Decreasing self-centeredness broadens our view beyond ourselves and changes our relationship with others and the world.
An Open-Hearted Life: The disadvantages of self-centeredness
A series of talks based on An Open-Hearted Life given at Sravasti Abbey’s monthly Sharing the Dharma Day in April 2017. Co-written by Venerable Thubten Chodron and clinical psychologist Dr. Russell Kolts, the book offers practical Buddhist and Western psychological approaches to developing compassion.
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A series of talks based on An Open-Hearted Life given at Sravasti Abbey’s monthly Sharing the Dharma Day in April 2017. Co-written by Venerable Thubten Chodron and clinical psychologist Dr. Russell Kolts, the book offers practical Buddhist and Western psychological approaches to developing compassion.
An Open-Hearted Life: The kindness of others
Contemplating the kindness of others promotes a feeling of being connected and establishes a firm foundation for developing love and compassion.
An Open-Hearted Life: Equalizing and exchanging self and others
Equalizing ourselves and others means recognizing that others wish for joy and freedom from misery is just as strong and equally important as our own.
An Open-Hearted Life: Love and compassion
Developing love and compassion, steps four and five of the seven-point instruction to cultivate altruism, and what it means to have compassion for your self.
An Open-Hearted Life: The seven-point instruction of cause and effect
How to reflect on the first three steps of the seven-point instruction to recognize the kindness of others and arouse the wish to repay their kindness.
An Open-Hearted Life: Cultivating compassion and equanimity
Equanimity, a mind free from bias and indifference, is important in order to have the kind of love and compassion that extends to all beings equally.
Imagery and method acting: Cultivating our compassionate selves
How we can use our imagination to develop compassion and other positive qualities.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Establishing compassionate habits
As with learning any new skill or habit, it takes purposeful effort to establish compassionate habits. Eventually it becomes effortless.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Beyond Blame
How it’s possible to go beyond blaming others or our self and work together to alleviate the suffering that everyone experiences in a difficult situation.
“An Open-Hearted Life”: Being responsible for our emotions
When disturbing emotions arise we have a choice. The Buddhist teachings offer practical methods to change counterproductive, habitual emotional responses.