The Lotus Prayer Book is an inspiring collection of sacred prayers from various faiths and traditions, gathered together as a testimony to the central teaching of Sri Swami Satchidananda that Truth is One, Paths are Many.

Why do present day women take an interest in a “middle age” religion? Buddhism like Christianity was founded by a male teacher and was organised, transmitted and interpreted by men. This book is “a protocol of an encounter”. A contemporary woman has read the teachings of the Buddha “against the grain” and has found some first answers and many more questions. In order for a religion to stay “alive” it has to be rediscovered by every generation anew. Just to follow tradition is not enough. Whenever women take interest in a traditional religion – be it Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism or Islam – they are given a double task: We are looking for a contemporary expression of an old teaching. Many contemporary male Buddhists from the West and some from Asia are working on this task. Women have to read patriarchal teachings critically “with the eyes of a woman”. The Heart of the Lotus presents central teachings of Buddhism and describes traps we fall into, if we don not consider our cultural background and our biological sex and social gender. It takes up typical questions women are asking and presents first results: concepts and exercices which can support contemporary women (and men) on their path to inner and outer freedom.

The Lotus Sutra has been regarded for centuries as one of the most important teachings in Mahayana Buddhism. This book goes beyond theory to show how to bring these teachings into practice in daily life. Containing profound truths for all people from every culture, it reveals the secret for attaining happiness for both oneself and others through the process of self-reformation. Based on the teachings of Nichiren, a 13th-century Buddhist teacher and reformer, the scriptures of the Lotus Sutra show how every person can attain Buddhahood.

Here are three-hundred and sixty-six meditations-one for each day of the year-each from the heart of a spiritually oriented philosopher from Plato to Emerson to Sri Aurobindo to a host of theosophical students and scholars. Inside of this miniature Quest book is a complete philosophy for living; quiet, short, engaging thoughts, each alive with the spirit of being. In truth this is not a book to be studied. It is a book to be carried in the pocket or purse. It is a book to be treasured.

Also available in softcover: http://www.blurb.com/b/7454421-quiet-lotus-heart-seeds-softcoverA book of contemplative writings, Quiet Lotus Heart Seeds is a collection of poetry and short prose, regularly published online through the meditation teaching site Quiet Lotus, written by its founder and author Anna Zieo to inspire and nurture others on their own inner journey of contemplation and meditation.Universal in their themes, the Heart Seeds centre on peace, love, and joy, reminding us to stay present in each moment, to embrace life wholly with gentle acceptance and mindful grace while unfolding in our truth.Each piece of writing is printed single-sided, the facing pages printed with a simple lotus pattern to allow the reader space for their own contemplation, meditation, and inspiration.A warm hand to hold on a sometimes solitary path, Quiet Lotus Heart Seeds is a companion to keep near on the road less traveled, on the journey to ourselves.

The secret to happiness is to acknowledge and transform suffering, not to run away from it. Here, Thich Nhat Hanh offers practices and inspiration transforming suffering and finding true joy. Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we’re able to face our suffering, we can’t be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us. Nhat Hanh shares how the practices of stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration can generate the energy of mindfulness within our daily lives. With that energy, we can embrace pain and calm it down, instantly bringing a measure of freedom and a clearer mind. No Mud, No Lotus introduces ways to be in touch with suffering without being overwhelmed by it. "When we know how to suffer," Nhat Hanh says, "we suffer much, much less." With his signature clarity and sense of joy, Thich Nhat Hanh helps us recognize the wonders inside us and around us that we tend to take for granted and teaches us the art of happiness.