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.

Find beauty and happiness in nature and create beautiful drawings and prints with this stunning guide to the mindful art of drawing floral patterns. Drawing can be a powerful tool to combat anxiety, stress and depression. In From Petal to Pattern, New York-based pattern designer and illustrator Michelle Parascandolo teaches us how the act of drawing repeated floral shapes can connect us to nature, reminding us to look around ourselves and notice the world which surrounds us. With step-by-step guides to 20 intricate patterns for us to recreate at home, this gifty how-to book helps us explore the meditative practice of drawing through the creation of repeating flower patterns. From bouquets to blocks of densely-packed flowers, the botanical patterns in this book cover all styles, from folk art to tropical, and also offers tips for creating your own original designs. With mindful affirmations as well as flower facts and lore, this book combines creative self-expression with art-therapy principles and an appreciation of the natural world. Accessible for all artistic abilities, from total beginners to experienced artists, this book teaches us how to make these colourful and bright designs into attractive prints, so you can apply them to materials of your choosing to fill your home with beautiful blossoms!

Power Positivity: I AM STRONG helps you tap in to your inner strength and reminds you that you can get through anything with empowering quotes, thoughts, kind words and little pick-me-ups when you need them most. The right words at the right time can do wonders to lift your mood, raise your confidence, control negative feelings and improve your self-esteem. Featuring wise words from Janelle Monae, Mark Ruffalo and Lady Gaga, this pocket-sized book is guaranteed to brighten your day, remind you that life is good and that you've most definitely got this.

SHO : to write, writing, calligraphy. DO : the path, the way or the Tao, the path of life Ancient Japanese calligraphy, known as Shodo, is more than just a decorative art; it is a revolutionary approach to mindfulness. This beautiful introduction to Shodo shows how the movement of a brush channels energy through the body and mind, uniting both in harmony. In this book Rie Takeda, world-renowned Shodo artist and expert shares: the history, philosophy and spirituality of Shodo the craft of calligraphy from the basic brushstrokes up to complete kanji practical guidance on which inks, pens and brushes to use, how to prepare your space, how to sit and breathe spiritual insight into Shodo, including the concept of Mushin (an undisturbed mind), Qi energy, and how to discover and channel your unique inner quality. You will discover that what results on the paper during Shodo is a true depiction of the present moment, a movement toward a more peaceful mindfulness.

A clear and comprehensive explanation of the entire path to enlightenment. We all have the potential for self-transformation, and a limitless capacity for the growth of good qualities, but to fulfil this potential we need to know what to do along every stage of our spiritual journey. With this book, Geshe Kelsang offers us step-by-step guidance on the meditation practices that will lead us to lasting inner peace and happiness. With extraordinary clarity, he presents all Buddha's teachings in the order in which they are to be practised, enriching his explanation with stories and illuminating analogies. This is a perfect guidebook to the Buddhist path.

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.

The Sunday Times bestseller FEATURED ON THE DELICIOUSLY ELLA PODCAST We're all on a search for happiness, but we're looking in the wrong places. Everyone looks externally to find contentment, we think material possessions will unlock our happiness. A Monk's Guide to Happiness explains how and why we need to look within, and connect to our true essence, in order to find peace. Everyone has the potential to be happy, after all, we're all 'hardwired' for happiness. But how do we get there? By meditating. Not just in the morning, but throughout the day by introducing micro moments so we never drop the mindfulness ball, even when we're busy. Meditation is more than just a stress-reduction tool or a relaxation therapy, it is the key to finding long-lasting happiness. Gelong Thubten, a Buddhist monk who has worked with everyone from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to Ruby Wax and Benedict Cumberbatch, explores the theme of happiness in his debut book and explains how to bring meditation into our busy 21st century lives with simple exercises. 'Thubten is a very generous and kind monk who writes with the lived honesty and humour of someone who has experienced the wisdom he shares. His writing is full of inspiration but also the pragmatism needed to form a sustainable practice. His book clearly illustrates why we all need meditation and mindfulness in our lives.' - Benedict Cumberbatch

A practical and inspiring approach to tackling our environmental crisis, from a master spiritual teacher. We can heal our earth by choosing a simpler, more fulfilling lifestyle, as trustees of a compassionate universe. Eknath Easwaran presents a penetrating analysis of the spiritual roots of our current predicament and offers a realistic and hopeful way forward. Each of us has a role to play in making wise choices, and each of us can genuinely make a difference. Drawing inspiration and insight from Mahatma Gandhi, Saint Francis, and his own experience of living in the East and the West, Easwaran shows the connections between individual thoughts and actions that move beyond consumerism to the unity of life. Mahatma Gandhi formulated a series of diagnoses of our seemingly perpetual state of crisis, which he called "the seven social sins": knowledge without character, science without humanity, wealth without work, commerce without morality, politics without principles, pleasure without conscience, and worship without self-sacrifice. Easwaran explores each of these diagnoses in turn and presents an alternative hypothesis of who we are and how we fit into the universe. This is ecology as a great adventure, filled with the challenges and rewards of inner growth. Easwaran tells us that "once we open our eyes to cooperation, artistry, thrift, and compassion, we begin to see thousands of little things we can do to help restore the environment - and restore dignity and deeper fulfillment to our own lives." Eknath Easwaran is renowned as a teacher of meditation and for his translations of the Indian scriptures. His writings express timeless spiritual insights and are illustrated by stories from East and West. His books reflect two cultures: India, where he grew up in a self-supporting agrarian village, and the United States, where he taught and lectured for over thirty years. His early experiences of living in harmony with nature, his firsthand acquaintance with Gandhi's India, and his long familiarity with an American audience have resulted in this book: a deeply thoughtful examination of our present situation, and a blueprint for living as trustees of a compassionate universe, in a world that we would want our children and grandchildren to inherit.

Be more Zen in 2023 with this little book of 100 tips and activities to soothe the soul 'Brings the spirit of Zen Buddhism to everyday life . . . 100 snack-size Zen activities you can do daily to add more calm to your life' Daily Telegraph _______ Zen is the perfect antidote to the stress and uncertainty of modern life . . . In clear, practical and easy to follow lessons - one a day for 100 days - renowned Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno draws on centuries of wisdom to show you how to apply the essence of Zen to modern life. You will learn how to exhale deeply to eliminate negative emotions, to arrange your house simply to clear your thinking, to line up your shoes at night to bring order to your mind, to plant a single flower and watch it grow, to worry less about what you cannot control, and so much more . . . You will even make time to think about nothing at all. Simplify your life with the art of Zen, and learn how to feel more relaxed, fulfilled, and with a renewed sense of peace. _______ 'Full of the simplest yet richest rituals to adopt in order to live a long and happy life, this book of wisdom is a soothing balm of peace for anyone living in the busy modern world' Psychologies 'Does for mental clutter what Marie Kondo has done for household clutter' Publisher's Weekly 'This little treasure needs to be at every bedside' llan Lokos, author of Through the Flames, Patience, and Pocket Peace 'Zen: The Art of Simple Living makes the wisdom of the Buddha radically accessible' Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, author of Emotional Rescue and Rebel Buddha

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.

Through a series of simple tips and calming quotes, this little book will be your guide to finding moments of mindfulness 365 days of the year. In a world that's busier and more demanding than ever, emotional self-care has never been more important. Mindfulness is a practice that trains the brain to focus on the present moment, and meditation is a means of quietening the mind. When used together, these techniques can bring calm to your day, help you to face challenging situations, improve your health and wellbeing and enrich your life experiences. Within these pages you'll find: Practical tips to help you create moments of stillness Simple meditation and breathing exercises to help reduce stress and anxiety A raft of calming quotes to promote peace in your heart and soul With 365 Days of Mindful Meditations you can find time for mindfulness every day and live well all year round.

Interest in mindfulness has been booming in recent decades, but a lot of misconceptions have grown up around this ancient practice, some of which can cause serious harm. In this book, clinical psychologist, researcher, and Zen master Dr. Richard Sears carefully separates the myths from the facts. He explores myths about the origins of mindfulness, what mindfulness is, how it is similar to and different from other techniques, the practice of mindfulness, its magical and mystical effects, mindfulness and mental and physical health, and about using mindfulness in daily life. Far more than just debunking myths, Dr. Sears points out the profound ways that mindfulness can help us move through our struggles and enrich our lives with inspiring stories and practical tips. The realities of mindfulness are so much more fascinating than the myths.

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.

Calm your thoughts, navigate your stress, and understand your anxiety with Get Out of My Head, a compact illustrated guide for overthinkers everywhere. Are you an overthinker? You're not alone! In a world full of deadlines, and technology, and constant stress, anxiety sometimes feels inevitable. But what if you learned to ride the wave of anxiety, instead of getting lost in it? Get Out of My Head is here to help, providing guidance and inspiration for anxious overthinkers of all sorts. This compact, illustrated book offers soothing techniques for understanding anxiety and moving through the traps of overthinking. Aimed at a modern audience looking for support and community, this beautifully illustrated guide offers a joyful, manageable way to deal with anxiety and quiet stressful thoughts through easy exercises, bite-sized takeaways, and calming visuals. Written by Meredith Arthur, founder of the popular mental health platform Beautiful Voyager, and illustrated by Leah Rosenberg, this charming alternative to technical mental health guides walks readers through the process of building awareness around anxiety, identifying triggers, moving through blocks, building healthy boundaries, and developing an arsenal of tools for thriving. With actionable tips throughout, and a special section on dealing with end-of-year anxieties, this striking volume also includes a small, saddle-stitched secondary book--meant to act like a weighted blanket in book form for help on the go--in a concealed internal pocket.

Despite the increase in meditation studies, the quality remains variable; many of them are trivial, and most remain unreplicated. Research on meditation has been plagued by insubstantial theorizing, global claims, and the substitution of belief systems for grounded hypotheses. Meditation punctures some of the myths about meditation, while retaining a place of value for mediation as a normal human function.

In each chapter includes discussion of the major questions addressed, followed by a detailed critique of important theoretical, clinical, and research issues. In several instances the reader may find that questions seem to beget questions: research bearing upon certain issues may be contradictory, or not yet of sufficient thoroughness. In these cases, the author suggests the specific future research necessary to resolve the questions posed, so that claims about meditation are justified, and which are not. The profession of psychology itself is, and has been, in a polarized debate between the "practitioners" and the "experimentalists." The latter accuse the former of being "soft, non-empirical, non-scientific," while practitioners accuse the experimentalists of conducting research which is essentially irrelevant to human concerns.

This approach provides a bridge between research and clinical practice. Meditation provides an encompassing survey of the topic--nearly forty tables and figures; sample questionnaires, evaluations and programs and a detailed overview of a controversial field. Shapiro separates self-regulation with self-delusion, to outline questions and possible answers.

The practice of yoga, hypnosis, and the use of psychedelic drugs to alter psychological and physiological states is not unknown to the study of psychology. They have been called "soft" studies and labeled unimportant. This is mostly because they are difficult to study and understand, often focusing on unobservable internal states such as altered states of consciousness, Samadhi, or hypnotic states. This book, in its approach to thinking about this topic and method for analysis, focuses only on phenomena that can be observed, such as behavioral changes.

By centering on only those aspects of the psychological and physiological effects of yoga, hypnosis, and psychedelic drugs which can be measured and analyzed using this new method, Barber distinguishes this book from others in the field. He asks what overt behaviors and verbal reports are clearly observable when psychedelic drugs are taken, yoga is practiced, or hypnotic-induction procedures are administered. Instead of treating the phenomena traditionally associated with psychedelic drugs, yoga, or hypnosis as undifferentiated conglomerates, an attempt will be made to set apart and treat separately each of the many phenomena associated with each of these areas of inquiry.

This book does not set out to simply demonstrate the importance of psychedelics, yoga, and hypnosis, or to present substantive material pertaining to these topics. It also treats each topic as continuous with other known psychological phenomena and as an important piece to the puzzle of social psychology. It differs from most previous treatises in that it does not assume that psychedelics, yoga, and hypnosis can bring out unused mental or physical capacities in man, heighten awareness or give rise to enhanced creativity, or produce altered states of consciousness, suspension of conventional reality-orientation, changes in body-image, or changes in perception.

A collection of meditations in the Stoic tradition. Meditations on Self-Discipline and Failure provides access to the ruminations, practices, and applications of ancient Stoic philosophy as deployed by a contemporary professional philosopher with twenty five years of experience teaching, researching, and publishing articles in academic journals. Each meditation is presented in the second person, encouraging the reader to examine their struggles and failures in the pursuit of self-improvement and enlightenment.

As lifelong meditators and mindfulness teachers, we confess we were almost embarrassed when we stumbled onto a 5-15 second shortcut to transcendence. This idea ran counter to everything we knew about meditation before we began our research. But, yes, it is possible. It only requires accessing the powerful emotion of awe in ordinary, everyday life. The changes in our lives have been profound, and after seeing the results repeated again and again in our thousands of patients, clients, and study participants, we've proven that our shortcut, coined the A.W.E. Method, works. -from the Preface Think about the last time you were truly in awe - perhaps on a walk or whilst watching a musician perform live - maybe you felt goosebumps or you lost your sense of time? Unbeknownst to you, some pretty incredible things were happening inside your body. Your fight-flight-freeze response became less active and activity decreased in your brain's default mode network, which is associated with both chronic pain and anxiety. Your interleukin-6 levels decreased, which can reduce chronic inflammation and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression. Being in awe can be beneficial to both your mind and body and now the AWE method provides a shortcut to all these benefits and is accessible to anyone, anywhere. ATTENTION (give your full focus to something), WAIT (take a deep breath and appreciate that thing), EXHALE and EXPAND (as you exhale slowly, allow your feelings to expand and grow). 5-15 seconds, two or three times a day - that's all! In this book you'll learn: - about the surprising and little known science of awe - how we unwittingly cut ourselves off from feeling awe - how AWE can enhance traditional mental health therapies - strategies for using AWE to improve relationships, alleviate existential anxiety and manage chronic pain - the different types of awe we can experience (sensorial, conceptual, and interconnected) - how to recognize and get good at experiencing each type of awe Learn how to microdose mindfulness through the power of AWE now.

Relax and unwind the creative way! Learn to use drawing as a pathway to relaxation with the creative art exercises and soothing meditations found inside this inspiring book. Anyone who has ever experienced a relaxed, calm state while doodling understands the powerful connection between hand and mind. From flowing one-line designs to calm-inducing repetitive patterns, drawing can put us into a state of flow. And, with this book, you'll return to that feeling repeatedly with the meditative exercises offered. Each exercise includes instructions, a pattern, and a practice area for drawing. Also included are guided meditations in the form of key words to ponder as you draw. Finally, inspirational quotes and short prompts help you put each lesson into practice. A more calm, present, and mindful moment is waiting. A pencil and this book are all that's needed!

Start living with more confidence, composure, and peace every day with these 150 easy guided meditations to shut down stress, worry, and anxiety. Stress and anxiety can weigh heavily on our minds. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you understand your stress, release your fears and tension, and shift your thoughts and emotions into a more grounded and peaceful pattern. In My Pocket Meditations for Anxiety, you will learn to manage your stress levels by cultivating mindfulness through 150 guided meditations. Now you can find your calm, control your thoughts, manage your fears, and release your worries-no matter where you are!

The Comfort Book is a collection of consolations learned in hard times and suggestions for making the bad days better. Drawing on maxims, memoir and the inspirational lives of others, these meditations offer new ways of seeing ourselves and the world.

This is the book to pick up when you need the wisdom of a friend, the comfort of a hug or a reminder that hope comes from unexpected places.

A pocket-sized book of thoughtful quotes curated to help you take a step back, relax your mind, and recharge your psyche. "The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche is to let it rest, wander, live in the changing light..." --Mary Sarton In today's high-speed world of overstimulation and overachievement, our personal batteries have never felt more drained. In an age that requires immediacy and productivity in a minute's notice, how can we step away from the constant demands of our lives and allow ourselves to simply rest? Recharge mini book aims to reduce our everyday stress and encourages us to mindfully relax into the present moment with poignant words from writers, thinkers, and seekers that guide us toward making meaningful changes in our lives to optimize our energy, self-care, and mental health. 150 QUOTES: Open to any page for inspiration from writers and thinkers including Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Deepak Chopra, Thich Nh't H?nh, and Sharon Salzberg POCKET SIZE: This compact mini book fits easily in a pocket or purse for easy access to wisdom and inspiration whenever it's needed CREATE COMFORT AND CALM: Each quote is an invitation for self-reflection that can help us move toward clarity, presence, and a mindful being BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Lovely hand-drawn illustrations add a layer of beauty and joy to each quote COMPLETE THE SERIES COLLECTION: Deepen your mindfulness practice with Recharge: A Day and Night Reflection Journal

Escape to Moominvalley with The Moomin Colouring Book. This stylish, unique and relaxing colouring book features original artwork from the coveted archive of Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins; one of the most cherished children's book series ever written. Beautifully conceived and designed, this contemporary colouring book features striking patterns and scenes as well as all your favourite Moomin characters and their most memorable quotes. The perfect gift for Moomin fans.