Collected here for the first time, these stories span the author’s life. There are stories from Thich Nhat Hanh’s childhood and the traditions of rural Vietnam. There are stories from his years as a teenaged novice, as a young teacher and writer in war torn Vietnam, and of his travels around the world to teach mindfulness, make pilgrimages to sacred sites, and influence world leaders. The tradition of Zen teaching stories goes back at least to the time of the Buddha. Like the Buddha, Thich Nhat Hanh uses story–telling to engage people’s interest so he can share important teachings, insights, and life lessons.From the Hardcover edition.

    These inspiring messages, little doodles, and feel-good sayings can help you get in-tune while you meditate or inspire you toward mindfulness.

    

    His warm and wise voice unpacks and contextualizes its wisdom, showing us how we can apply its ancient insights to our own modern lives, to create a life of engaged peace, harmony, compassion, and joy. In fourth-century India one of the great geniuses of Buddhism, Vasubandhu, sought to reconcile the diverse ideas and forms of Buddhism practiced at the time and demonstrate how they could be effectively integrated into a single system. This was the Yogacara movement, and it continues to have great influence in modern Tibetan and Zen Buddhism. “Thirty Verses on Consciousness Only,” or “Trimshika,” is the most concise, comprehensive, and accessible work by this revered figure. Vasubandhu’s “Thirty Verses” lay out a path of practice that integrates the most powerful of Buddhism’s psychological and mystical possibilities: Early Buddhism’s practices for shedding afflictive emotional habit and the Mahayana emphasis on shedding divisive concepts, the path of individual liberation and the path of freeing all beings, the path to nirvana and the path of enlightenment as the very ground of being right now. Although Yogacara has a reputation for being extremely complex, the “Thirty Verses” distills the principles of these traditions to their most practical forms, and this book follows that sense of focus; it goes to the heart of the matter—how do we alleviate suffering through shedding our emotional knots and our sense of alienation? This is a great introduction to a philosophy, a master, and a work whose influence reverberates throughout modern Buddhism.

    This is the simple yet life-changing teaching Eckhart Tolle shares on Freedom from the World, a retreat with the bestselling author of The Power of Now.Deepening Our Perception of Who We Really Are Many people with worldly success report they’re actually miserable, begins Eckhart. This is because worldly possessions and accomplishments will only bring short-term fulfillment when our lives are not rooted in the unified, unmanifested source of life itself—or what Eckhart often calls "the formless dimension." By discovering who we are in our most essential nature, he explains, we naturally begin to transform the world even as we transcend it. Freedom from the World brings you nine sessions with Eckhart, exploring how to be and act simultaneously in the material realm and in the formless dimension."You are a blessing on the planet when you are in touch with the spacious, formless dimension within yourself," teaches Eckhart. Freedom from the World brings you empowering teachings for bridging the dimensions of form and formlessness and living with renewed joy, peace, and a sense of a meaningful purpose.Highlights• Breaking the cycle of reincarnating thoughts • Sense perceptions, the inner body, and on-the-spot inquiries that serve as "portals to presence" • Simple practices to deepen daily interactions with others • Embracing the inherent goodness of life • Knowing the deeper truth that pervades the ever-changing content of your life • More than twelve hours of teachings on living in the world while rooted in Being

    It’s about life and what life has to teach us. It’s about caring and what giving care really means. In Awake at the Bedside, pioneers of palliative and end-of-life care as well as doctors, chaplains, caregivers and even poets offer wisdom that will challenge, uplift, comfort—and change the way we think about death.  Equal parts instruction manual and spiritual testimony, it includes specific instructions and personal accounts to inspire, counsel, and teach. An indispensable resource for anyone involved in hospice work or caregiving of any kind. Contributors include Anyen Rinpoche, Coleman Barks, Craig D. Blinderman, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Joshua Bright, Ira Byock, Robert Chodo Campbell, Rafael Campo, Ajahn Chah, Ram Dass, Kirsten DeLeo, Issan Dorsey, Mark Doty, Norman Fischer, Nick Flynn, Gil Fronsdal, Joseph Goldstein, Shodo Harada Roshi, Tony Hoagland, Marie Howe, Fernando Kawai, Michael Kearney, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Stanley Kunitz, Stephen and Ondrea Levine, Judy Lief, Betsy MacGregor, Diane E. Meier, W. S. Merwin, Naomi Shihab Nye, Frank Ostaseski, Rachel Naomi Remen, Larry Rosenberg, Rumi, Cicely Saunders, Senryu, Jason Shinder, Derek Walcott, Radhule B. Weininger.

    Reb Anderson first introduces us to the fundamental ideas of Zen Buddhist practice. Who was Shakyamuni Buddha and what was his central teaching? What does it mean to be a bodhisattva and take the bodhisattva vow? Why should we confess and acknowledge our ancient twisted karma? What is the significance of taking refuge in Buddha, dharma, and sangha? The author explores the ten basic precepts, including not killing, not stealing, not lying, not misusing sexuality, and not using intoxicants. A gifted storyteller, Anderson takes us to the heart of situations, where moral judgments are not easy and we do not have all the answers. With wisdom and compassion, he teaches us how to confront the emotional and ethical turmoil of our lives.

    On the other hand, explains Eckhart Tolle, in any given moment we have the chance to remain open to life, align with what is, and experience the natural sense of peace and aliveness that he calls "the joy of being."What It Really Means to "Be Yourself"The Joy of Being is a nine-session program that explores the process of awakening to our identity beyond the limits of thought, and the impact this transformation can have in the world. Speaking after a three-year teaching hiatus, Eckhart helps us release past conditioning to experience ourselves, our life circumstances, and each other with a renewed perspective and sense of delight.Here, Eckhart discusses how, through the recognition of our unconscious assumptions and the discovery of the limitless depths of the present moment, we can ultimately find in ourselves what we have been seeking from the external world. We naturally become vessels for the emergence of a deep, "spacious" consciousness that realizes itself through ourselves and those around us."The joy of being is derived not from something that happens, or from some object, but from the essence of who you are," teaches Eckhart. "To know yourself as that is joy." The Joy of Being points to a revolutionary phase in human development—where thinking is no longer the dominant aspect of our lives, and unconditioned awareness expresses itself through and as each one of us.Highlights• Working with whatever arises as your guide for the continuing practice of presence • Using the inner body and sense perception to enter the Now • Freedom from suffering—the spiritual seeker’s best motive • Redefining "self-realization" as not knowing yourself • Awakening your deepest capacities for love • The practice of "being the space" for situations and circumstances you find difficult

    Recorded within a week of 9/11 at the Omega Institute in New York, these moving sessions bring you Eckhart’s guidance for responding in the face of tragedy, staying rooted in presence when the unexpected happens, and discovering the gifts hidden in apparent calamity.The Master Key: Discovering Your "Formless" IdentityWhat leads to the incomprehensible events that continue to dominate the news? Eckhart teaches that the majority of the population remains trapped in mental conditioning. We are identified completely with the egoic or "form" identity that includes our thoughts, emotions, and interpretations along with cultural influences. Over the course of nine CDs, you will immerse yourself in Eckhart’s practical teachings for "returning to sanity in the face of catastrophe." How? By discovering your formless identity—consciousness itself—allowing an intelligence far greater than the mind to operate through you in the world."The urgency for a radical change in consciousness seems to grow every day," explains Eckhart. Here is an invitation to initiate this crucial change in your own life, and become yourself a source of harmony and healing for all.

    The book is an aid to meditators.

    Rejecting his father's fundamentalist religion he decided to put aside what he'd been told about himself and look for himself at his identity. Harding made an astonishing discovery - his body was not just his human frame but was a many-levelled system ranging from the most distant galaxy to the nearest particle. At the centre of this all-inclusive onion-like structure Harding found his True Self, the formless Reality behind all his appearances.Harding wrote many books about 'who we really are', exploring its profound implications in our lives and its connection with the core message of the world's great religions. He also invented experiments that point directly to the 'headless' Reality at our centre. Harding's work is a paradigm shift, a leap into a profoundly new way of seeing ourselves. This graphic biography reveals who this great man was and what he discovered.

    Compiled by Chan Master Wumen Huikai in the thirteenth century, the Gateless Barrier (Chinese: Wumen guan; Japanese: Mumonkan) is a collection of forty-eight koans—stories of the sayings and actions of Chan Masters in which they freely and directly express their enlightened experience. This fresh English translation by Guo Gu—the first from a Chinese Chan teacher—is one of the most accessible to date, and his commentary brings new life to these classic teachings.

    Not just to be skeptical—but to push all the way to the very foundations. Anyone interested in Zen can learn a whole lot from this little book.” —from the foreword by Brad Warner, author of Hardcore Zen “Great doubt and great faith are foundations of Zen practice. This great gift of a book provides essential checkpoints along the path.” —Grace Schireson, author of Zen Women “Upbeat, insightful, and inspiring teachings—a rich resource for all Buddhist practitioners.”—Richard M. Jaffe, Duke University, author of Neither Monk nor Layman “Boshan addresses the reader directly with vivid metaphors and stern (sometimes humorous) admonishments. He pulls no punches… These concise texts, not previously available in their entirety in English, offer classic wisdom for those exploring the Zen paths.”—Publishers Weekly “A classic Chinese text with clear—and inspiring—commentaries”—Thomas Yuho Kirchner, translator of Entangling Vines

    This book is unique because although the lojong teachings of the Kadam tradition are well known, this is the first time the mind-training teachings from the Dzogchen tradition have been presented in an English translation, and most Western scholars and practitioners are unaware that such mind-training techniques even exist in Dzogchen. The contemplations themselves are vividly described, and some unfold as dramatic stories in which the meditator imagines himself or herself as the main character. Thus, they are quite accessible for beginning practitioners.

    Read on your PC, Mac, smart phone, tablet or Kindle device. The word “Zen” is one of the most popular words used to refer to a state of being at peace or being chill in the midst of many things that are going on in life. It’s also one of the most misunderstood ones. Zen may be formally defined a type school or branch of Japanese meditation called Mahayana Buddhism, which highlights the importance of intuition and meditation. This book is about renewing your mind on a daily basis simply by meditating on one quote a day for the next 365 days – or one whole year. By meditating upon these quotes everyday, you can gradually change the way you think about life in general and about certain important things in particular. And when you change the way you think about life, you change the way you feel about it. Only then can inner peace and happiness come to you. I have presented these quotes to you in 4 different stages, which I believe is important for helping you experience deep and lasting inner peace and happiness. These stages are mindfulness, acceptance, peace of mind, and happiness. Each stage has enough daily quotes to meditate and reflect on for 1 quarter or 3 months. The very first step towards changing your mind is to first be mindful of yourself and the world around you. Then you’ll be able to start accepting life for what it is, which is key towards achieving the last 2 stages: inner peace and happiness. Your ability to experience inner peace is dependent on how much you’re able to accept yourself and the things around you, and the ability to be truly happy is dependent on how at peace you are. If you’re ready to start changing your mind, let’s get into the art of Zen by meditating on quote daily starting…now! Download your copy today! What are you waiting for? Download this book for a limited time discount of only $2.99! Tags: Zen, Zen Buddhism, Happiness, Self-Love, Positive Thinking, Mindfulness Meditation, Chakras, Chakra Healing, Chakra Meditation, Chakra Balancing, Mindfulness, Yoga, Reiki, Meditation, Spirituality, Holism, Healing Energy, Zen, Awakening, Spiritual

    BPD can be especially difficult to treat, though there are ways to gain control over your symptoms and live a happier, healthier life. Expanding on the core skill of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder will help you target and successfully manage many of the familiar symptoms of BPD. Here, you will learn the basics of mindfulness through specific exercises, and will gain powerful insight through real-life stories from people who have BPD. If you are ready to take that first step on the path toward wellness, this book will be your guide.

    From A (awareness) to Z (ZZZZ--Sleep), the editors and contributors use a simple A-to-Z framework to outline strategies to help you build a self-care plan with specific goals and ways to reach them realistically. Questions for reflection and additional resource lists help you to dig deeper in your self-care journey. Just as the ABCs are essential building blocks for a young child's learning, you can use the ABCs in The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals to build your way to a happy, healthy, ethical life as a helping professional. Includes a self-care planning form to help you set goals and formulate strategies. The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals...offers a broad range of concrete suggestions for improving individual self-care that should provide guidance and support to fit a broad range of practitioner needs. The book also includes material in several chapters that notes the important role organizations must take in stress and burnout reduction and support of self-care. SUE STEINER, Ph.D., MSW, Professor, School of Social Work at California State University, Chico, Co-author, Self-Care in Social Work: A Guide for Practitioners, Supervisors, and Administrators...a caring and useful resource for helping professionals concerned about burnout, stress, staff turnover, and wellness.... By focusing on insights and reflections and providing resources and strategies, The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook is a practical guide and an empowering book. DR. BARBARA W. SHANK, Ph.D., MSW, Dean and Professor, School of Social Work, University of St. Thomas, St. Catherine University, Chair, Board of Directors, Council on Social Work EducationAs the leader of a large nonprofit organization, the health and well-being of my colleagues is always top of mind for me. The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals is just what an organization like ours needed to promote self-care in a way that makes sense for all of us! JENNIFER HANCOCK, LCSW, President & CEO, Volunteers of America-Mid-StatesSometimes there is a book that speaks to what you also have tried to put into words that feels truly hand-in-glove. I see The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals as precisely this book. SARAKAY SMULLENS, MSW, LCSW, author of Burnout and Self-Care in Social Work: A Guidebook for Students and Those in Mental Health and Related ProfessionsGrise-Owens, Miller, & Eaves' The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals is a much-needed handbook to inspire and guide self-care practice. Its insights are far-ranging, original, practical, and flexible. The short chapter format, focused topics, and fresh tone are both accessible and sure to motivate. Even those who have given a great deal of thought and attention to self-care will find new, exciting, and practicable guidance in its pages. LISA D. BUTLER, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University at Buffalo, School of Social Work, Primary Developer, UBSSW Self-Care Starter Kit

    How should you practice? How does individual temperament affect the process of Awakening? How do you practice in a balanced way so that all the different parts of the practice develop together? Then there is a discussion about the first stage of Awakening, what is called “stream-entry.” What does it mean to “enter the stream?” How did the Buddha define the different stages of Awakening? What are the requisite conditions for moving toward and attaining stream-entry? What are barriers to stream-entry? Finally there are qualities of mind that put the dedicated meditator on the path to stream entry: dispassion, the still mind, and the “inner observer,” what is also called “mind watching mind.” There is a description of how we fabricate our experience, and how behind that fabrication is a subtle intention. As our skill as meditators deepens, we see into this causal process, and how our mind takes this process of cause and effect and turns it into a substantial “self.” Over time and with dedication this seeing and understanding leads to cessation, the end of mental fabrication and the end of stress and suffering, to liberation and nirvāṇa.

    The Tree Sun Star meditation is a way of entering your body and becoming one with yourself, the world, and the cosmos. Internationally best selling author of Buddha in Blue Jeans teaches contemplative meditations that awaken the essence of Zen.