Eric Weiner’s The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World is an absolute treat. Weiner is a journalist and a veteran foreign correspondent for National Public Radio and a self-professed curmudgeon. As the book implies, Weiner chronicles his quest to discover why people in some countries (e.g., Iceland, Switzerland, Thailand) …Read More
“Peace Is Every Step” By Thich Nhat Hanh (Book Recommendation)
Jun 30, 2011
This book is a classic that I wanted to bring to people’s attention again today, because it contains a wealth of wisdom that is written specifically to increase peace and happiness in our daily lives. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Buddhist teacher and peace activist, who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by …Read More
“The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains” by Nicholas Carr (Book Recommendation)
Jun 11, 2011
I recently enjoyed the audiobook version of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. Yes, I did the audiobook version. Sometimes while I was driving. At double playback speed. Yes, I get the irony…or hypocrisy? In The Shallows, Mr. Carr chronicles the history of various ways we have dessimated information …Read More
“The Invisible Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive Us” (Book Recommendation)
May 12, 2011
I recently completed the audiobook version of The Invisible Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive Us is by scholars and professors Christopher Chabris, Ph.D. and Daniel Simons, Ph.D. As the name implies, they describe the results and implications of fascinating research on the fallibility and shortcomings of human perception, attention, and memory. They introduce concepts such as “change …Read More
“The Roots of Buddhist Psychology” by Jack Kornfield (Audiobook Recommendation)
May 2, 2011
I recently completed that audiobook The Roots of Buddhist Psychology by Dr. Jack Kornfield, who is a Buddhist psychologist. Dr. Kornfield is highly regarded author and lecturer who has been a Buddhist practioner since the late 1960s. He has lived and studied in Thailand, Burma, and India throughout various times of his life, so you …Read More
“Mindsight” by Dr. Daniel Siegel (Book Recommendation)
Feb 20, 2011
I recently completed the audiobook version of Mindsight by Dr. Dan Siegel. He provided the reading and, fortunately, possesses a wonderfully soothing and engaging speaking voice. Dr. Siegel is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, neurobiologist, researcher, lecturer, author, and professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. I’ve seen Dr. Siegel present a number of times and, along …Read More
“Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius – Book Recommendation
Jan 26, 2011
A former client of mine recommended that I read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. He was the Roman emperor from A.D. 161-180 (he being Marcus A., not my client, heh). Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher and considered to be one of Rome’s “good” emperors. Meditations isn’t a cohesive book from start to finish – it reads more …Read More
Powerful Song
Dec 9, 2010
I found this song and video very powerful and moving. Austin band American Graveyard is communicating with their music the frustration many of us are feeling about the state of the economy and the many injustices in our society. Art and creative expression can be a very powerful and healing way to transform and communicate …Read More
“Living Without Stress or Fear” by Thich Nhat Hanh- Audiobook Recommendation
Nov 29, 2010
I recently enjoyed listening to the audiobook Living Without Stress or Fear by renowned Buddhist monk, teacher, author, and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh. I’ve read several of his books and listened to some podcast interviews, but this was the first audiobook that I’ve listened to of his. First, this isn’t really an audio “book” …Read More
“Ram Dass, Fierce Grace” – Documentary Film Recommendation
Nov 10, 2010
Ram Dass, who is formerly known as Dr. Richard Alpert, is a spiritual teacher out of a Hindu tradition. (And yes, Richard Alpert from the Lost TV series is a nod to Ram Dass.) He was a Harvard professor of psychology in the 1960s, where he became a friend and colleague of Dr. Timothy Leary. …Read More