What do modern disciplines like biology, psychology, and the study of culture contribute to the understanding and practice of a classical meditation like Vipassana? Following the encouragement given to him by the Vipassana teacher, S.N. Goenka, to explain this ancient tradition to contemporary audiences, Dr. Paul R. Fleischman unites science and spirituality, technical language and poetry, logic and intuition in a manner that is as virtuosic as it is understandable. The Power of Small Changes is a collection of decades of public talks and university lectures that speak to readers who have no previous knowledge of Vipassana, as well as to experienced practitioners, using down to earth explanations reinforced by academic knowledge and rigor. While many of the chapters in this book have previously been shared online in various formats, the present collection features newly revised and expanded content, focusing on practical issues like how to maintain daily meditation practice, coming to grips with the monkey mind, understanding the evolutionary biology that meditation utilizes, appreciating the role of teachers, community, and tradition; and preserving its nonsectarianism. The importance of a spiritual, rather than a financial basis for Vipassana, as well as the historical role of the Buddha are also clarified. A uniquely valuable chapter discusses the safety of Vipassana, explaining its contributions and limitations.

Poems of a High School Student and later as a young sailor. True stories and opinions as an older man.

In a disaster, having food isn’t enough—you also have to know what to do with it. Deborah D. Moore has been a Prepper for most of her life, long before the term was popular. She believes in being prepared to winter in during the long cold months that she has to endure in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. An entire room of her small home is devoted to food and supply storage. Since her house is small it’s easy to heat with the wood cook stove that, at the same time, gives her a means of cooking and baking her food supplies. Featuring over 100 receipes, author Deborah D. Moore will take you on a fun, step-by-step journey to recreate the same meals she makes every day on her wood stove—using only what she has stored in her pantry.

It's not for me to say exactly how bad or good this poetry is, that of course would be pretentious. I have to say and must say, however that I feel this is at least very authentic verse. Almost all it rhymes, yet, I like to think it has a voice and attempts a kind of mellifluous flow, if you will {if you will} It's been very painful over the years, to witness insincere pseudo poetry sometimes thrive because of its author's name recognition while someone like myself with no public saliency is ignored by so called traditional publishers. Therefore, I'm giving it one shot with AuthorHouse and will, if not successful, go back to being merely a pauper, a peasant, a pawn and a poker player! In the opening poem, "The Vicissitude of the Storm," the gossamer threads represent spider webs blowing in the wind. If I've ever accidentally written a perfect poem, that would be "The Season", in this column. It's not a very long poem but the alliteration, I like to think creates an astonishingly nuanced yet bent throbbing winter romance scene. In, "A Stone in a Pond", I try to convey the sadness I feel of how a bay is often adored by people standing near it who see it through their egos. But when it becomes less amorphous, grows into something g possibly wonderful yet different then them; if is scorned for not meeting their specific expectations. I haven't written any more poetry for many many years because of becoming weary of fighting unreceptive publishers. Yet, I've read and adored many sincere poets like Poe and Kents. The movie "Bright Star" about John Kents and his love interest touched me deeply. And ii like to think, I too, have a little something to say...

Positive discipline techniques. Humorous ways toget your point across without acting authoritarian. Creative parenting skills. Disciplining in ways that will inspire your children to be your friends once they get to be adults. Creative ways to gain and maintaincontrol in your family. Logic is not the key to successful discipline; love and consistency are. Ways to protect your empty nest from returning adult children.