Meditation techniques, including mindfulness, have become popular wellbeing practices and the scientific study of their effects has recently turned 50 years old. But how much do we know about them: what were they developed for and by whom? How similar or different are they, how effective can they be in changing our minds and biology, what are their social and ethical implications? The Oxford Handbook of Meditation is the most comprehensive volume published on meditation, written in accessible language by world-leading experts on the science and history of these techniques. It covers the development of meditation across the world and the varieties of its practices and experiences. It includes approaches from various disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, history, anthropology, and sociology and it explores its potential for therapeutic and social change, as well as unusual or negative effects. Edited by practitioner-researchers, this book is the ultimate guide for all interested in meditation, including teachers, clinicians, therapists, researchers, or anyone who would like to learn more about this topic.

Genjo Koan is the most important chapter in Zen master Dogen's principal major work, the Shobogenzo. Although Genjo Koan has been translated into English many times, and is familiar to Buddhists both east and west, it is still not well understood. This new commentary by Buddhist teacher and author David Brazier draws back the curtain revealing the deeper meaning of the text in language that will be as transparent to the general reader as it is informative to the specialist. The Dark Side of the Mirror reveals the pivotal principle at the heart of Dogen's Zen and shows how his revelation of it was rooted in his personal experience, as well as in the religious consciousness of his time. For Dogen scholars, Brazier provides a wealth of previously unpublished connections within Dogen's thought, resolving knotty problems of interpretation. For Zen practitioners, Genjo Koan reveals the meaning of satori and the way that it irreversibly commits the practitioner to a life-long 'going forth' in the service of all sentient beings. For the general reader it provides a unique insight into Japanese and Chinese medieval religion and, through this prism, throws light upon spirituality and spiritual experience universally.

What is life about? Love. Does love run smoothly? No. To whom does this matter? Everybody. Simply facts with enormous implications. In "Love and Its disappointment", which is rooted in common knowledge, David Brazier advances in clear and specific terms a radical and practical theory of human functioning, exploring the relationships between beauty and love, frustration and creativity, perception and healing. Essential reading for psychotherapists, this book is also full of insights for the critic of culture and society.

..".a book by a true Bodhisattva - an awake awakening being - who brings his compassion and insight to those with troubled hearts everywhere."
Rev. Saigyo Terrance Keenan, author of "St. Nadie in Winter: Zen Encounters with Loneliness"

..".the hitch-hiker's guide to no-bullshit Buddhism."
Alastair McIntosh, author of "Soil and Soul"

"A fine dharma book. Rich in anecdote, it guides the reader on a radical path of awakening."
Roshi Joan Halifax, Founder and Abbot of Upaya Zen Center

'Not Everything Is Impermanent' explores what it means to be a fallible human being in an imperfect world. It shows us how we can live a joyful and meaningful life supported by faith, compassion and wisdom.

David Brazier points to the mystical core of Buddhism by bringing together the devotional heart teachings of Pureland and the paradoxical wisdom of Zen. His writings are grounded in a sound understanding of Buddhist doctrine, decades of spiritual practice and experience, and an ease in speaking to ordinary people about the problems we all encounter in our everyday lives.

This is a book for theperson swimming through the ocean of samsara, calling out for light and assistance. It encourages us to look deeply and fearlessly beyond our immediate concerns and to aspire towards becoming true Bodhisattvas.

The author is not afraid of controversy. Along the way he presents a critique of mindfulness and reinterpretations of some classic Buddhist teachings. His arguments are presented robustly, and we are encouraged to enjoy the debate and to agree or disagree with equal passion.

Above all, this is a reassuring book. It doesn't flinch from looking at the difficulties and pain we encounter in life, but it shows us how even when alone we are connected, even in the midst of change we can rely upon our deepest intuition that transcends impermanence. This settled faith empowers us to reach outwards with compassion into the world, just as it is, just as we are. As he says, "At the core of all is love."

This is a manifesto for a more active, compassionate, and socially engaged Buddhism—one grounded in the Buddha's original intention. The New Buddhism asserts that Buddha was a radical critic of society, and that his vision of a new social order transcended racial and economic divisions. Brazier takes a new look at many aspects of Buddhism and reinterprets them in light of the Buddha's social aims. Western and Eastern visions of enlightenment are juxtaposed, and the author draws a line between 'extinction Buddhism' and 'liberation Buddhism'—the former seeks to release the individual from the world, while the latter seeks to perfect the world by freeing it from the forces of greed, hatred, and delusion. The New Buddhism states clearly and boldly that Buddhism should be—and originally was—about engagement with the world. This illuminating guide brings Buddhism to the West and into contemporary life in an accessible and thought-provoking way. It shows that for genuine renewal, Buddhism must be about more than contemplation and personal growth but also about the practice of truth, and having compassion for all.

'What is evident from this book is how widely Carl Rogers' ideas have spread throughout the humanistic scene - and how valuable they have been.' - Self & Society '...a stimulating, enjoyable book and I recommend it to anyone interested in the person-centred approach.' - Counselling This book is edited by David Brazier and includes his chapter "The Necessary Condition is Love".

This engaging introduction to Buddhism explains the Buddha's earliest teachings, and is a practical guide for how to live fully in today's stressful world. The Feeling Buddha is a lucid account of how the Buddha's path of wisdom and loving kindness grew out of the challenges he encountered in life. Brazier explains the concepts of enlightenment, nirvana and the four Noble Truths, free from mystification. Buddha emerges as a very human figure whose success lay not in his perfection, but in how he positively utilized the energy which was generated through his suffering. This rare guide illustrates how Buddha's philosophy of the "middle way" can lead to a balanced, harmonious, and serene existence in the 21st century.