Lotus in the Fire


Book Description

In 1995, Jim Bedard, a martial artist and Zen student, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and given ten days to live. This is the story of how he used his spiritual strength to bring himself into full contact with a death sentence as well as with painful medical treatment, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. It is also the inspiring story of how the faith of his family, Zen teacher, close friends, and the Buddhist community helped him. Bedard's story introduces us to Zen practices that can help us cope with emotional turmoil and physical pain. His words on compassion, on karma, on gratitude, on impermanence and the inevitability of death—all from a nonsmoking, meditating, aerobically fit vegetarian who became suddenly and "terminally" ill—are inspiring and sometimes funny. He explores, too, the fundamental question of suffering, its cause, and how the teachings of karma can help us accept illness, ultimately using it as an opportunity to deepen our spiritual lives.




Fire in the Lotus


Book Description




The Lotus Quest


Book Description

A captivating history of one of the world's most iconic and mysterious flowers Bewitched by a lotus which flowered from three-thousandyear- old seeds in his English garden, Mark Griffiths set out to track the origins and significance of this sublime plant in this beautifully-illustrated book. The Lotus Quest takes Griffiths from the headquarters of the Linnaean Society in London to a mountain top in northern Japan. As he travels in search of this ancient flower, Griffiths looks at the lotus's significance in ancient Egypt and India, the plant's medicinal uses and the inspiration it has provided to Western artists. As he tracks the plant, its story unveils a stunning vision of Japan's feudal era with visits to shrines, ruins, gardens and wild landscapes as well as meetings with priests and archaeologists, philosophers and anthropologists, gardeners and botanists, poets and artists. He even dines on the lotus in a Tokyo cafe. By the end of Griffiths' journey, when he reaches the hauntingly beautiful Japanese temple of Chuson-ji, readers will finally understand why the lotus has obsessed people throughout the ages.




The Lotus Flower


Book Description

The Lotus Flower is a collection of poetry about healing; mother nature; love; relationships; spirituality; religion; depression amongst many other subjects. The Lotus Flower stays close to mother nature throughout. The poems were written in order to heal from mental health illness and gain a new life of spirituality and wisdom. The poetry depicts life in its minute form and brings small things to life. The poetry is written from a feminist point of view covering many areas of femininity and mother nature. Beginning with the poem 'My Brand New Book, ' shows my second chance in life of writing and living, still staying natural to my environment and my experiences. As the poems develop and come out of their shell I write about depresssion and relationships, asking the question: Who am I ? continuously. The title is inspired from the poem 'About Ancestor Voices' and it was after this poem my poetry was growing into another dimension, especially the lines: ' The lakes are laid with the Lotus, As they have fought from the depths of waters', Carrying hope, light and purity in their shield like petals.'The poetry develops into 'My World' and 'A Poetess Grows' showing the development in the poetry reflecting life. As it develops I express the importance of childhood and religion. As identity in finding life back is explored I return to religion and back to nature. After writing 'The Phoenix' the poetry expresses love and resurrection and how much we can learn from mother nature.




No Mud, No Lotus


Book Description

The secret to happiness is to acknowledge and transform suffering, not to run away from it. Here, Thich Nhat Hanh offers practices and inspiration transforming suffering and finding true joy. Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we’re able to face our suffering, we can’t be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us. Nhat Hanh shares how the practices of stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration can generate the energy of mindfulness within our daily lives. With that energy, we can embrace pain and calm it down, instantly bringing a measure of freedom and a clearer mind. No Mud, No Lotus introduces ways to be in touch with suffering without being overwhelmed by it. "When we know how to suffer," Nhat Hanh says, "we suffer much, much less." With his signature clarity and sense of joy, Thich Nhat Hanh helps us recognize the wonders inside us and around us that we tend to take for granted and teaches us the art of happiness.




The Lotus


Book Description

For thousands of years lotuses have fascinated people in their religion, philosophy, food, research, and ornamental horticulture. This colorful volume explains everything needed to grow lotus (Nelumbo). The book also covers all the other intriguing aspects about the lotus and provides a complete portrait of an amazing aquatic plant. "The Lotus" is packed with beautiful full-color photographs and is compelling to read. Chapters include: botanical background, cultivation, landscape uses, lotus timeline, cultural traditions, lore, resources, and quick guide for gardeners. The book is suitable for pond owners, first time lotus growers, seasoned Nelumbo experts, and those wanting to learn more about the remarkable plant that has impacted the lives of so many around the world.




The Red Lotus


Book Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant comes a twisting story of love and deceit: an American man vanishes on a rural road in Vietnam, and his girlfriend follows a path that leads her home to the very hospital where they met. Alexis and Austin don’t have a typical “meet cute”—their first encounter involves Alexis, an emergency room doctor, suturing a bullet wound in Austin’s arm. Six months later, they’re on a romantic getaway in Vietnam: a bike tour on which Austin can show Alexis his passion for cycling, and can pay his respects to the place where his father and uncle fought in the war. But then Austin fails to return from a solo ride. Alexis’s boyfriend has vanished, the only clue left behind a bright yellow energy gel dropped on the road. As Alexis grapples with this bewildering loss, she starts to uncover a series of strange lies that force her to wonder: Where did Austin go? Why did he really bring her to Vietnam? And how much danger has he left her in? Set amidst the adrenaline-fueled world of the emergency room, The Red Lotus is a global thriller about those who dedicate their lives to saving people—and those who peddle death to the highest bidder. Look for Chris Bohjalian's new novel, The Lioness!




Desdemona's Fire


Book Description

This is the author's first book and winner of the 1999 Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award. While miscegenation has always been more a part of American history than many want to admit, Desdemona's Fire journeys through this often forbidden landscape in poems that are sometimes painfully poignant, yet fresh in their imagery and detail.




The Lotus Effect


Book Description

Offers meditation techniques and intriguing thought and perception exercises for shedding negative thoughts and experiences, anger, worry and feelings of low self-worth, so that, no matter how bad of a day one has had, he or she can still be at peace. Original.




The Blooming of a Lotus


Book Description

One of the world's great meditation teachers offers thirty-four guided exercises that will bring both beginning and experienced practitioners into closer touch with their bodies, their inner selves, their families, and the world. Compassionate and wise, Thich Nhat Hanh's healing words help us acknowledge and dissolve anger and separation by illuminating the way toward the miracle of mindfulness.