My rating:
add to my books
Loading...
Full Catastrophe Living: Using The Wisdom Of Your Body And Mind To Face Stress, Pain, And Illness
Stress. It is everywhere around us. Even worse, it gets inside us: sapping our energy, undermining our health, and making us more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and disease. Now, based on Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s renowned mindfulness-based stress reduction program, this groundbreaking book shows you how to use natural, medically proven methods to soothe and heal your body,...more
Audio CD, Abridged, 0 pages
Published
January 15th 2008
by RH Audio
(first published 1990)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,188)
I read this book as part of my "get rid of psorisis in 2009" campaign. In my research, I read about a study where patients undergoing UV treatment for psorisis who listened to the body scan meditation associated with this book showed more improvement than patients who didn't. I'm not undergoing UV treatment, but I thought it couldn't hurt to see what this book has to say. Plus, I was intrigued by the title.
This is not a thin book. It is very, very long and as my library due...more
This is not a thin book. It is very, very long and as my library due...more
view 1 comment
This is a book about pain management. Dr. Kabat-Zinn basically takes practices and insights from yoga and psychology to people who attend his pain management clinics. When I picked up this book, my pain was emotional and psychological in nature. The book works just as well for those kinds of pain.
The title is meant to startle us. It is to remind us that life is an on-going catastrophe, not a museum display. It isn't intended to be orderly. Once we accept that we can get on with learn...more
The title is meant to startle us. It is to remind us that life is an on-going catastrophe, not a museum display. It isn't intended to be orderly. Once we accept that we can get on with learn...more
October and November were my months of self-help. I don't think I've ever read a self-help book in my life, but within four weeks I had read three.
I discovered Jon Kabat-Zinn after receiving dozens of messages of concern about my recent sleeplessness. Various types of meditation and breathing exercises were the most popular recommendations. Some suggested retreats, others classes, and others audio CDs. I figured I'd start with a guided audio CD, and if it didn't work then I'd enroll i...more
I discovered Jon Kabat-Zinn after receiving dozens of messages of concern about my recent sleeplessness. Various types of meditation and breathing exercises were the most popular recommendations. Some suggested retreats, others classes, and others audio CDs. I figured I'd start with a guided audio CD, and if it didn't work then I'd enroll i...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Full Catastrophe Living is basically a New Age book about the magic of meditation. Kabat-Zinn is a medical practitioner who runs a clinic that consists of eight-week classes of meditation, yoga, and general hippie behavior, and he’s written a book describing this course.
Like most New Age stuff, the book is a reflection of someone discovering something useful (usually stolen from Christianity) and taking it to an extreme. In this case, what Kabat-Zinn has discovered is that we as human ...more
Like most New Age stuff, the book is a reflection of someone discovering something useful (usually stolen from Christianity) and taking it to an extreme. In this case, what Kabat-Zinn has discovered is that we as human ...more
Full Catastrophy Living: Using the Wisdom of your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness, by John Kabat-Zinn, narrated by John Cabot-Zins, produced by Random House Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
This book is based on Dr. Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques, which involve using your mind to work through the stressors in your life. He uses meditation, yoga, walking meditation, and even some western medical concepts to help people find ways of dealin...more
This book is based on Dr. Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques, which involve using your mind to work through the stressors in your life. He uses meditation, yoga, walking meditation, and even some western medical concepts to help people find ways of dealin...more
Though there was a lot in this book that I skimmed over, there were a lot of true gems that will particularly be useful in developing a practice of mindfulness and meditation. Some of the information helped me to overcome some of the blocks I've formed and approach in a different way.
I will admit that the title initially made me wary -- not one I wanted to be reading in public, but in the intro, the author relates the story behind it:
In groping to describe that aspect of human...more
I will admit that the title initially made me wary -- not one I wanted to be reading in public, but in the intro, the author relates the story behind it:
In groping to describe that aspect of human...more
I read this book in preparation for an Omega Institute Conference ("Living a Fearless Life") in NYC in 2004 where I heard Kabat-Zinn, Caroline Myss, Martha Beck, and other "like-minded" people speak. Kabat-Zinn gives solid advice and a practical approach. Call it prayer, contemplation, meditation, yoga,etc., for me, the bottom line is to develop a discipline which incorporates a daily practice in support of a healthy mind, body and spirit. This book is worth the read to add t...more
A remarkable, available for anyone, entertaining and enlightening work on mindfulness meditation (Zen). Chapter 2 describing 7 attitudinal factors (non-judging, patience, beginner's mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance and letting go) is key and indispensable to development of mindfulness meditation technique. It teaches a new way of dealing with the physical body by listening to it and working with it. It can open up a whole new outlook on life for anyone. The simple principle of mindfulness c...more
I'm assigning five stars based on the book's content and thoroughness. The real value remains to be determined after consistent practice of the program.
Most people will only be drawn to a program like this after a health crisis or other major life stressor. There is a significant daily time commitment, especially for the first 8 weeks of practice. I've had to eliminate some non-essential activities from my life to make time for this work.
The book gives you a chance ...more
Most people will only be drawn to a program like this after a health crisis or other major life stressor. There is a significant daily time commitment, especially for the first 8 weeks of practice. I've had to eliminate some non-essential activities from my life to make time for this work.
The book gives you a chance ...more
Howard's son-in-law!
A really insightful book with very practical advice and things to put into action immediately. Any reader would benefit from the book. It can be a bit laborious to get through it as the content can be a bit dry. Depending on your objectives you may not want to read straight through. I think there are two things you may want from the book - a) wanting to learn how to put mindfulness into practice and start a routine, or b) learning more about the relationships in the body between stres and sickne...more
This book should not be read for entertainment or escape. It is a "how to" book for anyone who wants to learn mindfulness meditation for any reason. Mindfulness meditation improves the quality of your life no matter why you decide to learrn and practice it. The first ten chapters deal with the practice of several types of meditation including just breathing, sitting meditation,the body scan, yoga meditation, and walking meditation. After you try each, the tenth chapter tells you the us...more
The book essentially describes the background and practice of a stress clinic he runs in Boston, in which he requires patients to do 45 minutes of meditation or yoga six days a week for the 8 weeks of the program (with weekly group meetings).
The program he describes sounds very useful! This "mindfulness meditation" sounds like a great way to practice centering and calming yourself so that you can better deal with stressful situations. The book contains instructions on how t...more
The program he describes sounds very useful! This "mindfulness meditation" sounds like a great way to practice centering and calming yourself so that you can better deal with stressful situations. The book contains instructions on how t...more
Lisa Vegan
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in mindfulness, meditation, stress reduction
This is the book that got me started on a mindfulness meditation practice.
Of course, at around the same time I was reading it, I took a MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction) class and was working with a mindfulness psychotherapist, so it’s hard to review the book on its own; the class was essential for me as just reading the book might not have spurred me on. Meditation is very difficult, especially at the beginning, at least it was/is for me. And, even though Kabat-Zinn says it...more
Of course, at around the same time I was reading it, I took a MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction) class and was working with a mindfulness psychotherapist, so it’s hard to review the book on its own; the class was essential for me as just reading the book might not have spurred me on. Meditation is very difficult, especially at the beginning, at least it was/is for me. And, even though Kabat-Zinn says it...more
This book is a VERY thick and a densely written 44e-page volume, excluding indexes, etc. It has everything you want to know about the popular Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program inaugurated by Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn that was featured in many leading news publication. I must admit that after I went half way through it, I sort of flew through it because it would simply take too much time to go through it with detailed attention. Highly recommended to anyone and everyone who is serious abo...more
This book was recommended to me by a friend who heard me yammering about yoga and psychology (and cetera) after my India trip two years ago...and I am finally getting around to it! I'm pleasantly surprised to discover that instead of the schmaltzy bullshit with the accompanying subway ad, such as one might expect from the burgeoning self-help industry, this is a serious book. Zinn is an *actual* doctor, writing about methods and results garnered from his practice. His straightforward, mysticism-...more
smart, excellent review of the ways in which mindfulness better your life, can reduce stress and pain. I found it a little long and repetitive for a 15th edition, but that might also be because i've gotten most of the good stuff through his other writings/audiobooks/other authors.
i would recommend this a wonderful place to start for people who aren't sure what mindfulness is really about. i didn't like how often he used the word "meditation", for true mindfulness isn't medit...more
i would recommend this a wonderful place to start for people who aren't sure what mindfulness is really about. i didn't like how often he used the word "meditation", for true mindfulness isn't medit...more
This was a long, textbook-like read, but highly worthwhile. I wanted to understand meditation and the true benefits forever, and this was the first book to lay it out in ways that I could understand, and communicate the benefits in useful, not flowery new-agey, ways. Since I've read this, I have been successful in implementing a meditation routine, and I know why I'm doing it. It's a great book.
We only read a few chapters for our class but what Jon Kabat-Zinn has created with his mindfulness based program is amazing. It resonated with me because I was recovering from a head on collision and breathing and meditating all helped me to recover more quickly and allowed me to be open to the healing during physical therapy and to be in the moment.
I had to read this book for a class, but it was a good read regardless. At times it felt repetitive, but that's part of the point. I only had a few weeks to read this book and did a lot of skimming. When the class is over I want to reread it with more depth.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to regain control of a hectic life, or who have been interested in developing a mediation practice but didn't know where to start. It would also be an interesting read for those who do pra...more
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to regain control of a hectic life, or who have been interested in developing a mediation practice but didn't know where to start. It would also be an interesting read for those who do pra...more
Currently reading this for a course I am taking on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. We also have been given his set of Meditation CD's to use.
Even though I have felt internal resistance, I have seen changes in my thinking, and I look forward to writing a full review when I am finished the book and the course.
Even though I have felt internal resistance, I have seen changes in my thinking, and I look forward to writing a full review when I am finished the book and the course.
An eye-opening read.
I read this book over several years - treating it variously as the dance of life changes, as a textbook, a bible, a comic, a set of guidelines, an inspiration, a practice... great information. Wish I had bumped into it sooner in life. Also good for anyone dealing with chronic pain in their life...
I read this book over several years - treating it variously as the dance of life changes, as a textbook, a bible, a comic, a set of guidelines, an inspiration, a practice... great information. Wish I had bumped into it sooner in life. Also good for anyone dealing with chronic pain in their life...
I came across this several years ago. I read it, along with his shorter "Wherever You Go There You Are," a few pages at a time before I meditate. I've read them both twice now, cover to cover. Most helpful, realistic, gentle, true writing about stress reduction and TRYING to live "in the now" that I've ever read.
Everyone know we need to relax and have less stress, I thought this quote sums up the fact that we have few repeatable means and methods to actually accomplish this goal;
When his doctor told him that he needed to relax, he had responded, "Doc, telling me to relax is about as useful as telling me to be a surgeon." P 27
When his doctor told him that he needed to relax, he had responded, "Doc, telling me to relax is about as useful as telling me to be a surgeon." P 27
I am taking an 8-week intensive mindfulness meditation class with a group and this is the text, So far, I have read the intro and chapters 1, 2, 11, & 12--they are assigned as we go along. It is an entirely different way to do meditation from what I have "practiced" so far. Medically sound, you lean to do things such as body scans. Jon Kabat-Zinn, the author, teaches at he University of Massachusetts Medical School. Excellent, if you want to learn to truly be there for yourself. Only t...more
Excellent book and program for cultivating mindfulness. Don't let the size of the book scare you. It is broken down nicely into sections.
It is really a stress reduction program and interesting book all in one.
Anything by Kabat-Zinn is worth reading but this is his go-to book.
It is really a stress reduction program and interesting book all in one.
Anything by Kabat-Zinn is worth reading but this is his go-to book.
This is one of my all-time favourite books about mindful living. I return to it time and time again. However, more than reading the book one needs to 'do' the book.....reading about mindfulness isn't nearly as profound as practicing mindfulness. The accompanying CD's help with this
This book describes some ways that we can change our thinking and improve our psychological and physical health in the process. Although the book contains some fascinating research, it is very long and some of the case studies seem redundant and overly-detailed.
This book and the meditation class I took based on this book, changed my life forever. I understand what "being present" means. I also know how being in the moment with meditation, yoga and other techniques can free you from all worry and anxiety. Excellent teachings. I have the meditation cd's with the body scan and sitting meditation. The yoga in the course is Hatha Yoga which is primarily stretching. It's changed the way my body feels. I have a sense of renewal. The key is ...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
Jon Kabat-Zinn is Professor of Medicine Emeritus and founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He teaches mindfulness meditation as a technique to help people cope with stress, anxiety, pain and illness.
------------------------------
Jon Kabat-...more
More about Jon Kabat-Zinn...
------------------------------
Jon Kabat-...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
