Meditation for Optimum Health: How to Use Mindfulness and Breathing to Heal
- Book Review,
by Andrew Weil
From Publishers Weekly
Doctors Weil and Kabat-Zinn uncover myths and realities surrounding the often intimidating art of meditation. Frequent television appearances, a newsletter, a Web site and a bevy of bestselling books have made Weil (Eating Well for Optimum Health) America's most prominent defender of holistic medicine, and his fans will appreciate his calm, knowledgeable coauthor/reader, University of Massachusetts Medical School professor Kabat-Zinn (Full Catastrophe Living), who has practiced meditation since the 1960s. Defining meditation simply as "directed concentration" and "dropping into stillness" with breath as the natural object of focus, the authors recommend comfortable clothing, a dignified sitting position, turning off the phone and not getting discouraged. Honing "mindfulness" through repetitive activities like dishwashing or walking, and at times of pleasure and pain (lovemaking, recovery from illness) increases meditative skills. Freedom from addictive thoughts, a sense of ease and inhabiting the present moment can result from practicing Christian prayer or Tibetan, Hindu or Buddhist meditation. The authors back up their findings about meditation's ability to ease pain, lower blood pressure and slow heart rate with medical research. Kabat-Zinn systematically guides the listener through various meditation sessions, with reminders to stay aware of breathing, physical sensations and thought patterns. The authors' warm, articulate presentation and clear instructions make this the perfect meditation primer. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In this relatively short program, Weil and Kabat-Zinn present a very user-friendly and nondoctrinal introduction to a basic meditation technique. As is usual with Weil's "Optimum Health" series, the information is offered in a very understandable format, which will appeal to teens and adults. His explanation of what meditation is, the various types, and his personal experiences (how he doesn't do it perfectly) are very valuable. Kabat-Zinn has practiced meditation for 40 years and currently employs it to help people with various diseases including chronic stress and/or pain. While he offers some background, his chief contribution is to lead one through the basic meditation and some permutations. Like Weil, he is careful to be inclusive rather than rigid. Kabat-Zinn explains his recommendations for certain methods and encourages listeners to do what they can to see meditation as an adventure, a gift to themselves, rather than just "one more thing to do." Highly recommended. Kathleen A. Sullivan, Phoenix P.L. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
The two authors, who are leaders in integrative medicine, tell us how meditation can be used to improve health. Weil is the voice of reason in all his audios--the clear and logical teacher whose medical knowledge is as strong as his reputation as a mind-body pioneer. Even with material that seems far out at times, he always gets to the point and makes it all understandable and well integrated. Dr. Kabat-Zinn takes a more intimate approach with his segments, some of which are meditative guides, and adds a quiet enthusiasm to the program. This practical and highly personable guide to meditating and mindfulness will help listeners get closer to themselves and to good health. T.W. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Book Description
An easy-to-learn meditation guide for achieving optimum mind/body health. The same ability that helps ordinary people achieve extraordinary success is also the secret to optimizing your lifespan, letting go of stress, and even enhancing your body’s self-healing powers. In Meditation for Optimum Health, you will join best-selling authors Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn for a practical introduction that makes it simple to enjoy the life-changing benefits of meditation – even if you’ve never tried it before. How does meditation work? Can anybody do it? What do I need to get started? Is it religious? Does it have the power to heal? In alternating sessions, Dr. Weil and Dr Kabat-Zinn give you straight answers to the most common questions about meditation, and dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding this time-honored practice. By learning to cultivate the power of your attention through daily practice, you can harness the full potential of your mind, and use it to enrich every dimension of your life. You will learn how meditation can actually unify your mind and body’s many related functions – and help you start enjoying the best health of your life. Complete with real-life examples, and a proven program of step-by-step meditations to get you started, here is the perfect introduction to the oldest and most effective system for feeling better, naturally.
From the Publisher
This is an original program available only on audio; it is not adapted from a book.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Weil is a leader in the integration of Western medicine and the exploding field of alternative medicine. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, he teaches at the University of Arizona in Tucson, specializing in alternative medicine, mind/body interactions and medical botany. He is the founder of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson, where he is training a new generation of physicians. Dr. Weil is the author of eight books: "The Natural Mind" (1972), "The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon" (1980), "From Chocolate to Morphine" (with Winifred Rosen, 1983), "Health and Healing" (1984), "Natural Health, Natural Medicine" (1990), "Spontaneous Healing" (1995), "8 Weeks to Optimum Health" (1997), and his most recent best-seller, "Eating Well for Optimum Health: The Essential Guide to Food, Diet, and Nutrition" (2000). Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. is internationally known for his work as a scientist and meditation teacher bringing mindfulness into the mainstream of medicine and society. He is the founder and former Executive Director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the founder and former director of its Stress Reduction Clinic. He is also Professor of Medicine in the Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine at UMMS. He is the author of Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness (Delta, 1991), and Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life (Hyperion, 1994). He is also co-author, with his wife Myla, of Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting (Hyperion, 1997). Dr. Kabat-Zinn's work in the stress reduction clinic was featured in Bill Moyer's PBS Special, Healing and the Mind and in the book of the same title. In 1994, he received the Interface Foundation Career Achievement Award, and the New York Open Center's Tenth Year Anniversary Achievement in Medicine and Health Award. In 1998, he received the California Pacific Medical Center's Award for contributions to the Art, Science and Soul of Healing. He is a Founding Fellow of the Fetzer Institute and a Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
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