A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 55 ratings · 10 reviews

In one of the most optimistic books to come out of Washington during these trying times, Congressman Tim Ryan presents us with an inspiring and hopeful view of our country’s future—and a roadmap for how to get there. Across America, people are feeling squeezed, exhausted, and running faster and faster while falling farther behind. The economy continues to struggle, wars...more In one of the most optimistic books to come out of Washington during these trying times, Congressman Tim Ryan presents us with an inspiring and hopeful view of our country’s future—and a roadmap for how to get there. Across America, people are feeling squeezed, exhausted, and running faster and faster while falling farther behind. The economy continues to struggle, wars rage on, and every week brings news of another environmental disaster. Everything seems broken and people feel helpless to make a difference. Despite this bleak outlook, there are strands of quiet hope and confidence. People are beginning to take action in a new way: they are slowing down, paying attention, and gaining an awareness of the inner resources at their disposal.

This new way is based on the timeless and universal practice of mindfulness, the natural capabilities of our brains and minds, and the core American values of self-reliance, stick-to-it-iveness, and getting the job done. And it’s manifesting in every sector of our society—it’s helping sick people work with their pain, school children improve their learning, veterans heal from trauma, and CEOs become more inclusive and effective leaders. All these benefits—and more—are supported by scientific research on mindfulness that is regularly reported by the mainstream media, such as ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.

In A Mindful Nation, Congressman Tim Ryan—an all-American guy from the heartland who is also a thoughtful, committed leader—takes this story about the benefits of mindfulness to the next level. He connects the dots between what’s happening with mindfulness in the classrooms, hospitals, boardrooms, research labs, and army bases across the country by sharing his interactions with experts in education, defense, health care, criminal justice, and the environment. A Mindful Nation paints a picture of emerging solutions that both benefit the reader and address the societal difficulties we are facing. Ryan’s folksy, warm, and encouraging voice uplifts us and shows that there is something we can do right here and right now to help ourselves and our country.

Both inspiring and pragmatic, A Mindful Nation shows how the benefits of mindfulness apply to the current challenges that affect each of us in our own lives and in our communities, and thus have implications for our society as a whole. With a hard-nosed understanding of politics, government budgets, and what it takes to get something done, Ryan connects a practical approach—lead with the science, show the savings and show how this can help us educate our children to be competitive in the world arena—with a hopeful vision for how mindfulness can reinvigorate our core American values and transform and revitalize our communities. (less)

Hardcover, 203 pages

Published March 27th 2012 by Hay House

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Walking the Corporate Beat by Michael Tabman

Motivational and Self-Improvement Books

77th out of 347 books — 278 voters

Coffins on Our Shoulders by Dan Rabinowitz

2013 D

4th out of 52 books — 1 voter

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 236)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 28, 2012 Diane Kistner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Today's quotation from Goodreads is from Leo Tolstoy: "If, then, I were asked for the most important advice I could give, that which I considered to be the most useful to the men of our century, I should simply say: in the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you."

Mindfulness. The idea, and the research proving, that this practice can be of enormous value to the health and well being of individuals and communities is not new. Forty years ago in the U.S., it was transcendental...more Today's quotation from Goodreads is from Leo Tolstoy: "If, then, I were asked for the most important advice I could give, that which I considered to be the most useful to the men of our century, I should simply say: in the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you."

Mindfulness. The idea, and the research proving, that this practice can be of enormous value to the health and well being of individuals and communities is not new. Forty years ago in the U.S., it was transcendental meditation, but the practice is ancient. "Sitting down to meditate" is a little more formal and removed from mindfulness techniques, which can be practiced in an active way as Tolstoy suggests. (In fact, children learning TM were given a "walking mantra" that they could "sound" as they were doing other things to help them still themselves and stay calm and focused.) Decoupling TM from India and the Maharishi, Herbert Benson came along with his Relaxation Response books (essentially the TM technique using a familiar English word like "one" as a mantra), and numerous other authors have come out with their own books about all sorts of variations, from focus on breathing to self-hypnotic techniques to prayer. (Yes, prayer.) I practiced TM for many years, and I can personally vouch for how greatly the practice enhances one's health, well being, resilience, intelligence, calmness, and compassion. (In fact, TM is still my preferred mindfulness technique, for all I have to do is "pulse" my mantra a few times to come fully into awareness of the moment.)

The simple mindfulness and kindness techniques in the back of Tim Ryan's book are different from mantra-style techniques—the latter are designed to quiet thoughts, the former to emphasize awareness in the moment—but they accomplish the same thing. The effects have been rigorously scientifically studied, and the techniques have been widely used in corporate and healthcare settings worldwide. All of these techniques result in a deeper awareness of, and connection to, everything around us. None of this is about "belief": it is, at its base, physiological.

Whichever way one chooses to practice mindfulness—whatever technique one chooses to enter a mindful state, how often, and for how long—living one's life from this level of consciousness gradually brings a person to an optimal level of functioning. The more individuals in a society who achieve this optimal level of functioning, the better they can make decisions, solve problems together, and help our society as a whole achieve its full potential.

Think about America. Where do we see the most dysfunction now? Where are people the least tuned in to what's going on within and around them? Where is the greatest stress? Is it in our families and workplaces, in our schools and healthcare institutions, in the ranks of our military and first responders, in the halls of the White House and Congress? Congressman TIM Ryan discusses the implications for mindfulness in each of these areas. I am glad to know that at least one politician recognizes the wisdom of serving one's constituents and country from a state of mindfulness.

I am also glad to know that at least one person in one of the most divisive and stagnated political bodies in America's history has the courage to write a book about how mindfulness can impact our nation's discourse, stability, growth, and ability to solve our problems. Buy a copy of this book, read it, then send it to the senator or representative in your state that you feel most needs to read it with the request that they pass it along to their staff when finished. (Don't forget to tell them that you want to know what they think!)

You can scoff at this book, but it's in your own interest not to. Although it's not likely to make the evening news, mindfulness will have a stronger impact on our lives than all the political posturing in the world. We just have to be willing to wake up, each one of us. Again, as Tolstoy said, "in the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you."(less)

like · see review

Aug 20, 2012 Alain Burrese rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought “A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit” by Congressman Tim Ryan with a forward by Jon Kabat-Zinn did a good job of telling why mindfulness and how mindfulness can help people in many areas of their lives, thus also helping the entire country. However, there is not that much in the book that shows you how to be more mindful. (The book does though, contain some great resources that will do just that.)

I lo...more I thought “A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit” by Congressman Tim Ryan with a forward by Jon Kabat-Zinn did a good job of telling why mindfulness and how mindfulness can help people in many areas of their lives, thus also helping the entire country. However, there is not that much in the book that shows you how to be more mindful. (The book does though, contain some great resources that will do just that.)

I look at this book as a call to action to learn more about mindfulness and to incorporate the practice into your life. Doing so, and encouraging others to do so, will then help reduce some of the stresses that are affecting our society, and generally help society be more prosperous. I believe that is what Ryan was attempting to accomplish with this book, and I think he did a good job of doing so. I just hope more people listen.

With me, I've already studied mindfulness and related teachings, especially through my martial art and related trainings. So Ryan was preaching to the choir. I still enjoyed reading about how mindfulness has helped not only Ryan, but many others, as the book is filled with case studies and examples.

After the introductory chapters that le you know a bit about Ryan and an introduction to the practice of mindfulness, the book addresses what scientists say mindfulness can do for you, how mindfulness can increase our children's attention and kindness, how mindfulness can improve our health and our health-care system, how mindfulness can improve performance and build resiliency for our military and first responders, how mindfulness can help us rediscover our values and reshape our economy, and how mindfulness can help us help ourselves and our country. Again, Ryan was preaching to the choir, because I agree with him that this simple practice can do what he discusses in this book, and more. I especially liked the chapter that focused on military and first responders because it is most related to some of what I do in the self-defense, safety and security areas.

The afterword is written by Dr. Susan Bauer-Wu and contains some simple exercises to get you started on this practice. It's only a few pages, and the exercises are simple, but simple can be very powerful sometimes. And just because I say they are simple, that does not mean they are easy. The book then contains a good list or resources to further your study.

I think “A Mindful Nation” by Tim Ryan is a very good book to introduce what being mindful can do, and I hope it opens the eyes of many more people who will benefit from it.(less)

like · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Irene Cohen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I am part of the Hay House Book Nook blogger community and as such am sent books free of charge and am asked if I would like to review them. I choose the books I want to read.

“A Mindful Nation” by Congressman Tim Ryan is a thoughtful book about how the practice of mindfulness may be able to help individuals and the nation as a whole. I was interested in reading this book because it encompasses two subjects I am keenly interested in: meditation and politics. Congressman Ryan seems to...more

like · see review

Sep 05, 2012 Angelique rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the best non-fiction books I've read in a long time. Being a mindfulness follower myself and knowing what it does for me personally actually makes it really hard to convince others of the science behind the practice. Tim Ryan gives us the scientific and experiential studies that have proven that mindfulness can help our nation in education, our military and first responders, in inner-cities and in politics where instead of lashing out against one another, we should be reaching out...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 20, 2013 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a good book. It was not riveting or exciting to read but it had a very strong message. The references and examples were real and very easy to relate to. I enjoyed reading the real life stories from Tim Ryan, but what I really enjoyed was that he actually gave the last section of the book to someone who could "tell" us how to begin being mindful every day. Simple, easy instructions that anyone and everyone can do.
He also gave recommendations of where else we can go to learn more about be...more

like · see review

Jun 18, 2012 Ryan Haczynski rated it 4 of 5 stars

A spectacular little book by Congressman Tim Ryan that advocates bringing mindfulness practices mainstream, especially in the areas of education, health, and military. Ryan seamlessly weaves together scientific evidence, compelling personal narratives, along with his own first-person experiences with mindfulness and the benefits associated with its practice. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to bring mindfulness into the aforementioned fields or anyone with a passing, g...more

like · see review

Nov 08, 2012 Noah rated it 4 of 5 stars

An inspirational book about teaching mindfulness/meditation as a means of helping America. Congressman Ryan is an exuberant optimist who has seen great benefits through his own discovery and practice of meditation. The book is a bit scattered at the end and has too many anecdotal stories about people doing various research but in general, an interesting read.

like · see review

Jul 20, 2012 Shorewalker rated it 5 of 5 stars

Clearly one of the most important books written in this decade. Should be required reading for ALL politicians as well as every concerned voting citizen. I join in Congressman Ryan's wish that we become a more compassionate and mindful society - staying the course will result in a fall from which we cannot recover.
I would vote for this gentlemen for President any day.

like · see review

Feb 18, 2013 Chris Craddock rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: self-help

I am interested in the mindfulness movement and am trying it out myself.

like · see review

Sep 17, 2012 Barbara added it

This book introduces the reader to the positive effects from the daily practice of mindfulness. The author explores the ramifications this practice has had when implemented in schools, health care and the military. Although it does not teach one the techniques of mindfulness, he does provide some practices.

like · see review

May 18, 2013 Penguinasana added it

May 15, 2013 Rebecca Massey marked it as to-read

May 13, 2013 Scott Daniel marked it as to-read

Shelves: enlightenment, personal-growth, politics, mind-body, zen, psychology

May 11, 2013 Radell marked it as to-read

May 08, 2013 Milford Public Library is currently reading it

May 05, 2013 Leonardo marked it as to-read

May 07, 2013 Mondo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 25, 2013 Mac marked it as to-read

Apr 22, 2013 Suki Hertz is currently reading it

Apr 21, 2013 Janet marked it as to-read

Apr 20, 2013 Camille Wilson marked it as to-read

Apr 18, 2013 Caitlin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: buddhism

Apr 29, 2013 Alok Patel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Apr 17, 2013 Dan marked it as to-read

Apr 30, 2013 Leslie B rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 15, 2013 Jacob Mertz marked it as to-read

Apr 28, 2013 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 08, 2013 Deborah Brewster rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

Apr 07, 2013 Kim R is currently reading it

Apr 05, 2013 Paul marked it as to-read

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 next »

Religion > Buddhism

3 users

Psychology

2 users

Politics

2 users

See top shelves...

Books by Tim Ryan

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About A Mindful Nation:...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit
avg rating	preview: A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recaptur Goodreads rating: 4.09 (55 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13202298-a-mindful-nation?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344696471l/13202298.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13202298-a-mindful-nation?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit by Tim Ryan[/url]

A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Books by Tim Ryan

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About A Mindful Nation:...

A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (2)

Genres

Books by Tim Ryan

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About A Mindful Nation:...

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (2)