Synopses & Reviews
The book is a memoir of how a skeptical, fast-talking New Yorker became Thich Nhat Hanh's editor, turned forty, realized she was aging, and slowly and reluctantly started to absorb mindfulness practice and grow up. Scenes with Thich Nhat Hanh and the author's two vividly exuberant older parents, illustrate how the author adapts mindfulness techniques for the busyness of her life, without losing her edge. With honest and vivid 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 guidance for three key mindfulness practices: Knowing When You're Available and When You're Not; Full-Attachment Living; and Interbeing (Other People are Not a Hobby).
This book is designed for adults who are new to mindfulness practice, Buddhism, curious skeptics, people familiar with the practice who want a personal story, and those interested in memoir.
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"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
Review
"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
About the Author
Rachel Neumann is the Editorial Director at Parallax Press. She is the author of many books and articles on the intersection of parenting, mindfulness, and progressive politics. Her work has appeared in the Village Voice, The Nation and many other national and local magazines. Read more about her work here: http://rachelneumann.blogspot.com.