Description

How does mindfulness promote psychological well-being? What are its core mechanisms? What value do contemplative practices add to approaches that are already effective? From leading meditation teacher Christina Feldman and distinguished psychologist Willem Kuyken, this book provides a uniquely integrative perspective on mindfulness and its applications. The authors explore mindfulness from its roots in Buddhist psychology to its role in contemporary psychological science. In-depth case examples illustrate how and why mindfulness training can help people move from distress and suffering to resilience and flourishing. Readers are guided to consider mindfulness not only conceptually, but also experientially, through their own journey of mindfulness practice.

Publisher Review

"A tour de force. This book elaborates in exquisite detail--yet with utter accessibility and clarity--what mindfulness is and where it comes from, as well as its profound ethical foundation, clinical applications, growing evidence base, and potential for healing. The depth of the case studies alone exemplifies the elemental wisdom inherent to the practice of mindfulness, and how it can be applied in trying and challenging life situations to beneficial effect."--Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) "Given the widespread appeal of mindfulness training, there is a growing need to understand what mindfulness actually is (and is not!), and to see the ancient roots of its modern applications. Bringing together their own deep practice of meditation with sophisticated psychological expertise and the latest neuroscience research, the authors have created a comprehensive map of the mind. This book illuminates the range and transformative power, both secular and spiritual, of mindfulness practice."--Joseph Goldstein, cofounder, Insight Meditation Society, Barre, Massachusetts "This inspiring book builds bridges between Buddhist psychology and contemporary science. This integration is vital in our world--it has the potential to radically transform perspectives and relieve suffering for individuals and communities. Highly renowned in their respective fields, Feldman and Kuyken are professionally and personally invested in discovering what can emerge from bringing ancient and contemporary disciplines together. This resource will be profoundly useful to so many of us."--Rebecca Crane, PhD, Director, Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, Bangor University, United Kingdom "This book provides a much-needed view of the lay of the land for mindfulness in the 21st century. Drawing on their many years of experience in practicing, investigating, and teaching within the Buddhist insight meditation tradition, on the one hand, and contemporary psychological science, on the other, Feldman and Kuyken offer a remarkably elegant and profound demonstration of what they name as the 'mutuality of learning and dialogue' between the two worlds. Their book shows clearly how and why such mutuality has transformative potential, and the conditions under which it may or may not flourish. This book is a 'must read' for students and teachers of mindfulness-based approaches."--Mark Williams, DPhil, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom "You are holding in your hands a profound work that brings much-needed clarity to the synergies and tension between Buddhist psychology and psychological science. The book offers an integrated map of how distress is created and perpetuated, and how mindfulness training can transform suffering into well-being and flourishing. Highly recommended."--S. Helen Ma, PhD, Founding Teacher, Hong Kong Center for Mindfulness-The book provides an extremely rich resource for those who teach mindfulness or want to learn more about it in depth, including many practices, helpful illustrations, and scientific discussions and references.--Mindful Magazine, 2/3/2020ffThe finest contribution to date to the ever-growing literature on mindfulness and its implications for creating and living a life less hampered by suffering and distress....An invaluable addition to the body of research and therapy-oriented work around the use of mindfulness to enhance life, this volume is a requisite for students and practitioners in psychology, social work, psychiatry, and related disciplines, and for any reader seeking a solid overview of the conceptual and practical terrain of mindfulness. Essential. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals; general readers.--Choice Reviews, 12/17/2019ffThe authors help readers understand how the mind works and how to reframe their thoughts and mindfulness approaches....This book really is for anyone who wants to know more about the art of mindfulness and bridging it with today's psychological theories....The authors have done a fantastic job of explaining mindfulness.--Doody's Review Service, 8/23/2019