Table of Contents
Introduction ixThe Buddha Way and the Christian Way ixWhat Helps and What Doesn't xiDropping Your Story Line xiiFinding Freedom xiii
1. Big Mind, Big Medicine 1Everything Changes 1The Heart of Mindfulness 5The Weakest Link 7Small Mind, Big Mind 10Renunciation Practice 13A Refuge from Words 16Dropping into Freedom 19Blessed Relief: The Three-Minute Breathing Space 24
2. The Cry for Help 27The Why and the What of Suffering 27An Exit from Hell 29Bearing Suffering 32The Work 36Clearing the Lens 38The Judging Mind Goes on Retreat 41Blessed Relief: The Work 45
3. Beyond Belief 49A Happy Accident 49Spacious Awareness 52Incline Your Mind 55Who's Talking? 57The Cloud of Unknowing 60Blessed Relief: The Practice of Inquiry 63
4. Quiet Ambition 65Not Enough 65Kind Attention 69Spontaneous Joy 72The Hungry Ghost 74Blessed Relief: The Sacred Breath 77
5. An Instrument of Peace 79Angr-r-r-y 79Self-Soothing: Bringing Attentiveness to Anger 81Self-Defining: Being Willing to Speak Your Truth 85Self-Transcending: Bringing RAIN to Blame 91Blessed Relief: Working with RAIN 98
6. Meeting Our Edges 101"You All Belong" 101The Failed Buddhist Bypass 104Nonviolent Communication 110May the Circle Be Unbroken 114Blessed Relief: Nonviolent Communication (NVC) 117
7. Beginning Anew 121Unwrapping the Experience 121A Place to Begin 123True Intimacy 125Zazen in the Devil’s Cauldron 129Blessed Relief: The Practice of Beginning Anew 134
8. The Dharma of Dying 137Remembrances 137The Great Way 140Bowing to the Moment 143Old Wounds 147Blessed Relief: The Five Remembrances 150
9. Mobile Loaves and Fishes 153Compassion Rising 153Beyond Us and Them 157A Retreat on the Streets 159Softening the Heart 161Blessed Relief: Compassion Practice 166
Afterword 168Glossary 173Suggested Resources 175Acknowledgments 179Credits 182