Into the Heart of Mindfulness: Finding a Way of Well-being

Description

Plagued by anxiety and depression for much of his twenties and early thirties, Ed Halliwell frantically searched for ways to understand and relieve his distress. Eventually he stumbled on meditation and Buddhism, and discovered a path that was different from the other medical, psychological and spiritual cures he had tried. That path was mindfulness and the deeper he went into the practice the more it transformed his life, easing his depression and helping him see each moment as precious. A one-time editor for FHM magazine, Ed's life has changed radically - he now teaches mindfulness to others. In this book, Ed explores how mindfulness can help us see and transform our unhelpful biases and habits, enable us to live more at peace with stress and uncertainty, cultivate cheerfulness and compassion, and help us to find our life's calling - if we are willing to journey to the heart of the practice. Offering his own experiences as inspiration, Ed emphasises that mindfulness training is a lifelong path and complete way of being rather than just a short course or quick fix. With practical advice and refreshing candour, he explores how working with the realities of our minds, bodies and day-to-day existence - rather than striving for positive results - can, paradoxically, help us rediscover a richly nourishing, deeply-textured life.

Ed Halliwell is a mindfulness teacher and writer. He is the author of Mindfulness: How To Live Well by Paying Attention and co-author of The Mindful Manifesto: How Doing Less and Noticing More Can Help Us Thrive in a Stressed-Out World. Ed leads public mindfulness courses and workshops in London and Sussex, and has introduced and taught mindfulness in many businesses, schools and charities. He is on the faculty of the School of Life, and is an advisor to, and former co-director of, The Mindfulness Initiative, which is supporting the Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group to develop mindfulness-based policies for the UK. He also wrote the Mental Health Foundation's Be Mindful Report, which spearheaded an influential campaign to bring mindfulness training into the NHS.

Mindfulness can transform suffering into compassion and joy, and impact some of the problems we see in our world in a myriad of positive ways. However, to do this requires a deep understanding of mindfulness practice, ardency, courage and, frankly, hard work over time. In Into the Heart of Mindfulness Ed Halliwell embodies everything he writes about, he 'walks the talk'. The fruits of this work for his own well-being, his family and the broader societal impact of his work are evident. This is one of the most substantial treatises on the transformative power of mindfulness written to date in contemporary times. -- Willem Kuyken, Professor and Director, Oxford University Mindfulness Centre Open-hearted, honest and powerfully convincing, Into the Heart of Mindfulness is both a skilful guide to practice and a mirror into the stresses that bring us to seek greater mindfulness. Ed Halliwell's clear voice rises strongly from his own experience, pointing the way to peace of mind. This book is a great contribution to the field of secular contemplative practice. -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness Ed shows us in a remarkably moving way how mindfulness worked for him. And then he shows how it can also work for millions of others who seek a calmer, deeper mode of life. -- Lord Layard, Professor of Economics and Head of Well-Being Programme, London School of Economics, author of Happiness and Thrive This is a fascinating read and inspirational personal story by one of the leading exponents of mindfulness in the UK. Ed Halliwell shares many insights and deep understanding of how mindfulness helped him battle his own demons. Even more, he shares practical guidance and tips that will be invaluable to many of us struggling with the stresses, strains and anxieties of contemporary life. -- Jenny Edwards CBE, Chief Executive, Mental Health Foundation Ed Halliwell's Into the Heart of Mindfulness stands out in the increasingly crowded field of mindfulness literature. If you are looking for a practical manual with meditation exercises, a lucid account of Buddhist psychology, insights from the cutting-edge of scientific research, as well as a moving personal story, this is the mindfulness book for you. -- Stephen Batchelor, author of After Buddhism: Rethininking the Dharma for a Secular Age Searingly honest, tender and wise. If you were to read just a few of the many mindfulness books out there, make sure you read this one. Ed Halliwell has masterfully created a book that shares his own journey through the demons of anxiety and depression and into the heart of mindfulness. It is a brilliant translation of the deeper traditions of Buddhism for the modern reader. One of the best mindfulness books I have read. -- Vidymala Burch, co-founder of Breathworks and co-author of Mindfulness for Health and Mindfulness for Women Using his own movingly honest account of his personal struggle with suffering, Ed Halliwell takes us on a journey through the transformative potential of mindfulness practice. Drawing on the Buddhist foundations of mindfulness meditation, and the recent scientific research into its effectiveness, he offers us a mindfulness approach that moves far beyond a quick fix into a grounded and hopeful path towards wholehearted engagement with life. -- Robert Marx, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead for Mindfulness Training and Governance, Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Ed has written a remarkable book. With great insight, heart and knowledge, he shows us the light at the end of the long dark tunnel of depression - that light is mindfulness meditation. Weaving his personal experience with the scientific evidence, and some thoughtful mindfulness exercises for the reader to try, Ed gives a convincing account of how mindful being in this world changes our relationship with ourselves and others, moving from individual development to becoming a social force. Read his book, put it aside and sit in silence. Breathe the difference! -- Dr Florian Ruths, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Lead for Mindfulness-based Therapy, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust With this book Ed Halliwell confirms his place as one of the most insightful and authentic voices in the mindfulness movement. The book is both a riveting personal memoir and a map of the human mind which we all share. Ed writes vividly and honestly about his own experience of depression, and how mindfulness has helped him to enjoy life again. He interweaves this narrative with an explanation of mindfulness training and how it functions, exploring the workings of the mind and emotions with clarity and depth. This book will surely inspire many readers to look beyond cliches about mindfulness, and perhaps to take the first steps of a lifelong journey. -- Tessa Watt, author of Mindful London and Introducing Mindfulness: A Practical Guide This book is aptly titled, because Ed Halliwell writes with real heart, and with grace. He conveys with stories, with humour and with poignant feeling that mindfulness is much more than a Jedi mind trick: it is a lifelong journey into the depths of who we are. -- Barry Boyce, Editor-in-Chief, Mindful magazine and mindful.org A good read for anyone seeking peace of mind * Psychologies *