Introductory Articles by Chris Walsh

Mindfulness Instructions

Mindfulness In Action Techniques
These techniques are useful for bring mindfulness into the activities of everyday life.

Urge Surfing
In action technique for dealing with urges, cravings and addictions.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Initial Problems Practising Mindfulness & Solutions

Finding Mindfulness Classes

Why Mindfulness Instructors Need Their Own Regular Practice

The "Just Worrying" Labeling Technique
It turns out that worrying is a quite destructive way of avoiding being mindful that feeds on itself. This technique helps break the vicious cycle.

The Legend of Nasrudin
This article shows how, hundreds of years ago, the Sufis recognised the difficulties negotiating between the extremes of overly skeptical thinking and magical thinking.

 

Links

Aronson Harvey B. (2004) Buddhist Practice on Western Ground, Reconciling Eastern Ideals and Western Psychology Boston & London : Shambhala

Harvey Aaronson is a multilingual interpreter as well as a psychotherapist. He clarifies a number of linguistic confusions such as the different ways the words "ego" "anger" and "attachment" are used in Eastern and Western psychological traditions

Brazier David (2002) The Feeling Buddha: A Buddhist Psychology of Character, Adversity and Passion. Palgrave New York, ISBN 0-312-29509-x

David Brazier demysitifies the central teachings of Buddhist psychology, the four noble truths and the eightfold path. Among other things he clarifies the common misconception that the Buddhist approach aspires to extinction of emotions. He discusses how the original teachings point more to containment of emotions and freedom to choose skilful action.

De Mello, Anthony. & Stroud, J.F. Eds. (l 990) . Awareness . New York : Doubleday.

Using humor, compassion, and insight, Jesuit priest Anthony de Mello mixes Christian spirituality, Buddhist parables, Islamic sayings, Hindu breathing exercises, and psychological insight.

Epstein Mark (1995) Thoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective New York Basic Books

Epstein Mark Going to Pieces without Falling Apart

Mark Epstein integrates Object Relations psychoanalytic theory and Buddhist psychology in his books

Germer Christopher K., Siegel Ronald D., Fulton Paul R.(2005) Mindfulness and Psychotherapy New York , Guilford Press

This is a special book in that it is truly trans-theoretical in regard to western psychologies, as it discusses the practical application of mindfulness intelligently and coherently from cognitive, humanistic and psychoanalytic viewpoints

Goleman, Daniel (2003) Destructive Emotion, And How we Can Overcome Them: A Dialogue With The Dalai Lama London Bloomsbury

This very interesting discussion integrates various strands of Western scientific understanding with Buddhist psychological insights. It is extremely readable. Participants include a number of highly esteemed western academics such as the neuroscientist Richard Davidson and the pioneer of research into cross cultural expression of emotion, Paul Ekman.

Hayes StevenC., Follette Victoria M. & Linehan Marsha M. eds. (2004 ) Mindfulness and Acceptance: Expanding the Cognitive-Behavioral Tradition New York , London : The Guilford Press

A discussion of the theory and research in relation to the new wave of mindfulness based cognitive therapies that have been developed over the last 15 years.

Kabat-Zinn, Jon (1990) . Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. New York : Dell Publishing.

Kabat-Zinn, Jon. (1994) . Wherever you go, there you are. New York : Hyperion Press.

Kabat –Zinn is really the trail blazer that first conceptualized and presented mindfulness in a way that made it palatable and comprehensible to mainstream western psychologists.

Linehan, Marsha M. (1993) . Skills training manual for treating borderline personality disorder. New York : The Guilford Press.

This book is a step by step guide for teaching clients four sets of skills: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. Mindfulness is regarded as the core skill upon which the other three depend. It is useful for substance use clients without BPD as well. It includes useful, clear cut handouts that may be readily photocopied.

Marlatt G. Alan, D. M. Donovan Eds. (2005)Relapse Prevention. New York : Guilford Press.

Merton, Thomas. & Thich Nanh Hahn, (1971).Contemplative Prayer. New York : Image Books

In this book the western monk Thomas Merton integrates the Christian contemplative tradition with what he has learnt from the Eastern Mindfulness tradition.

Magrid Barry (2002) Ordinary Mind: Exploring the Common Ground of Zen and Psychoanalysis

An integration of Self Psychology (as promoted by Prof. Russel Meares in Sydney ) and Zen

Safran Jeremy D. (2003) ed Psychoanalysis and Buddhism Sommerville MA USA, Wisdom Publications

Has multiple authors many of whom hold highly esteemed academic positions in the field of psychoanalysis in the USA

Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002) . Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. New York : The Guilford Press.

This book is a great start for anyone coming from the CBT tradition. It includes a lucid CBT based theoretical discussion of the process of mindfulnes and how it works. It outlines the historical development and practice of MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy) which has been shown to significantly reduce the relapse of depression in people who have had more than 2 episodes. The illustrative transcripts and a wealth of reproducible materials, including session summaries and participant forms, enhance the clinical utility of the volume.

Siegel Daniel (2007) The mindful Brain: reflection and attunement in the cultivation of well-being. New York: W W Norton & Company Inc.

Thich Nhat Hanh (1991) Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life New York : Bantam Books

Thich Nhat Hanh(1999) The Miracle of Mindfulness. Boston , MA : Beacon Press.

 

 

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Dr Christopher Walsh
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North Carlton
Victoria 3054
Ph: 03 9347 4300
Fax: 03 9347 4355

Send email to: info@cwalsh.com.au

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