This book offers a practical and theoretical guide to the benefits of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in the workplace, describing the latest neuroscience research into the effects of mindfulness training and detailing an eight-week mindfulness training course. Provides techniques which allow people in organizations to listen more attentively, communicate more clearly, manage stress and foster strong relationships
Includes a complete eight-week mindfulness training course, specifically customized for workplace settings, along with further reading and training resources
Written by a mindfulness expert and leading corporate trainer --- from the publisher Reviews & Endorsements: "His book is a skilful weaving together of art, science and practice, presented with clarity, simplicity and warmth." (Mindful, 11 October 2011) The forces of dissonance are all around us. They gnaw at us and eventually turn us into a person we neither recognize nor want to be. One of the few research proven antidotes to these ravages of chronic stress, over commitment, and being too busy, is working on our mindfulness. Michael Chaskalson provides a marvelous and engaging introduction to the arena and with practical steps for you and your organization. Don’t worry, you will not start to levitate after reading this book, but if you heed his message and practical steps, you will be healthier, experience heightened cognitive performance, and be more open to possibilities.
—Richard Boyatzis, Distinguished University Professor, Case Western Reserve, co-author of ‘Primal Leadership’ and ‘Resonant Leadership’ In this important book, Michael Chaskalson presents a powerful case for the intentional enhancement of mindfulness in the workplace. He offers a clear and authoritative description of mindfulness and the ways in which we can facilitate it. Crucially, he also explains in detail why mindfulness training can have profoundly beneficial effects on a surprisingly wide range of aspects of individual and organizational function. In doing so, he draws on a wide base of research evidence, and on his own unique personal experience of decades of teaching awareness skills and of founding and running successful organizations. The Mindful Workplace deserves to be highly influential.
—John Teasdale, co-author of ‘The Mindful Way through Depression’ and ‘Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Depression’ This book is extraordinary. It offers a revolutionary and compelling solution to the problems faced in the 21st century workplace. Michael Chaskalson writes with superb clarity and wisdom to show that we no longer have to choose between economic imperatives and human well-being. Through training in mindfulness, both can flourish, to the benefit of all. A book that will be on the syllabus of every Business School that wishes to be on the frontier of knowledge and skills, but also a read for anyone who wants to understand why work can be so stressful and what to do about it.
—Mark Williams, Director, Oxford Mindfulness Centre, and Co-author of ‘Mindfulness: a practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world’ Contents: Foreword ix Preface xiii Introduction: The Business Case for Mindfulness Training 1 1 What Is Mindfulness? 13 2 What Is Mindfulness Practice? 31 3 Positive and Negative Stress: Up and Down the Yerkes–Dodson Curve 57 4 Approach and Avoidance: Learning New Ways to Be with What Is 73 5 Metacognition: Knowing Your Thoughts as Thoughts 89 6 Respond: Learning Not to React 101 7 Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence: Positive Relationships at Work 111 8 Mindfulness for Leaders 127 9 Mindfulness in Coaching 145 10 Living Mindfully 157 11 Putting on an Eight-Week Mindfulness Course in a Workplace Setting 163 Appendix 1: Good Practice Guidance for Teaching Mindfulness-Based Courses 183 Appendix 2: Review of Significant Mindfulness Research 187 Appendix 3: Further Reading 191 Appendix 4: Further Training and Other Resources 193 Index 195 About the Author: Michael Chaskalson is the UK's leading trainer of mindfulness-based approaches to work, with clients including London Business School, Prudential and GlaxoSmithKline. He is an honorary lecturer at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, Bangor University, UK, and has more than thirty years experience of Buddhism and formal meditation. | 
