Jon Kabat-Zinn , PhD

He is most famous as a world-renowned mindfulness expert, author, and founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is best known for his work in bringing mindfulness practices into mainstream medicine and society, and for developing the widely popular Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program.

Kabat-Zinn was born in New York City in 1944 and received his Ph.D. in molecular biology from MIT in the 1970s. However, his interest in mindfulness and meditation began much earlier, during his time as a student at the University of Massachusetts in the 1960s.

Kabat-Zinn became interested in the intersection of mindfulness and Western medicine after reading about the work of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen master and peace activist. He began incorporating mindfulness practices into his own life, and eventually developed the MBSR program, which combines mindfulness meditation and yoga techniques with Western scientific principles.

Since its inception in 1979, the MBSR program has been hugely successful and has been widely adopted by hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions around the world. It has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and pain, and has been used to help people with a variety of health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and chronic pain.

In addition to his work with the MBSR program, Kabat-Zinn has also written numerous books on mindfulness and meditation, including "Wherever You Go, There You Are" and "Full Catastrophe Living." He has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times and Time magazine, and has been a guest on numerous TV shows, including "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Good Morning America."

Kabat-Zinn's work has had a profound impact on the way we view and approach stress and illness, and his contributions to the field of mindfulness have been recognized by numerous organizations and institutions around the world. He continues to be a leading voice in the mindfulness community, and his teachings and writings continue to inspire and guide people of all ages and backgrounds in their own journey towards mindfulness and well-being.

If you have interest in his works, this is probably his most famous and popular book, and the one I recommend. Wherever You Go, There You Are - Amazon Link .