The pandemic exposed pervasive societal fractures that have long been destabilizing our educational system. These imbalances and injustices that have compromised teachers, children, families, and communities have been enabled for decades. This watershed moment in our human story requires us to respond to these inhumane conditions with unprecedented commitment and action. At the heart of this book are questions and talking points that will spur us to reimagine schools as healthy, safe, sustainable, vibrant places.

An easy-to-use, informative introduction to one of today's most popular spiritual practices: meditation. Meditation is a proven method of finding calm and coping with our crazy world. Amy Leigh Mercree explores the history of this ancient practice as well as its practical applications--including decreased anxiety and a more contented life. In addition to outlining the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual ramifications of meditating, she includes a selection of easy-to-follow guided meditations.

The benefits of mindfulness are well recognized: greater peace of mind, less stress, and the opportunity to work through and transform thoughts, memories, and worries. It also fosters equanimity, helping us accept the changes and challenges life brings.

In our frantic world, who better to guide listeners through this transformative practice than a long-beloved bear who has perfected the art of simply being?

"Just two things to do to truly be Pooh - just be present and kind," he says.

And, not coincidentally, he lives in the woods. There is a growing acknowledgment of the benefits of deeply experiencing nature. The calming quality of sounds like running water and rustling leaves, the soothing properties of smells like lavender and chamomile, and the emotional comfort of beautiful natural vistas are well known.

A Walk in the Wood is both inspiring and instructive. Simple stories with clearly stated goals and easy-to-follow exercises provide all the tools you'll need to take the first step, or continue on your journey, toward a quieter and calmer way of living.

Are you an owl, a cat or perhaps a whale? Connect with your animal guardian and embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Your animal may come to you in dreams or through manifestations and signs. You may also recognize your animal from one of the 40 descriptions in this book. Your animal guide will bring you power, protection, and wisdom, and you will learn to listen for the messages they bring.

Find the practice that’s right for you with this exploration of the many paths of meditation—from mantra, prayer, singing, visualizations, and “just sitting” to movement meditations such as tai chi

“Everyone has experienced a moment of pure awareness. A moment without thinking ‘I am aware’ or ‘that is a tree.’ Such moments bring a sense of rightness, of clarity, of being at one. Such moments are the essence of meditation.”—Ram Dass

Ram Dass is an American psychologist and spiritual teacher who has studied and practiced meditation for many years. Here he shares his understanding and suggests how you can find methods suitable for you. He illuminates the stages and benefits of meditative practice and provides wise and often humorous advice on overcoming difficulties along the way.

**A TLS BOOK OF THE YEAR SELECTION** As heard on The Tim Ferriss Show! 'Captivating' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT 'The book Shukman was born to write' NATALIE GOLDBERG, author of WRITING DOWN THE BONES 'A wonderful and generous book' DAVID HINTON, author of THE WILDS OF POETRY *** One Blade of Grass is award-winning novelist and poet Henry Shukman's account of his journey through the world of Zen Buddhism. Raised in a rationalist household in Oxford during the spiritual heyday of the Sixties and Seventies, an unexpected spiritual awakening would prompt a lifelong quest to integrate the experience into his life, leading him eventually to Zen Buddhism. As Shukman gets to grips with meditative practice and struggles with anxiety, depression and the chronic eczema he had had since childhoods, he discovers in surprising ways the emotional, spiritual and even physical healing that he has been searching for all along. By turns humorous and moving, this beautifully written memoir demystifies Zen training, casting its profound insights in simple, lucid language, and takes the reader on a journey of their own, into the hidden treasures of life that contemplative practice can reveal to any of us.

Discover the wisdom of the stars between these pages for instant cosmic guidance on any question. Career conundrums? Dating dilemmas? Friendship fracas? In our fast-paced, data-flooded lives it can be difficult to know where to turn for the right advice. Now, with your Zodiac Oracle always by your side, you can let the celestial wisdom of the stars guide you through life's twists and turns. No matter how perplexing your predicament, the insight you seek is right at your fingertips. Ask your question and open your Oracle at any page to reveal insightful advice to guide your next move. Harness the prescience of the stars and tune into the resonance of your sun sign with this wisdom-packed guide that will lead you to greater self-knowledge and deeper understanding.

Harnessing the power of positive thinking to uplift, encourage, and inspire, Joy: 100 Affirmations for Happiness guides you through empowering affirmations and more to achieve personal growth. The way we speak to ourselves matters. Positive affirmations and meditations are an important tool for personal growth-and these uplifting, inspiring, and motivational statements, when implemented regularly, can have a profound impact on our lives. This mindful book incorporates original, modern, and charming line art on every page as well as 100 guided affirmations to help you reflect, maintain positivity, and achieve happiness. Here is a sample of the type of guided affirmation included in this beautifully designed book: Today's affirmation: I create space for a new way of thinking. Why is this affirmation powerful?: Today, we introduce the possibility that we can choose to think in another way which serves us! The meditation emphasizes the importance of creating space, as we can't make important changes if our mind feels full and overwhelmed. Journaling prompt: Finish the following journal prompt with your dreams and highest vision for yourself! "I am creating space for..." Bonus exercise: How can you create physical space as well as mental space? Clear out any objects/ clothes/ belongings that don't light you up and donate them to charity. Alternatively, give your space a good clean to get new energy flowing in.

Steady, Calm, and Brave is a practical guidebook for life's most difficult moments. Meditation teacher Kimberly Brown shows you how to meet unexpected circumstances--a serious health crisis, a looming natural disaster, a terrifying accident--with patience, clarity, and kindness. You'll learn how to support yourself and others with simple mindfulness exercises and compassion techniques drawn from the Buddhist tradition. These transformative practices will help you manage anxiety and cope with loss. You'll discover you can truly engage with your struggles and create a sense of ease and peace and resilience even in the worst moments. With relatable stories and beneficial Buddhist teachings, Steady, Calm, and Brave offers soothing support for anyone facing extraordinary challenges. It's a path to self-compassion and comfort in the midst of uncertainty, that illuminates how to survive a crisis without falling apart, running away, or losing your mind. With insightful reflections and exercises, you'll develop the wisdom and understanding you need to face intense difficulty, and the confidence to recognize you have all the tools you need to survive--and even thrive--in a crisis and beyond.

Meridians are the bridge between the psyche and soma, the system that allows our life force to flow through our body. Each of the twelve main meridians stand for a fundamental life principle and by examining them, we can begin a journey towards better health- as well as freedom and contentment. In this inspirational, easy-to-read deep dive, Mike Mandl uses his own wit and humour to explore the life principles of the meridians and offers a toolbox for self-diagnostic purposes, demonstrating how to strengthen these principles, correct imbalances, and keep in harmony with yourself through daily observation and maintenance. Translating the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine into an engaging, accessible resource for practitioners and novices alike, this is the perfect first step in harnessing the meridians for your own self-actualisation.

This shining collection brings you inspiration and comfort in special chapters on marriage, motherhood, aging, bridging the generations, attitude, self-esteem and higher wisdom. Stories honor the strength and reveal the beauty of the feminine spirit. Included are incredible stories from Oprah Winfrey, Leo Buscaglia, Linda Ellerbee, Robert Fulghum, Kathie Lee Gifford and many others.