Russell Kolts

An Open-hearted Life: Transformative Methods for Compassionate Living from a Clinical Psychologist and a Buddhist Nun Russell Kolts

Marc Notes: Previously published: London: Constable & Robinson Ltd., 2013 under the title Living with an open heart.; A beloved Buddhist teacher and a psychologist specializing in Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) provide practical methods for living a life filled with compassion. 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--; Provided by publisher. Review Quotes: "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 "Stumbling on Happiness" ""An Open-Hearted Life" 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 "Real Happiness" and "Lovingkindness" "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 "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 "The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion" and clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School "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 "Essential Mind Training"Biographical Note: RUSSELL KOLTS, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor at Eastern Washington University outside of Spokane, Washington. He is the author of The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Managing Your Anger. Venerable THUBTEN CHODRON taught in Los Angeles city schools before she became a Tibetan Buddhist nun in 1977. She has studied closely under the Dalai Lama and many other illustrious teachers in India and Nepal. She is founder and abbess of Sravasti Abbey in Newport, Washington, one of the few Buddhist monasteries in the United States. Active in interfaith dialogue and prison work, she is the author of numerous books. Contributor Bio:  Chodron, Thubten Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. Born in northeastern Tibet in 1935, he was as a toddler recognized as the incarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama and brought to Tibet's capital, Lhasa. In 1950, Mao Zedong's Communist forces made their first incursions into eastern Tibet, shortly after which the young Dalai Lama assumed the political leadership of his country. In 1959, Chinese forces occupied the city, forcing His Holiness to escape to India. There he set up the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala, working to secure the welfare of the more than 100,000 Tibetan exiles and prevent the destruction of Tibetan culture. In his capacity as a spiritual and political leader, he has traveled to more than sixty-two countries on six continents and met with presidents, popes, and leading scientists to foster dialogue and create a better world. In recognition of his tireless work for the nonviolent liberation of Tibet, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. In 2012, he relinquished political authority in his exile government and turned it over to democratically elected representatives. He is the author of numerous books, including "The Good Heart", "The Meaning of Life", "The World of Tibetan Buddhism", and "The Compassionate Life".