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A Heart Full of Peace
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.
110 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Joseph Goldstein
116 books484 followersJoseph 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 14, 2018
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."
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."
November 27, 2019
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
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
April 1, 2024
I did not expect such a short book to knock me on my ass. Not only was I exposed to a lot of new ideas, but they were challenging to my world view when I applied them to my life. This book expresses showing compassion to all living things, whether you like them or not, and builds on that premise with a variety of stories and pieces of wisdom. Thankfully I had therapy at the time of reading this, so I could discuss the ideas about self-compassion and letting go of the past with my therapist.
The anecdotal sections of this book helped build the premise quite a bit. I only wish that he added more of them. Two of them stood out to me, both as ethical dilemmas and stories of personal growth. Goldstein once held a meditation class about forgiveness, and someone who witnessed 9/11 was there. They said that they could forgive everyone but Al-Qaeda, but Goldstein still encouraged it. The second story I loved was about the Dalai-Lama's doctor, who was beaten and tortured in a Chinese prison for twenty years. He learned to forgive his enemies after all that trauma and live a good life beyond it.
My girlfriend lent me this book and told me about its impact on her life. Both of us deal with mental illness and we were raised to judge ourselves and others. Goldstein's methods of personal healing and becoming mindful of all things were good ways for us to deal with those problems. It will be a long time before I can practice the self-compassion expressed here, but the fact that its possible for me to actually accomplish it is compelling. This was a good book that I want to reread every now and again for a little perspective.
The anecdotal sections of this book helped build the premise quite a bit. I only wish that he added more of them. Two of them stood out to me, both as ethical dilemmas and stories of personal growth. Goldstein once held a meditation class about forgiveness, and someone who witnessed 9/11 was there. They said that they could forgive everyone but Al-Qaeda, but Goldstein still encouraged it. The second story I loved was about the Dalai-Lama's doctor, who was beaten and tortured in a Chinese prison for twenty years. He learned to forgive his enemies after all that trauma and live a good life beyond it.
My girlfriend lent me this book and told me about its impact on her life. Both of us deal with mental illness and we were raised to judge ourselves and others. Goldstein's methods of personal healing and becoming mindful of all things were good ways for us to deal with those problems. It will be a long time before I can practice the self-compassion expressed here, but the fact that its possible for me to actually accomplish it is compelling. This was a good book that I want to reread every now and again for a little perspective.
June 30, 2023
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.
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.
June 4, 2023
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.
March 6, 2020
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.
October 25, 2016
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.
August 3, 2017
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.
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.
September 20, 2017
oh buddhism, i love your ideas but you're so hard to distill into a compelling written narrative. i still dig you though.
May 15, 2019
As the title suggests, a very peace-ful read. A simple book to be read often.
March 21, 2020
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.
This short book truly captures the practice with a gentle and reassuring way.
January 10, 2021
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.
March 24, 2021
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.
August 30, 2021
Third time read.
January 11, 2022
Def worth the read
May 1, 2022
A terrific little book
I really enjoyed this book. It is full of so much wisdom, and compassion. I am grateful to the author.
I really enjoyed this book. It is full of so much wisdom, and compassion. I am grateful to the author.
March 12, 2024
Teaches peace and radical acceptance in such a factual and relatable way. LOVE this book. Wow
December 19, 2015
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
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
November 3, 2014
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.
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.
May 21, 2013
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.
August 30, 2008
Simply Beautiful.
December 28, 2013
Good, classic text.
May 13, 2011
Fantastic teacher.
June 28, 2014
A quick and gentle reminder to actively embrace peace and see the good around us.
May 8, 2015
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 !
January 9, 2024
The most important book I’ve ever read
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews