It's a Meaningful Life

It Just Takes Practice

Part of Compass

Author Bo Lozoff
Paperback
$24.00 US
On sale Mar 01, 2001 | 304 Pages | 9780140196245
Here is a universal, time-tested path for finding true meaning and joy in every aspect of our lives. Drawing on his 30 years of teaching and service, Bo Lozoff shows why compassion--not success, self-improvement, or self-esteem--is at the root of happiness. In 26 intimate, inspiring chapters--each accompanied by a specific practice--Lozoff covers themes such as developing honesty, learning humility, dealing with anger, and honoring relationships. He shows how practices such as a daily vow of kindness or a simple commitment of time with others can have a profound effect on ourselves and our world. Lozoff's stories and lessons can awaken everyone to a happier and more fulfilled life.
It's a Meaningful LifeForeword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Introduction: Let's Not Miss the Meaning of Life

Part One: The Inner Journey of Communion: Creating a Personal Spiritual Practice
Waking Up from the American Dream
Practice: Clarifying Your Motivation
Spirituality Is Not Optional
Practice: Classic Breath-Centered Meditation
You Can Do Hard
Practice: Vow Practice
It's Not the Top, It's the Climb
Practice: Facing Fears
The Coal Miner's Faith
Practice: "Anything That Can Happen" Mantra
Lucky Breaks and Fractures
Practice: Mantras for Everyday Life
Our Cosmic Safety Net
Practice: Prayer
Take Off the Bumper Stickers
Practice: A Prayer of Humility
But Enough About Me
Practice: An Exercise in Seeing
It Always Gets Back to Kindness
Practice: Setting the Stage for a Life of Lovingkindness

Part Two: The Outer Path Toward Community: Practicing Service
Becoming Civilized
Practice: Civiling Your World
Chicken Little Was Right
Practice: Values Exercise
The Big Activism
Practice: Living Simply
A House Too Small May Be a Blessing
Practice: Sacred Reading
What Are We Thinking?
Practice: A Television Vow
The Gospel of Following Bliss
Practice: Stopping
Mistaken Identity
Practice: Work/Life Vision Quest
One for All, All for One
Practice: The Breath of Life
...The Other Tastes Salt
Practice: Daily Marriage Vows
The Fortress of Anger
Practice: Working with Anger
A Mensch Is a Mensch, Big or Small
Practice: Taking Inventory
Fix Your La-Z-Boy
Practice: Working with Your Hands
Success by Failure
Practice: A Day of Silence
Honest Truth and Honest Fiction
Practice: Talking Circle - Opening Honesty to Truth
A Time to Speak
Practice: Talking Circle - Discerning versus Judging
Every Mother's Child
Practice: Radical Goodwill

Afterword: Keeping It Simple
Saints, Sages, and Sacred Texts
Recommended Resources
Index

Bo Lozoff is a spiritual activist and co-founder of the Human Kindness Foundation, which sponsors the Prison-Ashram Project (founded twenty-five years ago with Ram Dass), a quarterly newsletter, and Kindness House (a spiritual community that is open to visitors). He holds an honorary doctorate from the Chicago Theological Seminary. He has lectured in hundreds of prisons, universities, churches, and spiritual centers around the world and his work has been featured in many national publications. He lives outside of Durham, North Carolina. View titles by Bo Lozoff

About

Here is a universal, time-tested path for finding true meaning and joy in every aspect of our lives. Drawing on his 30 years of teaching and service, Bo Lozoff shows why compassion--not success, self-improvement, or self-esteem--is at the root of happiness. In 26 intimate, inspiring chapters--each accompanied by a specific practice--Lozoff covers themes such as developing honesty, learning humility, dealing with anger, and honoring relationships. He shows how practices such as a daily vow of kindness or a simple commitment of time with others can have a profound effect on ourselves and our world. Lozoff's stories and lessons can awaken everyone to a happier and more fulfilled life.

Table of Contents

It's a Meaningful LifeForeword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Introduction: Let's Not Miss the Meaning of Life

Part One: The Inner Journey of Communion: Creating a Personal Spiritual Practice
Waking Up from the American Dream
Practice: Clarifying Your Motivation
Spirituality Is Not Optional
Practice: Classic Breath-Centered Meditation
You Can Do Hard
Practice: Vow Practice
It's Not the Top, It's the Climb
Practice: Facing Fears
The Coal Miner's Faith
Practice: "Anything That Can Happen" Mantra
Lucky Breaks and Fractures
Practice: Mantras for Everyday Life
Our Cosmic Safety Net
Practice: Prayer
Take Off the Bumper Stickers
Practice: A Prayer of Humility
But Enough About Me
Practice: An Exercise in Seeing
It Always Gets Back to Kindness
Practice: Setting the Stage for a Life of Lovingkindness

Part Two: The Outer Path Toward Community: Practicing Service
Becoming Civilized
Practice: Civiling Your World
Chicken Little Was Right
Practice: Values Exercise
The Big Activism
Practice: Living Simply
A House Too Small May Be a Blessing
Practice: Sacred Reading
What Are We Thinking?
Practice: A Television Vow
The Gospel of Following Bliss
Practice: Stopping
Mistaken Identity
Practice: Work/Life Vision Quest
One for All, All for One
Practice: The Breath of Life
...The Other Tastes Salt
Practice: Daily Marriage Vows
The Fortress of Anger
Practice: Working with Anger
A Mensch Is a Mensch, Big or Small
Practice: Taking Inventory
Fix Your La-Z-Boy
Practice: Working with Your Hands
Success by Failure
Practice: A Day of Silence
Honest Truth and Honest Fiction
Practice: Talking Circle - Opening Honesty to Truth
A Time to Speak
Practice: Talking Circle - Discerning versus Judging
Every Mother's Child
Practice: Radical Goodwill

Afterword: Keeping It Simple
Saints, Sages, and Sacred Texts
Recommended Resources
Index

Author

Bo Lozoff is a spiritual activist and co-founder of the Human Kindness Foundation, which sponsors the Prison-Ashram Project (founded twenty-five years ago with Ram Dass), a quarterly newsletter, and Kindness House (a spiritual community that is open to visitors). He holds an honorary doctorate from the Chicago Theological Seminary. He has lectured in hundreds of prisons, universities, churches, and spiritual centers around the world and his work has been featured in many national publications. He lives outside of Durham, North Carolina. View titles by Bo Lozoff