Mindful Work: How Meditation Is Changing Business from the Inside Out

"Intriguing, timely, and enjoyable . . . A fascinating account of the increasing adoption of these ancient disciplines by Western businesses." -- Financial Times

" An] adroit exploration. Gelles] deftly describes what mindfulness is and what it isn't, presents the science behind it, and handily succeeds in convincing readers that the practice is worth exploring." -- Success

Business leaders around the country are discovering that meditation may be the key to fostering a happier, more productive workplace.

Many American companies, including some of our largest -- such as General Mills, Ford, Target, and Google -- have built extensive programs to foster mindful practices among their workers. Mindful Work is the first book to explain how all sorts of businesses and any kind of worker can benefit from meditation, yoga, and other mindful techniques. Mindfulness lowers stress, increases mental focus, and alleviates depression among workers. It has also benefited companies that have adopted it -- from the millions of dollars Aetna has saved in health-care costs to the ways Patagonia has combined leadership in its market with a pervasively mindful outlook. Mindful Work offers an eye-opening tour through this new landscape, and goes beyond other books on the subject by providing evidence for the practical benefits of mindfulness and showing readers how to become more mindful themselves.

"Brimming with insights and backed up with solid research, Mindful Work takes us to the front lines of a revolution that is transforming the business world." -- Arianna Huffington

DAVID GELLES is a staff writer for the New York Times Sunday Business section. Previously, he was a correspondent for the Financial Times. He has practiced meditation regularly for more than a decade, since studying the technique while living in India.