Book Review: The Headspace guide to meditation & mindfulness
The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness by Andy Puddicombe, outlines how mindfulness can change your life in just ten minutes each day. Throughout its pages you’ll find specific exercises designed to help you practice meditation/mindfulness in a format that is conducive to any lifestyle. Andy is a former Buddhist monk and co-founder of the popular app ‘Headspace’ and while this can seem intimidating, he does a great job providing techniques, skills and practices that can be done by anyone at any time – even without using the app. The format of the book is super helpful in breaking down all information into subsections.
“We are constantly inundated with digital information, but it’s not always practical to simply turn that off...”
I truly feel that this book had an immediate impact on my thoughts as it outlines the fact that we are constantly inundated with digital information, but it’s not always practical to simply turn that off and not participate. We live in a world where we may need to embrace these things and the book is a guide to help you navigate this skillfully while not getting overwhelmed. I found I was able to put some immediate recommendations into practice.
“I now take small breaks to ground and relax myself...”
Throughout my workday (where I am heavily tied to a laptop and in constant meetings), I now take small breaks to ground and relax myself. When sitting at my desk I’ll take a moment between projects/emails/calls to clear my head, focus on my breath and reset my senses. If I’m eating a snack or drinking a coffee, I now remind myself to taste and enjoy it instead of finishing it as quickly as possible to keep working. When I can get a walk in at lunch, I use the time to truly focus on wha’s happening in nature around me. What do I see, what do I hear? If thoughts come through, I understand that I don’t have to give them attention. While these may seem like small and simple changes, once you begin practicing them you see how impactful they can be. And, they bring attention to just how much we default to being on our phones and other devices during these moments of in-between.
“We can remain mindful even through the noise that exists around us daily...”
As the new year begins, I’ll be focusing on being on my cell phone less (but it’s also helpful to have this book to point out how we can welcome the digital world but still feel grounded). It ultimately allows us to realize that we are in control and that we can remain mindful even through the noise that exists around us daily. The recommended practices are short, easy, and (so far for me 😊) impactful – let us know if you’re able to give any of them a try!
xoxo Chelsea
