Interior Freedom leads one to discover that even in the most unfavorable outward circumstances we possess within ourselves a space of freedom that nobody can take away, because God is its source and guarantee. Without this discovery we will always be restricted in some way and will never taste true happiness. Author Jacques Philippe develops a simple but important theme: we gain possession of our interior freedom in exact proportion to our growth in faith, hope, and love. He explains that the dynamism between these three theological virtues is the heart of the spiritual life, and he underlines the key role of the virtue of hope in our inner growth. Written in a simple and inviting style, Interior Freedom seeks to liberate the heart and mind to live the true freedom to which God calls each one.
The symbolism of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life is explained, and its connections to astrology, numerology, angel lore, tarot, and the meaning of colors are shown. The Tree of Life is a potent tool for self-discovery and profound inner knowing, as the author shared in her popular workshops.
Our scripts, our values, and our beliefs about ourselves come from our surroundings. One cannot really change this script without first recognizing at a very personal level where it came from (and continues to come from) and why there are so many internal and external pressures to conform to it. In this book we delve into these issues in depth. One thing worth pointing out here, though, is that this description applies to everyone. There are no "masterminds" controlling us; in other words, there's really no "us versus them" involved here. In a sense, everyone is both "victim" and "perpetrator" (or at least appears to take on these roles). We create the scripts for others, just as others create our scripts, and most of the time we are unaware of our role in this, just as we are unaware of the extent to which our culture has molded us. In any case, there is no blame-just the need to understand and grow beyond our situation. This book provides insights and activities to support our learning.
Break free to make real change for yourself and others Have you ever felt like your progress was being blocked, not just by your own circumstances, but by the presence and actions of others? Freedom to Change releases you from the trap of constantly telling yourself that you'd be more successful at teaching, leading, or contributing to an organization if only others didn't stand in your way. In his engaging, irreverent style, bestselling author Michael Fullan explores the two kinds of freedom in our daily lives: freedom from obstacles versus freedom to take initiative and act. Gaining freedom from barriers has no value in itself until it is partnered with an equally determined sense of what you truly want. What change would you like to bring about for yourself or those around you? Given that human nature and productivity are fundamentally social, Fullan prescribes four dynamically interrelated actions we can take: Consciously seeking a balance between our own autonomy and cooperation with others Improving the feedback exchange—giving more valuable responses, as well as eliciting, hearing, and accepting feedback more effectively Building accountability to others into the fabric of our working lives Finding ways to influence others with the changes we've made and want to spread Illustrated and enriched with examples from education, business, and nonprofit sectors, Freedom to Change offers recommendations for both individuals and organizations seeking to enhance connectedness and independence.
We've all heard the voice of the inner critic—that part of us that judges us, shames us, and makes us feel inadequate. "You don't want to give in to the Critic, and it doesn't really work to fight against it," explains Dr. Jay Earley. "But there is a way to transform it into an invaluable ally." With Freedom from Your Inner Critic, Dr. Earley and psychotherapist Bonnie Weiss present a self-therapy approach for uncovering the psychological roots of our self-sabotaging inner voices and restoring our sense of worthiness. Filled with insights, case studies, and practical self-therapy exercises, this breakthrough book explores: How to connect with your Inner Critic through the groundbreaking approach of Internal Family Systems (IFS) TherapyThe seven varieties of the Inner Critic and their positive intentHealing your Criticized Child that is hurt by your Inner CriticAwakening your Inner Champion—the antidote to the influence of your Inner CriticHow to transform your Inner Critic and learn to love yourselfHow our self-confidence, motivation, and courage improve when we are free from our Inner Critics "Self-esteem is our birthright," says Dr. Earley. "And even the most intractable Inner Critic can learn to let go and allow you to blossom." Freedom from Your Inner Critic offers a solution to one of our greatest psychological challenges—so you can reclaim your confidence, freedom, and joy in life.
PREFACE One of the great social problems of our contemporary world is the large and growing population within prisons. The hundreds of thousands of inmates, a large percentage of them young men who committed offenses in their teen years, create a financial and human burden that has reached staggering proportions. In the state of California in the USA, prison budgets now exceed the allotment for higher education. Those of us who visit and teach in prisons appreciate the willingness of a Buddhist leader such as Ven. Thich Nhat Tu to address this issue directly, showing tenderness and compassion for a group that are so often treated with indifference. He reminds us of how methods and policies affect the welfare of those who have violated concrete prohibitions of communities. As a Buddhist teacher he approaches this group with reference to individual conduct, and uses the counsel and advice based on precepts of his tradition. In the teaching, he has used gentle and sensitive instruction aimed at the development of qualities and capacities latent in the individual listeners, abilities that can help them face their situation. Thus, his goal has been to assist the inmates by giving help that will assist them in mastering some of the difficulties that are involved in prison life, providing them with new knowledge to use as a part of their mental life. It is difficult to fully comprehend the impact of his presence when he visits the facilities. For many inmates after a long period of being away from family and friends, there are no visitors, no letters, and no attention from loving and caring people. When Ven. Thich Nhat Tu enters to talk with them and spend time teaching and listening, he is seen as an individual but also in an iconic fashion as the very embodiment of morality and compassion. His message gives solace; there can be an “Inner Freedom” even in the face of a daily life that is restricted. For many of the inmates, the hardest task is to live with the guilt they feel over their actions, actions that caused harm and sorrow to others. It is at this basic level of experience that the teachings provide the necessary quality for remorse to give the power to receive, hold, and absorb understanding of reality and the possibility of inner transformation. It is a message that can have application to all of us, as we face the problems of our past and present life. Lewis Lancaster Emeritus Professor, University of California, Berkeley Adjunct Professor, University of the West
B.K.S. Iyengar--hailed as "the Michelangelo of yoga" (BBC) and considered by many to be one of the most important yoga masters--has spent much of his life introducing the modern world to the ancient practice of yoga. Yoga's popularity is soaring, but its widespread acceptance as an exercise for physical fitness and the recognition of its health benefits have not been matched by an understanding of the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development that the yogic tradition can also offer. In Light on Life, B.K.S. Iyengar brings readers this new and more complete understanding of the yogic journey. Here Iyengar explores the yogic goal to integrate the different parts of the self (body, emotions, mind, and soul), the role that the yoga postures and breathing techniques play in our search for wholeness, the external and internal obstacles that keep us from progressing along the path, and how yoga can transform our lives and help us to live in harmony with the world around us. For the first time, Iyengar uses stories from his own life, humor, and examples from modern culture to illustrate the profound gifts that yoga offers. Written with the depth of this sage's great wisdom, Light on Life is the culmination of a master's spiritual genius, a treasured companion to his seminal Light on Yoga.
Often we can feel trapped in thoughts, trapped in identity, trapped in conditioning. It can seem as if we are trapped in the cage of our own minds. This book points you out of this, to show you that both the cage and the person who feels trapped in it, are not real. This book also looks at some of the insane ways we have been taught to approach life and to function in the world, and how to be free of these conditioned behaviours. The content within each chapter is split into passages, each passage being a pointer in itself. You may feel inclined to only read a single passage, and pause to allow time for the words to sink in before moving on. This book is very useful for contemplative or meditative reading. Once you understand what is meant by the cage (simply the conditioned, personal mind that creates suffering) - this book becomes a helpful guide in that as well as being able to read it conventionally from cover to cover - you can pick it up and read any passage at random. Rather than being a book that teaches you anything to remember, it is a tool to point you back towards who you really are before conditioning took over. May this book help you realise your inherent freedom, and allow you to function sanely, effectively and happily in the world.
