An empowering treatise on propelling profound social change by going inward, from a mindfulness teacher and activist who has turned personal practice into movements

The practice of mindfulness is most often touted for its profound mind, body, and spirit benefits. Shelly Tygielski here shows that mindfulness can also be a powerful tool for spurring transformative collective action. In a winning combination of memoir, manifesto, and how-to, Tygielski shares her evolution from a Jerusalem-born child of traditional Sephardic Orthodox parents to a middle-class American suburban youth who questioned her faith to a young executive in corporate America. As she used self-help practices to heal from chronic health issues and a messy divorce, she had an epiphany: finding true health and peace is not a solo endeavor but one that lives in connection with others. Tygielski considers herself an unlikely meditator, activist, and teacher. But in that way she is uniquely qualified to speak to all today who wonder, “What can I do?” or “Will my actions even make a difference?” Tygielski’s work began as “me” work and transformed into “we” work. In Sit Down to Rise Up, she shows that this is possible for all of us.

Shelly Tygielski is the founder of Pandemic of Love, which has been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS This Morning, CNN Heroes, and Upworthy and recognized by such figures as President Joe Biden, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Maria Shriver. She was called one of the “12 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement” by Mindful.org and has appeared in the New York Times and Washington Post.

Beloved comedian, bestselling author, TV personality, and activist Chelsea Handler lives in Los Angeles.