This briefs on human suffering adds to human understanding of suffering by contextualizing both stories and statistics on suffering, while showing that suffering adds a useful perspective to contemporary thought and research on quality of life, social well-being, and measures of societal progress. The scholarship on suffering is made more comprehensible in the book by using nine different conceptual frames that have been used for making sense of suffering. The primary focus of this work is with the last frame, the quality of life frame. Overall, this chapters show how the research on quality of life and well-being can be enhanced by embracing human suffering. ​

Richard Rohr, internationally known retreat leader, speaker and writer, plumbs the depths of the Job's story and its relevance for us today. Rohr strips Christian faith down to the essentials, beyond glib answers and a "hand-me-down" experience of God, and points the way to true knowing. In this invigorating exploration, the tension between suffering and faith becomes a powerful means to an authentic, open connection with the divine.

The author has collected and shaped interviews into a book of true stories of the stunning journeys that ordinary people have made from pain to redemption. Unwasted Pain, the subtitle of the book, refers to the process of facing and distilling pain from such difficulties as abuse, hatred, crime, war and evil--and finding more peace and equilibrium (sometimes more than there was before). Besides the twenty-one stories that comprise the chapters of this book, Mary Ciofalo has also written four essays and an introduction that include more vignettes of redemption stories along with her observations about the nature and activation of redemption. She tells us what she has gleaned while compiling this book. She also includes the view of an Advaitan Swami and an Episcopalian minister, as well as those of a former warden of San Quentin Prison. This book is inspirational; and it has the potential to expand one's thinking to include the possibility of redemption to both the harmed and the harmer--in situations where one might not even conceive of mercy or forgiveness or the possibility of redemtption.

Educator and teacher wellness is a personal journey. And like all journeys, there are starts, stops, and bumps in the road. The question becomes, how do we bring our best selves to our students and colleagues each day? Designed as a reflective journal and guidebook, Educator Wellness by Timothy D. Kanold and Tina H. Boogren will take you on a deep exploration where you will uncover profound answers that ring true for you. Rely on this book of ideas for self-care for educators and develop ongoing habits for wellness: Use this resource on your own or as a book study to guide staff through a reflective, goal-setting process. Observe the importance of self-care for teachers and other educators and how a commitment to daily self-care and well-being leads to a more fulfilling, successful life in and outside of the school setting. Review the four dimensions of educator self-care and wellness--(1) physical, (2) mental, (3) emotional, and (4) social--and 12 corresponding routines. Explore self-care activities for teachers and educators to sustain well-being in the face of workplace overload and potential burnout. Use the My Wellness Action journaling spaces designed to encourage thoughtful reflection to wellness and self-care plans for teachers and educators. Learn how to monitor your self-care progress and design an actionable wellness plan for next steps. View videos that highlight the authors' personal experiences with the four dimensions of educator or teacher well-being. Access the Educator Wellness--Rating, Reflecting, Planning, and Goal-Setting protocol. Contents: About the Authors Introduction Chapter 1: The Physical Wellness Dimension Chapter 2: The Mental Wellness Dimension Chapter 3: The Emotional Wellness Dimension Chapter 4: The Social Wellness Dimension

Haunting us with such unforgettable stories as The Shining, The Shawshank Redemption, Salem’s Lot, Carrie, The Green Mile, and Pet Sematary, Stephen King has been an anchor of American horror, science fiction, psychological thrillers, and suspense for more than forty years. His characters have brought chills to our spines and challenged our notions of reality while leaving us in awe of the perseverance of the human spirit. The first book in the new Great Authors and Philosophy series, Stephen King and Philosophy reveals some of the deeper issues raised by King’s work. From retribution, freedom, and moral relativity, to death and insanity, the chapters of this book expose how King’s stories access the questions and fears that haunt each of us in the middle of the night.

Supporting yoga therapists to create a programme of care for those living with chronic pain, this guide brings pain science, creativity and yoga together for the first time. It includes the emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual in its definition of pain and acknowledges there that is no simple physical 'fix'. The book offers advice on creating an environment that restores hope and meaning to clients, and on building a successful business by creating a community of support. Matt Taylor's blend of creativity and yoga came from his own chronic spine pain as a physical therapist and his discovery of yoga therapy which led to his yoga-based rehabilitation clinic.

Foreword by Parker Palmer * How can educators and parents of diverse backgrounds come together to find ways to invite soul into schools? * How do educators address "soul" in education without violating the separation of church and state or the deeply held beliefs of families and students? In this book, Rachael Kessler shows how. Based on the deeply moving stories and profound questions of students themselves, each chapter responds to the yearnings young people express: Deep Connection, Meaning and Purpose, Silence, Joy, Creativity, Transcendence, and Initiation--each evokes a gateway to inviting soul into the classroom. Without healthy forums led by responsible adults, young people seek these gateways on their own, sometimes in destructive ways like drugs, sex, suicide, hazing, and even murder. Helping students find constructive ways to express their longings increases their motivation to learn; stay in school; strengthen ties to family and friends; and approach adult life with vitality, character, and vision. This practical and inspirational sourcebook will support school communities that are committed to preventing violence and alienation and producing responsible, caring citizens. Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book.