Contributors: Thich Nhat Hanh, Stephen Levine, Joanna Macy, Chogyam Trungpa, Allen Ginsberg, Frederick Franck, J. Krishnamurti, Natalie Goldberg, Jack Kornfield, Deena Metzger, Pema Chodron, John Welwood, Charlotte Joko Beck, Ram Dass
Spiritual practice and meditation are often thought of as being the province of priests, monks, and nuns -- those few individuals who have retired from the preoccupations of day-to-day life. This inspiring book reveals how the simple practice of mindfulness can be a magical and transformative part of anyone's daily life. Thirty-five wide-ranging essays written by well-known spiritual teachers, therapists, and creative artists show how learning to focus awareness can bring a new richness to ordinary activities; how mindfulness can heighten creative pursuits such as painting, journal writing, or playing music; how contemplative awareness enhances both physical and psychological well-being; and how meditation can contribute to better relationships with family, community, and the world at large.
Ordinary Magic, Edited by John Welwood, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 338 pages, $17.00
As a psychotherapist, teacher, and author, John Welwood has been a pioneer in integrating psychological and spiritual work. Welwood has published six books, including the best-selling Journey of the Heart (HarperCollins, 1990), as well as Challenge of the Heart (Shambhala, 1985), and Love and Awakening (HarperCollins, 1996). He is an associate editor of the Journal for Transpersonal Psychology. He leads workshops and trainings in psychospiritual work and conscious relationship throughout the world.
Table of Contents: Ordinary Magic Introduction xiii Part One: Everyday Meditation
Introduction 3
1. Sunshine and Green Leaves: Thich Nhat Hanh 9
2. Everyday Life as Practice: Karlfried Graf von D�rckheim 24
3. Earth and Space: Chogyam Trungpa 29
4. This Very Moment: Charlotte Joko Beck 33
5. Not Preferring Samsara or Nirvana: Pema Chodron 42
6. Seeing without the Observer: J. Krishnamurti 50
7. Are You Here?: A. H. Almaas 59 Part Two: Creativity, Work, and Fresh Perception
Introduction 69
8. The Way of Seeing: Frederick Franck 77
9. Writing Fearlessly: Natalie Goldberg 90
10. Meditation and Poetics: Allen Ginsberg 99
11. Just Being at the Piano: Mildred Chase 108
12. Coming Home to the Body: Denise Taylor 111
13. Zen Archery: Eugen Herrigel 115
14. The Art of Sword: Takuan Soho 129
15. Driving Meditation: Kevin Berger and Todd Berger 133
16. The Work of Craft: Carla Needleman 142
17. Working for a Living: Jean Martine 147 Part Three: Healing and Well-Being
Introduction 155
18. The Healing Power of Unconditional Presence: John Welwood 159
19. Touch and Go: Karen Kissel Wegela 171
20. The Listening Mind: Ram Dass and Paul Gorman 180
21. On Being Unable to Breathe: Stephen Butterfield 195
22. Conscious Eating: Marc David 207
23. Being with Anger: Stephen Levine 214 Part Four: Community
Introduction 225
24. Being Peace: Thich Nhat Hanh 235
25. Personal Disarmament: Deena Metzger 250
26. The Greening of the Self: Joanna Macy 262
27. The Path of Service: Jack Kornfield 274
28. Mindful Social Action: Ken Jones 284
29. The Power of Peace: Chagdud Tulku 291
30. Nowness and Enlightened Society: Chogyam Trungpa 293
31. Intimate Relationship as a Practice and a Path: John Welwood 298
32. Contemplation and Intimacy: Monica Furlong 308
33. Family Life and Spiritual Practice: Fran Tribe 314
34. Working with Dying People: Stephen Levine 319
35. Facing Death: Dainin Katagiri 325 Acknowledgments 331
About the Contributors 335
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