The Wakeful Body

Somatic Mindfulness as a Path to Freedom

By: Willa Blythe Baker

Narrated by: Eileen Stevens

A highly practical and approachable guide to somatic meditation with easy practices for accessing the body’s inherent mindfulness, from an expert in somatic meditation.

Tap into the wisdom of the body with down-to-earth practices like “Surrendering to the Breath” and “Befriending Feelings” that allow the body to become the source of mindfulness. Willa Blythe Baker introduces meditation practice as the cultivation of a way of being, rather than a way of doing. It is a way of being that is self-aware, self-compassionate, and embodied. This way of being is not limited to practice on the cushion or on the yoga mat—somatic mindfulness is available at any moment, activated by attention to the body’s wisdom and its teachings.

Discover the three layers of embodiment, from the earth body of flesh and blood, the subtle body of sensory experience and emotion, and the awareness body of consciousness. The three parts of this book explore these layers through turning attention to the physical, energetic, and mental dimensions of human experience. By diving deep into the body, listeners will find that they already have what they need. Concentration, wisdom, compassion, kindness, and joy are waiting there.

©2021 Willa Blythe Baker (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Soothing Richness Assisting Us Into Embodiment

This book came as a soothing nourishing “accident” to me while dealing with intense bouts of terror anxiety attacks. The narration, by Eileen Stevens, is wonderful in its relaxing cadence as it takes you on a journey leading you into yourself through enriching gentle practices wrapped in soul embracing stories. Listening to this book has been supportive, spiritual, and soul soothing. I will be listening to it again and most likely again. For those who are experienced in practices like these this information may not be anything new but listening to this book is like taking a little graceful pilgrimage into the Bhakti or reverence of ones body and self. Very grateful for this beautiful book, thank you Willa Blythe Baker.

unique insight after my 10 years of practice

Each chapter is an opportunity for pause and contemplation.
Narration Voice is pleasant, clear and easy to understand.
The message is deep and true.
highly recommend.

Fabulous techniques into body-based awakening

This is a wonderful book that reads a bit like a manual, with many instructive meditations. Lama Baker weaves the practoces together using the acronym GROUND and further divides the practices based on 3 forms of the body: the physical, the subtle, and the truth body. For me, this was a wonderful and creative refresher on the wisdom and power of the body.

The teachings are not lofty or abstract. They are simple. Precise and impactful. Lama Baker draws on her experiences with Tibetan Buddhism and Yogic Buddhism to provide a user friendly path to awakening.

Total waste of time

No actionable advice.. just random and inaccurate ramblings of my culture with no meaningful insights

Great body mind instructions!

Excellent book. It would be easier to connect with the ideas if more personal examples were included. It would make it easier to imagine author’s experience. Nevertheless, this is an excellent book!

Absolutely love this book!

Lama Willa does a spectacular job making deep Tibetan Buddhist ideas and practices accessible! I wholeheartedly and without reservation recommend you buy it if you're even only mildly interested in developing a practice that can make you whole again.