We live with minds as open and spacious as the deep blue sky. Living in Blue Sky Mind presents basic Buddhist teachings that keep us on the wholesome path of self-realization toward a happy life.Zen priest and teacher Richard Diedrichs offers simple lessons, anecdotes of personal transformation, and reflective questions to guide us along Buddha's enlightened way, such as -- "Buddha advised that we not speak with malice if we want to create connection and happiness around us;" -- "We learn that to be happy, we need to end our suffering and the suffering of those around us;" and -- "We are fortunate to have a way to be happy with what we have and with who we are."

Joseph Emet explores the intersection between Positive Psychology--the study of what makes people happy--and the ancient wisdom of Buddhism. Positive Psychology—with its focus not on mental "disease," but rather on what actually makes people happy—has revolutionized the way that we look at mental health. What many people don't realize, however, is that Positive Psychology is not as young a field of inquiry as we think. In fact, according to Joseph Emet, the original positive thinker was the Buddha himself. In this wise and inspiring book, Emet traces the fascinating intersection between the age-old wisdom of Buddhism and the latest scientific research into what makes people happy. In this book readers will discover: * How to replace negative thinking with positive thinking * How to move from frenzied thinking to quiet contemplation * The duty we have to others to live a happy life As Joseph explains in this work, the blue sky of happiness is found just beyond the grey clouds of sadness, everyday concerns, stress, or anxiety. Readers will find that the advice in this book can act as the gentle wind that clears those clouds away.

"Prayer of the Blue Skies" BY Gabriel Zeldis

Essays, poems, photographs, and letters explore the link between Buddhism and the Beats--with previously unpublished material from several beat writers, including Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gary Snyder, and Diane diPrima.

This acclaimed biography of the early teaching years of Rama ‐ Dr. Frederick Lenz (1950 ‐ 1998) highlights the new age spiritual renaissance of the 1970s and 80s and the founding of an original, deep‐rooted movement of American Buddhism. Readers take part in a free-spirited adventure as they witness a wild, sports jock teenager transform into an iconoclastic, innovative spiritual teacher. For Frederick Lenz, boundary breaking was de rigueur as witnessed and reported by the 100+ students and colleagues interviewed by author Liz Lewinson. Meditation, the empowerment of women, and Buddhist wisdom form the core of Dr. Lenz's teachings, which he shared and honed with boundless enthusiasm. He encountered opposition, of course, but he kept his priorities straight. When he visited Nepal at age 19, he encountered an aged monk who informed him he was a lineage bearer. He was to revive and re‐establish an ancient school of enlightenment. He was to find his many past life students and help them achieve joyous enlightenment in this life or at least set them securely on the path. He was to do this in the West, using Western means. In the East, centuries‐old traditions maintain meditative pathways to enlightenment. In the West, facing a blank canvas, Dr. Lenz found new ways to build mental and meditative prowess through careers such as computer science, visits to American "places of power," knowledge about real gender equilibrium (not monastic), movies, music, and dance. He taught these skills to American students and observed their success. Whether you are one of Rama's past life students (or not!), reading this fast-paced biography will bring you new realizations and freedom, and ground you in the tenets of American Buddhism. "This fascinating biography captures the wisdom of a genuine, compelling teacher who combined absolute miracles with humor, fun and adventure. When you read this fast-paced book, you feel you are there, learning and transforming. This is an original and exciting read." -- Lynn Andrews, Author of The Medicine Woman Series.

Discover the Secrets to Happiness and Well-Being The excitement you feel after hearing good news or achieving a goal is fleeting, but true happiness-that is, the warm feeling of deep contentment and joy-is lasting, and it can be yours in every moment. The Buddha's Way of Happiness is a guide to putting aside your anxieties about the future, regrets about the past, and constant longing to change your life for the better, and awakening to the joy of living. With this book as your guide, you'll identify the barriers to happiness you create in your own life and use the eightfold path of Buddhist psychology to improve your ability to appreciate the small, joyful moments that happen every day. These exercises, meditations, and concrete approaches to practicing happiness and well-being are drawn from mindfulness, "no self," and other ancient Buddhist insights, many of which have been proven effective by today's psychologists and researchers. With the knowledge that happiness is a habit you can adopt like any other, take the first step down this deeply fulfilling path on your life's journey.

In today’s Buddhist sphere, numerous claims have been made on what the Buddha has taught. However, were they truly spoken by the Buddha? The Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple series is an exploration of over 300 topics, where Venerable Master Hsing Yun clarifies the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern readers. Erroneous Buddhist views should be corrected, the true meaning of the Dharma must be preserved in order to hold true to the original intents of the Buddha. Starting with the question "Who am I?" Venerable Master explains what it means to be a true Buddhist practitioner by describing the roles and responsibilities of a Buddhist in upholding and passing down the legacy of the Buddha.