""If we can stay awake when our lives are changing, secrets will be revealed to us--secrets about ourselves, about the nature of life, and about the eternal source of happiness and peace that is always available, always renewable, already within us."" --ELIZABETH LESSER During times of transition, amid everyday stress, and even when we face seemingly insurmountable adversity, life offers us a choice: to turn away from change or to embrace it; to shut down or to be broken open and transformed. In the more than twenty-five ...
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""If we can stay awake when our lives are changing, secrets will be revealed to us--secrets about ourselves, about the nature of life, and about the eternal source of happiness and peace that is always available, always renewable, already within us."" --ELIZABETH LESSER During times of transition, amid everyday stress, and even when we face seemingly insurmountable adversity, life offers us a choice: to turn away from change or to embrace it; to shut down or to be broken open and transformed. In the more than twenty-five years since she cofounded the Omega Institute--now the world's largest personal-growth and spiritual retreat center--Elizabeth Lesser has been an intimate witness to the ways in which human beings deal with change, loss, and difficulty. She herself has struggled to submit to what she calls the "Phoenix Process"-- allowing herself to be broken open in order to rise like the mythical bird from the ashes of past mistakes and suffering. In this beautifully written, often funny, and always inspiring book, Lesser has gathered together true stories about ordinary people who by design or disaster decided to step boldly into a fuller life. Here are profoundly moving narratives of fears overcome and risks taken; of hard times and difficult passages; of betrayal, divorce, sickness, and death; and of the day-to-day challenges of raising children, earning a living, and growing older. By sharing her own most human traits, Lesser helps us feel less lonely in our own struggles, and more optimistic about the possibility of transformation. Broken Open also introduces us to some of the world's greatest spiritual teachers--both ancient and living--and imparts the wisdom ofvarious traditions, from Buddhist meditation to Sufi dance, and from Christian prayer to contemporary psychotherapy. Eminently practical, Lesser provides tools to support us in our quest for a clearer sense of purpose and a new passion for life. Broken Open is not only a testament to the inner richness and potential of every life but also a deeply trustworthy guide to the dynamics of healing and growth--how we resist and how we surrender, how we stay stuck and how we grow, and how we can turn misfortune into insight, and grief into joy. It helps us to discover within ourselves a fearless heart, a clear mind, and a shining soul.
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Add this copy of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow to cart. $1.43, good condition, Sold by Big River Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Powder Springs, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Villard Books.
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Add this copy of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow to cart. $5.77, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Villard Books.
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Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Add this copy of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow to cart. $8.12, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Villard.
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Add this copy of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow to cart. $38.04, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hialeah, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Villard.
Add this copy of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow to cart. $97.84, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Villard.
Add this copy of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow to cart. $103.65, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hialeah, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Villard.
i would recommend this book to anyone who is going through difficult times of any kind.
PammieLee
Jan 1, 2010
Helpful and encouraging
A beautiful book that encourages the reader to look beyond the travails of difficult situations to the growth that occurs in these pivotal moments. I read this book while suffering through a death of a dear friend and the loss of another important relationship. I found the book encouraging and thankfully devoid of moralizing and platitudes. I recommend this book for anyone facing a challenging life situation.
Luckygirl
Aug 27, 2009
difficult times
Didn't read all of the book because after the first few chapters I didn't seem to be on the same thinking as the author and didn't want to continue. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be.
Perezr1
Jun 29, 2009
A Must Read!
A must read for anyone who is going through a difficult period in their life. The book is enlightening, refreshing and gives you a postiive perspective on today and a happier tomorrow. You won't be disappointed!
Milly52
May 4, 2009
A good read
A favorite book. I have already given it away to a younger woman. Lesser is a thoughtful writer. She is not afraid to share. Her book rings with the truth.
