Lovingkindness

The Revolutionary Art of Happiness

Foreword by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The classic and inspiring book on finding love in our own hearts—from the New York Times–bestselling author of Real Happiness and Real Change

The revered spiritual teacher shows us how to live radiant, joyful lives by utilizing the Buddhist path in this “profound exploration of the deepest meanings of love, empathy, and caring”  (Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence)

 
Throughout our lives we long to love ourselves more deeply and find a greater sense of connection with others. Our fear of intimacy—both with others and with ourselves—creates feelings of pain and longing. But these feelings can awaken in us the desire for freedom and the willingness to take up the spiritual path.

In this inspiring book, Sharon Salzberg, one of America’s leading spiritual teachers, shows us how the Buddhist path of lovingkindness can help us discover the radiant, joyful heart within each of us. This practice of lovingkindness is revolutionary because it has the power to radically change our lives, helping us cultivate true happiness in ourselves and genuine compassion for others. The author draws on simple Buddhist teachings, wisdom stories from various traditions, guided meditation practices, and her own experience from twenty-five years of practice and teaching to illustrate how each one of us can cultivate love, compassion, joy, and equanimity.
"The important Buddhist practice of lovingkindness is given a rounded and revealing treatment in this book. The author, who is a founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, uses 25 years of teaching experience to shed light on this "incandescent power of love" that is present in all of us. Salzberg talks about the significance of intimacy with ourselves as a prelude to reaching out to others. Some of the hindrances to lovingkindness are enslavement to desire and attachment as well as addiction to anger and aversion. Salzberg affirms equanimity and generosity as keys to developing a compassionate heart. This is the right book on the right subject for our troubled times."
—Frederic A Brussat, Body Mind Spirit

About

The classic and inspiring book on finding love in our own hearts—from the New York Times–bestselling author of Real Happiness and Real Change

The revered spiritual teacher shows us how to live radiant, joyful lives by utilizing the Buddhist path in this “profound exploration of the deepest meanings of love, empathy, and caring”  (Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence)

 
Throughout our lives we long to love ourselves more deeply and find a greater sense of connection with others. Our fear of intimacy—both with others and with ourselves—creates feelings of pain and longing. But these feelings can awaken in us the desire for freedom and the willingness to take up the spiritual path.

In this inspiring book, Sharon Salzberg, one of America’s leading spiritual teachers, shows us how the Buddhist path of lovingkindness can help us discover the radiant, joyful heart within each of us. This practice of lovingkindness is revolutionary because it has the power to radically change our lives, helping us cultivate true happiness in ourselves and genuine compassion for others. The author draws on simple Buddhist teachings, wisdom stories from various traditions, guided meditation practices, and her own experience from twenty-five years of practice and teaching to illustrate how each one of us can cultivate love, compassion, joy, and equanimity.

Praise

"The important Buddhist practice of lovingkindness is given a rounded and revealing treatment in this book. The author, who is a founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, uses 25 years of teaching experience to shed light on this "incandescent power of love" that is present in all of us. Salzberg talks about the significance of intimacy with ourselves as a prelude to reaching out to others. Some of the hindrances to lovingkindness are enslavement to desire and attachment as well as addiction to anger and aversion. Salzberg affirms equanimity and generosity as keys to developing a compassionate heart. This is the right book on the right subject for our troubled times."
—Frederic A Brussat, Body Mind Spirit