“A trustworthy and user-friendly roadmap for navigating the ups and downs of life with increasing degrees of intentionality, wisdom, and, above all, agency. By listening deeply to and implementing even some of the vast repertoire of offerings here, you can come home to and befriend the unique beauty of who you are and the life that is yours to live.”–Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; author of Wherever You Go, There You Are–30th Anniversary Edition
MINDFULNESS FOR LIFE (Guilford Press, September 2024) , by Willem Kuyken is the guide to mindfulness we’ve all been waiting for–by one of the leading researchers in the field.
Mindfulness is exceptionally easy to get started with, and people often experience benefits almost immediately. It can relieve depression, boost daily well-being and allow us to thrive. Why, then, do many initial enthusiasts end up dropping the practice after a short while? According to Oxford professor and leading mindfulness expert Willem Kuyken, it’s because traditional mindfulness training is too far removed from how we actually live. This next-generation resource brings mindfulness home by teaching core skills in easy-to-integrate ways that
touch directly on life’s daily challenges. Dr. Kuyken provides stepping stones to help you build a personal practice that is sustainable, purposeful, and richly rewarding–now and for years to come. Interweaving ancient wisdom and modern scientific psychology, the book includes stories, quotations, reflection questions, tips for overcoming hurdles, and compelling guided practices, including audio tracks at the companion website.
“In this wonderfully clear book, internationally renowned psychologist Willem Kuyken explains why and how mindfulness practice can help you ‘light up your life with a sense of reconnection and love.’ Whether you are new to mindfulness or have been practicing for years, this is a book to treasure–step by step, it reveals ways to reorient toward your deepest values and lead a life worth living.”–Mark Williams, DPhil, coauthor of The Mindful Way Through Depression
“This book is not just about inner change; it is about how we live our lives. Dr. Kuyken provides tools for making a critical shift from judgment, blame, and aversion to curiosity and kindness. His skillful guidance allows us to make–and commit to–small shifts that can help us become the flourishing, engaged, and responsive people we long to be.”–Christina Feldman, author of Boundless Heart
“This thoughtful and kind scientist offers a wise framework for a life well lived. The book creates opportunities to cultivate a better friendship with your body and mind.”–Eric B. Loucks, PhD, author of The Mindful College Student
Willem Kuyken, PhD, is the Ritblat Professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and Director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. His work focuses on preventing depression, promoting mental health, and flourishing across the lifespan. Dr. Kuyken has published more than 150 journal articles and has been named one of the world’s most highly cited researchers. He lives in London.