Free Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Fabrizio Didonna Page B

investigate what mechanisms of action of mind-
    fulness training actually lead to clinical change (exposure, relaxation, cogni-
    tive, and behavior change). In order to reach these goals we need to stimulate
    and increase the dialogue between mindfulness-based perspectives, Eastern
    traditions, and neuroscience.
    12
    Fabrizio Didonna
    Outline and Aims of the Book
    One of the major stimuli behind the development of this project was the
    need to bring together, in an operative, pragmatic, and easily accessible form,
    the ever-increasing amount of knowledge and experience now available from
    research and practice about mindfulness and its clinical application. This
    book illustrates the links between theory, science, and the therapeutic appli-
    cation of mindfulness for psychological and physical problems, highlighting
    the connections of these themes with Eastern tradition. The book is divided
    into four parts.
    Part 1 (Chapters 1–4) covers theoretical issues and includes chapters on
    the origin and conceptualization, phenomenology and state of the art of
    research on the constructs of mindfulness and meditation. This part provides
    an important theoretical framework and rationale for the clinical sections of
    the book.
    Part 2 (Chapters 5–9) addresses the relationships between mindfulness
    and clinical problems, especially regarding psychopathology, explaining the
    rationale of the use of mindfulness practice for mental diseases. Several rel-
    evant clinical and phenomenological issues are also discussed, such as the
    use of compassion and metaphor in psychotherapy, and the feeling of empti-
    ness. The possibilities to assess and measure mindfulness components and
    the possible effects of mindfulness-based interventions for non-clinical and
    clinical populations are also illustrated.
    Part 3 (Chapters 10–20) illustrates several mindfulness-based interventions
    for a wide range of psychological disorders, but also for some severe medical
    problems (cancer, chronic pain), for which this kind of approach has shown
    clinical relevance and effectiveness. The chapters include a clear explana-
    tion of the rationale for using mindfulness-based therapy with the specific
    diseases discussed, illustrations of case studies, and descriptions of the limi-
    tations and obstacles of the interventions as well as the strategies and tech-
    niques that can be used to deal with problems and to implement mindfulness
    interventions.
    Part 4 (Chapters 21–25) shows how it is possible to implement and pro-
    vide mindfulness-based interventions for specific populations (children, the
    elderly) and in specific clinical settings (individual, inpatient treatment).
    The last chapter in this part illustrates and explores some of the implica-
    tions for clinicians wishing to use mindfulness-based approaches in terms
    of the training that they need to be able to competently deliver the clinical
    intervention.
    Appendix A illustrates some classic mindfulness exercises that can help
    readers both to more thoroughly understand mindfulness-based approaches
    as well as to start developing their own meditation practice. Appendix B lists
    a number of resources in several countries helpful for readers who wish to
    train themselves in mindfulness-based approaches or maintain and deepen
    their own meditation practice.
    All the chapters were written by well-known experts and leaders in sev-
    eral fields of mindfulness-based approaches and by clinical researchers with
    extensive experience in the implementation of this kind of treatment with
    their respective population and in their respective setting.
    Introduction
    13
    This book will hopefully provide readers with a comprehensive and
    integrated volume that illustrates the current development and evolution of
    third wave approach in cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as a practical
    and valuable tool for practitioners interested in applying mindfulness in a
    wide range of clinical settings. I hope and wish