Opening the Door of Your Heart

More than statistics and theories, we really trust anecdotes and narratives. Our brains and beings are wired to learn deeply and easily via stories, and this splendid collection of 108 Buddhist-based tales proves the point with lasting, gentle, pervasive teachings ... In the dozen compelling and practical sections on topics like perfection, love, commitment, fear, pain, anger, forgiveness, happiness, freedom and humility, he weaves a long, rich tapestry of understanding using short threads of stories only a couple of pages long. Many tales lead one to the other, but each also stands alone. Resurrecting several 'chestnuts' as well as crafting new stories, Brahm avoids the pitfall of esoteric, inscrutable renderings sometimes found in Buddhist writing. Instead, without compromising integrity, he favours modern cadences and references (e.g., iPods and the World Wildlife Fund) to make the stories sail along ... this is a wonderful collection that can be enjoyed by a broad audience. - Publishers Weekly Ajahn Brahm is the Seinfeld of Buddhism. - Sumi Loundon, editor of Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of Young Buddhists and The Buddha's Apprentices