How Generosity Works: The Intention to Benefit Others

by Janet Ettele

The first of six in the How Life Works Series, How Generosity Works follows in the tradition of How Yoga Works by illustrating through contemporary fable how one can create a happier life. The teachings draw from 8th Century Buddhist monk Master Shantideva's A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life but are accessible to anyone looking for inspiration, regardless of background or belief. Never preachy, How Generosity Works demonstrates how to transform pain and anger into a profound experience of love.

The fable centers on Troy, a young man grieving the death of his good friend and Grace, a middle-aged Buddhist practitioner. Troy has returned home after failing too many college classes. At his father's house, he endures the unwelcoming scorn from a combative stepmother. Troy and Grace connect through music, which sets the spae for deeper teaching of Master Shantideva's verses, interwoven throughout the text. Empowered by the knowledge that Grace imparts, Troy takes control of his own life as he begins the journey out of his pain.

The How Life Works series is a collection of beautifully packaged, small hardcover books, designed for inspirational giving. The series is based on the six generosity, ethics, patience, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom.

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 16, 2011

About the author

A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Janet Kathleen Ettele studied music composition. Ettele feels that playing music is like painting pictures with sound, and that the same is true about writing, only with words. She has found that many elements of music composition – theme, phrasing, rhythm, and dynamics – are common elements in writing, and this awareness helps guide her written work. Ettele worked in the entertainment industry until becoming a mother. She lives in Connecticut, where she has raised two sons. She has recorded two CDs, Piano Mandalas and Piano Mandalas—Compassion, which are collections of her meditatively improvised music. How the Root of Kindness Works and How Generosity Works are her first two works of fiction in the How Life Works series, which are books based on The Six Perfections taught in Buddhism. She is now writing the fourth book in the series, which will be published in 2015. You can learn more about Janet at: www.janetettele.com.

Reviews

[Judy Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent story on incorporating Buddhist thinking and meditation in our daily lives.