Living with an Open Heart
Living with an Open Heart contains brief readings which blend Buddhist and western psychology. It thoughtfully presents ideas and techniques drawn from Buddhism, western psychological approaches, as well as the authors' personal experiences in working to develop compassion in their own lives and in their work with others.
Designed to be easy to dip into, this fascinating book is organised into brief chapters to include discussions, reflections and contemplations, personal stories, and specific techniques for deepening compassion.
Each chapter provides fuel for thought and contemplation as the reader goes through his or her day, inspiring their motivation to be compassionate, helping them to understand compassion, and giving them specific methods for applying it in their lives.
Russell Kolts is a clinical psychologist and professor at Eastern Washington University outside of Spokane, WA, USA. Dr. Kolts is the author of The Compassionate Mind Approach to Managing Your Anger and, with Dennis Tirch and Laura Silberstein, the forthcoming Buddhist Psychology and CBT: A Clinical Guide. He has worked clinically in a wide variety of settings with patients with mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, anger and attachment-related problems. He regularly gives presentations and workshops on using compassion and mindfulness-based methods to work with emotional difficulties and life challenges.
Thubten Chodron grew up near Los Angeles. In 1977 she was ordained as a Buddhist nun by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. She studied and practiced Buddhism of the Tibetan tradition for many years in India and Nepal under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, Zopa Rinpoche, and other Tibetan masters. She directed the spiritual program at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy for nearly two years, studied three years at Dorje Pamo Monastery in France, and was resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Center in Singapore. For ten years she was resident teacher at Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle.