fbpx
Menu

Giveaway and Interview: The Mindful Manifesto

Note: The winners for this giveaway have already been chosen. Subscribe to Tiny Buddha to receive free daily or weekly emails and to learn about future giveaways!

The winners:

If you read this site regularly, odds are you’re familiar with mindfulness, and you may even meditate regularly.

It’s a simple practice that can dramatically improve our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, since it helps ground us in the present moment, and frees us from the burden of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Whether you’re new to mindfulness or not, you’ll likely find some helpful tools in The Mindful Manifesto: How Doing Less and Noticing More Can Help Us Thrive in a Stressed Out World. Straight-forward and comprehensive, the book offers detailed instructions to retrain our minds—and be kind to ourselves in the process.

Mindfulness teacher Ed Haliwell, who co-authored The Mindful Manifesto with Dr. Jonty Heaversedge, took some time to answer a few questions about the book; and he generously offered to give away 5 copies to Tiny Buddha readers.

The Giveaway

To enter to win 1 of 5 free copies of The Mindful Manifesto:

  • Leave a comment below.
  • Tweet: RT @tinybuddha Book GIVEAWAY & Interview: The Mindful Manifesto http://bit.ly/H7vMTw

If you don’t have a Twitter account, you can still enter by completing the first step. You can enter until midnight PST on Friday, April 6th.

The Interview

1. Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to teach mindfulness?

I came to mindfulness practice when I was experiencing a lot of stress, depression and anxiety. I kept searching for ways to change how I was feeling, and several people suggested learning to meditate.

I connected very strongly with the practice; it offered a way to work with things in a way I’d not realized was possible before, and gradually, I started to manage more effectively. I’m a writer, and it seemed natural to gravitate towards writing about mindfulness. Eventually, it felt like a natural step to learn to teach others.

2. What inspired you to write The Mindful Manifesto?

Primarily, I wanted to share the benefits of mindfulness with other people. I was becoming aware of the impressive scientific studies that show how mindfulness helps, and I wanted to write a book that could speak to people who might not naturally be inclined towards meditation practice.

As a family doctor and meditator, my co-author Jonty Heaversedge also wanted to would help people better manage their health, so we teamed up.

3. In Chapter One, you suggested that striving to make things better in the world might be part of the problem. Can you expand on this?

To use my own experience as an example:  when I felt unhappy, I rushed round desperately trying to make myself feel better. I tried all sorts of therapies, made big lifestyle changes, read hundreds of books—anything to try and make the pain go away.

But it was this pattern of striving that was a big part of why I felt so unhappy. I think a lot of us get caught in similar patterns—we struggle with how things are, trying to get away from the present moment. But actually, the present moment is the only place we can be, and so the first step to effective changes is to learn to work with what’s actually happening now.

That’s what mindfulness helps with. When I learned to practice meditation, I started befriending my experience, and curiously, my anxiety and depression began to lift. I wasn’t fighting with myself so much anymore. It’s not working for a better life or a better world that’s the problem; it’s how we go about it.

4. What has science taught us about mindfulness?

The research shows that mindfulness can help people with a range of health issues—from preventing relapse into depression, to working with chronic pain and illnesses like cancer, as well as helping people manage stress more effectively in lots of other life situations.

The neuroscience is also fascinating—the brain is far more plastic than was once thought, and training in meditation results in shifts in both activity and structure that are correlated with well-being. There are also studies looking at mindfulness in schools, in business, even helping with stress in the military.

The Buddha said that mindfulness was “all-helpful.” The science seems to be suggesting he was right.

5. What are the four foundations of mindfulness?

It’s a traditional way of training ourselves to notice what’s happening in our bodies, our minds, our feelings, and in the world around us. We felt it important to acknowledge that the practices now being validated by science aren’t new, and that there is a great wealth of wisdom on mindfulness that has been passed down to us.

In the book we explore some of this history, as well as presenting the four foundations from a practical and scientific perspective.

6. In Chapter Three you talked about mindfulness of the body. Why do you think we struggle with our bodies so much?

In western culture, we aren’t really taught to pay attention to our bodies, except perhaps as vehicles for getting us about and achieving goals. Most schooling is about getting information into our heads, and so we don’t tend to value the signals from our bodies—sensations and emotions that tell us a lot about what’s going on.

We can be so disconnected from our bodies that we don’t take much notice of them until they break down. Even then, we often struggle to fix them just so we can go back to ignoring and abusing them. With mindfulness, we can learn to cultivate a more embodied way of being. This can bring many benefits, from better health to more intuitive decision-making.

7. You shared stories from many different people in your book, highlighting the transformative power of mindfulness. Was there any one story that really stuck with you?

There’s one story I find especially moving. It’s about a man who came to mindfulness when he was referred to a course by his doctor as a treatment for recurrent depression.

He wasn’t sure what to make of his doctor’s suggestion. When he thought of meditation, it reminded him of his youth –the Beatles, wearing kaftans and burning incense—and he wasn’t really into ‘hippie’ stuff.

But he went along, and found it really helpful. He later found out he had bone cancer, and said that he could use what he learned during the mindfulness course to help him cope with the cancer, even practicing on his hospital bed before chemotherapy. It also helped him not get sucked into depression, and to carry on with life. I find that really inspiring.

8. At one point in your book, you used the term “self-parenting.” Can you talk a little about this, and why we need to do it?

When we are small, hopefully our parents are there to care for us, giving us a hug when we’re upset, or watching us so we don’t get into danger. Gradually, as we get older, we learn to do this for ourselves. But even if we don’t learn those skills as children, mindfulness training seems to be a way of offering that same sense of compassionate self-care to ourselves as adults.

We can train ourselves to notice when we’re getting drawn into unskillful actions, or getting caught up in unhelpful thinking. With mindfulness, we can learn to parent ourselves, giving ourselves a hug and being our own skilful advisor.

9. How can mindfulness help with addictions?

Mindfulness teaches us how to manage our impulses. We learn to stay with our experience, to befriend our feelings, even when they’re unpleasant. We create a space between our impulses and our actions, and so create the possibility of choosing differently.

If we’re in the habit of smoking, or compulsive shopping, or eating too much, or whatever our addictive pattern might be, we can learn to observe what comes up in our bodies and minds, and tolerate our thoughts and feelings without automatically being pulled into smoking, or shopping or binging, or whatever.

The more we practice, the better we can become at regulating our emotions and stepping out of automatic pilot. This doesn’t just go for what we might classically consider an addiction, but for any behavior that get caught up in and which isn’t doing us, or those around us, much good.

10. What is one simple practice we can use for mindfulness in everyday life?

When I first learned to meditate, my instructor told me to bring awareness to drinking one cup of tea each day. To really notice the sensations of holding the cup and bringing it to the lips, the warmth and wetness of the tea on my tongue, and how it felt to swallow the tea into my body.

If we can practice pausing and paying attention to something simple like drinking tea, or eating a meal, or watching a tree sway in the breeze, then we are beginning to create the conditions for experiencing and appreciating the full richness and magic of our lives, even when they might seem very ordinary.

We can then start to extend this sensory awareness out to more and more daily activities, as well as cultivating mindfulness with the help of formal meditation practice, for which I’d strongly recommend seeking out an experienced teacher.

Learn more about The Mindful Manifesto here.


FTC Disclosure: I receive complimentary books for reviews and interviews on tinybuddha.com, but I am not compensated for writing or obligated to write anything specific. I am an Amazon affiliate, meaning I earn a percentage of all books purchased through the links I provide on this site.

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.

See a typo or inaccuracy? Please contact us so we can fix it!
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
198 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Lindsey Cook

This book sounds great! Would love to win a copy…

Tiiu

This sounds like something I could really use as I’m just growing to add meditation, yoga and mindfulness into my life. Thank you for this chance to win!

Bruce

Sounds great. I can’t wait to read it. I can use all the help I can get.

Donn King

Another voice in the chorus: the books sounds great! I am mindful that I have rushed through the post, and after hitting the button, I’m going to go back through it. Obviously, a much-needed tool in my toolbox. 🙂

Connie

Now I like the sounds of this and it’s where I am in my life, this would be a welcome addition in my life. I would be very thankful to win 🙂

Justinebasaplease

I need this in my life.

sos

I would like to win this!

Jr cline

Interesting interview and book.

Kelly

I know mindfulness can make a difference. This book sounds like a good tool to help me keep up the practice.
Thanks,

Carol

Like Donn, I found myself rushing through the post… mindfulness is a struggle for me.  I’d love to read more about implementing the practice.  Thanks for the opportunity!

Angie

This book sounds fabulous!  As someone who is dealing with chronic pain after multiple neurosurgeries I am trying hard to battle depression and deal with the huge changes in my life without adding a new medication every time I turn around (every doctor’s solution, apparently).  Mindfulness is difficult for me, as I’ve spent my entire life doing four or five things at once, running around crazy, and thinking that was being productive.  But thsi is a change I know I need to make.

Katharinefrances

These tips seem very “doable” and also very powerful. Thank you!

blue

i just applied for no pay leave because i feel like i am sleepwalking through my life and i really badly need to wake up. i hope figure out how to live more consciously, mindfully and intentionally. 

Bonnie

Thanks for this interview! I’m interested in reading the book!

John E Smith

Hi, Lori

Interesting book – I look forward to reading it.
I would note that I saw just a few comments in the interview that referred to the positive aspect of increased mindfulness in our work relations with others.  We often focus on what mindfulness does for us individually or within our family circles.

My interest is in how mindfulness can be used as an employee development technique to enable workers to achieve and maintain a more productive and collaborative attitude.  So mcuh of what is described as communication in the modern workplace is actually several people stating (or even shouting) their opinions at each other, rather than true dialogue.
It strikes me that when we are in a state of mindfulness, we are better able to actively listen and actually dialogue with others, since we are aware of their words, behavior, and thinking as well as our own.
Critical thinking is an essential workplace tool and I cannot imagine really engaging in critical thinking without some increase in our mindfulness, our awareness of self and the environment.

Thanks for letting us know about this book:)

John

Nerak

This book sounds perfect for me right now. My husband was recently diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and I am having a hard time focusing on pretty much anything. Learning to be more mindful and in this moment is an essential skill for my well-being.

lizriz

Would love to read this!  Tweeted, too…  🙂

Angela

Sounds like an amazing book!

Lori

Mindfulness is something I know is important and yet sometimes it is difficult to practice. The book looks like a great place to find help doing just that . Thanks for the interview and the heads up.

Sue

I love the concept of self-parenting!  We all need to give ourselves a hug once in awhile!!

Sara Allen

I start grad school today… I totally need this book!

Vicki Gilbert -Timman

Thank you so much for your daily emails, and also for this great opportunity to further support us all in our personal quests!  Either as a gift from you or purchased, I will be reading this book!

Phil

I would love to have this book! Love your blog!

Jim Krenz

This sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for the interview, and for holding the contest.

Carolyn

Being in the moment is so extremely important. Appreciating everything……..builds gratitude.

Dennis Swennen

Tweet: check!
eBook: check?
It’s worth reading so it seems!

Ruddtanya

This would be a wonderful read.  Love getting my Tiny Buddha email each day.

LaLee

I look forward to each day’s missive! Short, succinct, making it easy to take the time to read and be soothed, motivated.

Kathryn A

I would love to have this book – thanks for the chance!

LaLee

 Read this one right after meditating, perfect coinkydink!

Rebecca

Reading the interview I felt like this book was written for me and about me. I would love to win this giveaway.

Marci DeLisle

Would love to have this book as just was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Nothing much can be done for the chronic pain I’m experiencing so would love to find a way to deal with it.

Jeet

I would love to win this book as a birthday gift for my wife.

Would love to read this book!  I, too, agree that a nice, warm cup of tea  can help with mindfullness.  I drink one every morning and it helps set the day off on the right foot.  Being mindfull is the key to happiness.  🙂

Tahimy

Wow!  So much of what teh author experinced in the begining of his process is what I am experinceing now.  It is so difficult to lear to quiet the mind.

Thank you for the great post!

Peace!

Je

I’ve been practicing mindfulness for a little while.  This would come in handy as I am still learning.  Thanks!

RedZelda

I would like to read this book. I am struggling with depression and anxiety since I stopped taking antidepressant medication. I am familiar with mindfulness and trust your recommendation. Thanks for the opportunity!

Diana Antholis

Would love this! I have been actively practicing and would love to go deeper.

Colleen

This book sounds amazing and it is in good time as it is desperately needed by so many persons…so many people are struggling and trying to grow and be lighter.
Thanks for writing The Mindful Manifesto…it surely is a book I could absorb.  

Sunshinechristine

I would love to read this book.  I’ve struggled with depression, anxiety, and chronic migraines for years.  I believe this book could help me tremendously.  Thank you for the opportunity.

PsychARNP

I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – I always enjoy my patients to reestablish the mind-body connection. I would love to read more about mindfulness.

Kcochran10

I’m 46 and I just started seeing a psychologist to help me review the first half of my life, make peace, and move on to an extraordinary 46 more years of life.  One of the things she wants me to practice is meditation and “being my own good mother.”  It’s not easy, as 46 years of a critical voice in my head will lend a sort of permanent housing situation.  Eviction can be a very length process.   I need to sit with that voice mindfully – I hope to read this book!

Gina Bongiovi

I have a hard time meditating but a friend recently suggested that instead of being so hard on myself for not being able to clear my mind, approach the static in my head with curiosity and forgiveness.  I haven’t been able to clear my head completely, but the attitude adjustment helped a lot.

Lori Guenter

This looks like a good book for me.  I could use a little mindfulness training. 🙂

Italianangel333

Would absolutely love to read this book and gain new insight. Would be a nice learning device while I experience my son going through a diffficult life changing time at rehab.

Thx and blessings..
Namaste

Redhen45

I always love an opportunity to delve deeper into mindfulness practices…I’ve been seeking good resources to share with my son and others to promote mindfulness…thanks for sharing another great resource!
love’n’light,
Patty

K Ray

Living in the moment requires practice. Like Gina, I have a difficult time meditating also…….. but I continue to attempt to do so, because I know it is worth the effort.

KP

This would be a great resource!

Ashley!

I would love to win this! It fits in so well with my theme this year to slow down & just BE!