Not Quite Nirvana: A Skeptic's Journey to Mindfulness

Rachel Neumann

This is the story of how a skeptical, fast-talking New Yorker became Thich Nhat Hanh's editor, turned 40, realized she was aging, and slowly and reluctantly started to absorb mindfulness practice and grow up. Scenes with Thich Nhat Hanh, the author's vividly exuberant older parents and endlessly imaginative pre-teen daughters illustrate how she adapts mindfulness techniques for the busyness of her life, without losing her edge. With honest stories about dealing with difficult relationships with family members, death, illness, vanity, exhaustion, and creating a safety net of joy, the author explores and offers mindfulness guidance. This book is designed for adults who are new to mindfulness practice, Buddhism, curious skeptics, those familiar with the practice who want a personal story, and those interested in memoir.

ISBN: 978-1-937006-15-0, Hardcover, 112 pages.

Reviews

"With humor, passion, and joy, Rachel Neumann translates century-old Buddhist wisdom into useful tools for busy people today. This is mindfulness for the modern moment."—Marci Shimoff, NY Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason

"This is a fresh, lively, warm, interesting and valuable book! You will be happy to add it to your library." —Sylvia Boorstein, author of Happiness Is An Inside Job

"Not Quite Nirvana will resonate with anyone who has ever tried to juggle more than two things at once. It's an important and joyful book, one that left me comforted, refreshed, and inspired to go out and add more kindness to the world." —Tirien Steinbach, Faculty, Berkeley Initiative for Mindfulness in Law

"Over the past ten years, Rachel Neumann has edited more than twenty of my books. Thanks to her profound understanding of my teachings, style, and voice, my message has been communicated clearly, correctly, and authentically to thousands of readers. I am deeply grateful for her skillful work and dedication." —Thich Nhat Hanh

"What do you get when you cross a Zen master and a cynical, exhausted, new mother? This lovely book will make you laugh, remind you to yell at your kids a little less often, and inspire you to find more moments of grace in your daily life." —Ayelet Waldman, author of Bad Mother

"Rachel Neumann brings wonderful insights to the practice of meditation and what it means to weave it into our everyday lives. This is a great book, one that can help us find balance as well as a sense of peace and clarity in the midst of it all." —Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness and Lovingkindness

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