With a Single Breath

The Complete Path of Mindfulness

$19.95 US
Shambhala
48 per carton
On sale Aug 11, 2026 | 9781645474715
Sales rights: World

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Practice mindfulness as a complete, transformative path that expands and deepens its benefits to all aspects of our lives and society.

Includes more than 50 practices from renowned teachers such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, Tara Brach, Thich Nhat Hanh, Rhonda Magee, Diana Winston, Daniel Goleman, Sharon Salzberg, and many others.


With a Single Breath is the first book to introduce a step-by-step framework for practicing mindfulness as a comprehensive path of life. Through five essential keys—Mindfulness Meditation, Insight, Love and Compassion, Ethics, and Community—Melvin McLeod draws on the wisdom of forty years of meditation practice to present a ground-breaking approach that deepens and expands how mindfulness is defined, practiced, and lived. Starting with the simple practice of being present, he explains how these five keys work together to help you discover your natural goodness, develop deeper awareness, and create meaningful connections in an increasingly disconnected world. Based on universal human qualities and aspirations, not tied to any particular religion or philosophy, the Complete Path of Mindfulness is accessible to everyone and brings out the best in who we are as human beings.

The book includes more than 50 practices to benefit all aspects of your life from renowned mindfulness teachers such as Tara Brach, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Diana Winston, Thich Nhat Hanh, Sharon Salzberg, Kristin Neff, Christopher Germer, Mark Coleman, Trudy Goodman, Susan Piver, Rick Hanson, Rhonda Magee, Pema Chödrön, Joan Halifax, and Dr. Robert Waldinger.
“This remarkable book is a comprehensive and rich guide to mindfulness for the twenty-first century. It reveals a clear path to living an ethical, caring, and awakened life.”
Joan Halifax, PhD, author of Standing at the Edge.

“In With a Single Breath, Melvin McLeod has brought together world-class expertise on mindfulness. This practical guide will be a boon to practitioners at any point on their path.”
Daniel Goleman, PhD, author of Emotional Intelligence.

“This is a masterful guide to a more peaceful, resilient, and contented life. Informed by both modern science and ancient wisdom, Melvin McLeod offers an original, brilliant way of looking at mindfulness as well as deep dives into the insights and experiential practices that can bring us home to our underlying beautiful true nature.”
Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Hardwiring Happiness.

“‘Mindfulness is all helpful,’ said the Buddha. This skillful book shows how you can directly benefit from the power of mindfulness and use it to bring care to all you touch.”
Jack Kornfield, PhD, author of A Path With Heart

"With a Single Breath offers a pioneering vision of mindfulness—not as a technique, but as a doorway into who we truly are. Drawing from a treasure trove of teachings and practices, it reveals how presence opens into inner freedom and an intimate belonging with all of life. Here mindfulness becomes a way of living with wisdom, courage and compassion in our world."
Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance.

With a Single Breath is both intimate and expansive, weaving together practical guidance with the collective wisdom of many of the world’s leading meditation teachers and experts in human well-being. Melvin McLeod serves as a gracious guide, distilling their insights into a clear, heartfelt path that begins with a single breath and unfolds into a deeply compassionate way of living.”
Dr. Robert Waldinger, author of The Good Life and How to Live It

“Bravo to Melvin McLeod for his foresight and vision to create With a Single Breath. He weaves together the disparate strands of the mindfulness movement to create a vision for a comprehensive mindfulness path. He shows us that mindfulness is not merely a stress reduction technique but a new and authentic contemplative tradition much needed in our times.”
Diana Winston, Director of UCLA Mindful and author of The Little Book of Being

“I have been hoping for such a book for years—bringing together mindfulness meditation with relationships. social action, and community. Thank you!”
Mirabai Bush, author of Almost Home.

With a Single Breath is a beautiful invitation into the transformative power of mindfulness. It presents mindfulness not merely as a helpful meditation technique but as a complete path for living with greater wisdom, compassion, and purpose. What makes this book especially rich is the way it gathers the voices and practices of leading mindfulness teachers, weaving their insights together into a clear and accessible guide for readers. This is an inspiring resource for anyone who wants to cultivate a more peaceful mind, an open heart, and a life that truly benefits others.”
Kristin Neff, PhD, author of Self-Compassion

“This wise and eloquent book is medicine for our times. Readers new to mindfulness will find a trustworthy step-by-step guide, and seasoned practitioners will be invigorated by the author’s bold, refreshing vision. If you want to reboot your life, or enrich and expand your mindfulness practice, this book is a great place to start.”
Christopher Germer, PhD, author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion

“In a time when the word mindfulness is everywhere—and often misunderstood—Melvin McLeod brings us back to its true heart. With a Single Breath distills this profound practice with rare clarity, wisdom, and authority. A beautiful accomplishment and important contribution to the unfolding of mindfulness in the modern world.”
Margaret Cullen, author of Quiet Strength

About

Practice mindfulness as a complete, transformative path that expands and deepens its benefits to all aspects of our lives and society.

Includes more than 50 practices from renowned teachers such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, Tara Brach, Thich Nhat Hanh, Rhonda Magee, Diana Winston, Daniel Goleman, Sharon Salzberg, and many others.


With a Single Breath is the first book to introduce a step-by-step framework for practicing mindfulness as a comprehensive path of life. Through five essential keys—Mindfulness Meditation, Insight, Love and Compassion, Ethics, and Community—Melvin McLeod draws on the wisdom of forty years of meditation practice to present a ground-breaking approach that deepens and expands how mindfulness is defined, practiced, and lived. Starting with the simple practice of being present, he explains how these five keys work together to help you discover your natural goodness, develop deeper awareness, and create meaningful connections in an increasingly disconnected world. Based on universal human qualities and aspirations, not tied to any particular religion or philosophy, the Complete Path of Mindfulness is accessible to everyone and brings out the best in who we are as human beings.

The book includes more than 50 practices to benefit all aspects of your life from renowned mindfulness teachers such as Tara Brach, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Diana Winston, Thich Nhat Hanh, Sharon Salzberg, Kristin Neff, Christopher Germer, Mark Coleman, Trudy Goodman, Susan Piver, Rick Hanson, Rhonda Magee, Pema Chödrön, Joan Halifax, and Dr. Robert Waldinger.

Praise

“This remarkable book is a comprehensive and rich guide to mindfulness for the twenty-first century. It reveals a clear path to living an ethical, caring, and awakened life.”
Joan Halifax, PhD, author of Standing at the Edge.

“In With a Single Breath, Melvin McLeod has brought together world-class expertise on mindfulness. This practical guide will be a boon to practitioners at any point on their path.”
Daniel Goleman, PhD, author of Emotional Intelligence.

“This is a masterful guide to a more peaceful, resilient, and contented life. Informed by both modern science and ancient wisdom, Melvin McLeod offers an original, brilliant way of looking at mindfulness as well as deep dives into the insights and experiential practices that can bring us home to our underlying beautiful true nature.”
Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Hardwiring Happiness.

“‘Mindfulness is all helpful,’ said the Buddha. This skillful book shows how you can directly benefit from the power of mindfulness and use it to bring care to all you touch.”
Jack Kornfield, PhD, author of A Path With Heart

"With a Single Breath offers a pioneering vision of mindfulness—not as a technique, but as a doorway into who we truly are. Drawing from a treasure trove of teachings and practices, it reveals how presence opens into inner freedom and an intimate belonging with all of life. Here mindfulness becomes a way of living with wisdom, courage and compassion in our world."
Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance.

With a Single Breath is both intimate and expansive, weaving together practical guidance with the collective wisdom of many of the world’s leading meditation teachers and experts in human well-being. Melvin McLeod serves as a gracious guide, distilling their insights into a clear, heartfelt path that begins with a single breath and unfolds into a deeply compassionate way of living.”
Dr. Robert Waldinger, author of The Good Life and How to Live It

“Bravo to Melvin McLeod for his foresight and vision to create With a Single Breath. He weaves together the disparate strands of the mindfulness movement to create a vision for a comprehensive mindfulness path. He shows us that mindfulness is not merely a stress reduction technique but a new and authentic contemplative tradition much needed in our times.”
Diana Winston, Director of UCLA Mindful and author of The Little Book of Being

“I have been hoping for such a book for years—bringing together mindfulness meditation with relationships. social action, and community. Thank you!”
Mirabai Bush, author of Almost Home.

With a Single Breath is a beautiful invitation into the transformative power of mindfulness. It presents mindfulness not merely as a helpful meditation technique but as a complete path for living with greater wisdom, compassion, and purpose. What makes this book especially rich is the way it gathers the voices and practices of leading mindfulness teachers, weaving their insights together into a clear and accessible guide for readers. This is an inspiring resource for anyone who wants to cultivate a more peaceful mind, an open heart, and a life that truly benefits others.”
Kristin Neff, PhD, author of Self-Compassion

“This wise and eloquent book is medicine for our times. Readers new to mindfulness will find a trustworthy step-by-step guide, and seasoned practitioners will be invigorated by the author’s bold, refreshing vision. If you want to reboot your life, or enrich and expand your mindfulness practice, this book is a great place to start.”
Christopher Germer, PhD, author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion

“In a time when the word mindfulness is everywhere—and often misunderstood—Melvin McLeod brings us back to its true heart. With a Single Breath distills this profound practice with rare clarity, wisdom, and authority. A beautiful accomplishment and important contribution to the unfolding of mindfulness in the modern world.”
Margaret Cullen, author of Quiet Strength