If it wasn't for dogs, some people would never go for a walk.
--anonymous Gotham Chopra considers himself a pretty average guy. He devours pizza, lives and dies by his hometown teams, and watches "Kung Fu Panda" with his son--daily. But his childhood wasn't quite so average. Growing up, Gotham was exposed to the deepest reservoirs of knowledge that his famous father, Deepak, could find; his childhood was part spiritual, part scientific, and totally unique. Now a newly minted father himself, he's contemplating the influences he wants to draw on for his own son. The first was no surprise: his father. The second was unexpected: his dogs. From Nicholas, the blaze of energy and anarchy who turned the family upside down, to Cleo, a rescue mutt with food issues, the Chopra dogs taught the family about curiosity and wisdom, open-mindedness and passion, not to mention loyalty and pig's ears. But what else, Gotham wondered? And how did these lessons compare to the ones that Deepak himself imparted? Gotham would soon find out. When his mother took an unexpected trip to India and leaves instructions to "look after Papa," father and son have an opportunity for male bonding on a big scale. That this bonding takes place on their daily walks seems almost natural. After all, Gotham also had in his care a nervous dog and an exuberant toddler, both with an insatiable need for exercise and exploration. So Gotham and Deepak walk and talk, discussing the laughs and licks that come with having a dog, along with the contradictions, complexities, and consequences of having children. They soon realize the qualities they observe and admire most in their pets are values we humans would do well to nurture within ourselves. They discover that our best friends have a lot to teach us. Gotham and Deepak's message may seem simple, but therein lies its brilliance. Heartfelt, endearing, and above all down to earth, "Walking Wisdom" offers readers both enlightenment and comfort, with a little bit of mayhem thrown in for good measure.

Something within each of us yearns to find meaning in our lives, and to discover the reason we are here in this time and place. The search for purpose is age-old, and it compels us to move forward, to learn and to grow. Lissa Coffey, well known for her inspiring blend of ancient wisdom and modern style, brings us Vedanta's Four Yogas, and explores how each one can help us to define our unique purpose. What's Your Dharma? guides us on a journey of self-discovery, and shows us how to create a lifestyle where we can express ourselves creatively and feel fulfilled. "Dharma" is a Sanskrit word meaning "purpose." We each come to feel at some point in our lives that there is something important for us to do, or learn, or experience. As we grow in awareness, we seek to know our dharma, to fulfill our purpose, to somehow have our lives make sense in the context of everything that is going on in the world. In Vedic philosophy, there are four yogas, or paths, that can lead us to our dharma: Bhakti Yoga is the path of love and devotion. Karma Yoga is the path of work, and service. Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge. Raja Yoga is the path of meditation. Although we each have attributes within ourselves that lead us toward each of these paths, one path calls to us more profoundly. Start by taking the quiz to find your dharma, or purpose in life, and start living your life with meaning right now.