Reviews
Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness by Diana Winston, Susan L. Smalley
1teachingnomad's review against another edition
4.0
This book contains many helpful practices to becoming more mindful. Unfortunately I chose to listen to the audiobook version and found that I missed out on a large portion of the value in this book, mostly in those moments in which the distractions of life interrupted and I wasn't mindful of the book. If I were to go back to this book, I would do so in the paper copy so that it would be easier to go back over the areas I miss due to distractions.
jessb127's review against another edition
3.0
Good information, but the book could be edited to provide more essential and less peripheral facts and ideas. I actually did not finish the book (which is rare for me ) because I felt that by Chapter 7, I was beginning to hear the same thing over and over again. I skimmed through the end of the book and found that it contained the same principles applied to different specific problems.
nickgoe's review against another edition
3.0
Great parts surrounded by a bit too much spirituality for my tastes.
asanford's review against another edition
5.0
Oh to achieve this goal. Loved this book and pray to apply more and more of the principals.
kverity's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
I listened to this audiobook via @Libro.fm's Educator ALC program. So, I think this is a decent book for what it is trying to do overall--explain mindfulness practices to the reader. However, I think I am a little too much of a cynic for it--there were some implied claims ("mindfulness may...") that seemed too much of a stretch for me. Examples chosen always sung the praises of mindfulness and how it solved their problems at the perfect time. In addition, a lot of the responses to the challenges to mindfulness basically broke down to just stop and reset--which in my experience is a LOT harder than they make it out to be. Overall, its fine but not really up my alley.
quizkidpatrick's review against another edition
5.0
I really appreciated this book because it was a scientific approach to mindfulness. I have been practicing mindfulness for a while now but this book illuminated some of the health and wellness benefits that are associated with that practice. Seeing scientific studies regarding a mindful approach to certain subjects really helped me realize how helpful mindfulness is beyond its everyday usefulness.
While not a great guide for those who already practice mindfulness, this is a perfect guide for a beginner.
While not a great guide for those who already practice mindfulness, this is a perfect guide for a beginner.
kouklad's review against another edition
3.0
This was interesting as far as the science behind the effectiveness of mindfulness, but I found it hard to accept the art and practice of mindfulness removed from its Buddhist context.
nikki_dees's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent resource for everything concerning mindfulness and meditation for mental health, as well as helpful tips and activities for how to do it. Much of this I already knew from my masters studies, but it was helpful that everything was located in one book and it was clear and easy to read. I borrowed this from the library, but I will probably buy it to refer back to. I would definitely recommend if this is a practice you want to know more about.