When a dependable, consistently solid selling publication celebrates a significant anniversary by a re-issue, you may be certain that it has been a popular book and that it will garner a whole new generation of readers. This book is one such publication which was first introduced 15 years ago.
      Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. is Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where he founded the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. He is also founder (in 1979) and former director of that university’s world-renowned Stress Reduction Clinic.
      He has contributed to a growing movement of mindfulness being considered in mainstream medicine, health care in hospitals, schools, corporations, prisons and professional sports. In addition to Full Catastrophe Living, Kabat-Zinn’s books include Wherever You Go, There You Are and Everyday Blessings.
      This book is, in part, a manual for mindfulness meditation and part results of the very successful stress management program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre. Over 4,000 people have taken a six day per week course over eight weeks in which they were taught how to use mindfulness meditation to decrease stress levels and increase insight into their mind/body workings. All manner of physical and mental problems were addressed successfully, including chronic pain, high blood pressure, headaches, cancer and heart disease.
      The reader can undertake many of the exercises in the book, or actually do the program as outlined in the book. Practice tapes or CDs are available for purchase from the Doctor’s website, which is given in the book.
      To some, the practice of mindfulness may seem opposed to our modern way of life as it encourages ‘non-doing’ when most of us are very busy and see sitting and doing nothing as a rather indulgent activity. Or should I say ‘non-activity?’ The reader will find out why it might be the best thing you have ever ‘not done.’
      The style of the book is warm and direct with no religious or mystic overtones. This definitely appeals to those who are anti-religious, and will encourage them to participate without being bombarded with covert (or overt) religious messages.
      For those who are already spiritual there may be numinous experiences to be had in meditation, but this is not the main purpose of the book. Like all well written books of this kind, your interpretation and use of any information is left primarily up to you.
      The material is organised in five sections. The first gives a philosophical overview of mindfulness with the attitudes that are required to approach the practice. These include non-judgment, patience, beginner’s mind, trust, commitment and letting go.
      As he proceeds, Dr. Kabat-Zinn introduces the importance of breathing and how it can be a powerful ally in the healing process. Then there are the foundation meditations in mindfulness: sitting meditation, the body-scan technique, yoga and walking meditation.
      Interspersed in the text are actual experiences of patients who have attended the stress clinic highlighting their difficulties and how they overcame them.
      At the end of each chapter are exercises for the reader. I tried them all – some will become part of my regular routine!
      Section two addresses a new paradigm of health and wholeness both from the patient’s perspective and from the doctors’ point of view. We are moving into the time when health is a collaborative effort between doctors and patients. There is also much evidence that the mind body connection is alive and well and can be used to produce positive outcomes for all involved. The author looks at beliefs, attitudes, thoughts and emotions that can affect health in positive or negative ways.
      Section three focuses on stress. This is the ‘full catastrophe’ of the title. Sources of stress can be physiological, psychological or social as well as a host of other causes. There is no way to avoid stress in life. Change is the only certainty and life reacts to it. This section is like a mini seminar on stress, its causes, results and how to deal with it. It is the best explanation of all the factors in stress that I have ever read.
      In section four Dr. Kabat-Zinn addresses the use of mindfulness meditation in everyday life. This includes listening to your body, being aware of symptoms and working with physical pain. He particularly explains why you are not your pain or suffering.
      Different sorts of pain are described, such as lower back and migraine pain as well as the ongoing pain in cancer. Panic and anxiety are also discussed. It is in this section that the reader will learn how to use the exercises learnt earlier in the book to tackle the pain issue. There are a number of excellent case studies of pain outcomes during and after the mindfulness course. I can testify myself to the usefulness of the Body Scan technique in pain management. There are chapters on working with all the different types of stress that we encounter, and all are valuable.
      The final section outlines and encourages the reader to commit to mindfulness as a way of life and to participate in ongoing formal and informal practice. This can form a solid foundation from which to deal with stress positively. It will work from situations of minor annoyance, to work stress, sleep stress, pain stress and, importantly, myriad world stresses.
      This is not a book to pick up and read because you have a few idle moments.
      This is a detailed manual on a stress reduction course that approached with commitment will change many aspects of your life. The reader must be able to dedicate his or her entire focus to the principles herein.
      It is not an easy thing to change ingrained habits of responding to the stresses and strains of everyday life. However, sometimes we receive a wake-up call involving our health that requires definite change and reassessment of our lifestyle. Our very survival may depend on reducing our stress levels, or responding in a different way. Using this book is one way you can respond. It will enhance your health and your life, and probably reduce your pain.
      Can anyone ever afford to miss this book?