Mindset Reset

I have thoroughly enjoyed the gentle coaxing to awaken. I'd not thought of myself as asleep, but only as I awaken do I recognize my long slumber. I listen to this tape nightly on my ipod as I fall asleep. I am amazed at the power of suggestion. My brain has been responding and leading the way with new thoughts, ideas, emotions, ambitions and responses. Its difficult to describe, but I have begun to breathe deliberately during the day, to be more 'present' with my husband and with my son, to find compassion for my ex and (some) forgiveness for him, but also to honestly consider my role in all the high conflict. I've had an odd, lingering and growing notion that I should fast- that I will benefit greatly from a fast- emotionally, mentally, spiritually, physically. I'm not particularly interested, but it's becoming clear that my interest will be won over by what my body and mind have determined is important for purge and to make change. Another thing that occurred to me while breathing is that I should strive to be encouraging and positive to others- less judgemental and critical. I was very very sadden by that awareness. It made me review much of my life and many of my relationships. As if I were being directed by a personal tutor/mentor. Rather, I've simply begun to listen and for once, to really try and hear. This book has been a most powerful tool. Wow, how could I have possibly known it would change me so. Thank you~

52 people found this helpful

A great book BUT......

I love Jon Kabat-Zinn and this is an excellent book. Also, I enjoyed his narration, HOWEVER, why oh why do audiobook producers add music to the narration??!! It always, (no I'm serious, ALWAYS) interferes/competes with the narration and sometimes makes it next to impossible to hear the WORDS being spoken. This is so aggravating to me. I don't play music when I read a book, why would I want to listen to music when I listen to a book? Apart from this completely distracting issue I recommend the audiobook based on what the author wrote, not the production. I suppose I'll have to buy the book as well so I can read the portions that I couldn't hear because of the music. It's really maddening.

155 people found this helpful

GET RID OF THE MUSIC

What made the experience of listening to Wherever You Go There You Are the most enjoyable?

Content

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator was fine. what was so incredibly distracting was the MUSIC primarily at the beginning of the chapters/sections. I could not hear the narrator. It is extremely annoying, frustrating and so counter to the whole purpose of the book content. The MUSIC was so LOUD that it drowned out the narrator. Not only that, but the music itself was of such a type that it gives me the feeling that one gets when hearing someone run their fingernails down a chalkboard. It's awful. The only reason I put up with it (like I have a choice) is because I want to hear the content of the book. I will likely have to ALSO BUY the print or electronic print version so I can read it with my eyes and get the content. This is awful and people who purchased this should be refunded.

Any additional comments?

DITCH THE MUSIC. and Give me a REFUND.

74 people found this helpful

Spiritual Direction: All 360 Degrees

Well, I have read D. T. Suzuki almost in toto, Dalai Lama, heard Victor Frankyl in person, (and for those who can stretch memory back to the 60's) heard Silvano Arietti in person, and now a young spiritual director pointed me to WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE. As the other reviewer said, "relaxing", but much more...a gate to the essence of meditative practice, MINDFULNESS, without fanfare, highly enjoyable, very accurate, evocative of your inner depth, centering, peaceful, positive, satisfying. A POINTER on the way. I listened to it once and found myself centered in a deeper meditative practice, and on the second listening, I find as much new as the first time: it unfolds. Highly recommended. I also liked HOW TO PRACTICE, and of course, PEBBLES AND PEARLS, or is it PEARLS AND PEBBLES? P.S. If you're ADD you'll love this books centering, concentrating, ordering effect. Great reading by the author!

54 people found this helpful

Very Relaxing

This is a refreshing and enjoyable audiobook; even if you were to do nothing but listen to it as a relaxation audio, it would still benefit you! Dr. Kabat-Zinn's voice is extremely soothing. Highly recommended.

24 people found this helpful

Very Real; Not New Agey

I'm not a Meditation Guru, but I do like to learn about and practice meditation once in a while. And I take deep breaths from time to time to de-stress. If you're kind of like me in that last regard at least, I think you'll enjoy this book. It's very down-to-Earth, and offers nothing more than what the title claims: Wherever you go, there you are. It's a simple truth, and like meditation, he does not make this out to be more than it is. His explanations of meditation are very good and will not lose you in the stars.

I've listened to parts of it several times, when I want to take my mind off of things and veg out - or fall asleep.

It's also nice to listen to once in a while to remind myself that this is really it, and we need to take advantage of our days- and sometimes the best way to do that is to sit back, acknowledge we're here and what we're doing, and just breathe.

14 people found this helpful

Meditation and Mindfulness 101

An excellent and easy to understand audio for those who are just starting to learn meditation and the mentality behind it. Highly recommended.

13 people found this helpful

American sage

I read this book several years ago, but it was worth the download to hear Kabat Zinn himself. For me, listening to his voice is itself a stress reduction experience.

His mind-body-spirit approach derives from his long time Buddhist background but could be adopted even by those not comfortable with Eastern "religions." His work is research based, critically acclaimed by practitioners of both traditional and alternative medicine, with years of clinical success.

If you are not sure you want to try his approach, check out some of his sessions on U Tube. If you had to listen/read only one author on the mind body connection, I'd recommend Jon Kabat Zinn over any other medical, alternative medical or new age guru. He's both accessible and profound.

20 people found this helpful

Excellent, powerful and his voice is soothing

I listen to the whole book at least once a day. I think it is great and no matter where I jump to in the book the idea is consistent. He doesn't tell us WHAT to do, he explains the benefits of doing certain "suggestions". He starts by saying we are where we are and sometimes we don't realize if this is an okay place to be because we are not IN THE MOMENT- we are not being mindful. We are not PRESENT in our current lives. He explains it further and made me realize that his explanation though profound actually was plausible. The audio version makes it easy for me to listen to the book so often... at the desk, between breaks, car rides, cooking, and even as I sat watching Hannnah Montana with the baby. Now that is versatility. Thank you Audible!!!

8 people found this helpful

Good foundation for mindfulness

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Kabat-Zinn is the grandfather of the mindfulness movement. While this is a little heavy on theory and light on practice, I still found it helpful to know more about mindfulness.

What does Jon Kabat-Zinn bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The fact that he basically started the mindfulness movement in the West.

What did you learn from Wherever You Go There You Are that you would use in your daily life?

A couple of meditation practices.

Any additional comments?

Some reviewers have commented on the music. Annoying? Yes. 30 years ago? Yes. But I didn't find that it detracted from the message or book significantly. It did get a little loud between chapters, and lasted a little too long (though quieter), but I could always understand him.

And I disagree that a narrator should have been hired. Kabat-Zinn has a soft, quiet voice, but I found that it added sincerity to the message considering his pedigree with the movement.

6 people found this helpful