From Suffering To Peace

Like yoga before it, mindfulness is now flourishing in every sector of society. It is a buzzword in everything from medicine to the military. Mark Coleman, who has studied and taught mindfulness meditation for decades, draws on his knowledge to not only clarify what mindfulness truly means but also reveal the depth and potential of this ancient discipline. Weaving together contemporary applications with practices in use for millennia, his approach empowers us to engage with and transform the inevitable stress and pain of life, so we can discover genuine peace — in the body, heart, mind, and wider world. While profound and multilayered, the mindfulness teachings Coleman shares have proved effective in a wide variety of settings. From Suffering to Peace will help readers of all kinds access and benefit from the “true promise of mindfulness.”

This classic anxiety-relief guide from the author of Hope and Help for your Nerves has brought solace to over a quarter million readers coping with panic attacks and agoraphobia. Dr Claire Weekes offers clear, concise advice to anyone suffering from anxiety: FACE: DO NOT RUN ACCEPT: DO NOT FIGHT FLOAT PAST: DO NOT LISTEN IN LET TIME PASS: DO NOT BE IMPATIENT WITH TIME It may look much too simple, but if you can truly master these four important principles, you are already on your way to rapid recovery. Written in response to great demand from both the medical and psychological communities, as well as from her own devoted readers, Dr. Weekes’s revolutionary approach to treating nervous tension is sympathetic, medically sound, and quite possibly one of the most successful step-by-step guides to mental health available.

Exploring diverse human experiences in the US, Poland and Northern Ireland, this book is of interest to practitioners and students of applied theatre, peace and conflict studies, professionals working in conflict resolution, counselors, psychotherapists, professionals in the field of criminal and restorative justice, and spiritual seekers.

Like yoga before it, mindfulness is now flourishing in every sector of society. It is a buzzword in everything from medicine to the military. Mark Coleman, who has studied and taught mindfulness meditation for decades, draws on his knowledge to not only clarify what mindfulness truly means but also reveal the depth and potential of this ancient discipline. Weaving together contemporary applications with practices in use for millennia, his approach empowers us to engage with and transform the inevitable stress and pain of life, so we can discover genuine peace — in the body, heart, mind, and wider world. While profound and multilayered, the mindfulness teachings Coleman shares have proved effective in a wide variety of settings. From Suffering to Peace will help readers of all kinds access and benefit from the "true promise of mindfulness."

"In this book, I address a perennial question: how does one find his or her way to the other side of suffering after a catastrophic disaster or other personal tragedy? The answer I suggest comes from coastal residents who survived the 2005 Atlantic Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Those who have lost homes and communities can provide an authentic and relatable example for other people faced with a life changing tragedy. In the first section, historic perspectives on disasters and their human impacts are considered. Two coastal parishes (counties) in south Louisiana are highlighted as a natural context for intergenerational knowledge of hurricanes and severe weather events. The Katrina experience is documented through entries in a survivor's personal journal. In the second section, six research-based principles of healing are presented: faith and humor, respect and gratitude, and acceptance and silver linings. Colorful case illustrations and direct quotes from Katrina survivors bring these principles to life. In the third section, post-disaster grief, the new normal after a disaster, and four obstacles that can delay or derail the process of healing are explored. Recovering daily routines and holiday observances provide direction as life goes on after a disaster. The voices of coastal residents who survived the Katrina tragedy offer a message of hope and healing after disaster for all who will listen. Their lives demonstrate quite convincingly that people can overcome catastrophic loss and regain a sense of joy in daily living in the years after a disaster or other life altering tragedy"--

The inner critic is the voice inside our heads reminding us that we are never “good enough.” It’s behind the insidious thoughts that can make us second-guess our every action and doubt our own value. The inner critic might feel overpowering, but it can be managed effectively. Meditation teacher and therapist Mark Coleman helps readers understand and free themselves from the inner critic using the tools of mindfulness and compassion. Each chapter offers constructive insights into what creates, drives, and disarms the critic; real people’s journeys to inspire and guide readers; and simple practices anyone can use to live a free, happy, and flourishing life.

Hard times come for all in life, with no real explanation. When we walk through suffering, it has the potential to devastate and destroy, or to be the gateway to gratitude and joy. Elisabeth Elliot was no stranger to suffering. Her first husband, Jim, was murdered by the Waoroni people in Ecuador moments after he arrived in hopes of sharing the gospel. Her second husband was lost to cancer. Yet, it was in her deepest suffering that she learned the deepest lessons about God. Why doesn’t God do something about suffering? He has, He did, He is, and He will. Suffering and love are inexplicably linked, as God’s love for His people is evidenced in His sending Jesus to carry our sins, griefs, and sufferings on the cross, sacrificially taking what was not His on Himself so that we would not be required to carry it. He has walked the ultimate path of suffering, and He has won victory on our behalf. This truth led Elisabeth to say, “Whatever is in the cup that God is offering to me, whether it be pain and sorrow and suffering and grief along with the many more joys, I’m willing to take it because I trust Him.” Because suffering is never for nothing.

"You are not the personality you have identified with your whole life."Within this statement is the key to being free from suffering.Most people equate life with suffering but it doesn't have to be that way,What would everyday life look like if you were free from suffering?Being completely free from suffering is really better equated with "being peace".What starts as a journey to free yourself from suffering can lead to experiences you could never have dreamt of.

When Ronda Chervin's son, Charles, ended his own life, he did so believing that it is pointless to endure inevitable suffering. In the wake of Charles's death, Dr. Chervin set out to discover some of the most basic - but all too often misunderstood - answers to why God allows us to suffer, and how we can bear it with perseverance and hope. She shares her discoveries in these pages, helping you understand that while there is no escape from pain, pain itself is the road into the heart of Christ where peace can be found. You'll be given encouragement and practical advice as you explore afflictions such as failure, fear, frustration, loneliness, loss, marital problems, physical pain, fatigue, and temptation. Dr. Chervin explains each affliction in detail and offers reflections on the lives of saints who suffered from the very same cross. Throughout each chapter you're given practical suggestions on how you can meet Christ in your particular pain. You'll draw wisdom from the lives and writings of saints who were addicted, depressed, exhausted, raped, and unhappily married. And among these saints, you'll discover within their responses a pattern that you can ponder and imitate. Avoiding Bitterness in Suffering will bring courage and hope that in Christ and in communion with his saints, you can - and will - triumph over every kind of adversity. You'll also learn: How you can overcome the pain associated with loneliness and isolationFive ways to overcome doubts about the FaithFour steps to liberation from the suffering of indecisionFive ways to meet Christ in the suffering of exploitationWhat St. Benedict teaches us about failure - and how it changed the worldHow to cope with failure and povertyFive ways you can transform fear into trust in ChristHow you can turn frustrations and anger into a Christian spiritHow you can respond in a holy way to marital discord, demanding spouses, physical abuse, psychological abuse, abandonment, and rageFour ways you can turn to Christ in times of temptation