Buddhist worship, rites & ceremonies – The Bell Bookshop

The Art of Solitude

Emma — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

In a time of social distancing and isolation, a meditation on the beauty of solitude from renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor

A Los Angeles Review of Books “Best of the Year” selection

“Whatever a soul is, the author goes a long way toward soothing it. A very welcome instance of philosophy that can help readers live a good life.”-Kirkus Reviews

“Elegant and formally ingenious.”-Geoff Wisner, Wall Street Journal

When world renowned Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor turned sixty, he took a sabbatical from his teaching and turned his attention to solitude, a practice integral to the meditative traditions he has long studied and taught. He aimed to venture more deeply into solitude, discovering its full extent and depth.

This beautiful literary collage documents his multifaceted explorations. Spending time in remote places, appreciating and making art, practicing meditation and participating in retreats, drinking peyote and ayahuasca, and training himself to keep an open, questioning mind have all contributed to Batchelor’s ability to be simultaneously alone and at ease. Mixed in with his personal narrative are inspiring stories from solitude’s devoted practitioners, from the Buddha to Montaigne, from Vermeer to Agnes Martin.

In a hyperconnected world that is at the same time plagued by social isolation, this book shows how to enjoy the inescapable solitude that is at the heart of human life.

Finding Peace

Emma — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

‘This transformational book will help you calm your mind, remove negativity and find inner peace.’ Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk

‘The perfect manual for the mind, bringing deep insight to today’s world and offering practical tools for transformation’ Gelong Thubten, author of A Monk’s Guide to Happiness
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In this hectic, modern world, the practice of meditation is the greatest way to calm your mind and find peace.

A collection of teachings from one of the world’s wisest minds, the lessons in this book have transformed the lives of people across the world and have never been more pertinent. In this book world-renowned meditation master, Lama Yeshe,shares how meditation enabled him to overcome the strains and pressures of modern life and find peace – and reveals how we can all do the same.

He teaches us that our minds are infinite like the sky, which can easily become clouded with stress and emotions, but with meditation we are able to see beyond the clouds and free our minds of obstacles. With practical steps on breathing, posture, forgiveness, relationships and establishing a meditation routine, this is the definitive guide for beginners and experienced meditators alike to learn from the wisdom of a globally revered meditation master.

The miracle of mindfulness

Emma — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

‘The monk who taught the world mindfulness’ Time

This is the definitive book on mindfulness from the beloved Zen master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh. With his signature clarity and warmth, he shares practical exercises and anecdotes to help us arrive at greater self-understanding and peacefulness, whether we are beginners or advanced students.

Beautifully written, The Miracle of Mindfulness is the essential guide to welcoming presence in your life and truly living in the moment from the father of mindfulness.

‘One of the most influential spiritual leaders of our times’ Oprah