Real-World Enlightenment: Discovering Ordinary Magic in Everyday Life

(Paperback)

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Beloved mindfulness teacher-and longtime Buddhist practitioner-Susan Kaiser Greenland explores time-tested universal themes-including Change, Humility, Interdependence, Concentration, Joy, Kindness, and Discernment, among many others-to help us shift our view and lead to emotional and psychological freedom and resileince. Greenland draws from science, psychology, Buddhism, wisdom traditions, and personal stories to give us these views of "everyday enlightenment." Drawing on 30 years of as a mindfulness teacher, Greenland shows us enlightenment isn't a lofty and unrelatable goal-but available to us all each of us all the time To help us do this, she offers contemplations, mindfulness practices, and slogans to help work with our mind to build openness, freedom, joy, and connection. These include- Tapping into the sensory pleasures of music or being in nature Finding a thought- or attention-based "anchor" when faced with stress or distraction Using slogans such as "Drop Your Baggage" or "This is what it is right now," to calm spiraling negative thoughts and get out of the "overwhelm zone" Developing a shamatha meditation practice to slow down your thinking process and heighten awareness of the natural movement of your mind Wisdom and encouragement from mindfulness, psychology, science, and time-honored traditions. Featuring 50 practical tools to ease anxiety, overwhelm, and stress by recognizing the enduring sense of love and well-being that's with us regardless of our circumstances. Enlightenment isn't a lofty and unattainable goal. Real-world enlightenment is always here, and you can find it any time in life's highs, lows, and everything in-between. Beloved mindfulness teacher, best-selling author, and longtime Buddhist practitioner Susan Kaiser Greenland explores time-honored themes that tap into a sense of love, connection, and well-being that is with us regardless of our circumstances. These universal themes-including Change, Humility, Interdependence, Concentration, Joy, Kindness, and Discernment, among many others-emphasize attitudes and mindsets that lead to emotional and psychological freedom by lessening our reactivity, broadening our perspectives, and deepening our relationships. Kaiser Greenland draws from science, psychology, Buddhism, wisdom traditions, and personal stories to give us a view of "real-world enlightenment"- where we shift from a narrow survival-driven frame of mind to one that is grounded and as vast as the sky. When we cultivate this expansive worldview from the inside out, we become more resilient, and that's just the beginning. A view as vast as the sky charts the course for kind, resilient people to build a kinder and more resilient world. To help us do this, she offers valuable methods and takeaways that allow you to apply these life-changing universal themes every day. They include- Practical ways to recognize the basic goodness within and around you by tapping into sensory pleasures like music or nature. Robust tools to manage stress and develop attention by focusing on a sight, sound, image, word, or phrase. Catchy slogans that promote emotional balance when you feel overwhelmed, like "right now, I'm okay," "drop the baggage," or "don't play the scene before you get there." These and other phrases can interrupt spiraling thoughts and move you back into your comfort zone. Accessible meditation methods to experience life with greater equanimity by slowing down your thinking process to heighten awareness of the natural movement of your mind. Time-tested life hacks to care for yourself and others with greater kindness and compassion. Insightful strategies that bring greater ease and effortlessness into your life and relationships by helping you remain flexible and creative, even in challenging situations. And much more.

Reviews

A true practitioner, Susan Kaiser Greenland shares creative tools to help us begin to recognize our innate wellbeing. These simple practices, steeped in the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism, offer the potential to alleviate suffering. May this book be of benefit to many.
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, author of Turning Confusion into Clarity

In Real-World Enlightenment,Susan Kaiser Greenland offers wisdom and practical advice for living a more meaningful, purposeful, and joyfullife.
Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO, Thrive Global

Susan Kaiser Greenland has improved the world immensely by bringing mindfulness to kids and parents at a time of escalating mental health challenges. Now shes taking the concept of enlightenment, often shrouded in exotica and esoterica, and bringing it into the lives of regular people in doable and fascinating ways. Bravo.
Dan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of 10% Happier

Real-World Enlightenment is a beautiful book. In easily accessible, down-to-earth language, Susan Kaiser Greenland helps us appreciate that everyday glimpses of enlightenment are available right now. She shows us that it is about the small things we say and do each day. Sprinkled with compelling anecdotes and simple, easy-to-implement short practices, this book has something for everyone.
Richard J. Davidson, New York Times bestselling author of The Emotional Life of Your Brain

Susan Kaiser Greenlands beautifully written new book enlightens us as it masterfully weaves together personal stories; Buddhist practice and teachings; literary, cultural, and philosophical references; scientific research; and practical exercises. Susans gift, honed from years of teaching mindfulness to children, is her ability to take complex and even esoteric concepts and make them immensely relatable and accessible to us all. This book is thought-provoking, inspiring, and a joy to read.
Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLAs Mindful Awareness Research Center and author of The Little Book of Being

Imagine the humility of an everyday sage who lives with the mortals among us and has the wisdom and clarity to share her hard-earned insights and deep, contemplative practice from ancient traditionsand to weave these with lessons from modern day science for us all to benefit from. This is the profound gift that Susan Kaiser Greenland has offered us in this compelling compendium of insights from around the world that can transform a life of chaos and confusion to one of clarity and connection. This is a book to treasure on each reading, to keep on our bed stands for ready access each day, and to offer as a gift that keeps on giving to anyone we care about, including ourselves. Thank you, Susan, for such an important offering to the world during these challenging times for us all.
Daniel J. Siegel, MD, New York Times best-selling author of Aware, IntraConnected, and Personality and Wholeness in Therapy

This book offers a practical way to find what many of us are seekingwaking up to a reality thats bigger than our limited self-perceptions. It draws on many spiritual traditions as well as personal stories to illustrate how enlightenment isnt some mystical state to be found only in a cave. Its a way of relating to each ordinary moment that can break us out of our usual way of seeing things and show us the beauty thats already there.
Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion

Real-World Enlightenment is a roadmap for anyone asking, How can I lead a more meaningful life Weaving together Buddhist wisdom, literary insights, and personal anecdotes, Susan Kaiser Greenland takes enlightenment down from the pedestal and empowers us to find kindness and connection in the precious moments of our everyday life. With rich wisdom offered through approachable takeaways and practices, this book can serve as a cherished companion you can return to again and again on the path to freedom.
Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Life

Inspiring, clear, and practical, Real-World Enlightenment offers an accessible guide to seekers everywhere looking to taste the fruits of spiritual practice in everyday life. Through touching stories, scientific principles, and personal insight into timeless teachings, Susan has woven an indispensable guide to a meaningful life in these challenging, modern times.
Oren Jay Sofer, author of Say What You Mean and Your Heart Was Made for This

Every so often a book or teacher comes along that manages to be both simple and profound. In Real-World Enlightenment, Susan Kaiser-Greenland does justthat, stripping the esoteric from the idea of enlightenment. The real world is heavy enough, and Susan Kaiser Greenland brings light and a playful energy to practice for anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Dr. Christopher Willard, author of Growing Up Mindful

Enlightenment for an everyday person like me Susan Kaiser Greenland shows us that awakening can be found not only in a cave but in a kitchen. This much-needed set of beautifully written, relatable, and down-to-earth teachings helps those of us living in the real world learn how freedom is found right at home. If the Real Housewives of Buddhism had a book on their nightstand, it would be Real-World Enlightenment.
Sumi Loundon Kim, Buddhist chaplain, Yale University, and author of Sitting Together

Author Bio

SUSAN KAISER GREENLAND developed the Inner Kids mindful awareness program and teaches secular mindful awareness practices to children, parents, and professionals around the world. In 2000, she established the Inner Kids Foundation with her husband, author Seth Greenland, to bring mindful awareness to underserved schools in Los Angeles. Her work has been covered by The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, and CBS Morning News.