Feel free to e-mail us at comments@mindfulnesscds.com with any comments you might have. We will post as many of them as we can. Unfortunately, Jon will not be able to respond on anything like a regular basis to the questions or comments you may have, given the scope of his commitments.
A friend of mine bought me Coming to Our Senses many years ago, and it sat on my shelf, patiently awaiting my attention.
I began reading it, finally, as a form of morning meditation. A half hour every morning, come rain or shine. A half hour that I began to look forward to, and then to rely on, and then - finally - to see gratefully as a shift in my perspective. I completed it this morning, and felt as if I should reach out and tell someone that I am a newer person after having read your words, that thoughtful combination of science and sentience, calm and compassion, love and objectivity.
I walk out into the day with more awareness of the universe, how long the planet has been in existence (as far as we know), and how insignificant we are as human beings. It calms the drama that circles endlessly in the media and in my own life. The illusions of life, which we toy with endlessly. And our constant striving for balance, however fragile that is, in every atom of existence.
Thank you, Jon Kabat-Zinn, for changing my life.
I'll pay it forward!
Lorrie Beauchamp
Montreal, Canada
Dear Mr Kabat-Zinn
Your book, Wherever You Go, There You Are which in French is: "Où tu vas, tu es"... have never left my table, next to my bed, except to offer it to friends, then I have to rush to get it again!
There is a strange phenomena in your book:
The moment I arrive to the end, I am ready to start to read it all over again...
I do not know why and this is the first time it happens in my life ( I am 65, so I have read quite a lot of books). So I imagine that by reading it again and again and again, it become like the sense of life: I will always listen and learn things which are good to me.
This book is the best real friend I ever had: a friend able to guide me and remind me to be fully there every moment, whatever happens...
And I still learn how to apply it in real life, facing problems or dealing with emotions.
An amical friend that does not judge me but help me, so I will be a better human being.
Thank you for that book.
And thank you for the guided meditations that I follow (in French) and can apply in my life, like a remedy upon depression or feeling of sadness that can understand better by allowing to give love and accept with kindness. Thank you for the understanding of that part of my mind that I did not know how to process: your simple word: where you go, there you are, became such a truth that everything seem possible. This is 2 years I do not take anti depressor because those pills twist and close our mind to the awareness and the full consciousness.(Please, excuse my English....it is far from being perfect!)
I wish to meet you in a conference if you come to Montreal one day.
I went to meet the Dalai-Lama in September, and you are part of those great men of our society.
I wish that you could become leaders in politics, so the world will become so good to live in.
Many thanks.
Marie-Hélène Guillemin-Batchelor
Montréal, Québec
Thank you to Jon Kabat-Zinn.
I am a 57 year old PHD in psychology who had a bad biking accident in July that caused serious brain trauma and broken bones. I have used his books and CDs quite a bit in my recovery. I had been meditating for about 6 years prior to this but after the accident as my brain improved I relearned quite a bit of research on meditation and the brain. I've been re-exposed to this work and have found it very useful for brain damage. I may as I improve want to become certified in it but right now I wanted to say thank you.
I also wanted to mention the brain damage as this treatment might be helpful for congresswoman Giffords too. (My diagnosis was similar to hers except I was not shot and my brain damage was more right than left brain). Also I know that Jon Kabat-Zinn has done some work with Andrew Weil (at least one CD) and there are lots of food recommendations for brains these days that are also research based. That his team could likely find out. I just mention this because of my appreciation of all your work.
So thank you for all you have done, the personal guidance your work has provided to my recovery.
Kathy Bell
Salt Lake City, Utah
I have bought many, many of your products and they have improved my quality of life enormously....
I just wanted to say that I am so thankful I found your website. I found it through Oprah's spirit newsletter. This is exactly what I was envisioning but could not find. I am new to meditation and so thankful that I finally gave it a try. This is what my life needed. Thank you!!
PS. I am reading and viewing all of your videos as I have time. Thank you for sharing. I just went through a terrible breakup and lost everything (home, etc.) in California. Your CDs are affordable like nothing else out there. I am so happy :)
I am writing to thank you for the wonderful work you are doing. I began doing Series 1 in January and I feel great. I have lost over 60 lbs. I did not begin practicing yoga and meditation to lose weight, it's just what happened as a result. It has helped me in so many ways. God bless you and please keep spreading the word. I am so grateful for the positive changes this has made in my life.
Annamarie McMullen
Columbus, New Jersey
Dear Dr. Kabat-Zinn, in the spirit of meditation, I wrote these seven haiku - inspired by Chapter 2 of Full Catastrophe Living [which lists seven attitudinal foundations of mindfulness]. Your retreats on MBSR must be a wonder to experience! I have profited (body & mind) from your book and tapes.
Peace,
Carole
THE SEVEN MINDFULNESS HAIKU
"Non-judging" watches,
Observes what is happening,
Not labeling things.
"Patience" understands:
Things unfold in their own time,
Not in our moments.
"Beginner's Mind" sees
Anew what it always saw,
But not through a veil.
"Trust" greets inner-self
And holds off authority,
Respecting feelings.
"Non-striving" accepts
Things as they are in the now -
And that's where we are.
"Acceptance" sets stage
For appropriate action,
Responding to fact.
"Letting go" welcomes
Being in the here and now:
Emptiness of mind.
Carole J. Herhold
Chicago, IL
I know you must be really busy, but I am waiting for your blog delivery for
April... (probably May?) [waiting, but not expecting...:)]
I have read Full Catastrophe Living... And even practiced with your meditation CDs and it has changed my mind. Thank you for stripping it from all the "spirituality" religious technical words. Your references with Buddhism are great, and I agree that Siddhartha was an extraordinary scientist of the mind (heart whatever is the name in Pali) and probably great psychologist of his time.
Anyway, you made meditation accessible for me, and I am grateful for your books, they have changed my point of view of life and life itself. I did the stress reduction meditation weeks and after that, meditation started to fit into my life. I meditate as much as I can, with the help of the CDs or without. At least three times a week I do a slightly longer sitting mediation, (25 to 30 mins.) but every morning once I take my seat in the bus, I listen to one of your guided meditations for about 15 minutes in my way to work. Also I found a timer that reminds me at work to get back to the present moment every 15 minutes. And as you say, bring the mind back, even if I like where my mind is, bring it back, with no judgment, and with loving kindness to myself, I respond more than react, and this has made a huge difference. Only my husband knows I meditate (I tried to tell someone that I knew about it; however, bought your book and gave it to her, and went back to my cushion and meditated some more ;). Just keep quiet. I would love to people know about this, but again, when the student is ready, eh?
What can I say, thank you for writing those books, thank you for having
taken that meditation class in MIT!
Anonymous
Thank you, Jon for posting monthly Notes as touchstone reminders and encouragement for our continued practice.
I have found it very helpful to check in with myself before I begin a formal practice period to ask myself "what is the intention for this practice?". In the gaps of daydreaming, the intention serves as another focus and reminder of what I'm doing. I think it is important to be aware of one's intention and effort because without this combination, practice could become another mindless showing-up that has little or no context to our daily living. In this way the sense of urgency, and possibly a subtle heavy-handedness of getting the practice "done", etc., softens to a quiet acceptance that this moment is enough.
All the best from blustery, blizzardy Nova Scotia!
Elizabeth A. Berlasso, MEd, CCC
Nova Scotia Registered Counselor Therapist
Huge Transformation Made So Easily
Your CDs have changed my life. 6 months ago, during a difficult time, I simply ordered all of the 3 series. I practiced the Body Scan for 8 weeks. as you recommend, without evaluating it at all. At about week 10, I suddenly noticed a striking shift in my emotional reactiveness. I seemed to have a long, quiet pause before I felt the sensations of any negative emotion. Greatly relieved, over the months I have gone through your entire series, including the CDs from The Mindful Way Through Depression. Now, I so look forward to my practice. I can choose the particular practice needed for what I am experiencing from the wealth of practices you present so clearly. I often hear your voice when I am in the shower, "Next time you are in the shower, check to see if you really ARE in the shower - or are you at the next meeting of the day." I am a psychologist in private practice for over 30 years. I somehow mistakenly understood "meditation" and "mindfulness" as "a great way to relax." I am sorry I never knew this before, but am so grateful to have this wealth of practices available to me now. And it was all really so quick and so easy - your CDs got me into immediate experience rather than having to STUDY the huge topic of "mindfulness". But soon after listening to more of the varied practices on the cds, I realized that you were ACTUALLY TEACHING ALL ABOUT MINDFULNESS THROUGH THE IMMEDIATE PRACTICE! I have learned so much, so fast! And your Lovingkindness Meditation is unique and helpful in ways other Lovingkindness Meditations are not for me. Yes, of course, I am referring clients to your website, CDs, and books. And mindfulness is now a central part of the way I "do" ("be with"?) psychotherapy. THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. YOU HAVE MADE IT ALL SO EASY!
Name withheld by request
Dear Jon -- I just wanted to say thank you for the change you have made in my life. With the past year being difficult, with many problems and depression, I went to see a counselor who believes in you and teaches your mindfulness. I did the 8-week program with support from her over the phone and have read your books. My life and my family's life have changed dramatically because of you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
North Brunswick, New Jersey February 2009
Dear Jon -- Your meditation CDs have become essential support of my mindfulness practice -- and are often followed by a segment of Eckart Tolle's Stillness Speaks on CD.
As a homeopath, I can't thank you enough for your book, Coming to our Senses. It has provided the link between my meditation practice and my profession as far as support. It is THE book that I recommend, along with your meditation CDs, to my patients for support in the practice of mindfulness as part of their healing process.
Thank you for your contribution to my practice and my profession.
Regards,
Jennifer Gordon (name used with permission)
Dublin, Ireland February 2009
Dear Jon -- words are not enough to convey my gratitude to you for your decades of work on bringing mindfulness meditation to our society, and for your recording of the guided meditations in particular. For years I wished to re-establish a regular meditation practice and never followed through. Now, with my life busier than every, professionally and with two small children, I suddenly began to succeed in meditating regularly once or twice daily. Your CDs made the difference. Especially the "choiceless awareness" practice [Series 3, Disk 3] taught me that quietness and minimal disruption during meditation, while nice, are not always necessary. In fact, noticing my small children's play every now and then, and the emotions and thoughts this may stir up, adds a new dimension to my experience of being. Thank you.
Parent and physician, Cambridge Massachusetts