Mirror Meditation - by Tara Well (Paperback)

About the Book

Seeing ourselves clearly isn't always easy--and often, we feel dissatisfied by what we see in the mirror. Grounded in cutting-edge neuroscience, Mirror Meditation offers simple mindful meditation practices to help readers see themselves with kindness and compassion. With this unique guide, readers will learn how the simple act of looking in the mirror can actually become a powerful tool for overcoming self-criticism and developing self-awareness.

Book Synopsis

Discover the power of mirror meditation to help you awaken self-compassion, increase self-awareness, and gain the confidence needed to thrive.

Seeing ourselves clearly isn't always easy--especially in the age of social media. Technology has eroded our capacity for authentic self-reflection. As a result, we feel more anxious and depressed, have shorter attention spans, and have become more estranged from ourselves and each other. We've also become more critical of our physical appearance, and this self-criticism can damage our confidence and stand in the way of our happiness. In order to heal, we must come face to face with our true selves--not the images of ourselves that we alter and post online. If you're ready for self-reflection that has nothing to do with selfies, this book will reveal the way.

Based in cutting-edge neuroscience, Mirror Meditation offers mindful practices for increasing your self-awareness, managing stress and emotions, developing self-compassion, and increasing your confidence and personal presence. Using the three principles of mindfulness meditation--attention to the present moment, open awareness, and kind intention toward oneself--you'll realize just how much your self-criticisms are affecting you. Then you'll have a choice--and a practice--to treat yourself with more self-acceptance.

Self-awareness can help you break free from both your inner critic and the external world that stokes the fears and anxieties that we are never good enough, never have enough, and are never safe enough. The simple self-mirroring technique in this unique guide isn't grounded in technology--just a commitment to be present with yourself.

Review Quotes

"What a gem of a book this is! Tara Well's Mirror Meditation is creative, fresh, and has the potential to bring great relief to many. The book is beautifully written, yet brings together research from social psychology to neuroscience. With clear exercises and tips for readers, it is a unique addition to the field of mindfulness, meditation, and psychology at large."
--Robert T. Muller, PhD, professor of clinical psychology, and author of Trauma and the Struggle to Open Up--Robert T. Muller, PhD

"Mirror Meditation is a game changer! If you ever struggle to believe in yourself, Mirror Meditation will help you reconnect to your worth and move forward to create a richer and more rewarding life."
--Margie Warrell, PhD, speaker, and author of You've Got This--Margie Warrell, PhD

"Mirror Meditation is a very valuable resource, providing tools that are practical, easy to implement, and based on current research findings in brain science, health, and personality psychology. Its focus on increasing self-awareness, reducing self-objectification, and increasing mindfulness are timely and important in the era of Zoom meetings and seeing one's own face on screen all day. Tara Well is clearly an expert in her field, providing tools and research-based advice that is fresh, workable, and helps us relate to ourselves with greater self-compassion."
--Melanie Greenberg, PhD, clinical psychologist, and author of The Stress-Proof Brain--Melanie Greenberg, PhD

"Mirror Meditation is an important contribution to understanding how we see ourselves and the world around us. Tara Well's approach is smartly based on science, yet her true gift is making these lessons accessible, personal, and even fun. This book is for anyone who wants to experience the power of seeing themselves clearly and compassionately."
--Tasha Eurich, PhD, organizational psychologist, and New York Times bestselling author of Insight and Bankable Leadership--Tasha Eurich, PhD

"Tara Well is an extraordinarily creative psychologist. In Mirror Meditation, she introduces a powerful new approach to self-awareness that encourages people to look at themselves and each other with compassion and clarity. As our world becomes more complex and uncertain, there's an urgent need for this book. Mirror Meditation is a truly unique offering that is sure to change the lives of many readers worldwide and how they literally see themselves."
--Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, host of The Psychology Podcast, and author of nine books, including Transcend--Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD

"What happens in your mind when you look at yourself in the mirror? Drawing on psychological research and a deep understanding of human selfhood, Tara Well provides new insights into the nature of self-reflection. Her book is full of powerful stories, sage psychological advice, fascinating scientific findings, and provocative insights for living a full and authentic life."
--Dan P. McAdams, PhD, Henry Wade Rogers professor of psychology at Northwestern University, and author of The Stories We Live By--Dan P. McAdams, PhD

About the Author

Tara Well, PhD, is associate professor of psychology at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York, NY, where she developed a mirror-based meditation called "a revelation" in The New York Times. As an expert on self-awareness, body-image, self-compassion, emotional resilience, and meditation, Well has appeared on NBC Nightly News and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Vice, Forbes, Harper's Bazaar, Shape, Allure, and other media publications. In 2019, she gave the TEDx Talk, "What Mirror Meditation Can Teach You." Her blog, The Clarity on Psychology Today, has more than a million readers. You can learn more about Well at www.mirrormeditation.com.