A treasury of meditations for living from your heart--from a top teacher at the #1 online meditation service InsightTimer. In our noisy, noisy world, it can seem nearly impossible to find ways to turn off our busy minds, which so often flood us with worry and unending lists of tasks. So how do you find your way off the negativity treadmill? When you feel overwhelmed and afraid, how can you return to a place of groundedness and connection? "When we turn toward our hearts, we arrive like a bolt of lightning in the present moment, and all our arguments against ourselves and life go quiet," teaches Sarah Blondin. "No matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, you can touch this place in yourself to feel free and alive." With poetic brilliance and skillful instruction, this renowned teacher brings you a treasury of meditations and spiritual teachings to help you detach from your busy mind and tune into your feeling heart. As the students of her popular online trainings can attest, these simple and powerful practices can instantly bring you into a deeper connection with yourself and others. And you can go back to these meditations whenever you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or afraid. Read Heart Minded from front to back for a full course in living a life guided by the wise heart--or open to any page for a reminder that, beneath your burdens and troubles, you are fundamentally whole and free. This book includes links to free guided meditations on audio, presented by Sarah Blondin.

Stephen Sturgess draws on decades of study and practice to present a comprehensive and engaging account of Raja and Kriya Yoga. These authentic forms represent true Yoga, and their practice provides spiritual seekers with the ultimate pathway towards self-realisation, inner freedom and ineffable peace and joy. The book begins by providing a complete view of Yoga and its spiritual dimensions, including an account of the history and philosophy of all Yoga traditions. It then covers Raja and Kriya Yoga in depth, with instruction on the asanas, breathing techniques and meditations of each tradition. With a glossary and an introduction to Sanskrit, this book provides everything a truth-seeker needs to embark on the journey to spiritual awakening. A complete guide to Raja and Kriya Yoga, this book is an incomparable resource that will be a valued addition to the shelves of yoga practitioners and yoga teachers as well as anyone with an interest in yogic or Vedic traditions.

Imagine you've just entered the parking garage of your office building one morning, you step out of the car, still a little sleepy-eyed, lock the door with your remote and turn around: There staring in your face is a camel, with profoundly soft, gentle eyes, silhouetted against a setting sun. The parking lot? Gone. Your office building? Doesn't exist anymore. And your hum-drum 9-to-5? Gone too. No, this is not the Twilight Zone, it's what this book Through the Eye of A Needle is about: The transformation of our hum-drum existence into the miraculous -- and you don't even have to buy expensive tickets and fly to Egypt for it to happen, the transformation can begin right in the middle of this sentence you're reading -- like turning around in a parking garage one hum-drum morning and staring at a camel. And if that were not not good enough, the book won't even cost you that much: $39.95 (and as everybody knows if you wait long enough, Amazon will sell it to you for a third of that price.) So what's this book about again? Read the inside flap of the dust cover, it will tell you: It's about "the union of the sacred and the profane. Beginning with a brief reconnaisance of prehistoric caves at Chauvet and winding its way through ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, the book] asks a simple question: What do these images really mean?" The book's punchline (which you won't find here) relating to the secret teachings of Lao Tzu, Buddha, Moses, Christ and Plato will simply astonish you -- and (depending on your type -- negative, positive, neutral) maybe even please you.

Written by the UK's leading teacher and practitioner Natasha de Grunwald, a pioneer of Thai massage and bodywork for 30 years. Thai Massage Dissected is a book aimed at massage therapists, yoga teachers, physiotherapists, osteopaths and all manual therapists who want to expand their therapeutic approach and are curious to learn about the body from a Thai anatomy and dissection perspective. Therapeutic Thai massage and bodywork is a rich and diverse modality, so much more than the stretching and deep tissue work for which it is known. The book provides a richly curated combination of tools, techniques and protocols that will enhance all practitioners' skill sets. Natasha discusses the roots of this modality as Buddhist medicine, the five element system, the use of therapeutic herbs and Thai anatomy, whilst also writing about concepts such as proprioception and interoception. There is an additional chapter looking at traditional healthcare practices for women, informed by her time spent with village midwives on the Thai/Burmese border. Natasha de Grunwald uses imagery from many hours spent in a cadaver lab to describe anatomical, textural layers and structures, bringing human form to life. She consolidates this with a therapeutic perspective on Thai medical theory and how Thai massage and bodywork can be carried out in a clinical setting. This comes from her extensive research, studies and knowledge spanning over three decades.

Harness the power of meditation for a happier, healthier life. Appropriate for practitioners of all skill levels, this new addition to Llewellyn's Complete Book Series features thirty-five fundamental meditation techniques from traditions around the world. It presents each with its historical background, cultural context, potential benefits, and clear instructions for practicing at home.Shai Tubali teaches well-known methods, like classical Zen meditation, and more obscure ones, such as Sufi Whirling. You will learn to align your mind and body, open your heart to love and compassion, use the hidden powers of sound, and more. This comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide introduces the magic of meditation in a way that is experiential, practical, and deeply researched, empowering you to journey farther into the world of meditation than ever before.

This book discusses the relationship between compassion and peace with a special emphasis on the role that therapy and education can play in promoting a state of affairs in which, as humanity becomes more compassionate, peace becomes more possible.

Often we all feel frantic and stressed when travelling, whether on the daily commute or the annual family holiday. But travel presents many opportunities that - with a mindful approach - can open up our minds and hearts to new places, new people and new experiences that can enrich our existence. Often we focus on where we are going and how we are to get there, but the questions this book poses are why we travel and how we can gain fulfilment by doing so. With inspirational quotes, practical travel tips and Tiddy's own observations on travel, The Little Book of Mindful Travel is a stimulating read for travelling both in mind and body.

Silence your inner critic and offer yourself the kindness and acceptance you deserve with these 150 guided meditations to embracing your true self. We are often kinder to others than we are to ourselves. But self-compassion is vital to helping you understand your emotions, giving and receiving love, letting go of past mistakes, moving forward with more confidence, and so much more. Now you can cultivate and practice self-compassion through 150 guided meditations in My Pocket Mediations for Self-Compassion. Learn how to find and express kindness and compassion towards yourself and make peace with your emotions, build your resiliency, and learn not only to accept, but appreciate exactly who you are. Featuring meditations on self-appreciation, being body positive, accepting love, meeting your emotions, and more, this book will help you start living with more self-awareness, kindness, and peace every day.

Nobel Peace Prize nominee, internationally renowned Zen master and bestselling author Thich Nhat Hanh shares his mindful techniques in mastering the art of living. 'Thich Nhat Hanh is a holy man, for he is humble and devout...a scholar of immense intellectual capacity' -- Martin Luther King '[He] shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth' -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama 'The father of mindfulness' -- Irish Times 'Easy to read and understand' -- ***** Reader review 'Uplifting, questioning, and reaffirming' -- ***** Reader review 'An enlightening book by a truly enlightened being' -- ***** Reader review 'Compulsive reading' -- ***** Reader review ''The Art of Living' is probably the best Buddhist book I've read so far' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************** Master the art of living from one of the world's most revered spiritual leaders. Thich Nhat Hanh, the world's most renowned Zen master, turns his mindful attention to the most important subject of all - the art of living. The bestselling author of The Miracle of Mindfulness presents, for the first time, seven transformative meditations that open up new perspectives on our lives, our relationships and our interconnectedness with the world around us. He reveals an art of living in mindfulness that helps us answer life's deepest questions, experience the happiness and freedom we desire and face ageing and dying with curiosity and joy instead of fear. Stimulating and inspiring, this book teaches us the importance of looking inside ourselves and developing compassion, before we can turn to our relationships at home and in the wider world. Full of remarkable stories from Thich Nhat Hanh's own experiences and mindful practices for engaging with life, this will be a book that will help us generate happiness, understanding and love so we can live deeply in each moment of our life, right where we are. Thich Nhat Hanh is the subject of the major documentary Walk With Me narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch

A beautifully illustrated book of mindfulness that will help readers discover the path to a peaceful phioslothical life. Follow a serene and smiley sloth through a series of light meditations and daily reflections: An unexpected and snuggable guide, you'll learn that it's OK to slow down. Take a pause and focus on your breath. Let the other animals run around; you do you. Through the guidance of an unlikely-- but very wise--meditation expert, A Sloth's Guide to Mindfulness reminds you it's okay to go at your own pace. * From simple breathing exercises and guided visualizations to the benefits of chewing your leaves slowly and staying present while hanging from a tree, A Sloth's Guide to Mindfulness will provide you with practical ways to be more present and mindful. * Playful advice and charming black and white illustrations guide you through the pages and remind you that simplicity can be beautiful. * Author Ton Mak is an artist and meditation enthusiast based in Shanghai. She has created visual arts of all forms including installations in shopping malls, art toy sculptures, and solo exhibitions around the world. She has also successfully collaborated with Nike, Gucci, Swiss Air, Vans and more. A no-sweat approach to enlightenment that's a sweet reminder to take it slow and smile. * A simple, quick read that can be enjoyed by all ages. * A 2019 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers

Are you soothed by the water's ebb and flow and inspired by its beauty and power? These cards are a gift from the Ocean to your soul. Created to encourage and support personal reflection and growth, each card is a potent guide to the wisdom of the Ocean. A friend and companion to accompany you through life's ever-shifting waters, they offer a pathway to the Sea, even when you're far away. Explore 48 uplifting Ocean Qualities, using the Sea to awaken your intuition. Dive into the cards' four transformative themes and explore a series of guided Sea Soul Journeys. The accompanying guidebook offers additional Reflections, Blessings and Mantras and will help you practise meditation, mindfulness and self-kindness. Let the Sea be your guide. To reduce environmental impact this deck is printed on recycled and recyclable material. The production values reflect this choice.

Wisdom Mind is a scientifically tested mindfulness program for older adults - those who are cognitively healthy, as well as those who may be experiencing what is referred to as subjective cognitive decline. While mindfulness is already known to benefit a wide variety of individuals, the unique strengths of this program are the ways in which it is tailored specifically to older adults. Session content is keyed to common concerns of older adults (such as cognitive slip-ups, loss, and grief), and incorporates strategies for building upon mindfulness practices in a sequence of increasing difficulty as well as strategies to promote learning and integration. Designed to be used alongside the companion Facilitator Guide, this session-by-session Participant Workbook provides detailed information on how to take part in the program, as well as the reasoning behind why certain practices and strategies are provided at different times and in different ways. As such, it will be of interest to those familiar with mindfulness as well as those new to the practice. A companion website provides downloadable meditation audio recordings that participants can access throughout the program.

From one of most prominent figures in the field of meditation comes a guidebook for how to use mindfulness to build our inner strength, find balance, and help create a better world. In today's fractured world, we're constantly flooded with breaking news that causes anger, grief, and pain. People are feeling more stressed out than ever, and in the face of this fear and anxiety they can feel so burnt out and overwhelmed that they end up frozen in their tracks and unable to do anything. In Real Change, Sharon Salzberg, a leading expert in lovingkindness meditation, shares sage advice and indispensable techniques to help free ourselves from these negative feelings and actions. She teaches us that meditation is not a replacement for action, but rather a way to practice generosity with ourselves and summon the courage to break through boundaries, reconnect to a movement that's bigger than ourselves, and have the energy to stay active. Consulting with veteran activists and social-change agents in a variety of fields, Salzberg collects and shares their wisdom and offers the best practical advice to foster transformation in both ourselves and in society. To help tame our inner landscape or chaos, Salzberg offers mindfulness practices that will help readers cultivate a sense of agency and stay engaged in the long-term struggle for social change. Whether you're resolving conflicts with a crotchety neighbor or combating global warming, Real Change will provide the fundamental principles and mindfulness practices to help guide you to the clarity and confidence to lift a foot and take the next step into a better world.

An accessible guide to controlling the mind. Written in a simple and easily understandable style, Concentration is a classic among books on the art of meditation. Without the ability to concentrate, our efforts at meditation will result only in going nowhere, in spinning our wheels in an unending rut. Through a series of practical steps, the author provides the frame work of achieving the state of Samadhi. It encourages readers to actively walk the path of spirituality and achieve a state of super consciousness, rather than just passively read about it.

Long out-of-print yet often cited in psychedelic literature, THE BOOK OF SACRAMENTS, originally published in 1970, was a Holy book from the (now defunct) Church of the Tree of Life, established and incorporated by John Mann. A fundamental belief was that we have the right to alter our consciousness with plants extracts for medical, spiritual, and even recreational (re-creating) purposes. THE BOOK OF SACRAMENTS consists of introduction and discussion of several sacred plants, most still legal and easy to obtain, that have been used traditionally in religious (spiritual, consciousness expanding) rituals by native people. While the Church of the Tree of Life disbanded decades ago, the longing for a spiritual connection continues. One way to achieve such a connection with with the ritual use of magical plants. THE BOOK OF SACRAMENTS describes the ceremonial practices and rituals used by natives for thousands of years in some cases and gives guidelines for employing such practices in one's personal worship, including how to prepare the plant and oneself for the ritual. The mind has self-healing power. Spiritual experiences can lead to dramatic healing. Ritual is a method for organizing experience - mentally- and creating order around an inner experience to enable one to surrender to the experience without fear - due to the security provided by the repetitive and reliable ritual. The ritual helps to conjure up a frame of mind that is conducive to an ecstatic experience. When used properly ritual use of magical plants can open up new channels of awareness. The plants alone cannot bring about the desired results - the individual mind must be engaged. THE BOOK OF SACRAMENTS identifies over 20 magical plants for ritual use and tells how to prepare the potion and oneself for the journey and gives instructions for classic rituals as well as creating one's own variations. Finally it discusses how to process the experience afterwards to gain the maximum benefit from the journey.

A unique spiritual and astrological guide to deepening your relationships and romantic connections - or finding the love of your life We are each made of stardust, and understanding how the cosmos affects us provides critical insight into our lives, our well-being, and matters of the heart. Tune into these pages to find * how each sign matches up with the others; * the potential and challenges of each pairing; * interactive journaling prompts; * perspective into your past unions; * a deeper understanding of your partnerships in romance, family, and friendship; * what it looks like when a particular match flows well - or not so well. Follow Carolyne Faulkner's Dynamic Astrology (TM) approach for a simple, tried-and-tested framework to the signs and planets that explains how harmonious each match is likely to be, as well as how to build a solid foundation for a forever love.