Mindfulness is a process of self-inquiry directed at what is happening in the moment, a focus on experience as it occurs without inner commentary or judgment. Metaphors are indispensable to mindfulness practice. They motivate us, help us bring mindfulness into daily life, and show us how to use mindfulness as a tool for self-improvement. Their imagery helps anchor understanding and provides a bridge from concept to experience. This book presents 108 metaphors for mindfulness, meditation practice, self-change, acceptance, and other related concepts. Compiled by the author over a 25-year period, they employ imagery as diverse as the inner mute button, Earl Gray tea, and the bladder of Oliver Cromwell. Many are original; others are selected from the classic literature on Buddhism and mindfulness. Each is a node in a network of interweaving concepts that enliven the experience of mindfulness while alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression.

Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants: 108 Metaphors for Mindfulness, Arnold Kozak, Wisdom Publications, Paperback, 224 pp, $14.95

Arnie Kozak is the founder of Exquisite Mind, a consultation service for individuals (in the form of mindfulness-based psychotherapy), as well as for the community, healthcare and other professionals, and corporations. Exquisite Mind teaches mindfulness, the art and skill of living in the present, as a vehicle for managing stress and enhancing quality of life. He was also a Clinical Fellow in Psychology at the Harvard Medical School, where he completed his doctoral training. He lives in Burlington, Vermont.

CONTENTS: Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants
Introduction		1
Reading This Book		4
Metaphors for Mind		5
Metaphors for Self		39
Metaphors for Emotion, Change, and "Ordinary Craziness"		65
Metaphors for Acceptance, Resistance, and Space		111
Metaphors for Practice		149
Afterword		171
Appendices: Instructions and Exercises for Mindfulness Meditation		173
	Appendix 1: Mindful Breathing	174
	Appendix 2: Body-Scan Meditation	179
	Appendix 3: Walking Meditation	185
	Appendix 4: Relationship Practice	188
	Appendix 5: Informal Practice	190
Acknowledgments		195
Notes		197
Works Cited		213
About the Author		221