Update: This winners for this giveaway have already been chosen.Subscribe to the Tiny Buddha List to learn about future contests!
When I was twenty-one years old, I got into a series of car accidents just after getting my license.
The first time, I drove the wrong way down a one-way street. The second time I side-swiped a double-parked car trying to get around it. And the third time, I hit a Channel 7 news van while looking at printed directions in the middle of Big Dig construction madness (not my proudest moment).
In all of those instances, I was lost and harried, and because I was feeling agitated and not fully paying attention to the road, I became a danger to myself and everyone around me.
Luckily, I didn’t hurt anyone through my recklessness, but others aren’t so lucky. According to the Department of Transportation, distracted drivers kill approximately 6,000 people and injure over a half-million annually.
I rarely drive these days because I work from home, but often when I’m walking in my neighborhood, I notice drivers who remind me of my younger self.
Some of them are looking at GPS systems on their phones. Others are balancing their cells on their shoulders, while putting on lipstick or trying to scarf down fries that appear to be lodged deep down in a greasy bag.
Then there are the texters—some who hold their phone up high as to only partially take their eyes from the road, and others who seem oblivious to the risks of completely shifting their glance to their laps.
And then there’s another breed of distracted driver: the ones who are looking straight at the road or even right into your eyes but appear completely vacant. It’s like they’re there but not—engaged in a twenty-minute commute or even a twenty-hour road trip, and yet completely disconnected from the experience.
As a recovering bad driver, a proponent of mindfulness, and a fan of not killing people, I was excited to listen to Awake at the Wheel, a two-CD mindful driving set by Vippisana meditation teacher Michele McDonald.
Each CD includes a series of seven exercises designed to ground us in our bodies and in the moment. McDonald has a soothing yet upbeat voice, which makes it calming to listen to the CDs without becoming dangerously relaxed.
The various exercises include:
- The Taxi Driver Exercise
- Auto Pilot
- Seeing
- Body Awareness
- Mindful Hearing
- Thoughts and Emotions
- Kindness
Since I don’t actually drive much these days, I listened to the audio files from my computer. Admittedly, this is an entirely different experience. I can tell you, though, that I found the exercises helpful in creating present moment awareness, something I’ve not always experienced on the road while worrying about missing my exit.
I imagined that these exercises would be most effective for slightly longer drives when you’re likely to look for distractions. McDonald has a talent for making the journey feel like something to enjoy, not escape.
Though this post is a giveaway, I imagine you won’t have the CDs with you for this evening’s commute, so I’ve compiled a few tips you can implement right away.
Mindful Driving Tips
1. Use the time to quietly focus on your breathing as your car is warming up if you’re in a cold-weather area. (From Mindfulness East Anglia)
2. Switch the radio off and engage your senses within the experience; notice and release tension in your body, pay attention to the sights around you, hear the sounds of passing traffic. (From Wild Mind)
3. Practice focusing on one thing at a time—your hands on the steering wheel, for example. Give it your complete attention. If your thoughts wander, come back to that one thing. (From Psychotherapist Will Baum)
4. When you see a red light or a stop sign, smile at it because it’s helping you return to the present moment. It’s not the enemy; it’s a reminder to slow down and be where you are. (From Thich Nhat Hanh)
5. Visualize your car as a physical extension of yourself. This may help you feel more grounded in the moment, and it may also help you drive more safely and defensively. (From Growth.ws)
For a Change to Win a Free Mindful Driving CD Set:
1. Join the Tiny Buddha list. (You must be a subscriber to be eligible to win!)
2. Comment below—and be sure to leave your email address where it’s requested in the form so I can contact you if you win!
For an extra entry:
Tweet the following: RT @tinybuddha Mindful Driving CD Giveaway! Comment here to enter: http://bit.ly/ft3aJ0
You can enter until midnight PST on Sunday, December 19th. Learn more about Awake at the Wheel or visit More Than Sound.

About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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haha. i laughed at the first two or three sentences. good post though.
Great post, Lori, thanks! I have a daily commute of 30miles each way and I have found it to be my “sanity” time. It was not like that at the beginning, but lately I have realized it is the only time in the day when I am alone and I can actually hear myself think. Initially i would listen to the news or i would talk on the phone, now I love to sit there in silence, especially after a long day at work. I won’t say I’m completely mindful, but turning down the noise has greatly helped. I get home more relaxed and ready for my “second shift” with the kids. These CD’s sound like a great tool.
Keep up the awesome work with the website, it’s aesome!
I’d like to win those CD’s. I drive from Kingman, Arizona to various cities in southern California many times during the year to visit family. There is not much to look at on my route as it’s almost all empty desert until I reach the Los Angeles area. Sometimes I feel like my eyes are glazing over (which prompts me to get some coffee or turn on my music) so some other techniques would be useful. I’ve been enjoying your shortish posts!
I would love to win these CDs. We just moved from San Francisco to Austin, TX…but we live outside of the city limits. So that corner store run for half-and-half has turned into a half-an-hour drive. I would like to use this time I’ve been granted more productively.
Kitty
bornofgold@gmail.com
I also retweeted this on Twitter.
I would love this CD for my husband’s long drive in the morning.
thank you!
What a wonderful way of staying in the moment! Great idea.
I would love those CDs! I commute about 140 miles a day, and I would love this.
I just moved back to LA after three years drive-free in NYC! Loved being able to read on the subway — but I’m gearing up (no pun intended) for the LA traffic once again, and would LOVE to have these CDs to keep me calm and focused!
I so appreciate the daily posts that I receive and would put to good use the give-away! Gloria
These should probably come standard with all cars.
Both my husband and myself would benefit from more mindful driving especially being from NY in which we are usually operating on auto pilot because of the fast paced atmosphere. My name is Maryann and my email address is MSanp26@aol.com. Thank you.
These cd’s would be perfect for me because I drive 25 miles each way commuting to work. I work swing shift so when I drive home it is often hard to stay awake. These cd’s would help me stay focused. Thanks Lori, terrific idea !!
Thanks for making me aware of this product! I have a friend who makes long and dangerous (in the winter) drives every to care for her elderly father. I hope to win the CDs and give them to her.
Bob
I feel the same way about the extension of yourself part
These cds sound interesting. I know I get disconnected, either due to chronic tiredness or boredom from driving the same area day in and day out. Plus any sort of meditation sounds good to me.
Manda (mandalaire@gmail.com)
love love love your blog!! zenmama@me.com
Thanks for the ideas
Would like to give them a shot.
Thanks for the opportunity!
I’ve been looking for something like this and, not only appreciate the contest, but appreciate the information about the CDs!
I had to learn to drive again after a stroke that took my entire left field of vision. I know that I do become less than mindful while driving sometimes and, with my visual problems, it really scares me. I live in a town without any public transportation and live by myself, so driving is not optional for me. I would love to win these CDs. I think they would really help me daily in my life. BTW, I love the Tiny Buddha daily posts. I’m printing them out and keeping them in a binder for rereading.
I had to learn to drive again after a stroke that took my entire left field of vision. I know that I do become less than mindful while driving sometimes and, with my visual problems, it really scares me. I live in a town without any public transportation and live by myself, so driving is not optional for me. I would love to win these CDs. I think they would really help me daily in my life. BTW, I love the Tiny Buddha daily posts. I’m printing them out and keeping them in a binder for rereading.
I have 5 kids and in a suburban while traveling back and forth to work/school 45 min each way every day…enough said? LOL I could really benefit from the Cd’s! whew!
I have 5 kids and in a suburban while traveling back and forth to work/school 45 min each way every day…enough said? LOL I could really benefit from the Cd’s! whew!
Oh, I think I need this..
Oh, I think I need this..
Great advice for anyone. vananasha@msn.com.
We would be much very interested in these CDs, if you’re on the road there is no better moment to practice mindfulness (and alertness) There is also no better place to practice patience & kindness than that moment you’re overcome with a nice hot flash of road rage!!!
So here;s my tweet: http://twitter.com/tinybuddha/status/15452111055626241
I am on the Tiny Buddha list
I love this! Anything that helps me stay aware..
Jennifer (sourgrl78 at gmail dot com)
I have been listening to Pema Chodron’s “When Things Fall Apart” audiobook and was just thinking about how great it would be to have something actually about driving to listen to just the other day! What a great idea.
I tweeted about the giveaway
Oops, it’s alannahrose@hotmail.com
What a good reminder — traffic lights are not the enemy.
sorry, double post!
As someone who spends a lot of time on the road, I can attest to being easily distracted. As a fan of tiny buddha, I know these are awesome. Crossing my fingers!
My favourite advice has been to try to meditate while stopped at stoplights: there will always be someone behind you to let you know the light has turned green!
This would be very helpful to me. Driving seems to unleash a tidal wave of physical/emotional experiences and feeling tones in people…certainly in me!
As the mother of a new 16 yr old driver, I think both she AND I can benefit from the CD’s-LOL. I’m ladyeumbrous@yahoo.com
Would love to win the CD’s!
bluebuddha1961@gmail.com
Thanks…Mark
Would love to win one of these cds – for me and my loved ones! – Kimberly Knowles 🙂
Loved it to the whole.
Would love to have the CD.
My email: salman_olevel@hotmail.com
I could use this…sometimes the mind is elsewhere.
Elaine A. ….I am on the list.
It becomes more dificult to focus as the hustle and bustle of work shopping, holidays as well as my three children. Would this help calm the angst they sometimes feel being cooped up in the car? victoriah1619@aol.com
Yay! How perfect.
I would love to win this! Becoming angry or anxious while driving is one of my biggest obstacles to overcome.
I consider how I act on the road as an indicator of my spiritual fitness. According to my actions this morning, I need some work.
I love your site and your smiling face! I’d like to enter in the Mindful Driving CD set give away. My email is jeffc1@qpsisbest.com
oh man i would love love love for my boyfriend to have this for the both of us im such a fearful person and i cant drive at all so he does all the driving and he scares me alot we could use this so much!! and he always zones out this would help him alot
I love this post about paying attention while driving. I will use the excercises you suggest in your article … I already do some of these things. I remember, while I am driving, when the traffic is slow … that even though the traffic is slow, it is faster than walking. So, I enjoy each moment in my car and pay attention to all that is around me. I wish I could post this on one of the bill boards I see on the road, especially for the driving texters!!! Thank you and happy holidays to you, Sarah
A great way to ease the stress of the daily commute.