The mindfulness movement is increasingly one whose time has come. People of all ages and backgrounds are exploring real, tangible ways to be more content and happy daily. 

I am one of said people, and was already a fan of Rohan Gunatillake’s work at the forefront of the modern mindfulness movement. The director of creative studio Mindfulness Everywhere, he is instrumental in the wonderful buddhify meditation app, which I use every day, and perpetually introduce to friends as it is a huge asset to me and many others. 

Because of that alone I was delighted when his book This is Happening came out last month. 

This is Happening has the strapline ‘Redesigning mindfulness for modern lives’, and Gunatillake’s goal is clear throughout as he expertly engages with the practical realities of the challenges which face us all.

He tackles our imagined problems with developing a mindfulness practice head on with precision and humour- lack of time, technology and what he wonderfully (and accurately) describes as the ‘hippy problem’- the erroneous idea that we need to be ultra-spiritual to engage in mindfulness.

Moreover, he is bold in adapting and evolving mindfulness to how we live now; while demonstrating a keen understanding of its history he has signposted how we can easily incorporate meditation into our lives. There is an empathy in explaining the challenges everybody will encounter, and an infectious enthusiasm to match his sage advice.

While stressing the merits of a traditional practice, This is Happening repositions mindfulness and meditation as an integral, vital part of our lives rather than an escape from it. Meditations range from those which can be done at the start and finish of the day to ones walking, travelling, at home or pretty much anywhere else. Removing the cliche of glorious mountain-top solitude doesn’t make the process, or the results any less significant. It does, though, make mindfulness accessible and achievable for everyone. 

Throughout the text there is a clarity and vision which makes it both engaging and empowering- as well as the easy tone there are over sixty simple meditations and ingenious tips which perfectly demystify the process for those starting out in mindfulness, while still offering inspiration and insight to those already engaged. 

We will get to a stage where mindfulness, meditation and wellness become as commonplace as the gym, yoga, exercise or healthy eating in our day-to-day lives, and in my humble opinion the prospect of lots of more thoughtful, fulfilled people in the world is a pretty profound thing. 

I would heartily recommend you get a copy and get engaged- the myriad benefits massively outweigh any cynicism you may justifiably have. In our quest to be happier, kinder and better equipped to deal with modern life’s eventualities I can think of no better starting place.

This is Happening by Rohan Gunatillake is available at amazon.co.uk

Visit rohangunatillake.com and download buddhify.com