The Buddha for Modern Minds: A non-religious guide to the Buddha and his teachings

How can the Buddhas teachings help me? Here? Now? In MY life?A practical feet-on-the-ground book answering all the questions and misconceptions that arise for people curious about the Buddhas teachings and what they offer in this modern life of ours. For those with little or no knowledge this is a secular introduction. For those already practicing its a secular reference book for key concepts and several of the Buddhas important lists. Clear explanations of often-confusing concepts are brought alive with personal examples of the powerful impact of practicing the Buddhas wisdom - the dropping away of stress angst and upset and the arrival of calm clarity energy joy and open-heartedness. The Buddhas core teachings are made clear using Western cultural terms to understand and apply them including characters from Sesame Street the Pirates of the Caribbean Lord of the Rings and Star Trek demonstrating ideas. Cutting through the array of orthodox Buddhisms that often confuse beginners this book strips away the trappings of the cultures through which they came to us helping us know the Buddha his core teachings how meditation and mindfulness fit in what happened to the teachings after his death and how to practice them now. It also answers many of the questions that often arise for newcomers like: Who was the Buddha? What is the dharma about? Is Buddhism a religion? What are the different schools of Buddhism? Do I have to believe in rebirth? Is the dharma anti-pleasure? Is the dharma just meditation or mindfulness? Does the dharma teach passivity? Is the dharma anti-passion? Do I need to find a teacher or go to an Asian country to learn the dharma? Is the Dalai Lama a Buddha? Why are some Buddha statues fat? How do I start my own practice?....and more.It integrates several concepts from modern psychology - the authors background - and shares many stories from her home life work life and her experience as a World Champion Masters hurdler to demonstrate how the impacts show up.As the Buddha did this book puts aside unknowable issues like rebirth which are unnecessary for fully practicing the teachings. Worse theyre a distraction from the very real and practical project at the heart of his wisdom - flourishing in this life. Here. Now.From Stephen Batchelor author of After Buddhism -This lucid and practical guide to the Buddhas teaching will be of value to anyone who seeks to lead a flourishing life in todays challenging and uncertain world. Lenorë Lambert unpacks with great skill and wit the core ethical vision and meditation practices of Buddhism revealing them as an art of living that is as relevant today as it ever has been.