A Heart Full of Peace

by Joseph Goldstein, Dalai Lama XIV (Foreword)

Following in the footsteps of two millennia of Buddhist practitioners, author-teacher Joseph Goldstein leads Forest Refuge programs, lengthy retreats in which seekers develop “the practice of awakening.” A Heart Full of Peace distills those teachings into breezy, entertaining lessons on peacefulness and positivity that all readers can learn from and enjoy. Like the songlines that bring sacred aboriginal paths to life, Goldstein’s evocative words bring the concept of metta, or loving kindness, to life for Western readers. Grounded in the basic trainings of body, speech, and mind, this mini-retreat is illuminated by the kind of humor and personal insights that inspire even seasoned travelers, while pithy practice guidelines keep the journey on track.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Meditation

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Joseph Goldstein (born 1944) is one of the first American vipassana teachers (Fronsdal, 1998), co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) with Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg, contemporary author of numerous popular books on Buddhism (see publications below), resident guiding teacher at IMS, and leader of retreats worldwide on insight (vipassana) and lovingkindness (metta) meditation.

While the majority of Goldstein's publications introduce Westerners to primarily Theravada concepts, practices and values, his 2002 work, "One Dharma", explored the creation of an integrated framework for the Theravada, Tibetan and Zen traditions.

Reviews

[Mia]

A lovely little book which can be read in one sitting.
An excerpt from the foreword by the Dalai Lama sums it up the best:
"This small book conveys with clarity and concision some of the spiritual teachings and practices we urgently need to help balance the materialism of our age--compassion, love, kindness, a skillful mind, and a peaceful heart."

[May Ling]

Summary: Very short and approachable. I love the humility of this amazing person as he tells us this philosophy of how to think about meditation, peace, and this sort of spiritual journey.

In this short book, you get a far better sense for the idea that Meditation is a practice of something. So often when people talk about meditation and it's benefits, it talks more about peaceful and calm. In this book, in short order, it goes through more that sort of mental stuff that is not just peace calm and granola. It talks about how we grow our awareness of self, we calm our critical mind, we grow our appreciation for what happiness and joy really is.

It's so short, I'm going to write very little. My favorites were:
"Unnoticed, thoughts have great power."
"Genuine happiness does not come from accumulating pleasant feelings."

I have so much to learn/practice.
-ML

[Connor Bell]

The most important book I’ve ever read

[Solomiya Martynovych]

How can we hold strong differences of view in a larger context of unity, beyond discord and hostility? Love, compassion and peace do not belong to any religion or tradition. They are qualities in each of us, qualities of our hearts and minds.

The Sanskrit word maitri and the Pali word metta both mean "loving-kindness" or "loving care".

I make my mind my friend.

In the cherry blossom's shade, there's no such a thing as a stranger.

1. We must endeavor to see the situation in a larger context 2. We must see our enemies, or the difficult people in our lives, as human beings like ourselves. 3. We myst let go of pride and feelings of self-importance. 4. Hatred never ceases through hatred, in ceases only in response to love.

If my mind doesn't go out to disturb the noise, the noise won't disturb me.

Compassion is a verb.

In Buddhist practice, we also develop awareness of the different motivations that underlie our actions. We open to the possibility of expanding our highest motivation and aspirations. This actually enlarges our sense of what we can accomplish in our lives.

Bodhichitta in a Sanskrit and Pali means "the awakened heart".

[Aubrey]

All of us have this inner battle in our minds, with whatever struggle we go through in that moment in time. We can be the happiest of people but still have thoughts that conflict, questions we have, things we have to work through. It could be a decision we have to make, a relationship gone downhill or any otherwise change that sets us aback in thought. In the end, how we feel is up to us. There's a balance we have to find. That balance between self-righteousness and self-judgement. And it's a journey to find that balance. This book really helps to give you the tools to combat that. It's not going to do it for you, obviously, but instead open its hands of wisdom and say 'here.'

I'm glad my husband picked this little book up on a whim in Denver, CO in the clearance section. I have already passed it on and would like to grab a couple more and pass them on too. There is too much in these few words that I think could better the world, if we start with ourselves. Make us more giving, more mindful, and more understanding of our own thoughts.

[John Eugene]

A thoughtful book full of reasonable ideas. But I personally found the expression of those ideas to be more cliche and superficial than other readers, and the “humility” that many reviewers describe came across as performative to me. I’m not saying that anyone is wrong for liking this book or rating it highly. Ratings are subjective, though, and I just want to affirm that if you find Goldstein to be robotic rather than humane and inspiring, you’re not alone.

[Susa Schwalbe]

A light read on general Buddhist top ten topics like meditation, attachment, compassion and so on with more Tibetan perspective. Nice to read before bed to fall asleep with, but completely lacking structure, so I honestly don't remember much of what I read.

[James Allen]

A short but powerful book on mindfulness, compassion, and peace. Goldstein knows how to get to the heart of the matter and express it succinctly.

[Teri Miller]

Enlightening

This is the first book in many years that I could not put down. From the first sentence I knew I was meant to read this book.

[Wendy Yu]

oh buddhism, i love your ideas but you're so hard to distill into a compelling written narrative. i still dig you though.

[Michelle]

As the title suggests, a very peace-ful read. A simple book to be read often.

[Chris Duprey]

Joseph Goldstein has been a huge influence in my practice and my study of mindfulness and the Dhamma.
This short book truly captures the practice with a gentle and reassuring way.

[tpei]

A lovely little book full of inspiration for the spiritual path. Its short sections are very well suited for being picked up here and there for a few minutes of inspiring insights.

[J]

A beautiful, succinct book that focuses on the practical aspects of Buddhism. A wonderful companion to anyone who is working with a regular meditation practice.

[Mark]

Third time read.

[Jessica Baumgartner]

Def worth the read

[Scott Bonner]

A terrific little book

I really enjoyed this book. It is full of so much wisdom, and compassion. I am grateful to the author.

[Eliza Parker]

Teaches peace and radical acceptance in such a factual and relatable way. LOVE this book. Wow

[Sidek]

Love this book. Unlike any other "self-help book", this one is straight to the point about how to be in happy, peace, free of suffering states. To conclude, it is all in your (healthy) mind.

I was so depressed for the past years and under shrink care with cocktail of medications. The depression is almost no more, however my brain was shaped by the experience of depression-state itself, and became so negative.

What i need now are factors that could reshaping my mind into positive one with less worries and anxiety.

I read this book 4x already, and still cant get enough from it

[Rubina]

Only a 100 pages but this compact book is filled with so much insightful teachings on the practice of compassion, loving-kindness and peace. Goldstein reminds us by developing awareness of our motivations, thoughts and emotions, we can learn to accept and manage the many struggles and difficulties we face in life.
Definitely a book which should be read not just by anyone who wants to understand the basic philiosphy of Buddhism but also for advanced practitioners.

[Steve Woods]

This is another great little collection of readings. These collections, I use two or three, are an integral part of my daily practice. I read at least one a day, just to get my mind focused on a specific thought and to keep my own practice alive to the basics of my own path. It is a habit I strongly recommend to anyone who is walking any kind of spiritual path.

[Carolyn]

Simply Beautiful.

[Michelle]

Good, classic text.

[Sarah]

Fantastic teacher.

[Alexandrea]

A quick and gentle reminder to actively embrace peace and see the good around us.

[Steve Kemp]

This is the kind of book you want to read over and over again. I have a feeling mine is going to be with me most everywhere I go ! Yes , it is that good !