Mindfulness A to Z: 108 Insights for Awakening Now

These brief explorations are "intended to inspire the integration of mindfulness into the fabric of daily life," writes Kozak (The Awakened Introvert), a psychotherapist and meditation teacher. While grounding his reflections in classic Buddhist concepts, he emphasizes the secular aspects of using mindfulness to reduce suffering, improve well-being, and foster a more "awakened life." Kozak uses personal examples to demonstrate how these techniques can help with everyday problems and encourages the practice of insight meditation (vipassana). "Developing mindfulness helps us to clearly see that we construct much of our experience of the world and ourselves," he writes. Topics range from the expected (aversion, compassion, fear, nirvana, sangha) to the more offbeat (smiles, landscapes, the grasping mind, fear of missing out, Xanax). Kozak is particularly interested in the storytelling capacity of mind, the nonexistence of the self, and biological reasons for the ways the mind can cause suffering. Many easy practices are included. Kozak's somewhat pedestrian writing and examples position the book in the middle tier of offerings on this popular topic. However, this earnest "field manual" of mindfulness provides sound, often astute guidance for those seeking an entr%C3%A9e to the subject. (Sept.)