In the true spirit of the week after Christmas, I’m exchanging gifts. Here are two lovely books I’ve had the chance to read and enjoy, and now I’m putting them up for grabs. Leave a comment and tell me if you have a preference for one or both, and give yourself a shot at getting something you can really use.
The Wisdom of a Broken Heart – Every charming and insightful word of Susan Piver’s latest book reminded me of what I wish I had known years ago when a breakup sent me lurching into my own darkness. Trust me, I wouldn’t trade the outcome of the experience, because it led to the saving grace of a spiritual practice – but I would have had a fabulous friend along for the ride. Piver is funny, smart, sensitive and spot-on. She’s a wonderful writer. I love that she keeps bringing you back to the healing power of a meditation practice, among other practical tips. While this book traces the fallout from a failed love, please realize there are many ways to break your heart. If you find yourself in a gulf of suffering and sadness, there is sweet company here. Everything comes from a broken heart, including the good fortune to read this book. The title has just come out in paperback, but I have a hardcover to share.
Living this Life Fully: Stories and Teaching of Munindra – When author Mirka Knaster invited me to read this first biography of the 20th century Bengali Buddhist master Munindra (1915-2003), she and I had a chuckle over what some are hyping as “the modern mindfulness movement.” Nothing could be less modern than the essential teachings of Buddha, and no one is less hyped than a real teacher in an authentic lineage. This book weaves Munindra’s teachings on mindfulness with recollections from an exhaustive number of former students, some of whom later established insight meditation, or Vipassana practice, in North America. You’ll find in these stories the utter simplicity and uncompromised clarity of a teacher devoting his life to the Dharma. Quite illuminating if you haven’t found your own teacher, or better yet, if you’re going to try to get by without one. I have a brand new paperback to pass along.
Take a giant leap toward a happy new year. Comment as often as you like for more chances to win these worthy spiritual companions before I draw names next Sat., Jan. 1.
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Oooo! “Living this Life Fully: Stories and Teaching of Munindra” looks quite fancy! Of course, I never look a gift book in the mouth!
Cheers,
John
Comment by John — December 26, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
The Wisdom of a Broken Heart
Comment by Stephanie Marie — December 26, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
I would love the copy of The Wisdom of a Broken Heart. I have spent the last six years recovering from a terrible break up and have decided to open my heart and allow love back into my life in 2011. This sounds like the perfect read for me. Thanks so much for offering such wonderful books to your readers. Books like these are gifts that continue to give long after they have been read.
Comment by Sarah Joyce Bryant — December 26, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
“Living this life fully sounds” wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win one! It will be put on my “to read” list regardless.
Comment by Sarah tollok — December 26, 2010 @ 5:43 pm
Pretty pretty please send the “Living Fully: Stories and Teachings of Munindra”. I have really buried myself in books of this sort and would love to add to my knowledge base of the topic. Thank you so much!!!
Comment by Kristy McNabb — December 26, 2010 @ 5:53 pm
Broken heart, please. I have several friends that I would love to share it with… Couldn’t agree with you more. If, in the midst of our suffering caused by what we think has been “lost”, we could have an inkling as to what will be gained, we would rejoice in our suffering. Namaste
Comment by Lisa — December 26, 2010 @ 6:05 pm
I’d love to read The Wisdom of a Broken Heart. It sounds insightful.
Comment by andria — December 26, 2010 @ 6:06 pm
They both sound wonderful
Comment by Melissa Muirhead — December 26, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
The Wisdom of a Broken Heart could certainly be used as my new great companion
Comment by Tara — December 26, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
Hi Karen,
I’ve subscribed to your blog for a few months now, via Mani at Sea Glass and Sand Flies, and really appreciate everything I’ve read. I would be interested in reading “Living this Life Fully: Stories and Teaching of Munindra – Espessially since “I haven’t found my own teacher,and am trying to get by without one”. Thank you for doing this giveaway, no matter who gets the books, great idea!
Comment by Naima — December 26, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
Gift me please. Happy Holidays.
Comment by Alan Faulkner — December 26, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
I’d love the Munindra book, I’m always on the lookout for simple teaching. . .
Comment by Kate — December 26, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
I will have to buy Living Life Fully in the event I don’t win it. Much Love to you!
Comment by daniel — December 26, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
Would love to read and share the Wisdom book with my sister who is in the throes of a terrible and emotional break-up… And there are children.
Thanks!
Comment by Jessica Fashun — December 26, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
A new year’s resolution is to embrace life more fully and to find life in the small, insignificant moments that fill my family’s momentum. Living this Life Fully sounds like a perfect introduction to this. I’d love this book.
Comment by Francesca — December 26, 2010 @ 9:46 pm
Oh those both look like something I’d love to get my teeth into..happy to contribute to postage to NZ if I am lucky enough to get picked! x
Comment by kathleen — December 26, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
I’d love to read the Munindra biography. Thanks for suggesting it and thanks for the chance to receive a copy!
Comment by Elvin — December 26, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
Living This Life Fully sounds just about perfect for me to read right now. Happy New Year!
Comment by Lee — December 26, 2010 @ 10:07 pm
I would be interested in “Living this Life Fully.” Thanks!
Comment by Lauren — December 26, 2010 @ 10:15 pm
Ooh, Living This Life Fully sounds wonderful…and I’d be happy to pay for postage, too!
Comment by Elissa — December 27, 2010 @ 2:35 am
Wow!!! yay for generosity.
The first book really called my attention… A broken heart.
Books are a luxury lately… so that would be very welcoe on my nighstand.
blessings xoxox
Comment by bahiehk — December 27, 2010 @ 4:38 am
How typically generous of you to do this. I’d be extremely grateful and honored to receive either one. I allowed my heart to be broken earlier this year and–as one of those without an “official” teacher–am trying to learn from that, and to live fully within what I’m choosing…and *what is*…and we are scraping by, so books are *not* in the budget.
I wish you a joyful new year–the one that starts right this moment AND every moment thereafter. xo
Comment by Grateful Yet Searching — December 27, 2010 @ 7:11 am
I would love to read them both. Thanks for offering two wonderful gifts.
Comment by Indigo clear — December 27, 2010 @ 9:53 am
How very generous of you! I would love the copy of “The Wisdom of a Broken Heart” for my wife because she loves Susan Piver’s writing ever since I gave her a copy of “How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life”.
…and she now has “Momma Zen” since I gave her a copy for Christmas!
_/\_
Comment by puerhan — December 27, 2010 @ 11:19 am
Wonderful. I would love to read them….
Comment by Els — December 27, 2010 @ 11:25 am
Of course I would love a book. I think of you as one of my teachers. I learn from you each time I read your work.
Comment by suzi — December 27, 2010 @ 12:30 pm
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I would absolutely love to read either one!
Comment by Mama Zen — December 27, 2010 @ 2:06 pm
I would enjoy either book. Thank you for sharing what will reside within the heart.
Comment by Windy — December 27, 2010 @ 2:33 pm
Since I just found myself in tears on the kitchen floor over some spilled tea leaves, I think I’m most definetely in need of the mindfullness one
So, please count me in on “Living this life fully”.
I’ll suprise a dear friend with my copy of “Hand wash cold” tomorrow!
Comment by Roos — December 27, 2010 @ 3:19 pm
I’m delighted to see that people are eager to get a copy of “Living This Life Fully.” For more info, http://www.mirkaknaster.com/. For extensive excerpts and photos online, check google books. I’d love to hear about your experince reading about Munindra. Thanks.
Comment by Mirka Knaster — December 27, 2010 @ 4:29 pm
Thank you, Karen.
Comment by Ines — December 27, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
You have been in my thoughts and heart often over the holidays. Both of these sound wise and lovely. And now you’ve inspired me to gift some of my books this way. Sending gratitude your way.
Comment by Alana — December 27, 2010 @ 5:10 pm
“The Wisdom of a Broken Heart” sounds fantastic! MANY thanks for your generosity Karen. If you recommend these books, then they must be worthy!
Comment by Julie Bond Genovese — December 27, 2010 @ 9:11 pm
Oh I can’t help myself! I would also love the “Living this Life Fully” since it would help inspire my meditation practice : ) love and joy to you Karen
Comment by Julie Bond Genovese — December 27, 2010 @ 9:12 pm
Living this Life Fully sounds wonderful.
Comment by sarah — December 27, 2010 @ 9:39 pm
I am adding Living this life fully to my reading list right now! As you know I’m slowly stepping into my own spiritual practice. It’s early, so early, and I’m floundering and exploring. And it makes me sad to know that perhaps I’m just part of the latest movement. But I plow on, and begin my search for a teacher of my own, and a way to connect all of this in a meaningful way to my day-to-day life.
Comment by Christine — December 28, 2010 @ 1:23 am
Well I could certainly use all the mindfulness I can get. That sounds silly, doesn’t it? “Living This LIfe Fully” would really help me right now, though — and those around me, too! Thank you for your words in your books and on this blog — I am on a path that it both wonderful and terrifying right now, and your words are companions on the way.
Comment by Laura M. — December 28, 2010 @ 3:41 am
The Wisdom of a Broken Heart beckons me, and I think it would also aid in my desire to grow in vulnerability in the coming year.
Your generosity is laudable.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season.
Comment by Jan — December 28, 2010 @ 7:18 am
I’d be interested in reading Living Fully.
Comment by JD — December 28, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
They both sound absolutely wonderful!!! What a great giveaway
Love your writings, btw!
Comment by Teresa — December 28, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
Living this Life Fully: Stories and Teaching of Munindra looks ahhhhhhhhhmazing
Comment by Robyn — December 28, 2010 @ 3:41 pm
Because I’ve spent my life being told I wear my heart on my sleeve, I am particularly interested in The Wisdom of a Broken Heart. Your book Momma Zen helped me find the peace I needed at the beginning if this year to get through those rough early months of motherhood. Now I’m looking for books to inspire me into the new year.
Comment by Kristina Wright — December 28, 2010 @ 3:45 pm
I can’t think of a better way to begin the new year than with an open heart, open mind and an inspiring book. Thanks for sharing. Now, I must return to Laundry Mountain.
Comment by Sharon — December 28, 2010 @ 4:54 pm
I’d love “Wisdom of a Broken Heart.” Thanks so much!
Comment by Heather — December 28, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
Don’t really need the books, just wanted to say thank you for offering them. Saw your name mentioned in Whole Living Magazine…Big Girl on Campus are we! Keep on being amazing!
Comment by Joanne M — December 28, 2010 @ 8:41 pm
“Living this Life Fully” – I would love to win it for Scott (and me). We are both on a new path of searching and finding the teachings of Buddhism to be true and welcoming. I myself would love the broken heart book, but I am not a hardcover gal, preferring the ease of paperback. You are so generous to offer these. Wishing you a great holiday season! Ally
Comment by Allison — December 29, 2010 @ 3:59 am
Mu is Minindra?
Comment by Nik — December 29, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
Oooh, both sound wonderful. So grateful for Momma Zen this year, and looking forward to Hand Wash Cold in 2011!
Comment by Deirdre — December 29, 2010 @ 10:07 pm
Living this life fully sounds wonderful! just wanted to let you know i recently read hand wash cold and enjoyed! momma zen is one i have read, enjoyed and oick up often.
have a happy and healthy new yr
Comment by Bonnie — December 30, 2010 @ 12:53 pm
Thank you for the opportunity – I would enjoy reading both. Happy Holidays, Karen.
Comment by Jesseca Bellemare — December 30, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
Dear Karen,
How kind of you to offer these books. I would be interested in reading “Living this Life Fully…”..
Comment by Charlotte — December 31, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
I’d love to read, Living this Live Fully–thanks for the opportunity!
Comment by laura — January 1, 2011 @ 11:29 pm