Book Review: ‘Mr. Spock’s Little Book of Mindfulness’ Offers Tips To Survive An Illogical World

Mr. Spock’s Little Book of Mindfulness
By Glenn Dakin
Hardcover | 109 Pages | $14.95
Published by Eaglemoss Ltd.

“Vulcans do not seek shallow pleasures,” author Glenn Dakin writes in his amusing new book, Mr. Spock’s Little Book of Mindfulness. “They would rather study ancient Vulcan poetry than look at funny pictures of cats online.”

Using as his framing device the idea that Vulcans seek fulfillment rather than fun, Dakin offers a series of clever observations, original illustrations, and retooled folk tales to present a surprisingly thoughtful guide to living a more meaningful life.

Peppered with quotes from numerous episodes and movies, Mr. Spock’s Little Book of Mindfulness makes the case that we could all be a little happier by following Spock’s example. Dakin divides the book into nine primary sections, including looks at Focus, Keeping An Open Mind, Love, Family, and Change.

Cover of Mr. Spock’s Little Book of Mindfulness

The chapter “On Living In The Moment,” opens with examples of Spock living “in the NOW,” including a pivotal moment from The Voyage Home. “Desiring to know if the whales would be okay to travel on short notice,” Dakin writes, “Kirk seeks an expert to consult. Spock simply jumps right into the pool and asks the whales…It is an act of totally in-the-now practicality that someone racked by self-consciousness would never do. BUT IT IS VERY SPOCK.”

Along with numerous incidents involving Spock – including examples from Discovery – Dakin offers stories and quotes from other great minds, including Shakespeare, Einstein, and Surak. “We must be mindful of the moves we make,” he summarizes at chapter’s end. “Whether it’s diving into a whale tank or choosing to eat a particularly dangerous ice cream, the one thing it would be illogical to do with the power of NOW is waste it. Your chance to change the future is here, right now.”

The other chapters follow a similar format, all of it building to the final chapter about embracing change, in which Spock learns that logic is only the beginning of wisdom, not the end. “To quote a Vulcan proverb, “Only jumbo mollusks never change their minds.”

The book contains whimsical illustrations, also by Dakin, typified by one of Spock aiming a phaser at a Gorn, captioned “Be mindful, but set your phaser to stun.” And it’s all written in a lighthearted style that’s deceptively easy to read. For surrounding all of the good humor is a wealth of relevant and useful advice. Now I’m not saying this book is going to become required reading by all Starfleet Academy cadets, but they could certainly do worse than heeding its advice.

Illustration from Mr. Spock’s Little Book of MindfulnessAfter all, as the old Vulcan folk tale teaches, “Who is to define if it is a good or a bad thing?” It’s imperative to keep an open mind about where we can truly gain wisdom. “The outcome is never conclusive until the day you die,” Dakin writes. “And in Mr. Spock’s case, not even then.”

Mr. Spock’s Little Book of Mindfulness will definitely give you a smile, maybe even a few outright chuckles. And, if you read it thoughtfully, it might even change your life. The board is yours.

Available now

Mr. Spock’s Little Book of Mindfulness was released in November and is available directly from Eaglemoss Hero Collector for $14.95. It is also available at Amazon in hardcover for $13.39 and as an ebook for $7.91.

Extra chapter

To get an even better idea of the book’s charms and overall style, check out a bonus chapter at herocollector.com.

Wearable Spock wisdom

If you want more, Eaglemoss is also offering a series of Spock Mindfulness tees, priced at $19.95 each.

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