How To Practise

'Many of our problems', says His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 'stem from attitudes like putting ourselves first at all costs.' This has to change if we are to achieve happiness and peace, and for this we need to train the mind. The mind is so powerful it can become stronger than steel. But to train it requires patience and persistence - to try, try and try again. If you practise determination and forbearance and, above all, don't give up, you will succeed. Finding and creating peace does not begin and end with the individual. We are all part of the world and, as such, connected with each other. But nations continue to try and dominate each other, threatening other countries with weapons of mass destruction. 'How can a world full of hatred and anger achieve real peace?' the Dalai Lama asks. It is impossible unless the people in the world also have inner peace. There may seem little an individual person can do to improve the state of the world. But the world is made up of individuals. As each individual transforms him- or herself, that person's surroundings will be transformed also. Others will see the benefits of transformation and set about bringing tolerance and love into their own lives. The book is based on Buddhist philosophy and practices and draws on the Four Noble Truths, the Three Practices and meditation. We are shown how to overcome all kinds of counterproductive thinking such as jealousy, anger, selfishness, insecurity and immorality and to develop compassion, kindness and wisdom. In fact, says the Dalai Lama, kindness and compassion are essential for peace and a happy life, both within one's own family and outside it. Many of our problems, he says, stem from the desire to put ourselves first at all costs. This and other undesirable characteristics can be overcome by training the mind. This book guides us through a series of steps designed to lead us to enlightenment and is intended as a daily companion. We all have it within us to achieve fulfilment, and the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader, bestselling author and Nobel Prize-winner can show us how. (Kirkus UK)