The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships

by Susan Piver

Overview

"Susan Piver consistently offers what so many of us seek: A generous, caring, loving teacher, someone with an open heart and a clear mind, eager to help us find our own way forward." --Seth Godin, author of Linchpin

Broken hearts, resentment, affairs, divorce. Why is it so hard to make relationships work? New York Times bestselling author and mindfulness expert Susan Piver applies classic Buddhist wisdom to modern romance, including her own long-term relationship, to show that ancient philosophies have timeless--and unexpected--wisdom on how to love.

The Four Noble Truths of Love will challenge the expectations you have about dating, sex, and romance, liberating you from the habits, traumas, and expectations that have been holding back your relationships. This mindful approach toward love will help you open your heart fearlessly, deepen communications with your partner, increase your compassion and resilience, and lead you toward a path of true happiness. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain: expansive, real love for yourself and others.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781732277618
Publisher:	Lionheart Press, a division of the Open Heart Project
Publication date:	06/01/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	194
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Susan Piver is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including the award-winning "How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life", "The Wisdom of a Broken Heart", and "Start Here Now: An Open-Hearted Guide to the Path and Practice of Meditation". Her new book is "The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships" (June 2018). Piver has been a practicing Buddhist since 1995 and graduated from a Buddhist seminary in 2004. She is an internationally acclaimed meditation teacher, known for her ability to translate ancient practices into modern life. Her work has been featured on the Oprah show, TODAY, CNN, and in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, MONEY, and others. In 2011, she launched the Open Heart Project, the largest virtual mindfulness community in the world. For more information, visit susanpiver.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 Truth #1: Relationships Never Stabilize 17

2 Truth #2: Expecting Relationships to Be Stable Is What Makes Them Unstable 35

3 Truth #3: Meeting the Instability Together Is Love 51

4 Truth #4: There Is a Path to Liberation 101

5 Practices to Remain Connected 125

6 Loving You More Than Us 147

Appendix A: How to Establish a Home

Meditation Practice 149

Appendix B: Suggested Readings 153

Appendix C: Questions 155

Afterword 167

Acknowledgments 173

Editorial Reviews

“Susan Piver brings together decades of wisdom and experience from both her Buddhist practice and her relationships. This book is direct, insightful and honest to its core. Using the lens of the Buddha’s noble truths and the path of liberation, Susan presents a practical roadmap that can be accessed by anyone. I don’t think a book quite like this has been written before. She is definitely a wise guide on what it truly means to love altogether and how compassion and insight can be mined from the ups and downs of everyday life and every connection. Susan presents the biggest view possible on what love can be—it’s quite an invitation.”

--Josh Baran, author of The Tao of Now: Daily Wisdom from Mystics, Sages, Poets, and Saints



“The Four Noble Truths of Love is like the book baby of the Buddha and Oprah Winfrey. It pulls no punches in the best of ways. Chock-full of relationship a-ha moments, it made me reflect not just on my marriage and how to keep deepening into it, but also on every loving relationship in my life. This wisdom may be thousands of years old, but Piver’s ability to convey it with grace, humor, humility, and profound relevance to modern life is a true gift. Get it, read it, live it!”

--Jonathan Fields, founder of Good Life Project

“Susan Piver consistently offers what so many of us seek: A generous, caring, loving teacher, someone with an open heart and a clear mind, eager to help us find our own way forward.”

--Seth Godin, author of Linchpin



“If you’ve ever felt that secret shame of not loving well or not managing to embody that perfect detached modern-day Buddha you know you’re supposed to be, this is not only your book, it is your salvation. Susan’s message, voice, and real world guidance show you the way out of the illusions and traps of relationship and into a level of freedom that is at once both profound and practical.”

--Christine Kane, founder and CEO of Uplevel You



“Susan Piver does far more than tell us how the Four Noble Truths apply to love, she lives that application with great depth and honesty, and lets us come along for the ride. Give your heart—and your capacity to do the toughest spiritual work of all, be in relationship—a gorgeous boost with this brilliant guide.”

--Jennifer Louden, author of The Woman’s Comfort Book and The Life Organizer



“Susan has combined three threads to give us a beautiful tapestry of spiritually conscious love: We find a clear and in-depth view of Buddhism. We see how it offers a path to intimate love. Susan uses her own relationship as an example of how it all comes together. This is a stand-out book for enriching love and closeness along the spiritual path.”

--David Richo, author of How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving



“This is the only book you need for your romantic relationship—it’s just that good. Honest, wise, and raw, Susan will show you the four truths you need to actually make your relationship last.”

--Lodro Rinzler, author of Love Hurts: Buddhist Advice for the Heartbroken



“Clear and heart-warming, this book is a guide to living relationships completely, with all their pleasures and other- wise. Susan Piver brought the four noble truths to life in her own marriage, and here shares the fullness of that experience. A wonderful read.”

--Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection

From the Publisher