Kabat-Zinn - Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness

An unusualand unusually profoundself-help manual that teaches the application of ancient meditative techniques to modern living. Kabat-Zinn here details the lessons of the coursefrom how to undertake a breathing-attentive sitting meditation to how to apply insights gained to the obvious stresses of physical and emotional pain, as well as the more subtle stresses of work, other people, time pressure, etc.the poignant enormity of our life experience.

Kirkus Reviews

In personable, enlightening prose, Kabat-Zinn first explains how to develop a meditation schedule, and in later chapters pragmatically applies his plan to the main sources of stress. An impressive middle section clearly marshals scientific and anecdotal evidence relating state of mind to state of health. And while emphasizing meditations healing potential, Kabat-Zinn makes no sweeping claims, suggesting that the discipline serve not as a means but as an end.

Publishers Weekly

Comments from graduates of the program:

My bouts with severe pain remind me to practice what I learned in the stress clinic. And it still works!

Gladys McGauley, age 88

The program saved my life.

Gregg Hathaway, Leominster firefighter

Meditation has become the fifteenth club in my golf bag.

Bill Morrow, retired businessman

Ten years after my initial experience with the Stress Reduction and Relaxation Program, which I attended after being diagnosed with cancer, I continue to practice, expanding my universe, enhancing wellness, balancing my emotions, and quickening my spirit. It is a powerful journey.

Marie Sullivan, therapist

What referring physicians and other health professionals say about the clinic:

I have found the stress reduction program invaluable in helping to manage stress and anxiety problems in my patients. Not only do the patients benefit from the program in the short term, they learn techniques to help them face future stressful situations more confidently. The nearly unanimous opinion of patients completing the program is that they feel they again can take charge of their own lives.

Mary R. Hawthorne, M.D.
General Internal Medicine
Worcester, Massachusetts

Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinns meditative approach to stress reduction is the answer for the majority of our patients who present with stress-related symptoms or illnesses. This self-regulating modality helps people improve their coping skills in their work life. It is a necessary pressure relief valve in this era of increased productivity and expectations from employers.

Thomas H. Winters, M.D.
Director, Medsite Occupational Health Center
Quincy, Massachusetts
Former Director, Primary Care
Clinic, U Mass Medical Center

The usefulness of Dr. Kabat-Zinns stress reduction program cannot be overestimated. I have had many patients for whom this program was the most important part of their therapeutic regimen.

Joseph Alpert, M.D.
Director of Cardiovascular Medicine
U Mass Medical School

I know the stress clinic works. It has helped my patients with chronic low back pain and neck pain many times over the past ten years plus.

John J. Monahan, M.D.
Department of Orthopedics
U Mass Medical School

I have sent innumerable patients to the Stress Reduction and Relaxation Program over the years and most have found it quite useful. It has allowed me to minimize the use of medications for many conditions, including hypertension, anxiety, arrhythmia, etc. I have utilized many of Dr. Kabat-Zinns techniques in my practice of medicine as well as in dealing with my own hectic lifestyle.

Bruce E. Gould, M.D.
Chief of Community Medicine
Mount Sinai Hospital
Hartford, Connecticut
Former Director, Primary Care
Clinic, U Mass Medical School

The divisions between body, mind and spirit are not absolute, and the higher reaches of human consciousness can heal the lower. This book shows how this can be done. If you think harnessing the mind and spirit are complicated and painful, read this book and be surprised. It is a paragon of simplicityfull of gentle, caring instructions on reaching our highest potential. This book is not an experience in reading, but healing. It reflects great insight by someone who has been there.

Larry Dossey, M.D.
Author of Space, Time and Medicine
and Recovering the Soul

Based upon sound scientific research, his extensive clinical experience (at the University of Massachusetts Medical School), and practical instructions for the development of a personal stress management program, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn has distilled his tested program into an effective, emotionally moving, and compelling new book. Each person can draw upon Dr. Kabat-Zinns extensive experience to develop their own unique approach to achieving an optimal state of mental, physical, spiritual, and environmental health.

Kenneth R. Pelletier, Ph.D.
Author of Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer
Associate Clinical Professor
of Medicine and Psychiatry
School of Medicine,
University of California, San Francisco

Full Catastrophe Living represents a true breakthrough in the area of behavioral medicine and self-control. My recommendation for readers seeking relief from stress is to read Full Catastrophe Living, If you are looking for the best available book on this topic, this is it!

G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Director of the Addictive Behaviors
Research Center
University of Washington

Despite the spectacular advances in medical sciences in the 20th century, our patients continue to struggle with stress, pain and illness. Jon Kabat-Zinn has added the critical ingredient to our therapeutic armamentarium, self-control. His stress reduction program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center has helped thousands of patients. His book, Full Catastrophe Living, will help people throughout the world to conquer stress, pain and illness.

James E. Dalen, M.D., M.P.H.
Dean, College of Medicine
University of Arizona Health Sciences Center

INTRODUCTION