The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness (includes Guided Meditation Practices CD)

"This book is a self-help book and so designed for a larger public. For advanced readers I suggest picking up a copy of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse, by the same authors. Both books show promosing and inspiring new ways to deal more effectively with chronic unhappiness and depression in your life and most importantly with the causes. The steps outlined in "The Mindful Way through Depression" can bring on a radical paradigm shift in the way you view your anxiety and depression. The authors are trained in both, traditional Psychotherapy and Mindfulness, so they profoundly know what they are talking about. They invite you on a journey into the deeper workings of your mind. Through the wilderness on to more peaceful grounds. But beware, it is no easy way and for some people, depending on the severity of their experience, it may be better not to try this at home. A book can never replace a good caring person.




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~ Written on 2010-02-13

"I really enjoyed listening to this, but especially the final cd of meditations. I have found them a very easy and gentle way into meditation. Would definitely recommend this to others whether you are depressed or not, and are looking for a loving way to connect to youself and let go of negative thoughts."
~ Written on 2010-02-10

"I have found this book very helpful and practical. The accompanying CD takes you through the exercises described in the book- a great thing to put on your I-pod . The Authors use good examples of how different techniques can be applied and case studies from their own clients."
~ Written on 2010-02-08

"This book has four authors, all of them leading professors in Psychotherapy or Medicine. But they write with one seamless, user-friendly, Sanjay Gupta-style voice. The three experts who gave us "Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression" are back. But this time Jon Kabat-Zinn joins the team, with his experience as both a professor of Medicine and a meditation instructor. And the new book is entirely addressed to ordinary people seeking help with depression, or just hoping for a happier mental life.

I like the tone. It's informal and insightful, comparing various people's experience of mental suffering. There are patterns in how the judgments start, and how the struggle to "make things better" tend to make things worse. The patterns become entrenched habits, waiting to channel any experience down well-worn paths. The authors suggest an alternative response, which involves exploring more than fixing. It involves observing what we feel rather than trying to correct it. The authors apply the practice of mindfulness meditation to the problem of inner suffering, which is just what meditation was always meant to do. Much of the book and it's enclosed CD is simply a well presented guide to greater mindfulness and enjoyment of the present moment. It's one of the best introductions meditation I've seen, but it's tied to meeting ordinary human needs rather than presuming a spiritual motive. I'd advise the book for almost anyone."
~ Written on 2010-01-24

"To me, the book contains two basic ideas: firstly, Don't be inhibited by previous failure, and secondly, Learn to relax. However, it is written in a very friendly relaxing style - jut like the author talks. So if you are very stressed you may find this useful. And the points of i)not expecting that the present will turn out like the past, and ii) Learning an effective way to relax, are very useful lessons.

I found it frustrating at times, as I had to go back after most paragraphs to find the meaning which was dressed up in too many words, clearly not written in a style that gets to the point quickly - but maybe that's the point of the book, to take time and relax.
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~ Written on 2010-01-22