Jon Kabat-Zinn

Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn is an American professor emeritus of medicine, widely recognized for his innovative work in the field of mindfulness. He is the founder of the 'Stress Reduction Clinic' and the 'Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society' at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Kabat-Zinn's extensive study under Zen Buddhist teachers such as Philip Kapleau, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Seung Sahn, combined with his foundational role at the Cambridge Zen Center, underlines his comprehensive understanding and practice of mindfulness.

Kabat-Zinn is known for developing the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, a significant contribution to modern healthcare. This program, now offered by many medical centers, hospitals, and health maintenance organizations, leverages mindfulness to help people manage stress, anxiety, pain, and illness. In 1979, Kabat-Zinn pioneered the application of mindfulness in healthcare by establishing the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He later founded the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the same institution.

As an author, Kabat-Zinn has penned numerous books that delve into the practice and benefits of mindfulness. Some of his most notable works include "Full Catastrophe Living", which describes the MBSR program, and "Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life", a guide to incorporating mindfulness into daily routines. His book, "The Mind's Own Physician: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama on the Healing Power of Meditation", co-authored with Richard Davidson, showcases his significant role in bridging the gap between traditional mindfulness practices and modern science. As a board member of the Mind and Life Institute, Kabat-Zinn continues to advocate for the integration of mindfulness into medicine and society.