Ripon Public Library

A fool's guide to actual happiness, Mark Van Buren

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 227-229) and index

index present

non fiction

A fool's guide to actual happiness

bibliography

1006811167

Mark Van Buren

"Let's face it: we all have a motivating drive to become better. What we have and who we are never seem to be good enough. This feeling that something is wrong or needs to be fixed causes us to continuously run around, chasing after what we feel will finally fulfill us. But what if these very conditions that we are constantly trying to escape from could be used as a way to awaken ourselves-- to connect with the peace already within us? A Fool's Guide to Actual Happiness offers a realistic roadmap for working towards inner peace without needing to be someone you're not. With humor and refreshing simplicity, Van Buren shows how everything life throws at you, good or bad, can be used as a means to cultivate compassion, wisdom, and loving-kindness. This book allows you to explore who you are-- warts and all-- and gives you tools to love and accept what you find"--Page 4 of cover

Section I: Concepts & beliefs. Self-help or self-hate? ; Is happiness really a warm puppy ; The present moment ; The three marks of existence ; How to use suffering to cultivate compassion ; Karma ; Two aspects of mind -- Section II: Applications & practices. Mindfulness ; Meditation ; Just say yes ; Shenpa ; The two wings of meditation practice ; Compassion ; Forgiveness -- Section III: Putting it all together. Inspiration : the key to peace ; Going deeper ; Don't drink the Kool-Aid! ; Your feelings matter ; You are not alone ; Life as a path to awakening ; Fearlessness ; A good sense of humor ; Honesty & gentleness ; Two sides, same coin ; Clarity, not perfection