After
first reading Salzberg’s Lovingkindness, I thought it was okay—another
decent spiritual book. However, after working with the ideas and techniques for
many years, it has become one of my favourites. Again and again, I return to
her practical advice and insights that have emerged over decades of study,
meditation and teaching. Lovingkindness is an exploration of love,
compassion, joy, and equanimity, and how to actually cultivate these in your
own mind and heart. The instructions are impeccable. Highly recommended to just
about anyone.
A few
years ago, Sharon released Real Happiness, a simple introduction to the
nuts and bolts of meditation. It is intended for beginners, a general audience,
and is decidedly humanist. Real Happiness is laid out as a 28 day
program which you can follow or not, and includes plenty of FAQs, scientific
evidence, and a CD with guided meditations. In my opinion, this book covers all
of the essentials required for a personal practice at home. Strongly
recommended to any beginner whether you are an atheist, religious or Buddhist.
Finally
after years of research, Sharon’s Real Happiness at Work: Meditations for
Accomplishment, Achievement and Peace was published this March. Here
she takes on the often formidable obstacles to being happy at work
multi-tasking, distraction, conflict, compassion for self and colleagues,
integrity, meaning and balance. With rising work demands, job insecurity and
burnout on the rise, it is becoming critical for almost everyone to change
their relationship to work.
I hope
you can join us in June, and listen to one of North America’s leading
meditation teachers! Salzberg rarely makes Canadian appearances, so get your
tickets soon!
--Ken
The
Bookshelf presents Sharon Salzberg at St. Georges Church, Saturday June 7at 1pm. Tickets are $10 and
available in the bookstore.
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