Description
Book SynopsisForgiving your sister's murderer, meditating at Auschwitz, coming to terms with your parent's disintegration, facing illness or chronic pain - can we see the many faces of suffering as opportunities to turn towards our fears and soften our hearts? All the writers in the book have needed to ask themselves that question. They describe what can happen when we stop complaining or distracting ourselves from our suffering and face it directly. What we can gain includes joy, forgiveness, compassion, contentment, courage and a greater connection with other people. The practice of turning towards experience - whatever shape it takes - is what the moving personal stories in "Challenging Times" are all about.
Table of ContentsCONTENTS Introduction Acknowledgments PART I: VOICES Working with the Mind 1. Marian Partington: Forgiving My Sister's Killers Interview by Vajrasara 2. Subhadramati Confronting Myself 3. 'Sarah' Healing the Scars of Abuse Practising in prison 4. Suvarnaprabha Going Inside 5. Frankie Parker: Dead Man Waking Profile by Anna Cox 6. Jarvis Jay Masters Wasting Time on Death Row When the body fails 7. Vidyamala Being Here 8. Nissoka Engagement with Fate 9. Aryadaka Pain and Gain Alive to Death 10. Vajrashraddha Sacred service 11. Shubhavajri Facing Death 13. Robert Hirschfield Struggles with the Dragon Personal Stories 13. Andrew Black: A Buddhist Poker Player Raises the Stakes 14. Vishvapani Pilgrimage to Auschwitz 15. Peter Cogger Giving it Large PART II: REFLECTIONS Meetings with Dharma Teachers 16. Janice Willis: From the Black Panthers to Buddhism Profile by Suryagita 17. Christopher Titmuss: Transforming Terror Interview by Vishvapani 18. Joan Halifax Roshi: Warrior of Love Profile by Vajrasara 18. Stephen Batchelor: Empathy for the Devil Interview by Thomas Jones Paths to Compassion 20. Manjusura Exploring Bodhicitta 21. Brad Warner The Zen Punk Way to Kill your Rage 22. Danavira Facing the Present Following Up
