Additional information
| Author | Stephen McKenzie |
|---|
Mindfulness for Life
By Stephen McKenzie (2012)
What the internet says
Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.
Overall reception: Mostly positive
Mindfulness for Life by Stephen McKenzie and Craig Hassed is generally well-received as an accessible, scientifically-grounded introduction to mindfulness practice. Reviewers consistently praise the book's evidence-based approach, with numerous citations of scientific studies backing up claims about mindfulness benefits. The authors bring complementary perspectives—McKenzie as a psychologist and researcher, and Hassed as an internationally recognized medical expert on mindfulness—which readers find adds credibility and depth to the material.
The book is described as comprehensive, covering applications of mindfulness to various conditions including stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, pain management, heart disease, cancer, and dementia, as well as lifestyle areas like parenting, education, and workplace performance. However, several reviewers note that while the book excels at explaining the 'why' and 'what' of mindfulness through scientific evidence and theory, it provides less practical guidance on the 'how' of actually practicing mindfulness meditation. Readers who completed related courses (such as Monash University's online mindfulness course taught by Dr. Hassed) found the book more valuable as a reference companion rather than a standalone practice guide.
What readers loved
- Strong scientific foundation with extensive references to research studies, making it credible for skeptics
- Written in accessible, clear language that makes complex scientific concepts understandable for general readers
- Comprehensive coverage of mindfulness applications across medical conditions, mental health issues, and lifestyle enhancement
- Combines medical and psychological perspectives from two experienced practitioners in the field
- Avoids religious dogma and presents mindfulness in a secular, evidence-based framework
- Includes occasional humor that makes the material more engaging and less dry
- Useful as a reference book that can be consulted repeatedly for specific topics rather than read cover-to-cover
Common critiques
- Limited practical instruction on how to actually practice mindfulness meditation techniques
- Can be repetitive in places, with similar concepts explained multiple times across chapters
- More theoretical than practical, focusing on the science behind mindfulness rather than hands-on exercises
- May be better suited as supplementary material to an actual mindfulness course rather than a standalone guide
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