Buddhist life and practice Books

Book SynopsisPema Chödrön reveals the vast potential for happiness, wisdom and courage even in the most painful circumstances.Pema Chödrön teaches that there is a fundamental opportunity for happiness right within our reach, yet we usually miss it ironically, while we are caught up in attempt to escape pain and suffering.This accessible guide to compassionate living shows us how we can use painful emotions to cultivate wisdom, compassion and courage, ways of communication that lead to openness and true intimacy with others, practices for reversing our negative habitual patterns, methods for working with chaotic situations and ways to cultivate compassionate, energetic social actionRecently profiled in Oprah's O magazine, Pema Chödrön is a spiritual teacher for anyone whether they have a spiritual path or not. Her heartfelt advice and wisdom (developed in her 20 years of practice as a Tibetan Buddhist nun as well as her years previously as a normal housewife and mother') give her a wide appeal. This advice strikes just the right note, offering us comfort and challenging us to live deeply and contribute to creating a more loving world.Trade Review‘‘Pema’s deep experience and her fresh way of looking at things are like mountain water – clear and deep.’ Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart and After the Ecstasy, the Laundry. ‘As one of Pema Chödrön’s grateful students, I have been learning the most pressing and necessary lesson of all: how to keep opening wider my own heart.’ Alice Walker ‘It is a lively and accessible take on ancient techniques for transforming terror and pain into joy and compassion.’ O, the Oprah Winfrey magazine

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Book Synopsis‘This book really, really will stay with me forever. It’s not only laced with the most incredible wisdom, but it’s also gentle and beautiful and eloquent. It brought me so much joy and so much comfort’ FEARNE COTTON ‘Life-changing. This book is sensational. If you’re struggling, feeling a little lost, anxious or in need of a mental lift, please read it’ ELLA MILLS, FOUNDER OF DELICIOUSLY ELLA The Sunday Times bestselling book of comfort and timeless wisdom from former forest monk, Björn Natthiko Lindeblad We like to think we can determine the path our life takes, but events rarely unfold the way we plan for or expect. In this international bestseller, former forest monk Björn Natthiko Lindeblad draws on his humbling journey towards navigating uncertainty – helping you, with kindness and good humour, to: - Let go of the small stuff - Accept the things you cannot control - Manage difficult emotions - Find stillness at busy times - Face yourself – and others – without judgment Infusing the everyday with heart and grace, this is a wise and soothing handbook for dealing with life’s challenges.Trade ReviewA multiple prize-winner across Europe, and you can quickly see why . . . This is a book of some brilliance * Daily Mail *With our potential to maintain a peaceful state of mind, it is possible to remain optimistic in the face of difficulties. Björn Natthiko Lindeblad, a former forest monk in Thailand, relates his experience of training to properly direct his thoughts which can benefit all -- His Holiness the Dalai LamaGenuinely stays with you . . . Will encourage you to let go of the small stuff, accept the things you cannot control and open your heart and mind to a more happy and peaceful life * Woman & Home *[An] extraordinary life . . . A book that, improbably, mixes elements of profundity and sweetness in equal measure. I read it, turning down the corners of pages I wished to refer back to, and marking certain passages with a pencil. By the end, almost every page was folded and marked * Telegraph *Phenomenal. Steeped in wisdom. Best book I've read in a long time -- Ella MillsI loved every single page . . . It’s not only just laced with the most incredible wisdom, but it’s also gentle and beautiful and eloquent. There’s so much storytelling . . . I literally could not put this book down -- Fearne CottonContains so many wisdoms that tie in with the big issues that the world wrestles with today . . . Heart-rending, yet at the same time so beautiful * Nyhetsmorgon (Sweden) *

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Book SynopsisFrom one of America’s most brilliant writers, a New York Times bestselling journey through psychology, philosophy, and lots of meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness.At the heart of Buddhism is a simple claim: The reason we suffer—and the reason we make other people suffer—is that we don’t see the world clearly. At the heart of Buddhist meditative practice is a radical promise: We can learn to see the world, including ourselves, more clearly and so gain a deep and morally valid happiness. In this “sublime” (The New Yorker), pathbreaking book, Robert Wright shows how taking this promise seriously can change your life—how it can loosen the grip of anxiety, regret, and hatred, and how it can deepen your appreciation of beauty and of other people. He also shows why this transformation works, drawing on the latest in neuroscience and psychology, and armed with an acute understanding of human evolution. This book is the culmination of a personal journey that began with Wright’s landmark book on evolutionary psychology, The Moral Animal, and deepened as he immersed himself in meditative practice and conversed with some of the world’s most skilled meditators. The result is a story that is “provocative, informative and...deeply rewarding” (The New York Times Book Review), and as entertaining as it is illuminating. Written with the wit, clarity, and grace for which Wright is famous, Why Buddhism Is True lays the foundation for a spiritual life in a secular age and shows how, in a time of technological distraction and social division, we can save ourselves from ourselves, both as individuals and as a species.Trade Review“A sublime achievement.” —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker“Provocative, informative and... deeply rewarding.... I found myself not just agreeing [with] but applauding the author.” —The New York Times Book Review“This is exactly the book that so many of us are looking for. Writing with his characteristic wit, brilliance, and tenderhearted skepticism, Robert Wright tells us everything we need to know about the science, practice, and power of Buddhism.” —Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet“I have been waiting all my life for a readable, lucid explanation of Buddhism by a tough-minded, skeptical intellect. Here it is. This is a scientific and spiritual voyage unlike any I have taken before.” —Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and bestselling author of Authentic Happiness“A fantastically rational introduction to meditation…. It constantly made me smile a little, and occasionally chuckle…. A wry, self-deprecating, and brutally empirical guide to the avoidance of suffering.” —Andrew Sullivan, New York Magazine “[A] superb, level-headed new book.” —Oliver Burkeman, The Guardian“Robert Wright brings his sharp wit and love of analysis to good purpose, making a compelling case for the nuts and bolts of how meditation actually works. This book will be useful for all of us, from experienced meditators to hardened skeptics who are wondering what all the fuss is about.” —Sharon Salzberg, cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society and bestselling author of Real Happiness “What happens when someone steeped in evolutionary psychology takes a cool look at Buddhism? If that person is, like Robert Wright, a gifted writer, the answer is this surprising, enjoyable, challenging, and potentially life-changing book.” —Peter Singer, professor of philosophy at Princeton University and author of Ethics in the Real World“Delightfully personal, yet broadly important.” —NPR“Rendered in a down-to-earth and highly readable style, with witty quips and self-effacing humility that give the book its distinctive appeal and persuasive power.” —America Magazine“Beautifully written and persuasively argued, Why Buddhism is True is the most accessible book on some of Buddhism’s extraordinary, even radical, claims.... Powerful, eloquent, spiritual and scientific... A creative and compelling exploration of the Buddha’s mind.” —The Tribune (India)“[Why Buddhism is True] will become the go-to explication of Buddhism for modern western seekers, just as The Moral Animal remains the go-to explication of evolutionary psychology.” —Scientific American“Cool, rational, and dryly cynical, Robert Wright is an unlikely guide to the Dharma and ‘not-self.’ But in this extraordinary book, he makes a powerful case for a Buddhist way of life and a Buddhist view of the mind. With great clarity and wit, he brings together personal anecdotes with insights from evolutionary theory and cognitive science to defend an ancient yet radical world-view. This is a truly transformative work.” —Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at Yale University and author of Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion“[Written] with such intelligence and grace.” —Patheos“What a terrific book. The combination of evolutionary psychology, philosophy, astute readings of Buddhist tradition, and personal meditative experience is absolutely unique and clarifying.” —Jonathan Gold, professor of religion at Princeton University and author of Paving the Great Way: Vasubandhu's Unifying Buddhist Philosophy“Joyful and insightful... both entertaining and informative.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)“A light, accessible guide for anyone interested in the practical benefits of meditation.” —Vox“A well-organized, freshly conceived introduction to core concepts of Buddhist thought.... Wright lightens the trek through some challenging philosophical concepts with well-chosen anecdotes and a self-deprecating humor.” —Kirkus Reviews“[Wright’s] argument contains many interesting and illuminating points.” —The Washington Post“Amusing and straight-forward.... Anyone... can safely dip their toes in the water here.” —BookFilter“Regardless of their own religious or spiritual roots, many open-minded readers who accompany [Wright] on this journey will find themselves agreeing with him.” —Shelf Awareness

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Book SynopsisDiscover the beautiful bestselling book about a beautiful friendship . . .''James has a way to speak to your soul. This book is nothing short of comforting and heartwarming'' VEX KING''While the drawings have the charm of Winnie-the-Pooh, the captions have the depth of ancient proverbs'' GUARDIAN''A beautifully illustrated book which draws on tender moments. Exquisite'' DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE________A guiding light in the darker months, Big Panda and Tiny Dragon is the beautifully illustrated and mindful journey of two friends through the seasons, inspired by Buddhist philosophy''Which is more important,'' asked Big Panda, ''the journey or the destination?''''The company,'' said Tiny Dragon.Friends Big Panda and Tiny Dragon journey through the seasons of the year together, day and night, in rain and in sun. Travelling through nature, they find hope and inspiration in the world around them, realising that even in the darkest of days, Spring will always return.Feel the calming influence of Big Panda, who reminds us of the bigger picture while appreciating the simplicity of small moments.Explore your surroundings with the inquisitive eye of Tiny Dragon, our friend who is big in heart if not in stature.And on their journey through the ever-changing seasons, join these two friends as they learn how to live in the moment, be at peace with uncertainty, and find the strength to overcome life''s obstacles, together.Inspired by Buddhist philosophy and spirituality, the story of these whimsical characters makes the perfect gift for anyone looking for a little hope and comfort.________''The two friends often find themselves lost but discover beautiful sights they never would have found if they had gone the right way. While the drawings have the charm of Winnie-the-Pooh, the captions have the depth of ancient proverbs'' GUARDIANTrade ReviewIt features the two friends, who often find themselves lost but discover beautiful sights they never would have found if they had gone the right way. While the drawings have the charm of Winnie-the-Pooh, the captions have the depth of ancient proverbs * Guardian *James has a way to speak to your soul. This book is nothing short of comforting and heartwarming -- Vex KingA beautifully illustrated book which draws on tender moments. Exquisite -- Dr Rangan Chatterjee * BBC Radio 2 *

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Book Synopsis''I have relinquished all that ties me to the world, but the one thing that still haunts me is the beauty of the sky''These simple, inspiring writings by three medieval Buddhist monks offer peace and wisdom amid the world''s uncertainties, and are an invitation to relinquish earthly desires and instead taste life in the moment.One of twenty new books in the bestselling Penguin Great Ideas series. This new selection showcases a diverse list of thinkers who have helped shape our world today, from anarchists to stoics, feminists to prophets, satirists to Zen Buddhists.

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Book SynopsisThe tradition of Tantra or Tantric Buddhism is known to have existed in India as early as the 5th century AD. In this book Osho talks about the mystical insight of Tantra that is to be found in these ancient writings. Mining these ancient Tantric writings and meditation practices Osho illuminates such concepts as the nature of darkness and light, the paradoxical wisdom of the "pathless path," and reverance for the body as a bridge to the divine. No matter how complex, esoteric, or obscure the subject, Osho always examines it from a uniquely refreshing perspective - he uses time honoured traditions as a hook to bring timeless truths to the widest possible audience with irreverent wit and thought-provoking inspiration.

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Book SynopsisStruggling with depression, anxiety, illness, an eating disorder, a difficult relationship, fear, self-hatred, addiction or anger? Renowned Buddhist leader Tsultrim Allione explains that the harder we fight our demons, the stronger they become. Offering Eastern answers to Western needs, Tsultrim seamlessly weaves traditions from Tibet and the Western world to offer a new and unique answer to the problems that plague us: that rather than attempt to purge them, we need to reverse our approach and nurture our demons. This powerful five-step practice forms a strategy for transforming negative emotions, relationships, fears, illness and self-defeating patterns. This will help you cope with the inner enemies that undermine our best intentions.Trade ReviewTsultrim Allione has done a masterful job of translating ancient and fascinating methods to heal modern emotional traumas. Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

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Book SynopsisA special presentation of Buddha's teachings on compassion and wisdom that communicates their essence in a way that is easy to understand and put into practice. By developing and maintaining compassion and wisdom in daily life, we can transform our lives, improve our relationships with others and look behind appearances to see the way things really are. In this way we can find lasting happiness and accomplish the real meaning of our human life. With compassion and wisdom, like the two wings of a bird, we can quickly reach the enlightened world of a Buddha. From the author: 'I would particularly like to encourage everyone to read specifically the chapter "Training in Ultimate Bodhichitta". Through carefully reading and contemplating this chapter again and again with a positive mind, you will gain very profound knowledge, or wisdom, which will bring great meaning to your life.' This inspiring handbook of daily practice is perfectly suited to those seeking within Buddhism solutions to problems of everyday life, as well as for encouraging practitioners of all faiths to deepen their understanding and practice of the spiritual path.Table of ContentsIllustrations Preface PART ONE: SUTRA Preliminary Explanation What is Buddhism? Buddhist Faith What is the Mind? Who are the Kadampas? The Preciousness of Kadam Lamrim The Path of a Person of Initial Scope The Preciousness of our Human Life What Does our Death Mean? The Dangers of Lower Rebirth Going for Refuge What is Karma? The Path of a Person of Middling Scope What We Should Know What We Should Abandon What We Should Practise What We Should Attain vi The Path of a Person of Great Scope The Supreme Good Heart - Bodhichitta Training in Affectionate Love Training in Cherishing Love Training in Wishing Love Training in Universal Compassion Training in Actual Bodhichitta Training in the Path of Bodhichitta Training in the Six Perfections Training in Taking in Conjunction with Practice of the Six Perfections Training in Giving in Conjunction with Practice of the Six Perfections Training in Ultimate Bodhichitta What is Emptiness? The Emptiness of our Body The Emptiness of our Mind The Emptiness of our I The Emptiness Which is Empty of Eight Extremes Conventional and Ultimate Truths The Union of the Two Truths The Practice of Emptiness in our Daily Activities A Simple Training in Ultimate Bodhichitta Examination of our Lamrim practice PART TWO: TANTRA The Preciousness of Tantra The Tantra of Generation Stage The Tantra of Completion Stage The Central Channel The Indestructible Drop The Indestructible Wind and Mind vii How to Meditate on the Central Channel How to Meditate on the Indestructible Drop How to Meditate on the Indestructible Wind and Mind The Completion Stage of Mahamudra Great Bliss The Practice of Heruka Body Mandala The Lineage of these Instructions What is the Heruka Body Mandala? The Preliminary Practices Training in the Generation Stage of Heruka Body Mandala Training in Completion Stage The Instructions of Vajrayogini The Yogas of Sleeping, Rising and Experiencing Nectar The Remaining Eight Yogas Dedication Appendix I - Liberating Prayer Appendix II - Prayers for Meditation Appendix III - An Explanation of Channels Appendix IV - An Explanation of Inner Winds Appendix V - The Yoga of Buddha Heruka Appendix VI - Blissful Journey Appendix VII - Quick Path to Great Bliss Appendix VIII - The Blissful Path Appendix IX - The nada Glossary Bibliography Study Programmes of Kadampa Buddhism Tharpa Offices Worldwide Index Further Reading

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Book SynopsisWith growing numbers of people feeling discontented at work in a post-pandemic era of the great resignation, Joy at Work offers essential reading. Whether you are feeling aimless and bored, only hanging on for the monthly wage, stressed, overworked or burnt out, this book offers a simple philosophy: suffering happens – but we can transform it. Using Buddhist principles, Steve Nobel guides us to realising our innate gifts and reconnecting us with our authentic selves. By working through practical exercises and calming meditations you can: Learn to trust your instincts Reframe your limiting beliefs Rediscover your creativity Create copying strategies for when you're stressed Renew your love for work The world of work is evolving and Steve prompts you to change with it; transform your happy, unprofessional life into one of self-worth, passion and purpose. Let loose your trapped potential to find the work you were born to do, whether that is falling back in love with your job or moving on and finding different work that inspires you.Trade Review"A book for all ages – if I had this book when I first started working, it would have made a world of difference."

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Book SynopsisStart Where You Are is an indispensable handbook for cultivating fearlessness and awakening a compassionate heart, from bestselling author Pema Chödrön. With insight and humour, she presents down-to-earth guidance on how to make friends with ourselves and develop genuine compassion towards others.This book shows how we can ''start where we are'' by embracing rather than denying the painful aspects of our lives.Pema Chödrön frames her teachings on compassion around fifty-nine traditional Tibetan Buddhist maxims, or slogans, such as: Always apply a joyful state of mind', Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment' and Be grateful to everyone'.Working with these slogans and through the practice of meditation, Start Where You Are shows how we can all develop the courage to work with our own inner pain and discover joy, well-being and confidence.Trade Review‘‘Pema’s deep experience and her fresh way of looking at things are like mountain water – clear and deep.’ Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart and After the Ecstasy, the Laundry. ‘As one of Pema Chödrön’s grateful students, I have been learning the most pressing and necessary lesson of all: how to keep opening wider my own heart.’ Alice Walker ‘It is a lively and accessible take on ancient techniques for transforming terror and pain into joy and compassion.’ O, the Oprah Winfrey magazine

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisIn Meditation Now or Never Steve Hagen, a Zen priest and bestselling author of Buddhism Plain and Simple, provides an accessible and thorough manual on meditation, for both newcomers and experienced practitioners. In the modern world our lives are more frenetic than ever. We live with a burning sense that we have to get something done. But what do we really achieve? And why are we never satisfied? This book is an invitation to switch off, and to enjoy stillness - right now. Steve Hagen offers simple practices that avoid needlessly complicating meditation; highlights where many of us get stuck in meditating - and how to get unstuck; and, above all, focuses on meditation not simply as a spiritual technique, but as a way of living.Trade ReviewClean and clear as a mountain stream. I wish I had found such a book when I began meditating -- Stephen Levine, author of A GRADUAL AWAKENINGA lucid, no-frills introduction to Buddhist meditation ... a timely reminder of what meditation is all about -- Stephen Batchelor, author of BUDDHISM WITHOUT BELIEFSA brief and wonderfully accessible primer on meditation * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of What Makes You Not a Buddhist comes a fresh look at the foundations of Tibetan Buddhist practice, with practical advice and guidance for the modern practitioner Do you practice meditation because you want to feel good? Or to help you relax and be “happy”? Then frankly, according to Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, you are far better off having a full-body massage than trying to practice the Dharma. Genuine spiritual practice, not least the Ngöndro preliminaries, will not bring the kind of comfort and ease most worldly people crave. Quite the opposite, in fact. But if your ultimate goal is enlightenment, Ngöndro practice is a must, and Not for Happiness your perfect guide, as it contains everything an aspiring practitioner needs to get started, including advice about: • Developing “renunciation mind” • Discipline, meditation and wisdom • Using your imagination in visualization practice • Why you need a guru

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Book SynopsisCut through the noise and explore mind-changing Buddhist teachings from one of the clearest voices from the Tibetan tradition. Written in her direct and personal style, it?s the perfect ?first book? for anyone curious about Buddhism, as well as those with experience who will benefit from her powerful message.We?re bombarded with advice about how to live?how to find happiness, how to maintain relationships, how to help the world?and yet has this advice brought us peace? In How Not to Miss the Point, beloved Buddhist teacher Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche focuses on the Buddha?s core teachings, basic principles that are universally true, whether we are Buddhist or not, as a way to cultivate our inner light and work for good, no matter how the world unfolds around us.Because the simplicity of the Buddha?s fundamental teachings can often get lost in complexity, Rinpoche goes straight to their heart to convey the Buddha?s core message: If we want this life?our own life, the lives of others, and the life of our planet?to be fulfilling and good, we must accept responsibility for cultivating the best qualities of our human mind. To put the how-and-why into practice, Rinpoche guides us through the steps of the Buddha?s path.

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Book SynopsisBased on the hugely successful podcast of the same name, A Skeptic''s Path to Enlightenment provides a simple 9-step guide to using the power of analytical meditation to improve mental wellbeing by mixing Tibetan Buddhist Meditation with modern science, psychology and popular culture.A Skeptic’s Path to Enlightenment brings the science of Buddhist meditation to a rational, modern audience hungry for happy, meaningful lives.Adapted from the ancient Buddhist path to enlightenment, this 9-step course is stripped of anything beyond what modern science and psychology tells us about reality. It introduces analytical meditation as a step beyond mindfulness, explaining its potential to train the mind toward positivity, connection and joy.By establishing life-enhancing mental habits, analytical meditation works in the same way as modern positive psychology or cognitive behavioural therapy. It uses structured stories that deliberately fill

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Book Synopsis"Essence of Vajrayana" is the first complete explanation in English of the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Heruka body mandala. Buddha Heruka is a manifestation of all the Buddhas' enlightened compassion, and by relying upon him we can swiftly attain a pure selfless joy and bring true happiness to others. In Part One, Geshe Kelsang explains with great clarity and precision how we can practise the sublime meditations of Heruka body mandala, and thereby gradually transform our ordinary world and experiences into the transcendental reality of a Buddha. Then, in Part Two, he provides definitive instructions on the completion stage practices that lead to the supreme bliss of full enlightenment in this one lifetime. This is a treasury of practical instructions for those seriously interested in following the Tantric path.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe Dalai Lama is one of the most renowned and loved spiritual leaders in the world. This book is one of a series of bite-sized introductions that make his writing accessible to everybody. In The Dalai Lama''a Book of Love and Compassion, His Holiness describes how to bring love and compassion into our daily lives. He explores the fundamentals of the Buddha''s teaching, from basic advice on how to love more fully to the importance of compassion.Whoever you are, whatever you believe, this book has something for you. Simply and clearly, The Dalai Lama explains:The need to balance spiritual and material values.Compassion as the basis for human happinessTrade Review'Genuine compassion is based on a clear acceptance or recognition that others, like oneself, want happiness and have the right to overcome suffering. On that basis one develops concern about the welfare of others, irrespective of one's attitude to oneself. That is compassion.'The Dalai Lama

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Book SynopsisThe revered Buddhist teacher and author of When Things Fall Apart presents the lojong teachings—pithy slogans for daily contemplation—and the ways in which they can enrich our lives   Welcome compassion and fearlessness as your guide, and you’ll live wisely and effectively in good times and bad. But that’s easier said than done. In The Compassion Book, Pema Chödrön introduces a powerful, transformative method to nurture these qualities using a practice called lojong, which has been a primary focus of her teachings and personal practice for many years. For centuries, Tibetan Buddhists have relied on these teachings to awaken the deep goodness that lies within us. The lojong teachings include fifty-nine pithy slogans for daily contemplation, such as “Always maintain only a joyful mind,” “Don’t be swayed by external circumstances,” “Don’t try to be the fastest,” and “Be grateful to everyone.” This book presents each of these slogans and includes Pema’s clear, succinct guidance on how to understand them—and how they can enrich our lives. It also features a forty-five-minute downloadable audio program entitled “Opening the Heart,” in which Pema offers in-depth instruction on tonglen meditation, a powerful practice that anyone can undertake to awaken compassion for oneself and others.

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Book SynopsisA practical guidebook for meditators interested in achieving the states of bliss and deep focus associated with the Buddhist jhānas One of the elements of the Eightfold Path is Right Concentration: the one-pointedness of mind that, together with ethics, livelihood, meditation, and more, leads to the ultimate freedom from suffering. So how does one achieve Right Concentration? According to the Buddha himself, the jhānas—a series of eight progressive altered states of consciousness—are an essential method. But because the jhānas can usually be achieved only through prolonged meditation retreat, they have been shrouded in mystery for years. Not anymore. In Right Concentration, Leigh Brasington takes away the mystique and gives instructions on how to achieve them in plain, accessible language. He notes the various pitfalls to avoid along the way and provides a wealth of material on the theory of jhāna practice—all geared toward the practitioner rather than the scholar. As Brasington proves, these states of bliss and concentration are attainable by anyone who devotes the time and sincerity of practice necessary to realize them.

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Book SynopsisThis modern spiritual classic, presented as a thirty-day meditation retreat taught by Joseph Goldstein, offers timeless practical instructions and real-world advice for practicing meditation—whether walking or sitting in formal practice or engaging in everyday life. Goldstein—a beloved and respected meditation teacher who studied for many years under the guidance of eminent Buddhist teachers from India, Tibet, and Burma—uses the retreat format to explain various basic Buddhist teachings including karma, selflessness, and the four noble truths, while also drawing connections to many different spiritual traditions. With a new preface reflecting on how the conversation around meditation has changed over the last forty years, this book is the perfect companion for both experienced practitioners and those looking to get into meditation for the first time.

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Book SynopsisFollowing on from the internationally bestselling The Art of Happiness, the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler bring us the inspiring The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World.This inspirational book brings the successful East-meets-West pairing together again to provide a practical application of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual values to the fast-paced, unpredictable, stressful and demanding world we all live in today.In this wise, insightful and practical book, the Dalai Lama shows us how to follow the path that will lead us to fulfilment, purpose and happiness, even in our troubled modern times.Trade ReviewPraise for The Art of Happiness at Work: 'If you're dissatisfied at work, or are finding it hard to understand your true calling, this book is for you... Cutler puts into practice the basic principles of the Dalai Lama that can be applied in all areas of your life. The Art of Happiness at Work is very readable'. * Be Unlimited *

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Book Synopsis''This is a book that should be on every meditator''s bookshelf'' - Dr Jim LockardAn accessible, insightful, user-friendly guide to meditation, perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy sustained and meaningful meditation practiceMeditation is an ancient practice that has brought peace and clarity to people from every time, culture and place. Its benefits - a sense of calm, greater knowledge of self, better health - are as appealing to the modern world as they were to the ancient. In this beginner''s guide to meditation, author Patrick Harbula provides readers with everything they need to know in order to experience deep meditation.Readers will learn: - The history of meditation, both Eastern and Western- The benefits of meditation for the mind, body, and spirit- Different forms of meditation practice- Supportive practices to enhance the benefits of meditation in daily living.- Simple ways to begin meditation immediately, and morTrade ReviewMeditation is a very simple process which can be done in many ways. Patrick Harbula provides a guide which can be read as a basic primer or as a deep dive into all things meditation. This is a book that should be on every meditator's bookshelf and be dogeared, marked up, and well-read -- Dr Jim Lockard, author of Creating The Beloved Community: A Handbook for Spiritual LeadershipIn Meditation Patrick Harbula offers perhaps the most inclusive explanation and application of meditation I have ever read. He has taken what is generally perceived as an Eastern practice and made it 'user-friendly' for the western mind. This is an exquisite and transparent handbook for anyone who seeks to explore the countless benefits found in a life grounded in meditation. I encourage you to allow Patrick to be your personal guide on the journey to the place you never really left - your oneness with Life. He knows - in real time - from whence he speaks -- Dr Dennis Merritt Jones, bestselling author of The Art of Abundance and The Art of UncertaintyPatrick Harbula's presentation of a wide variety of meditation styles and techniques makes this book a unique presentation on the subject. Particularly insightful is the Helpful Hints section, which offers practical and cutting edge strategies for effortlessly stilling the mind. The Chapter on Supportive Spiritual Practices also makes this book a seminal and complete treatment for spiritual growth as well as user friendly tool for beginners and seasoned meditators alike -- Dr Ken Gordon, Spiritual Director of Centers for Spiritual LivingPatrick Harbula has created a beautiful introduction to the novice meditator. Using gentle humor, personal stories, and practical suggestions, he guides the reader through complex ideas such as enlightenment, spiritual bypass, dealing with expectations and sustaining an enjoyable and meaningful meditation practice -- Dr Edward Viljoen, author of The Power of MeditationWhile explaining the deep, historical roots of meditation, Patrick makes the practice very accessible to the beginner and highly motivational for the long-time meditator. This is one of the most comprehensive books on Meditation available to us today. Benefits, approaches and specific practices are skillfully explained in his approachable, personal style, and I recommend it wholeheartedly -- Rev Dr Maxine Kaye, author of Alive and AgelessEncyclopedic in scope, this useful compendium is not just for newcomers on the spiritual path. Author Patrick Harbula covers every aspect of meditation from its history to its benefits to the how-tos of more than two dozen practices. A lifetime of experience with Eastern and Western contemplative traditions informs these pages, packed with useful tips on choosing a method, what to expect and establishing a daily practice. Meditation fundamentals like breathwork, mindfulness and visualization are explained in clear, accessible terms -- Joan Duncan Oliver, author of Buddhism: An Introduction to the Buddha's Life, Teachings, and Practices

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Book SynopsisPowerful guidance on how to work with strong emotions in overwhelming circumstances through Buddhist meditation—from a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master   In the summer of 1957, the revered Buddhist teacher and scholar Khenpo Gangshar foresaw the difficulties that would soon fall upon Tibet and began teaching in a startling new way that enabled all those who heard him to use the coming difficulties as the path of Dharma practice. The teaching consisted of the essential points of mahamudra and dzogchen, both view and practice, presented in a way that made them easy for anyone to use, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche was one of the grateful recipients of these teachings, which he regards as among the most important he has ever been given. He transmits them here, for the benefit of all of us who strive to practice in challenging times. They include contemplations on the ephemeral nature of both joy and suffering, meditations for resting the mind, and guidance for cultivating equanimity in any situation.   “These instructions are exceptionally concise and easy to follow . . . They could save your life too—giving you the tools to stabilize the mind even in the most terrifying and challenging of circumstances.” —Pema Chödrön, author of Taking the Leap

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Book SynopsisSeven steps to lasting happiness.In The Ultimate Happiness Prescription, bestselling author and the world’s leading figure in alternative medicine Dr Deepak Chopra show us how to be happy in spite of living in difficult or trying times.By looking through the lens of our contemporary understanding of consciousness, combined with Eastern philosophy, he has created a set of principles for living with ease. The result is an inspiring and instructive journey that leads to a prescription for living life mindfully, with a light heart and effortless spontaneity - a prescription only Dr Deepak Chopra could write.With the world in turmoil and more people than ever suffering from depressive episodes, Dr Chopra underlines the importance of keeping an eye on the positive aspects of life and finding ways to experience joy no matter what is happening to you. This remarkably clear and helpful book explains how to maintain an optimistic outlook and experience the benefits of having a happy heart and soul, no matter what the circumstances.Trade ReviewThe rock star of the new spirituality * Guardian *Undoubtedly one of the most lucid and inspired philosophers of our time * Mikhail Gorbachev *The poet-prophet of alternative medicine * Time *One of the most important healers of our time * Marianne Williamson, author of A Woman's Worth *

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Book SynopsisFinding the path to radiance through deeply felt, sitting meditation• Shares practices to show how sitting meditation can be reconnected to lived, bodily experience and help you rediscover your natural somatic radiance• Explores how the modern thought-focused frame of mind introduces patterns of holding and tension into our bodies• Draws on techniques from the Buddhist, Sufi, and somatic wisdom traditions as well as insights from the author’s own teachers and collaborators, including Ida Rolf and Judith AstonThe modern practice of seated meditation is in serious need of reformation. What began as a living, vibrant, and felt practice—the primary practice of the Buddhist path to spiritual realization—has painted itself into a corner of frozen stillness, divorced from lived, bodily experience.Presenting an accessible and deeply felt guide to sitting meditation as an active exploration, Will Johnson offers a revitalized understanding of this essential spiritual practice through deeper connection with the body. Johnson argues that the thought-focused mode of consciousness of modern rigid seated meditation introduces patterns of holding and tension into our bodies and virtually guarantees that awakening will not occur. He explains how our focus on thought, rather than embodied experience, results in a numbing of our connection to our physical self and the dimming of the body’s natural somatic radiance, which in turn leads to the nagging presence of chronic pain, a general sense of malaise, and the inability to get comfortable in our own bodies.However, this “consciousness of separation” can be overcome. Johnson presents a wide range of practices, including 14 meditations, to support the awakening of breath and presence in the body, drawing on techniques from Buddhist, Sufi, and somatic wisdom traditions as well as methods from his studies with Ida Rolf and Judith Aston.Through the radical path of conscious sitting, Johnson shows how to transform your sitting meditation practice into a fully natural mudra of greater grace from which radiance will naturally flow. As the egoic perspective is dissolved, and chronic pain and discomfort are lessened, practitioners begin to feel a new, enlightened, bodily radiance—what Johnson calls “The Great Wide Open.”

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Book SynopsisA richly informed, practical guide to Buddhism’s most subtle teaching.Guy Armstrong has been a leading figure and beloved teacher of insight meditation for decades. In this book, he makes difficult Buddhist topics easy to understand, weaving together Theravada and Mahayana teachings on emptiness to show how we can liberate our minds and manifest compassion in our lives.  

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Book Synopsis“A straightforward and pragmatic guide to deepening levels of concentration and insight. This book is a joy to read and a great gift to us all.”—Joseph Goldstein, author of MindfulnessCountless people worldlwide have made Mindfulness in Plain English a beloved and bestselling classic in almost a dozen languages. Now after nearly two decades, Bhante helps meditators of every stripe take their mindfulness practice to the next level - helping them go, in a word, beyond mindfulness. In the same warm, clear, and friendly voice, Bhante introduces the reader to what have been known for centuries as the jhanas - deeply calm, joyous, and powerful states of meditation that, when explored with the clearly presented tools in this book, can lead to a life of insight and unshakeable peace.

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Book SynopsisDr Akong Tulku Rinpoche was an experienced meditation master of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He was co-founder of the Samye Ling Tibetan Centre and supervised many other centres in Europe, Africa and Asia. He formed several humanitarian organisations for the aid of refugees, the distressed and the poor and was advisor to a large number of people, including therapists in the UK and Europe. He died in 2013.

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Book SynopsisBe inspired in 2020 by Ghandi''s ten lessons for life.Gandhi was an icon, but what would he teach us if he were alive today? ___________In this Sunday Times bestseller, his grandson Arun reveals the ten vital and extraordinary lessons his grandfather taught him, all of which are more relevant now than ever . . . Arun believes that the violence and turmoil in the world today makes Gandhi''s teachings more vital than ever, and The Gift places these lessons in a modern context, shedding new light on how Gandhi''s principles can - and must - be applied to today''s concerns.The moving, often irreverent, story of Arun''s years growing up at the iconic Sevagram ashram provides the setting for the treasured moments spent his grandfather, which are an engaging and often surprising read. These memories give a rare insight into Gandhi the man behind the icon, and reveal the motivations behind his ten inspirational lessons which w

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Book SynopsisBuddhist-inspired advice for working through romantic breakups and other painful emotional periods—by the best-selling author of The Buddha Walks into a Bar...Buddhism has a lot to say about suffering—and there are likely few times we suffer more intensely than when we break up with a romantic partner. It feels like you may never recover sometimes. But Lodro Rinzler has wonderfully good news for those suffering heartbreak: the 2,500-year-old teachings of the Buddha are the ultimate antidote for emotional pain. And you don''t need to be a Buddhist for them to apply to you. In this short and compact first-aid kit for a broken heart, he walks you through the cause and cure of suffering, with much practical advice for self-care as you work to survive a breakup. The wisdom he presents applies to any kind of emotional suffering. It''s a great, practical offering of consolation for someone you know who''s going through a tough time, and for yourself when you''re looking for the light at the end of the tunnel in your own situation.

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Book SynopsisTeachings on the foundational practices of Tibetan Buddhism by a renowned and beloved master--now in paperback.     In this book, Dudjom Rinpoche explains a key text attributed to Padmasambhava, the great Indian meditation master credited with bringing the Buddha''s teachings to Tibet. The instructions here are clear, direct, and personal, illuminating the heart of Vajrayana Buddhist practice and philosophy. Included is the root text ("The Heart Essence of the Dakini") by Padmasambhava and the commentary by Dudjom Rinpoche. Of interest to practitioners of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

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Book SynopsisMerging Buddhist mindfulness practices with the Twelve Step program, this updated edition of the bestselling recovery guide One Breath at a Time will inspire and enlighten you to live a better, healthier life. Many in recovery turn to the Twelve Steps to overcome their addictions, but struggle with the spiritual program. But what they might not realize is that Buddhist teachings are intrinsically intertwined with the lessons of the Twelve Steps, and offer time-tested methods for addressing the challenges of sobriety.In what is considered the cornerstone of the most significant recovery movement of the 21st century, Kevin Griffin shares his own extraordinary journey to sobriety and how he integrated the Twelve Steps of recovery with Buddhist mindfulness practices. With a new foreword by William Alexander, the author of Ordinary Recovery, One Breath at a Time takes you on a journey through the Steps, examining critical ideas like Powerlessness, Higher Power, and Moral Inventory through the lens of the core concepts of Buddhism—the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, mindfulness, loving-kindness, and more. The result is a book that presents techniques and meditations for finding clarity and awareness in your life, just as it has for thousands of addicts and alcoholics.

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Book SynopsisWhile there are numerous books on Buddhist meditation and philosophy, there are few books that are entirely devoted to the practice of Buddhist ethics. Here Subhadramati, an experienced teacher of meditation and ethics, communicates clearly both their founding principles and the practical methods to embody them. She begins by stating that Buddhist ethics don't see human nature as something to be beaten into submission, tamed or domesticated. Buddhism is not trying 'to cure life of itself'. Buddhism is about fulfilling our human nature, not diminishing it, and its ethics are both the means and the expression of this fulfilment. In Buddhism, being ethical means being truly human. Buddhist ethics are thus not about conforming to a set of conventions, not about 'being good' in order to gain material, social or religious rewards. Instead, as Subhadramati outlines, living ethically springs from the awareness that other people are essentially no different from ourselves. We can, if we choose, actively develop this awareness, through cultivating more and more love, clarity and contentment.Helping us to come into a greater harmony with all that lives, including ourselves, this is ultimately a guidebook to a more satisfactory life.

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Book SynopsisDisease and death are undeniably integral parts of human life. Yet when they manifest we are easily caught unprepared. To prepare for these, we need to learn how to skilfully face illness and passing away. A source of practical wisdom can be found in the early discourses that record the teachings given by the Buddha and his disciples.The chief aim of this book is to provide a collection of passages taken from the Buddha's early discourses that provide guidance for facing disease and death. The present anthology focuses on the theme of compassion, and is concerned with anukampa: compassion as the underlying motivation in altruistic action. The book combines translations of Buddhist Sanskrit discourse from the Chinese original, with introductions that explain the basic message, clarify terminology and ideas contained in the discourse, and draw out some of their practical implications.Table of ContentsIntroduction1 The Buddha as a Physician2 Sick Body and Healthy Mind3 The Arrow of Pain4 Qualities of a Patient and a Nurse5 The Healing Potential of the Awakening Factors6 Mindful Pain Reduction7 Enduring Pain with Mindfulness8 Insight Instead of Concentration9 Mindfulness When Sick10 Liberating Teachings by the Patient11 A Curative Meditation Programme12 Fearlessly Facing Disease13 Deathbed Instructions14 Dying and the Divine Abodes15 Detachment and Terminal Disease16 Buddhist Hospice17 The Last Words of an Accomplished Lay Disciple18 Mindfully Facing the Time of Death19 The Liberating Potential of Death20 The Power of Insight at the Time of Dying21 The Inevitability of Death22 Mindful Freedom from Grief23 The Buddha's Decease24 Recollection of DeathConclusion and Meditation InstructionsAppendixReferencesList of AbbreviationsSubject IndexIndex Locorum

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Book Synopsis'Uncontrived Mindfulness' is a fresh and comprehensive guide to awareness of how the mind shapes experience. The Buddha emphasized that happiness is found through understanding the mind rather than getting caught up in sense experience. This simple yet radical shift is key to a relaxed and uncontrived way of practising. Freedom comes from uniting right view and mindfulness. A deep dive into the practice of exploring our experience as it happens, Vajradevi's emphasis is on cultivating wisdom, using the tools of attention, curiosity and discernment to recognize and see through the delusion that is causing our suffering. Vajradevi is a warm and insightful guide to this exploration, drawing on her intensive and wide-ranging practice of satipatthana meditation. The clear explanations and instructions are amplified by Vajradevi's personal accounts, charting her uncompromising voyage into self-discovery. Guided meditations are included.Trade ReviewThis is a lively and accessible overview of the transformative power of mindful awareness in the cultivation of a free and awakened life. It is clearly a distillation of many years of dedicated practice, and the writing is enlivened by personal glimpses into the author's own journey as well as reflective exercises to help the reader directly connect with what is being described. If you've ever felt that your mindfulness practice was becoming somewhat 'contrived' - trying too hard, or over-striving for results - the guidance in these pages will support you in undoing that, based on a deep understanding of the mind and how its habits can lead us into suffering or toward release. - Jenny Wilks, Insight Meditation teacher, Gaia House Retreat Centre, Devon; A wonderful book, written with that independence of mind characteristic of deep practitioners. Reading is like being taken into the author's mind: just the tone reveals how what's being described is affecting her. - Kamalashila, meditation teacher and author of Buddhist Meditation: Tranquillity, Imagination and Insight; "Uncontrived Mindfulness" is a treasure for anyone interested in living a mindful and wise life. Vajradevi has the ability to translate the Buddha's classical teachings on mindfulness and wisdom into clear and practical instructions for both formal meditation and daily life. She offers her guidance, which is clearly based in her own deep and long experience, with such accessible examples and good humour that one finds it easy to trust and follow them... and come to recognize for oneself that uncontrived mindfulness is natural and universal. Many of her descriptions of uncontrived mindfulness, and the wisdom and freedom that naturally arise with it, are drawn from her own experiences in meditation and in daily life. The result, for me, was a deepening of the realization that mindfulness and wisdom are about how we live, and that this is supported by our formal meditation practice. I can recommend this book both for those in the early days of learning to recognize and support uncontrived mindfulness, as well as for anyone who would like to refresh their approach to practice. Vajradevi reminds us of the joy that arises naturally as we relax into steady mindfulness and allow ourselves to recognize the wisdom of the Buddha. - Carol Wilson, Guiding Teacher of IMS; Vajradevi's approach to satipatthana - mindfulness and meditation - is both refreshing and distinct. There are already many excellent books going into the details of the Satipatthana Sutta and the technicalities of the original Pali terminology, and a vast plethora of general books about mindfulness. Vajradevi takes us straight into the experiential core to which these teachings are pointing. This is mindfulness as the direct way to awakening from the delusions which produce our suffering. "McMindfulness" it is definitely not! Her own substantial practice, together with the benefits of having studied satipatthana with some very good teachers, shines through. It makes a huge difference to realise that effective mindfulness practice does not have to be constantly effortful and contrived. Vajradevi points us to the awareness that is already naturally present; hence, "uncontrived mindfulness". As I've found out myself, recognising this truly does make all the difference to practice. The simple, lucid style, personal stories and practical exercises make this into an extraordinarily hands-on and helpful book, for new and experienced meditators alike. - Tejananda John Wakeman, Chair, Vajraloka meditation retreat centre, North Wales; Vajradevi gives incredibly relevant and real examples which show us that dedicating ourselves to mindfulness does not mean being cut off from life or living. I love reading the stories she weaves in to explain her journey in mindfulness and the thoughtful connections she then makes with many of our common doubts or questions about mindfulness practice, the journey and its effects; a true friend to everyone who is practising or wishes to approach the practice. Uncontrived Mindfulness really helps to de-mystify meditation and mindfulness in a thorough, relevant way that is light and even humorous! Vajradevi demonstrates through every page that mindfulness can be in every or any moment, hence uncontrived. Just open to any chapter or page and find the fascinating ways that our ordinary or thoughtful moments can all be part of mindfulness practice. - Ma Thet, translator for Sayadaw U Tejaniya; Vajradevi is a practitioner who shares her own experience of practising mindfulness simply and clearly. She makes traditional concepts accessible because she knows them from the inside, and Uncontrived Mindfulness is full of stories of how Vajradevi has learned to be mindful of her own life. The uncontrived relaxation of her writing matches her message that mindfulness isn't a technique or an achievement so much as a 'wise involvement with experiences' that is both focused and relaxed. - Vishvapani Blomfield, author of Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One

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Book Synopsis365 practical, powerful teachings for daily inspiration on how mindfulness can transform our lives and the greater world—from the beloved Zen teacher and author of No Mud, No Lotus “Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth.” —His Holiness the Dalai Lama   Bringing the energy of true presence into our lives really does change things for the better—and all it takes is a little training. This treasury of 365 gems of daily inspiration is for anyone who wants to train to meet every moment of life with 100 percent attention.   Beloved spiritual teacher Thich Nhat Hanh draws from the his best-selling works to offer powerful and transformative words of wisdom that reflect the great themes of his teachings: how the practice of mindfulness brings joy and insight into every moment of our lives; how to transcend fear and other negative emotions; how to transform our relationships through love, presence, and deep listening; and how to practice peace for our world.   Inspiring, joyful, and deeply insightful, Your True Home shows how practicing mindfulness can improve every area of our lives—and how its benefits radiate beyond us to affect others and the whole, larger world.

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