Dr Chris Harper
  • Home
  • About me
  • Blog
  • Book Reviews
  • Useful Resources
  • Info For Patients
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Advertising Policy
  • Home
  • About me
  • Blog
  • Book Reviews
  • Useful Resources
  • Info For Patients
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Advertising Policy
Dr Chris Harper
Picture

Book review - The Miracle of Mindfulness

12/24/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

It might seem a bit strange that a dental blog would include reviews of books related to mindfulness and meditation. Dentistry is such a stressful profession, resulting in a scarily high burnout, depression and suicide rate. I believe that it is paramount that we look after ourselves emotionally, physically and mentally. If we don't then what chance do we have of giving our patients the best possible care? I think the practice of mindfulness has great potential in terms of improving our wellbeing. That is why my golden circle as discussed on my "about me" page mentions mental and physical health as well as the oral health of my patients.

Picture


Thich Nhat Hanh is lauded by many as one of the true masters of mindfulness. He is a 91 year old Buddhist monk who setup a retreat in France for others to come and experience intense mindfulness and meditation courses. He has also published numerous books on the topic. I have a few on my bookshelf to read in the near future and the first one is supposed to be "the definitive" text on the subject.



Picture
The version I read is an amalgamation of a few different items. The first half of the book comprises translations of letters written by Thich Nhat Hanh to other monks discussing his ideas about mindfulness. Then the second half includes detailed instructions on how to complete certain meditation practices and also translations of historical Buddhist texts. I found the first half of the book very interesting and many of the ideas reflected much of the material presented in the mindfulness lecture series I reviewed earlier this month. Indeed Mark Muesse himself provided quotes by Thich Nhat Hanh on a couple of occasions.


However personally I found the written instructions on how to do some of the meditations and the later translated texts offered very little to me. Meditation in my limited experience so far is something that I think is difficult to learn from written text and I think many people will need guidance in person or via audio from things like guided meditation apps. Others may disagree with me, and I am aware that might just be my personal preference for audio shining through.


Picture

I think that any book that encourages people to live a life more mindful of their surroundings and interactions with others should be commended and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book although I would advise people to be prepared that this may peak their interest in the topic, but they may need further guidance to really put the lessons learned into practice. See here for your own copy: https://amzn.to/2qTxuo0
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Dr Chris Harper

    Archives

    August 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    FIRST TIME HERE?
    Blog Home
    Page 2

    Categories

    All
    Article Summaries
    Book Review
    Consent
    CPD
    General Tips
    IPad
    OHI And Diet Advice
    Organisation
    Patient Demonstration
    Photography
    Quotes
    Reflection
    Teaching
    TFTC
    Treatment Planning

    RSS Feed

Picture
Home
Contact

© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.