Awakening the Kind Heart

About the book

Everyone appreciates kindness. A smile, a few friendly words, a show of concern when we’re troubled or feeling unwell, an offer of help – gestures of kindness like these brighten our day and ease whatever sadness we may feel in our hearts. Feeling that “someone cares” fulfills a very deep need that we all have. And just as we appreciate other people being kind to us, others appreciate it when we are kind to them. That is why it is important to learn to be kind, because it will help make our relationships and interactions with others more satisfying and less problematic.

But it’s not always easy to be kind. Sometimes our hearts are filled with anger, jealousy, or pride, and being kind is the last thing we feel like doing. Or we get so caught up in our work and responsibilities that we find no time to think of others and their needs, no time to be kind and gentle. However, these problems can be remedied. The Buddhist tradition offers a wealth of methods that can be used to overcome whatever prevents us from being kind and gentle.

Some of these methods are explored and explained in this book – in a way that will allow you to practice them in your daily life. Awakening the Kind Heart offers powerful and inviting meditation techniques to activate the heart of kindness within us all – a modern and motivating interpretation of traditional and powerful practices.

Awards

A Spirituality & Practice “Best Spiritual Books of 2010” winner.

Excerpt from the book

The word buddha refers to anyone who attains the state of enlightenment. There are many who have already become buddhas, and in fact all of us have the potential to become buddhas. This potential—known as buddha nature—is always within us, a natural part of our mind. Our mind’s nature is clear and pure, like a cloudless sky or pure spring water, and is only temporarily polluted by obscurations such as negative emotions. These can be eliminated, allowing the true, pure nature of our mind to be revealed, which is compassion itself. A truly kind heart already exists in each and every one of us. It’s just a matter of learning how to bring it out and expand it so that we can feel it more often, for more people and more beings—and eventually for all living beings.

— from "Awakening the Kind Heart"

Contents

• The Metta Sutta: The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness
• Section 1
  • It’s Time to Change Your Mind
  • Immeasurable Love
  • Meditations on Loving-Kindness
  • Immeasurable Compassion
  • Meditations for Cultivating Compassion
  • Immeasurable Joy
  • Immeasurable Equanimity
• Section Two
  • An Exploration of The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation

Reviews

This book will help you find happiness and true satisfaction, and help you live a life of benefit to others.

— Lama Zopa Rinpoche, author of "How to Be Happy" and "Wholesome Fear"

Through clear explanations, straightforward practices, and basic goodheartedness, this book explains how to navigate the path to love, even under very trying circumstances. Truly, there is nothing more needed at this time—our very future may depend upon it.

— Susan Piver, author of "The Wisdom of a Broken Heart"

Kathleen McDonald is a remarkably skilled meditation teacher. In this precious gem of a book, she shows us how to open our hearts into deepest solidarity with others and thereby uncover our truest selves.

— John Makransky, author of "Awakening Through Love"

A brilliant book and a must-read for all seekers.

— Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, author of "Boundless Healing"