Sober Synthesis

Resources from MBSR Participants for Ongoing Practice, plus Poetry & Quotes

From S:

“The Way of Aikido” by George Leonard–I have not found a place near me to practice the actual art of Aikido, but one does not need to practice martial arts to appreciate and enjoy this book. 

“Heal Thy Self” by Saki Santorelli is an obvious suggestion, but I do think reading it after taking MBSR would be enjoyable and enriching. 

I just got the book you suggested, “Why We Meditate” by Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Daniel Goleman. I’m not quite halfway through, but already I am so glad I am reading it now at the end of the class. I think it’s a natural accompaniment to the course. I’ve already used some of the techniques in the book. I think the techniques and concepts will help me carry on the practice.  

The Plum Village Podcast “The Way Out is In” with Thich Nhat Hanh with his personal assistant Phap Huu, and Jo Confino, is a pleasure to listen to, and insightful.

From T: 

I have always used the little book “Stillness Speaks” by Eckhart Tolle as part of my daily meditation routine. His YouTube presentations are also helpful. 

From I: 

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
– Lao tse tung

I find the Jon Kabat-Zinn app is very useful. There is a small fee attached and worth it!

From M:

The Gift of Silence — 3 meditations by Sri Sri Ravishankar. This is what got me interested in meditation in the first place.  

 Ravishankar meditations are available for free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYcnmleMh2o. There are three mediations. 

The Plum Village App: Contains a number of resources (talks, meditations, teachings) by Thich Nhat Hanh and other monks at Plum Village

Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation

The Art of Happiness, by the Dalai Lama

Mindfulness Daily with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield

It’s a good starting point for anyone interested in learning about mindfulness. 

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While none of the resources below are explicitly about mindfulness, all are about how our brains work in one way or another. For sure they have all directly informed my own practice. 

Your Brain: Who’s in Control? | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

Your Brain: Perception Deception | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

Your brain does not process information and it is not a computer | Aeon Essays
Chaos Theory: Unravelling The Universe With One Simple Equation

This equation will change how you see the world (the logistic map)

Suggested reading for list: Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson  

From J: 

Resources for ongoing practice:

Dan Harris 10% happier book and podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-happier-with-dan-harris/id1087147821

Mugen Stephen Synder:  have been on retreat and sit with Mugen and his senior students – he has extensive YouTube guided meditations and a wonderful book on the heart practices: https://awakeningdharma.org/

Insight Meditation Society: A power house founded by western Buddhist teachers. I have taken courses with Sharon Salzburg and read Jack Kornfield and Joesph Goldstein’s books. The nun who married my wife and I founded the society with them, Jaquline Schwatz. She has gone on to become a Tibetan lama. https://www.dharma.org/