The Zen master and author of Everyday Zen shares the simple, essential wisdom of embracing the ordinary in life.
Zen is life itself, nothing added. But for many of us, pursuing a spiritual path involves fantasies about our future lives—fantasies that separate us from ourselves and leave us anxious to achieve a resolution that is constantly receding just past the horizon of reality. In Nothing Special, Charlotte Joko Beck...

"Without a doubt the most accessible and down-to-earth introduction to the basic tenets of Buddhism available . . . a delight to read." —San Francisco Chronicle
Using delightful and deceptively powerful stories from everyday experiences, beloved Buddhist teacher Sylvia Boorstein demystifies spirituality, charts the path to happiness through the Buddha's basic teachings, shows how to eliminate hindrances to clear seeing, and...

On the spiritual path we speak of enlightenment. But how do we reconcile the idea of enlightenment with what we see when we look in the mirror—when insecurities, doubts, and self-centered tendencies arise in our minds? Dzigar Kongtrül suggests that we need not feel "doomed" when these experiences surface. In fact, such experiences are not a problem if we are able to simply let them arise without judging them or investing them with so much...

Exploring a new religion is no easy task. That's why the Simple series is so popular-these delightful books take readers by the hand and lead them into the basics of an Eastern faith without intimidation or confusion. Simple Buddhism invites readers to discover this appealing religion and its peaceful doctrines, as well as:

The history of Buddhism

The themes of Buddhism (The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, Nirvana, and Nirvana,

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Short, potent lessons on living the yoga and Buddhist paths in the midst of everyday life—by teacher Michael Stone.
These fresh, intimate teachings by innovative dharma and yoga teacher Michael Stone offer essential wisdom for living with compassion and responsiveness in the midst of everyday life in an imbalanced world.
Stone reminds us in a clear and encouraging way that as we turn wholeheartedly toward what is, with our bodies,...

Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for this generation's short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand. Each story, inspirational quote, and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to.

How can we be happy and at the same time responsive to the suffering of others? It can be done: this is the message of the Bodhisattva ideal. For one wishing to follow this path, the development of inner calm and positivity that leads to true wisdom is balanced by a genuine and active concern for others which flowers into great compassion. Sangharakshita places the ideal of the Bodhisattva within the context of the entire Buddhist tradition. Unfolding...

In a step-by-step guide to finding freedom and showing compassion, the leader of the youth movement for a new American Buddhism offers inspiration and guidance for living an awakened life, showing how to apply Buddhist practices to daily challenges.

What does it take to be happy? We've all asked ourselves this question at some point, but few of us have found the path to lasting fulfillment. David Michie thought he had achieved his life's goals--the high-level job, the expensive city apartment, the luxury car, the great vacations--but a small voice was telling him he wasn't really happy. A chance remark from a naturopath sent him to his local Buddhist center. There he began the most important...

Describes a traditional Buddhist approach to suffering and how embracing the painful situation and using communication, negative habits, and painful emotions leads to emotional growth and happiness.