultant and author, Growing Up Mindful Reading Simply Mindful is like taking a natural stress-reducer more powerful, longer lasting and safer than any stress relief drug. The only side-effects are more joy, calm and tranquility. - Randall Fitzgerald; journalist and author The simple and practical exercises in this well-researched guide make it perfect for teachers, therapists and their clients, or anyone desiring to live mindfully, with greater awareness, compassion and joy. - David Nez; art therapist, teacher and author, The Tree