Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

Wherever You Go, There You Are (1994) is a work of nonfiction by Jon Kabat-Zinn, a renowned teacher and researcher in the field of mindfulness-based stress reduction. It has received widespread acclaim for its positive impact and practical approach to mindfulness, aimed at an audience of adult readers who wish to engage with their life more authentically. The book has become a classic in the genre, recommended by professionals, and has garnered a strong following for its accessible and transformative guidance.

This study guide refers to the 2004 Hyperion e-book edition.

Summary

In his introduction, Kabat-Zinn explains the major concept of the book, contained in the title: wherever you go, there you are. In Kabat-Zinn’s estimation, readers have made a series of choices and find themselves in the present. For those asking “Where to from here?” Kabat-Zinn recommends connecting completely and honestly with oneself and one’s immediate, moment-to-moment surroundings.

Part 1 unpacks the concept of mindfulness. It is only through the practice of intentional, mindful living that readers can know themselves fully, appreciate their immediate surroundings, and make choices in line with who they authentically wish to be. Kabat-Zinn cautions that much of what we experience in our day-to-day lives is not real but is viewed through the distorting lens of our own thoughts, including our hopes, projections, conditioning, beliefs, thoughts on the past and future, and fears.