Title: How to train a wild elephant and other adventures in mindfulness /
Authors: Bays, Jan Chozen.
Publisher: Shambhala,
Year: 2011
Subjects: Spiritual life Buddhism; Consciousness Religious aspects Buddhism; Attention Religious aspects Buddhism; Awareness Religious aspects Buddhism
Abstract: A growing body of research is showing that mindfulness can reduce stress, improve physical health, and improve our overall quality of life. Jan Chozen Bays, physician and Zen teacher, has developed a series of simple practices to help us cultivate mindfulness as we go about our ordinary, daily lives.
Contents: Use your nondominant hand -- Leave no trace -- Filler words -- Appreciate your hands -- When eating just eat -- True compliments -- Mindfulness of posture -- Gratitude at the end of the day -- Listen to sounds -- Every time the phone rings -- Loving touch -- Waiting -- A media fast -- Loving eyes -- Secret acts of virtue -- Just three breaths -- Entering new spaces -- Notice trees -- Rest your hands -- Say yes -- See the color blue -- Bottoms of the feet -- Empty space -- One bite at a time -- Endless desires -- Study suffering -- Silly walking -- Water -- Look up! -- Defining and defending -- Notice smells -- This person could die tonight -- Hot and cold -- The great Earth beneath you -- Notice dislike -- Are you overlooking something? -- The wind -- Listen like a sponge -- Appreciation -- Signs of aging -- Be on time -- Procrastination -- Your tongue -- Impatience -- Anxiety -- Mindful driving -- Look deeply into food -- Light -- Your stomach -- Become aware of your center -- Loving-kindness for the body -- Smile -- Leave things better than you found them -- Beginning a sitting meditation practice.