This book is a sophisticated but accessible introduction to Buddhism, as well as an in-depth study of Buddhism in the Samurai period. Hochswender again focuses on the philosophy of Nichiren and applies its principles to everyday issues ranging from health to careers to family problems.

While the notion that “happiness can found within oneself” has recently become popular, Buddhism has taught for thousands of years that every person is a Buddha, or enlightened being, and has the potential for true and lasting happiness. Through real-life examples, the authors explain how adopting this outlook has positive effects on one's health, relationships, and career, and gives new insights into world environmental concerns, peace issues, and other major social problems.

Lama Surya Das, the most highly trained American lama in the Tibetan tradition, presents the definitive book on Western Buddhism for the modern-day spiritual seeker. The radical and compelling message of Buddhism tells us that each of us has the wisdom, awareness, love, and power of the Buddha within; yet most of us are too often like sleeping Buddhas. In Awakening the Buddha Within, Surya Das shows how we can awaken to who we really are in order to lead a more compassionate, enlightened, and balanced life. It illuminates the guidelines and key principles embodied in the noble Eight-Fold Path and the traditional Three Enlightenment Trainings common to all schools of Buddhism: Wisdom Training: Developing clear vision, insight, and inner understanding—seeing reality and ourselves as we really are. Ethics Training: Cultivating virtue, self-discipline, and compassion in what we say and do. Meditation Training: Practicing mindfulness, concentration, and awareness of the present moment. With lively stories, meditations, and spiritual practices, Awakening the Buddha Within is an invaluable text for the novice and experienced student of Buddhism alike.

Learn to heal your heart and soul through Buddhism Discover a greater sense of peace, strength, and happiness through the healing possibilities of Buddhism. Filled with straightforward guidance and simple explanations of Buddhist beliefs and concepts, Buddhism for Healing teaches you accessible and effective ways to heal from stress, anxiety, and deeper feelings of loss. Beginning with fundamental Buddhism traditions and progressing to step-by-step meditations, rituals, mantras, and prayers, this beginner-friendly guide provides you with everything you need to start healing. Whether you're easing stress through easy yoga poses or achieving calm in the moment with mindfulness, you will find ways to achieve a greater sense of peace and serenity no matter what challenges you face now or in the future. Buddhism for Healing features: Healing meditations—Learn how meditation can help you better understand yourself and foster a healing mindset as you come to know your vulnerabilities and your strengths. Beginner-friend guidance—Whether you're familiar with Buddhism or just curious, you'll discover explanations and ways to encourage healing that are easy-to-understand and implement. A focused approach—Explore chapters dedicated to helping address specific concerns, like healing from grief, becoming more contented, and fostering compassion for yourself and others. A true feeling of peace is achievable—let Buddhism for Healing show you the way.

“A diverse and edifying collection of practices to use in annoying and difficult circumstances” from the author of What Would Buddha Do? (Spirituality & Practice). Written for spiritual seekers who deal with unenlightened coworkers and inconsiderate bank tellers more often than Zen masters and Tibetan monks, this book demonstrates the practical side of Buddhism. Author Franz Metcalf shows how to weave simple vows, quick rethinks, instant relaxations, fast visualizations, and many other stripped-down Buddhist practices into every area of life. Individually, Metcalf’s techniques work as quick fixes for specific dilemmas, but woven together, they gradually strengthen one’s spiritual base when one day a habitual way of being has been quietly transformed. While not written to impress pure Buddhists, this book takes Buddhism seriously. Approachable sections on Buddhism’s rich tradition and a sprinkling of quotes from ancient scripture and contemporary teachers connect the book’s practices to the deeper wisdom underlying them. Always, Just Add Buddha! remains squarely focused on daily life, drawing out the most practical aspects of Buddhism.

Storytelling is one of the most ancient Buddhist traditions, and, in fact, many of the most revered Buddhist sutras are collections of stories. Where is Your Buddha Nature? is too. Collected in its pages are stories that teach, encourage, guide, inspire, and, not least of all, amuse. Related with warmth and wisdom, these stories harken back to the essence of Buddhism, while at the same time, remaining contemporary and immediate, filled with the hum of the modern world and the real situations, conflicts, and opportunities Buddhists face within it. These accessible and appealing tales and anecdotes are also a perfect and painless introduction to modern Buddhist belief and practice.

After unknowingly befriending a serial killer, a man embarks upon a gruesome adventure that leads him to meeting an otherworldly businessman who offers him the opportunity to expand his dark horizons in an act of terrorism.

Crack-dealers known as "Clockers" are at the bottom of the drug-dealing ladder, and they must commit murder to rise higher.

Much has changed since Camille Paglia first burst onto the scene with her groundbreaking Sexual Personae, but the laser-sharp insights of this major American thinker continue to be ahead of the curve—not only capturing the tone of the moment but also often anticipating it. Opening with a blazing manifesto of an introduction in which Paglia outlines the bedrock beliefs that inform her writing—freedom of speech, the necessity of fearless inquiry, and a deep respect for all art, both erudite and popular—Provocations gathers together a rich, varied body of work spanning twenty-five years, illuminating everything from the Odyssey to the Oscars, from punk rock to presidents past and present. Whatever your political inclination or literary and artistic touchstones, Paglia’s takes are compulsively readable, thought provoking, galvanizing, and an essential part of our cultural dialogue, invariably giving voice to what most needs to be said.

Life-Changing Journey... but this is NOT a typical blah-blah-blah memoir Planning is for sissies. A solo bike ride across the country will be filled with sunshine, lollipops, rainbows, and 80 degree temps every day, right? Not so much. The Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, an alkaline desert, and the Sierra Nevadas lay miles and days ahead. Disappointment with unrealized potential, and the thirst for what's next drew farther away in the rotating wide-angle shockproof convex rear-view mirror. I will ride my bike down a never-ending ribbon of asphalt wearing a backpack. Cory Mortensen began his bike ride across the United States from Chaska, Minnesota, to Truckee, California, without a route, a timeline, or proper equipment. Along the way, he gained more than technical skills required for a ride that would test every fiber of his physical being and mental toughness. Ride along as he meets "unusual" characters, dangerous animals, and sweet little old ladies with a serious vendetta for strangers in their town. Humor ■ Insight ■ Adventure ■ Gratitude ■ Peace From long stretches of road ending in a vanishing point at the distant horizon, to stunning vistas, terrifying close calls, grueling conditions, failed equipment, and joyous milestones he stayed the course and gained an appreciation for the beauty of the land, the genius of engineering and marvel of nature.