The Heart Of Being

The Buddhist Precepts are the vows taken as an initiation into Buddhism and reflect the Buddha's teachings on a wide range of social and moral issues. In The Heart of Being acclaimed Zen master John Daido Loori provides a modern interpretation of these precepts and explains the traditional precept ceremony, known as jukai. He also offers commentary on Master Dogen's own instructions about the precepts and discusses the ethical significance of these vows both within the context of formal Zen training and as guidelines for living an enlightened life. This is an important text not only for those studying Buddhism but for all of us struggling to navigate the dilemmas of our modern lives. As Daido Loori demonstrates, the Buddha's teachings can serve as a true moral compass to wise, compassionate, and "right" action.

A New York Times Bestseller. A scientist’s exploration into the mysteries of the human mind. What is the mind? What is the experience of the self truly made of? How does the mind differ from the brain? Though the mind’s contents—its emotions, thoughts, and memories—are often described, the essence of mind is rarely, if ever, defined. In this book, noted neuropsychiatrist and New York Times best-selling author Daniel J. Siegel, MD, uses his characteristic sensitivity and interdisciplinary background to offer a definition of the mind that illuminates the how, what, when, where, and even why of who we are, of what the mind is, and what the mind’s self has the potential to become. MIND takes the reader on a deep personal and scientific journey into consciousness, subjective experience, and information processing, uncovering the mind’s self-organizational properties that emerge from both the body and the relationships we have with one another, and with the world around us. While making a wide range of sciences accessible and exciting—from neurobiology to quantum physics, anthropology to psychology—this book offers an experience that addresses some of our most pressing personal and global questions about identity, connection, and the cultivation of well-being in our lives.

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Based on more than 30 years of clinical experience as a psychiatrist and a therapist, Dr. Breggin's book, now available in an affordable paperback, illustrates the importance of developing a therapeutic bond--or healing presence--between helping professionals and their clients. The author provides useful vignettes, case studies, and personal insights to help both beginning and experienced therapists develop more empathy in therapeutic relationships. He asserts that the first step toward effective treatment is empathic self-transformation in the therapist. It is empathy and self-transformation that lie at the heart of being helpful. Topics include vulnerability, nurturing, helplessness, forgiveness, and spirituality, as well as tips for working with clients in extreme emotional crises, children and families, and patients of culturally diverse backgrounds.

New York Times bestselling author and ABC News anchor Linsey Davis brings us a culture-rich picture book proudly showcasing the beauty of diversity while also celebrating the wonderful things we have in common. From skin, hair, and eyes in a multitude of colors to different personalities and interests, One Big Heart reminds us that God gave us all special traits and characteristics that make us uniquely ourselves. And yet he’s made us more alike than different, giving us many things in common–like sharing fun and laughter on the playground, a sense of curiosity, big feelings, and so much more! One Big Heart is: A multiethnic, multicultural, multiracial children’s picture book that recognizes our unique differences while also celebrating how alike we are An inspiring story of inclusion, connection and acceptance Written from a Christian worldview Combining lyrical rhymes and Lucy Fleming’s whimsical art, this inspiring story is the perfect read-aloud book for kids ages 4-8 and a welcome gift for: Parents and grandparents Teachers School librarians Get ready to celebrate all our similarities and our differences! This diverse picture book—drenched in color and full of laughter and fun—will show us how. Look for additional inspirational children’s picture books and audio products from award-winning author Linsey Davis: The Smallest Spot of a Dot The World Is Awake How High is Heaven? Stay This Way Forever The Linsey Davis Children’s Audio Collection

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist ventures into postwar Eastern Europe and discovers a people rising from the ashes of Nazi genocide. Weaving together the stories of old and young, disenchanted and enthusiastic, this luminous cultural group portrait takes readers deep into the still-dark soul of Eastern Europe.

A powerful chronicle of a wounded woman’s exploration of nature and self After nature writer Gretel Ehrlich was struck by lightning near her Wyoming ranch and almost died, she embarked on a painstaking and visionary journey back to the land of the living. With the help of an extraordinary cardiologist and the companionship of her beloved dog Sam, she avidly explores the natural and spiritual world to make sense of what happened to her. We follow as she combs every inch of her new home on the California coast, attends a convention of lightning-strike victims, and goes on a seal watch in Alaska. Ehrlich then turns her focus inward, exploring the tiny but equally fascinating ecosystem of the human heart, and culminated in a stunningly beautiful description of open-heart surgery.

An inspiring and healing guide to immersive meditation in the ancient Buddhist heart practices—the brahmavihāras. With Buddha’s Heart, senior meditation teacher Stephen Snyder reveals an original and clear path to the powerful brahmavihāras. These practices offer rich, soothing support for the soul and a portal to spiritual awakening and deepening self-realization. Informed by Snyder’s experiential understanding, and suitable for those at any level of meditation practice, Buddha’s Heart leads us step-by-step through - traditional teachings on wholesomeness and concentration meditations to establish a supportive bedrock for our personal discovery; - guided, heart-opening meditations on loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity; further guided practices for deepening awareness, including gratitude, forgiveness, and opening to the Oneness of Reality; - exploratory exercises for each meditation practice, illuminating the psychological blocks to accessing our deeper nature’s heart qualities; and - embracing mindfulness and warm attunement in everyday life—opening our hearts to the profound depths of reality and the Absolute. Buddha’s Heart teaches what seems counterintuitive but is undeniably true: the more we open our hearts, the more resilient and flexible we are. And the more authentically vulnerable we are, the safer and more protected we become.