Buddhism is deeply attractive to many in the West. Its ideals of serenity and compassion seem to supply a dimension of personal spirituality that they don't find in their own traditions. For those raised in the Christian Church, Buddhism can appear to exemplify the best in their own religion--qualities such as peacefulness, simplicity, and reverence for life--while dispensing with rigid doctrines and legalistic morality. Indeed, the number of Christian converts to Buddhism--especially in the United States--has grown exponentially over the years. At the same time, Buddhists and Christians, recognizing the affinities of the two faiths, have increasingly sought to advance an inter-religious dialogue. In Serene Compassion, John and Denise Carmody provide an accessible overview and evaluation of Buddhist thought and practice from a Christian point of view. They find that Buddhism is, in many ways, an ideal complement and companion to Christianity. To show why, the Carmodys focus on Buddhist ideas about holiness--comprising such virtues as purity, devotion, orderliness, compassion, and wholeheartedness--and reveal how they compare to similar values in traditional Christianity. They emphasize the kinship between seekers of holiness in both traditions, and offer a nuanced and sympathetic portrait of meditative practices that bring attention and imagination into the service of spiritual life. At the same time, however, they are frank about matters of doctrinal disagreement, making it clear that some aspects of Buddhist thought are not compatible with a Christian world view. Moving well beyond a simple exposition of Buddhist notions, or a comparison of Christian with Buddhist practice, Serene Compassion concludes that Buddhists and Christians share a basic humanity, and that Buddhism's success at the task of nourishing this humanity has much to teach all Christians. Informative and insightful, it will appeal to readers approaching the dialogue from either side, and to all engaged in the spiritual quest.

In the era of COVID-19, many people have suffered high levels of stress and mental health problems. To cope with the widespread of suffering (physical, psychological, social, and economical) the positive psychology of personal happiness is no longer the sole approach to examine personal wellbeing. Other approaches such as Viktor Frankl’s theory of self-transcendence provide a promising framework for research and intervention on how to achieve resilience, wellbeing, and happiness through overcoming suffering and self-transcendence. The existential positive psychology of suffering complements the positive psychology of happiness, which is championed by Martin Seligman, as two equal halves of the circle of wellbeing and optimal mental health. This Research Topic aims to examine the different approaches to Positive Psychology and their influence on individual wellbeing during the COVID-19 era. One of the exciting development in the positive psychology of wellbeing is the mounting research on the adaptive benefits of negative emotions, such as shame, guilt, and anger, as well as the dialectical process of balancing negative and positive emotions. As an example, based on all the empirical research and Frankl’s self-transcendence model, Wong has developed the existential positive psychology of suffering (PP2.0) as the foundation for flourishing. Here are a few main tenets of PP2.0: (1) Life is suffering and a constant struggle throughout every stage of development, (2) The search for self-transcendence is a primary motive guided by the meaning mindset and mindful mindset. (3) Wellbeing cannot be sustainable without overcoming and transforming suffering. In this Research Topic we welcome diverse approaches discussing the following points: • The dialectic process of overcoming the challenges of every stage of development as necessary for personal growth and self-transcendence; • The role of self-transcendence in resilience, virtue, meaning, and happiness; • The upside of negative emotions; • The new science of resilience based on cultivating the resilient mindset and character; • How to make the best use of suffering to achieve out potentials & mental health.

**Calm and Clear Your Ultimate Guide to Meditation for Health and Wellbeing** Unlock the transformative power of meditation with "Calm and Clear," the ultimate guide for anyone seeking to enhance their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, this comprehensive eBook provides practical and accessible techniques that can be seamlessly integrated into your daily life. Beginning with an insightful introduction to the fundamentals of meditation, "Calm and Clear" explores the rich historical roots and profound health benefits that make this practice essential for contemporary life. Dive deep into the science behind meditation to discover how it changes your brain, impacts your nervous system, and even benefits your hormonal balance. Prepare yourself for successful meditation sessions with expert advice on creating a calm environment, choosing the perfect time, and setting achievable goals. From there, immerse yourself in both basic and advanced techniques, from mindfulness and guided meditation to body scan and transcendental meditation. Discover how meditation can be your ally in managing physical ailments such as chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and immune function. Unravel the secrets of reducing stress and anxiety while enhancing cognitive function and emotional intelligence. The chapters dedicated to emotional balance will teach you how to cope with depression, grief and cultivate positive emotions effectively. Integrate meditation effortlessly into your hectic schedule with practical tips on short sessions, mindful eating, and meditative movement. Face and conquer common challenges like mental distractions and physical discomfort to ensure you stay motivated on your meditation journey. Additionally, explore the synergy of meditation with physical exercises like yoga, tai chi, and even running. Learn specialized techniques for addressing specific health conditions like hypertension, digestive issues, and heart health. Leverage modern technology with apps, wearable devices, and online resources to support your practice. "Calm and Clear" also includes a dedicated section for children and teens, ensuring young minds can benefit from improved cognitive and emotional development. Personalize your meditation practice to meet your unique needs and track your progress over time for continuous growth. Finally, create a sustainable, long-term meditation routine that promotes lifelong learning and allows you to share your practice with others. Embark on your journey towards a calmer, clearer, and healthier life today with "Calm and Clear."

Many Christians feel broken and angry but don’t think they can express these real feelings around others—or to God. So we put on a mask to hide our identity. Feelings of embarrassment and shame make us hide from the One who truly loves us. Author Brennan Manning encourages you to let go of this stressful, unreal impostor lifestyle and freely accept your identity as a child of God. Find the rest that you long for as you grow in character and accept His lordship. Includes discussion questions.

All human beings have spontaneous needs for happiness, self-understanding, and love. In Feeling Good: The Science of Well Being, psychiatrist Robert Cloninger describes a way to coherent living that satisfies these strong basic needs through growth in the uniquely human gift of self-awareness. The scientific findings that led Dr. Cloninger to expand his own views in a stepwise manner during 30 years of research and clinical experience are clearly presented so that readers can consider the validity of his viewpoint for themselves. The principles of well-being are based on a non-reductive scientific paradigm that integrates findings from all the biomedical and psychosocial sciences. Reliable methods are described for measuring human thought and social relationships at each step along the path of self-aware consciousness. Practical mental exercises for stimulating the growth of self-awareness are also provided. The methods are supported by data from brain imaging, genetics of personality, and longitudinal biopsychosocial studies. Feeling Good: The Science of Well-Being will be of value to anyone involved in the sciences of the mind or the treatment of mental disorders. It will also interest theologians, philosophers, social scientists, and lay readers because it provides contemporary scientific concepts and language for addressing the perennial human questions about being, knowledge, and conduct.

Unlock the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation with "Serene Focus: Embracing Mindfulness and Meditation." This comprehensive guide is your key to an enlightening journey into the heart of these timeless practices. It offers not just practical techniques, but also profound insights to help you cultivate a life of peace, clarity, and well-being. With this book, you can rest assured that you're well-informed and equipped to embrace mindfulness and meditation. Amidst the constant noise and stress of our world, finding moments of tranquility can seem like an impossible task. However, with the guidance of "Serene Focus," you can navigate this chaos and find your inner sanctuary. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, this book offers valuable knowledge and practical advice to deepen your practice and bring relief from stress and anxiety into your daily life. What You Will Find in This Book: Mindfulness Fundamentals: Understand the core principles of mindfulness and how it differs from meditation. Meditation Techniques: Explore a variety of meditation styles, including Zen, Vipassana, and guided meditations. Benefits of Practice: Discover mindfulness and meditation's physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Creating a Meditation Space: Learn how to set up a serene environment for your practice. Daily Integration: Practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into everyday activities like eating, walking, and working. Mental Health: Techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and depression through mindfulness. Advanced Practices: Guidance on deepening your practice with silent retreats, group meditations, and more. Mindfulness in Society: The impact of mindfulness on education, corporate culture, and social justice. Sustaining Your Practice: Strategies for maintaining consistency and overcoming common obstacles. Embark on self-discovery and inner peace with "Serene Focus: Embracing Mindfulness and Meditation." This book is your companion for a mindful life, offering wisdom and guidance to help you navigate the complexities of modern living with grace and serenity. Transform your life, one mindful moment at a time.

The Sanskrit narrative text Devī Māhātmya, “The Greatness of The Goddess,” extols the triumphs of an all-powerful Goddess, Durgā, over universe-imperiling demons. These exploits are embedded in an intriguing frame narrative: a deposed king solicits the counsel of a forest-dwelling ascetic, who narrates the tripartite acts of Durgā which comprise the main body of the text. It is a centrally important early text about the Great Goddess, which has significance to the broader field of Purāṇic Studies. This book analyzes the Devī Māhātmya and argues that its frame narrative cleverly engages a dichotomy at the heart of Hinduism: the opposing ideals of asceticism and kingship. These ideals comprise two strands of what is referred to herein as the dharmic double helix. It decodes the symbolism of encounters between forest hermits and exiled kings through the lens of the dharmic double helix, demonstrating the extent to which this common narrative trope masterfully encodes the ambivalence of brāhmaṇic ideology. Engaging the tension between the moral necessity for nonviolence and the sociopolitical necessity for violence, the book deconstructs the ideological ambivalence throughout the Devī Māhātmya to demonstrate that its frame narrative invariably sheds light on its core content. Its very structure serves to emphasize a theme that prevails throughout the text, one inalienable to the rubric of the episodes themselves: sovereignty on both cosmic and mundane scales. The book sheds new light on the content of the Devī Māhātmya and contextualizes it within the framework of important debates within early Hinduism. It will be of interest to academics in the fields of Asian Religion, Hindu Studies, Goddess Studies, South Asian Studies, Narrative Studies and comparative literature.

In Volume Two/2 catholic theology treats some of the great Western attempts at reflecting on the nature of God; it also takes on modern Western religiosity, both as it professes belief in God and as it has settled for various forms of atheism. But more importantly, the book discovers and rediscovers the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of Moses and the prophets the God of Jesus Christ. Frans Jozef van Beeck, born in the Netherlands in1930, a Jesuit since 1948, and a priest since 1963, has lived and learned (and taught) in the United States since 1968. He is a senior professor of theology at Loyola University, Chicago.

New York Post Best Book of 2016 We often think of our capacity to experience the suffering of others as the ultimate source of goodness. Many of our wisest policy-makers, activists, scientists, and philosophers agree that the only problem with empathy is that we don’t have enough of it. Nothing could be farther from the truth, argues Yale researcher Paul Bloom. In AGAINST EMPATHY, Bloom reveals empathy to be one of the leading motivators of inequality and immorality in society. Far from helping us to improve the lives of others, empathy is a capricious and irrational emotion that appeals to our narrow prejudices. It muddles our judgment and, ironically, often leads to cruelty. We are at our best when we are smart enough not to rely on it, but to draw instead upon a more distanced compassion. Basing his argument on groundbreaking scientific findings, Bloom makes the case that some of the worst decisions made by individuals and nations—who to give money to, when to go to war, how to respond to climate change, and who to imprison—are too often motivated by honest, yet misplaced, emotions. With precision and wit, he demonstrates how empathy distorts our judgment in every aspect of our lives, from philanthropy and charity to the justice system; from medical care and education to parenting and marriage. Without empathy, Bloom insists, our decisions would be clearer, fairer, and—yes—ultimately more moral. Brilliantly argued, urgent and humane, AGAINST EMPATHY shows us that, when it comes to both major policy decisions and the choices we make in our everyday lives, limiting our impulse toward empathy is often the most compassionate choice we can make.

"200 Zen Stories: Cultivating Positivity and Inner Peace" takes you on a journey to explore the timeless wisdom of Zen stories. These captivating stories will empower the readers with essential life skills while instilling a sense of joy, mindfulness, and compassion. This book will help children to: - Unlock a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them - Develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and empathy - Cultivate an awareness of the present moment and embrace their emotions with acceptance - Find calm amidst the storms of life - Greater sense of positivity, compassion, and wonder as they navigate the wondrous tapestry of life This book contains 200 captivating Zen stories that will engage young minds, inspire them to reflect on deeper truths, and open doors to profound insights. With simple yet profound narratives, these stories offer invaluable teachings on the nature of existence, the human mind, and the pursuit of inner peace. Embark on this adventure to explore the timeless wisdom of Zen stories!