{"product_id":"an-openhearted-life-isbn-9781611802115","title":"An Open-Hearted Life","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA  beloved Buddhist teacher and a psychologist specializing in  Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) provide practical methods for living a  life filled with compassion.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e      A life  overflowing with compassion. It sounds wonderful in theory, but how do  you do it? This guide provides  practical methods to living with this  wonderful quality, based on traditional Buddhist teachings and on  methods from modern psychology--particularly a technique called  Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). The methods presented by the two  authors--a psychotherapist and a Tibetan Buddhist nun--turn out to have a  good deal in common. In fact, they complement each other in wonderful  ways. Each of the 64 short chapters ends with a reflection or exercise  for putting compassion into practice in various life situations.\"A collection of reflections on the practice of compassion in everyday life that provides a recipe for a deeper life and a better world. It is written with minds and hearts wide open.\"―Daniel Gilbert, Harvard University, author of \u003ci\u003eStumbling on Happiness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"\u003ci\u003eAn Open-Hearted Life\u003c\/i\u003e offers a powerful synergy of wisdom and practical  instruction drawn from Russell Kolts' deep experience with Compassion  Focused Therapy and from Ven. Thubten Chodron's lifetime committed to  Tibetan Buddhist practice.\"―Sharon Salzberg, author of \u003ci\u003eReal Happiness\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLovingkindness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This wonderful book is easy and enjoyable to read, consisting of deep insights into the meaning of compassion and straightforward practices designed to help cultivate an open heart.”―Kristin Neff, PhD, Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Texas at Austin \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"With beautifully clear language and examples, the authors show how to make compassion an easy and central part of our lives. Allow this book to work on you, reading it slowly and gently practicing what you learn. It will heal your heart.\"―Christopher Germer, PhD, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Mindful Path to Self-Compassion\u003c\/i\u003e and clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Bringing Buddhist teachings into partnership with the techniques and insights of contemporary psychotherapy, the authors offer valuable guidelines to living a life with a truly open heart.\"―Thupten Jinpa, PhD, author of \u003ci\u003eEssential Mind Training\u003c\/i\u003eRUSSEL KOLTS, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, a professor at Eastern Washington University, and the founder of the Inland Northwest Compassionate Mind Center. He regularly conducts trainings and workshops on Compassion-Focused Therapy. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Compassionate Mind Approach to Managing Your Anger Using Compassion-Focused Therapy\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTHUBTEN CHODRON, an American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun, is the founder and abbess of Svastri Abbey in Newport, Washington. She teaches and leads retreats throughout the world. She is the author of numerous books, including \u003ci\u003eBuddhism for Beginners\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eOpen Heart, Clear Mind\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eDon’t Believe Everything You Think\u003c\/i\u003e.4 : Genuine Compassion\u003cbr\u003eCompassion is a quality of mind that can be deliberately cultivated. Unlike mental states that are caused by distorted perceptions and misconceptions, such as anger and greed, compassion is developed with a more rational state of mind that does not exaggerate either the positive or negative aspects of a person, object, idea or situation. Moreover, compassion influences our other thoughts and emotions. Anger, jealousy and contempt can be eliminated through compassion, while mind-states such as love can be purposefully cultivated and deepened.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompassion is not like a well that will one day run dry. Rather, the more we open our hearts with compassion, the more compassion increases. It is not the case that if we have compassion for one group, there won’t be enough to share with another group. Compassion spreads; the more there is, the more there will be.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompassion is an internal attitude that may manifest in our behavior. However, compassion is not the behavior itself, for one behavior can be done with different motivations. For example, we may take care of a sick relative because we have genuine affection for him. Conversely, we may care for him because we want to inherit his estate. The action is the same, but the motivations differ. The first motivation is prompted by genuine compassion, the second by self-concern.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eActing with compassion entails being creative and knowing that one behavior is not suitable for all occasions. In some circumstances, we may be compassionate by sharing our possessions; while in others, we may show it by saying, “no’. In this way, compassion must be combined with good judgement to be effective.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eREFLECTION\u003cbr\u003eCompassionate Intention\u003cbr\u003eAs you go through the day, try to be creative in bringing a compassionate intention to the situations you face. For example, when washing dishes, consider that you are doing so that others may eat without contracting disease. When interacting with others, do so with the intention to make their day a bit brighter. Pick a few situations you regularly encounter during the day, and experiment with how you could bring a compassionate intention to the situation and see how it affects your experience of the situation.Includes techniques of Compassion-Focused Therapy","brand":"Shambhala","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46301609033957,"sku":"NP9781611802115","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781611802115.jpg?v=1767721526","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/an-openhearted-life-isbn-9781611802115","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}