Brown, B. (2017). Braving the Wilderness. New York: Penguin Random House.
Brené Brown is an American social scientist and encourages the discussion about finding meaning in our lives. Brown argues that we’re experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection, which reiterates the intentions of my research. This is an important standpoint for my topic as she speaks metaphorically about the rural and about literal life in the urban. She reinforces the idea of looking within ourselves to find happiness, courage, joy, etc. These are imperative features in mindfulness and meditation.
Csikszentimihalyi, M. (1991). Flow. New York: Harper Collins.
The concept of flow by Mihaly Chsksentimihalyi, will serve as imperative alongside the concepts of meditation and mindfulness. Establishing flow is through joy, creativity, and the process of total involvement. In other words, being fully immersed in the moment is the key to flow, as is the key to mindfulness and meditation.
Iyer, P. (2014). The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere. New York: Simon & Schuster.
This book written by Pico Iyer, a well-known travel writer, follows him on a journey to different locations, some not far from home. Iyer discusses the profound experiences of stillness, clarity and sanity he has not far from home, and just out of city limits. In the age of speed, Iyer practices slowing down and understands how crucial it is to our overall wellbeing. This book is important to my research as it manages the mundane and provides examples of finding ourselves in both urban areas and wilderness areas.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation In Everyday Life. New York: Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data.
Jon Kabat-Zinn is one of the forerunners in western meditation and research. His book will aid in understanding what mindfulness and meditation are and how it can help each and every one of us in the everyday whether we believe it or not. Cultivating mindfulness is a crucial area he explores and will be beneficial in understanding how I can cultivate my own mindfulness and experiencing present moments in all rural and urban areas.
Kaplan. S. J. (2010). Urban Mindfulness: cultivating peace, presence and purpose in the middle of it all. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Jonathan Kaplan is an American psychologist who was lured out of the countryside and into the city by job opportunities. He couldn’t keep his commitment to meditation. He could not find the right space emotionally, mentally and physically in the bustle of the city. Meditation allows us to become aware of what is happening around us and Kaplan shows just how possible it is to live a mindful life in the city. This book is important to my research as it explores many elements of living in an urban area and how to stay on track with a busy lifestyle.
Lefebvre, H & Levich, C. (1987). The Everyday and Everydayness. Yale French Studies, 73, 7-11. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/2930193.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3A1f8bf3fc5a7925d85d7f6c25a8958073
Henri Lefebvre was a Marxist philosopher and sociologist. His work on the everyday will rein important in my paper, as it will set the tone of humanism; what leads us to distractions, followings, and the fear of becoming of a super human society. This paper lends important information that is easily transferred to the urban era of today.
McCown, D. & Micozzi S. M. (2011). New World Mindfulness: From the Founding Fathers, Emerson and Thoreau to Your Personal Practice. New York: Simon & Schuster.
The authors offer techniques to fit mindfulness practice into the everyday without having to compromise scheduling and responsibilities. The authors compare mindfulness with stories from Emerson and Thoreau who will be heavily relied on for interpreting mindfulness in the outdoors. Mindfulness does not have to be about existing in a lone world, where taking a time-out is not necessary. Balance is the key factor in mindfulness and this book offers essential methods for coping with any number of stressors, including medical and the everyday.
Shojai, P. (2016). The Urban Monk. United States: Rodale Inc.
This book, written by a Taoist Monk that grew up in Los Angeles, points out routines for urban or suburbanites struggling to keep up with a fast-paced lifestyle. Slowing down is the essence to enhancing our wellbeing and finding our personal powers in the busy, overwhelming world we live in. This book is important to my research as it outlines everyday struggles and combats urban life with the power of our own mind abilities.
Thoreau, D. H. (1960). Walden. New York: Signet Classics.
Henry David Thoreau was an individualist and a lover of nature. He situated himself by a pond by himself, embracing the natural wonders of the world, living a simplistic life. He was resistant to life with “luxuries”. This book will aid in understanding life in an urban area and what goes alongside it, as well as understanding life in the rural and curating self-discovery.