Mind Whispering

Tara Bennett-Goleman, whose earlier book Emotional Alchemy also reached the New York Times bestseller list, brings together cognitive psychology, neuroscience and Eastern contemplative thought in this guide to breaking destructive emotional cycles. Her central claim is that people are not stuck with their moods, feelings, behaviors and immediate reactions, and that each can be chosen. Rather than offering a loose set of comforts, the book sets out a practical method for understanding how the emotional mind works and for guiding it. It shows readers how to work with their own brains and how to bring mindfulness into ordinary moments such as arguments, stress and routine decisions.

A large part of the book examines the habitual mental states that quietly block a person's progress at work and in close relationships. By identifying these patterns, readers can learn to shift out of them and build relationships that are more open and satisfying. The author's aim is lasting well-being rather than temporary relief. The book includes a foreword by the Dalai Lama.