Description

By (author) Salzberg Sharon; By (author) Thurman, Robert A.F.; By (author) Thurman Robert

Short /annotation
Throughout, authors Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman share stories and exercises for achieving finding peace within yourself and with the world. Drawing from ancient spiritual wisdom and modern psychology, Love Your Enemies presents tools that are useful for all readers.

When people and circumstances upset us, how do we deal with them? Often, we feel victimized. We become hurt, angry, and defensive. We end up seeing others as enemies, and when things don”t go our way, we become enemies to ourselves.

But what if we could move past this pain, anger, and defensiveness?

Inspired by Buddhist philosophy, this book introduces us to the four kinds of enemies we encounter in life: the outer enemy, people, institutions, and situations that mean to harm us; the inner enemy, anger, hatred, fear, and other destructive emotions; the secret enemy, self-obsession that isolates us from others; and the super-secret enemy, deep-seated self-loathing that prevents us from finding inner freedom and true happiness.

In this practical guide, we learn not only how to identify our enemies, but more important, how to transform our relationship to them. Love Your Enemies teaches us how to:

– Break free from the mode of “us” versus “them” thinking
– develop compassion, patience, and love
– Accept what is beyond our control
– Embrace lovingkindness, right speech, and other core concepts

Throughout, authors Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman share stories and exercises for achieving finding peace within yourself and with the world. Drawing from ancient spiritual wisdom and modern psychology, Love Your Enemies presents tools that are useful for all readers.

Biographical note

Sharon Salzberg is an author and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS).

Robert Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University and President of Tibet House USA.

Review quote: previous edition
If life is a struggle, this book is your friend. Its whispered truths, like the first inklings of the dawn, bring both relief and recognition. Return to it time and again; its good humour and wise counsel are a balm for the soul.

Review quote: previous edition
If there are two beings in the whole world whom I trust with my whole heart to give powerful, honest, kind and deeply truthful teachings that can free us from burning in the mental anguish that is the ”new normal” in these anxious and fear-ridden times, it is Tenzin Bob Thurman and Sharon Salzberg. Having known both of them for many years, I can say that I am blessed that they are with me on this desert island called Earth.

Review quote: previous edition
Brilliant! Love Your Enemies is possibly the most inspiring and liberating meditation on love ever written.

Review quote: previous edition
Praised as possibly the most inspiring and liberating meditation on love ever written, this warm and compassionate manual gently guides you through the practical steps of doing the seemingly impossible – loving your enemies.

Review quote: previous edition
Highly recommended!