Wherever You Go There You Are

By Jon Kabat-Zinn
Book Review and Meditation Reflection
Audrey Olschewski
Question 1:
In our book Kabat-Zinn writes about mindfulness in the beginning chapter. First,
describe briefly our authors thoughts on mindfulness. Second, describe your own
experience of mindfulness. What does mindfulness mean to you? Lastly, through your
own practice of meditation, describe how your own mindfulness has changed (if at all).
In the book Wherever You Go There You are, author Jon Kabat-Zinn speaks about
mindfulness. In the authors opinion, mindfulness is not relevant to Buddhism only, but is
a useful tool for all beings everywhere. Kabat-Zinn describes mindfulness as paying
attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally
(Wherever You Go There You are; page: 4). Additionally, Kabat-Zinn describes
mindfulness as a systematic process of self-observation, self-inquiry, and mindful
action (Wherever You Go There You are; page: 6). The author emphasizes the need for
mindfulness, not only as a means to live life to the fullest, but as a tool for self-evaluation
and possibility. In his words: It is a way to take charge of the direction and quality of our
own lives (Wherever You Go There You are; page: 5).
I agree with author Jon Kabat-Zinn that mindfulness involves being in the present
moment and should involve self-understanding. Furthermore, I agree with Kabat-Zinn
that by practicing meditation you can take charge of the direction and quality of our
own lives (Wherever You Go There You are; page: 5). To my understanding,
mindfulness is a useful tool to become conscious of who you are, where you want to go,
and what you need or can do. By being mindful you can live with greater integrity and
dedication, through maintaining this form of self-check progress. Through my own
practice of meditation, I have become more aware of my physical being: how Im
breathing, what Im feeling, and wherein I am storing tension. Additionally, my practice
of meditation has opened my mind in connection with others and my relationships to
them. Moreover, I have frequently found myself unconsciously asking self-reflective
questions: How do I feel about this? What do I really want out of life?
Question 2:
In part two of our book Kabat-Zinn guides us through two types of visualization: The
Mountain Meditation and The Lake Meditation. Try each of these meditations then
briefly describe your experience of each, perhaps comparing them. Did one have more
impact or meaning for you than the other? What thoughts or feelings came up? You
may want to try each visualization separately, at different times of the day or on
different days entirely, journaling about each of them before writing your response.

The Mountain Meditation as described by author Jon Kabat-Zinn, proved useful

and relevant to my life. For this meditation I sat cross legged in the quiet solitude of
my bedroom, breathed deeply, and began to paint the image of a mountain in my mind.
I saw this mountain go through the trials of its life: the weather and surrounding chaos
it views. I noted the mountains strong and steady response to all this turmoil. I then
focused this image to myself, forming myself into the mountain of my minds eye. I
pictured the stress in my life surrounding me, as a rainstorm over a mountain. Though I
recognize the greater complexity of my being, and acknowledge the need for flexibility,
I simultaneously salute the lesson of the mountain: to be strong and stable despite
surrounding circumstances. Coming out of this meditation I felt grounded.
Though I found the Lake Meditation to be more difficult to visualize than the
Mountain Meditation, I nonetheless found the lesson of the Lake to be extremely
edifying; illustrating a meaningful and needful contrast to the Mountain Meditation. As
author Jon Kabat-Zinn suggested, I started this meditation on my back. Breathing
deeply, I pictured a clear and sparkling lake that, when still, would reflect the world
around it or gently ripple in response to cool breezes. I pictured myself as one with the
lake and attempted to simply observe all within me. However, I found it difficult to
simply observe, and found myself judging or forming opinions in response to all my
thoughts or feelings. Thus, my lake could be likened to a rippled lake; one that would
not be still and reflective. Though I accept my agitated meditation, through further
practice I hope to gain experience as a still lake as well.
Question 3:
Kabat-Zinn writes about Karma in part three of our book: What is Karma? How does
Kabat-Zinn define Karma, and then how do you define or experience Karma?
Secondly, does mindfulness change Karma? If so, how?
In the book, Wherever You Go There You are, author Jon Kabat-Zinn describes
Karma as: this happens because that happened (Wherever You Go There You are;
page: 220). Thus, for every action there is a reaction or consequence; cause and effect.
The author dispels the misunderstanding that Karma is fixed destiny and instead likens
it to an accumulation of tendencies that can lock us into particular behavior
patterns, which themselves result in further accumulations of tendencies of a similar
nature (Wherever You Go There You are; page: 220). What Kabat-Zinn means, is that
when people label themselves as always having bad Karma or good Karma it is a
state achieved by their actions, rather than a fixed destiny. Kabat-Zinn goes further,
assuring his reader that Karma can be changed through mindfulness. According to the
author, mindfulness, in a manner of speaking, over-rides habitual impulses
fashion[ing] the links in the chain of actions and consequences[opening] up new
directions for us (Wherever You Go There You are; page: 221). Thus, by being
mindful you can successfully Think before you speak, or act.
I agree with author Kabat-Zinn that we will, essentially, reap what we sow. In
addition, I support his reasoning that mindfulness may change your Karma. As
defined by mindfulness, I concede that taking a moment of calm observation and
thought, can save you from saying or doing something, that could potentially come

back to bite you in the butt. However, I should interject here, that sometimes bad things
happen to good people. Thus, I myself am not fully convinced as to the reality of
Karma; at least, not as described in the confines of this life only. However, in the
context of both mortality and the afterlife, you will, essentially, reap what you sow. For
example, in the description of a life we may follow a kind and loving soul; one who
does everything in their power to be a good person. After a horrible tragedy, this
person becomes homeless and lives out their days as such, struggling just to survive,
until one day, they die. Where is the well-deserved good Karma, if not considering a
reward in Heaven?