Fully Present

The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness

By: Susan Smally Ph.D., Diana Winston

Narrated by: Elizabeth London

Mindfulness—the art of paying attention with openness and curiosity to the present moment—has attracted ever-growing interest and tens of thousands of practitioners. This uniquely accessible guide provides a scientific explanation for how mindfulness positively and powerfully affects the brain and body, as well as practical guidance.

With sections devoted to “The Science”, “The Art”, and “The Practice”, Fully Present will help you understand how and why meditation is so effective, and will help you develop and sustain your own practice in order to:

• Reduce stress
• Boost your body’s immune system
• Ease chronic physical pain
• Cope with negative emotions
• Increase self-awareness
• Cultivate happiness

Complete with fascinating research on how our brains work and respond to meditation, as well as practical tips and exercises, Fully Present is an essential guide for anyone interested in enhancing their own health and well-being.

©2010 Susan Smally, Ph.D., Diane Winston (P)2010 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

“A highly readable, informed, and elegant synthesis. Susan Smalley and Diana Winston have done a remarkable job of weaving together a coherent and compelling narrative that encourages each one of us to explore mindfulness from the inside out for our own benefit and the greater well-being of the world.” (Jon Kabat-Zinn, best-selling author; founder of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School)

“Brilliant, authoritative, rooted in solid research, and incredibly useful! If people would follow the practices outlined here, it is guaranteed they would become happier, healthier, and more fulfilled in their lives.” (Edward Hallowell, MD, best-selling author of Driven to Distraction)

This book changed my life

If you could sum up Fully Present in three words, what would they be?

Truly Enlightening!

What other book might you compare Fully Present to and why?

I would compliment this book with "May I have your attention"

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are" - Bernice Johnson Reagon

Any additional comments?

I listen to Diana Winston's iTunes meditation every night. In the morning I'm fully present.
Thank you for this most precious gift!

Excellent for those studying subject but...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This is not a book for someone who is trying to learn how to do mindfulness. It is a complete history, full of definitions and research studies.

Has Fully Present turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

Family Physician point of view

If you are looking for a 'how to' book, this is not the one for you. If you are looking for a 'why to' book, this by far is the best one I have found. Up to date. Could have been edited a little better. I am recommending for my patients. Doc in Indiana

Useful In Every Situation!!!

The Lessons Are Wonderfully Insightful. Practical Character Building Exercises With The Application To Your Life!!! Heck Yes!!

Sensational!

Actually, I don't think I had many expectations. I was interested to read more on mindfulness and increase my awareness on the topic. Fully Present was fabulous! I love how the authors give you the science and then built in practice exercises. This allowed me to apply what I was reading. Chapter 10 was the chapter that resonated with me the most! So much so that I listened to it several times and then read it for myself. Thank you for writing this book!

good overview

The book gives you different aspects of mindfulness. it does as the title says and explains the science as well as the art. My main complaint with the performance is that she is so slow. I speed it up to 1.25 and she was still easy to understand. if I had tried normal speed it would have lost interest or fallen asleep. If you want an introduction to mindfulness this is a good book. I haven't practiced mindfulness, so I might have a different opinion if I had experience.

Standard

If you're familiar with mindfulness, this probably isn't the book for you! If you're not, you'll probably find it interesting!

Very Scientific

I enjoyed this look and mindfulness and meditation but found it a little to scientific. Overall it is a good introduction to the topic and I do appreciate the scientific piece it just didn't speak to me as much as a Buddhist perspective on the topic.

Great message with science backing!

overall the book presented great information with not only theory but also science. it opened my eyes to new ways of approaching things and trying.

Be Mindful and Meditate

Would you listen to Fully Present again? Why?

I would listen to this book again. Gives a lot of examples on how to be more mindful and meditate.

What did you like best about this story?

Very persuasive argument on why one should be more mindful and meditate.

What did you learn from Fully Present that you would use in your daily life?

Meditation is actually scientifically proven to increase gray matter in the brain. One can benefit from meditation with just 5 min. per day.

Any additional comments?

Almost every successful person I read about now days meditates. It seems to be a piece of the 21st century stress reduction antidote.