If The Buddha Books by Charlotte Kasl

Ranked #10,441 in Culture & Society, #212,564 overall | Donates to Women's Peace Campaign

Charlotte Kasl has authored a bunch of books with titles starting out If the Buddha. She is a practicing therapist. She does workshops and is a feminist. She has written on relatiohships, joy, sexuality, Eastern spiritual practices, healing and addiction. She weaves together spirituality and psychology. Her books include If the Buddha Dated; If the Buddha Married; and If the Buddha Got Stuck among others.

Getting Unstuck

This little lighthearted personal growth book presents seven simple yet profound steps on the path to change: 1) Notice Where You're Stuck 2) Show Up 3) Pay Attention 4) Live in Reality 5) Connect with Others, Connect with Life 6) Move from Thought to Action and 7) Let Go

If the Buddha Got Stuck: A Handbook for Change on a Spiritual Path

Amazon Price: $4.74 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

"Buddhism offers a gentle... understanding of being stuck and getting unstuck," writes Kasl (If the Buddha Dated), referring to a variety of stubborn problems that can interfere with life, including feeling intractably "bored, scared, protective, petty, exhausted, afraid or unfulfilled." In 60-plus brief chapters featuring discussions and therapy-type strategies deeply rooted in Buddhist teachings, Kasl guides readers on a journey of self-discovery. She begins by inviting them to notice where they are stuck, and then asks them to simply "show up" to life with a sense of "fascination and curiosity." She implores them to be mindful and to trust in the power of engaging reality directly without interpretive lenses (acknowledging difficulties in a relationship, for example, instead of making excuses). She then explores the importance of connecting with others, of acting on insights and the "ultimate step" of letting go the temporal self, an act that brings "abiding happiness." Throughout, she intersperses exercises to help readers engage the lessons more personally. Kasl's approach is compelling: her discussions are simple but never simplistic; her tone is warmly inviting but not obsequious; and her insights are both penetrating and accessible. Occasionally her supporting illustrations veer into the cheesy, but overall Kasl offers a challenging, practical and disarmingly effective approach to getting out of life's ruts.

An excerpt from If the Buddha Got Stuck

Let Go of the Outcome

Many of us make leaps of faith without realizing it. We make most decisions with insufficient data. We go to a movie not knowing if we will like it. We conceive a child without knowing what he'll be like. We try out a medical treatment without knowing if it will help-we might go through tremendous pain and discomfort and then get well, or we might not. We constantly choose between one path or another, not knowing what we really are choosing. You probably already leg go in hundreds of ways throughout your lifetime. The task for staying unstuck is to stay unattached to the outcome and not look back with regret.

Everything turns out one way or another; it's just the way it is. You can have a loosely held preference without creating turmoil inside. You can say, well, I really wanted to have that work out, without saying it was bad and unfair that it didn't Life is unfair and lots of plans won't go as we expect.

A Special Gift For Any Buddhist

Chinese Feng Shui 5 Layer Crystal Pagodas

Amazon Price: $17.54 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

A crystal pagoda is a symbol of an enlightened mind.

Finding Love - If The Buddha Dated

If the Buddha Dated: A Handbook for Finding Love on a Spiritual Path

Amazon Price: $7.18 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

This book is filled with wisdom such as the following from If the Buddha Dated:

"No matter how you feel at the prospect of dating - clear and confident, or nervous and tenuous - the task for all of us the the same: to walk the path of knowing who we are, learning to see others clearly, and dropping our images and expectations so we live more from our essence. This allows us to take the dating plunge into union."

What Haven't Had a Date in Years?

No time to waste. Create the perfect relationship, or job, or home.

Send a Green Tara Card

Once You Are Hitched - If the Buddha Married

If the Buddha Married: Creating Enduring Relationships on a Spiritual Path (Compass)

Amazon Price: $3.82 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

Reviewed By Kat Lynn

Although, I do not know a lot about Buddhism (historic details as some of the other reviewers do), I can say I found the book an excellent, inviting and uplifting read. It impacted my relationship in a profound way. I think partly because it was not "clinical" nor written in an analytical style. The flow and read of the book was so wonderful, it brought down my defense mechanisms and made me consider what was most important. Each chapter deserves real think time -- and you may wish to read it together as a couple. Maybe a chapter each night before you go to bed.

It is a book of great enlightenment. It's what you do with it that counts. Several chapters struck a chord so deep, it moved me into a whole new realm. I can not give this book enough stars. I recommend it to all who are in a relationship and are striving to stay together over the long haul. You can spend a couple of bucks now, or a whole bunch later on therapy, post divorce.

Is Marriage the End?

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Buddha iPhone Case

If the Buddha Had Kids

If the Buddha Had Kids: Raising Children to Create a More Peaceful World

Amazon Price: $9.54 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

The wise and insightful If the Buddha books have won Charlotte Kasl thousands of devoted readers. In her latest work she turns her attention to parenthood, a stage of life that leaves most of us searching for answers. If the Buddha Had Kids applies Kasl's signature blend of spiritual guidelines, exercises, and practical advice to help parents raise peacemakers in our increasingly turbulent times, emphasizing that finding peace within a family is the first step towards creating a peaceful world. In an age where most kids clock more time with electronic devices than their parents and dinner is often fast food on the way to a soccer game, this gentle volume will appeal to the legions of readers eager for an enlightened alternative to mainstream parenting books.

Enhance Your Meditation

Includes a Meditation Mat infused with Earth Energy.
A Meditation Mask
Infused Meditation Palm Crystals
and
Pineal Gland Third Eye Awakening Crystal

Try this powerful kit. Also makes a thoughtful gift.

Buddhist Jewelry

Meditating Buddha Amulet Pewter Pendant Necklace

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

Comes ready to wear with a jewelry black rope necklace (not pictured) or you could put it on your favorite chain/necklace. This piece is a fine crafted pewter pendant necklace. It is made from the highest quality 100% pewter inside and out. Nickle-free.

Listen to If the Buddha Were in Love

If the Buddha Were in Love

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

Listen in your car while commuting.

What Would Buddha Do?


What Would Buddha Do?:
101 Answers to Life's Daily Dilemmas


If you enjoyed the If the Buddha books, you might also want to check this one out. Buddhist Spirituality contributor Metcalf applies sacred Buddhist teachings to road-rage, maxed-out credit cards, competitive co-workers and more in this tidy gathering of insights that serve as brief but astute reminders that enlightenment is obtainable, even when you're stuck in traffic. Metcalf "plumbed a deep reservoir" of Buddhist practices, texts, rituals and myths to uncover practical, soothing and surprisingly contemporary advice on topics such as addiction, personal identity struggles, relationship conflicts and financial worries. Each page begins with the phrase, "What would Buddha do?" and then considers his enlightened behavior in taxicab queues, kitchens and offices (Buddha, for instance, would defeat office enemies with grace).

Mandala Offering Keepsake Gift Box

Buddhists Love Juicy Journaling

Do you journal? Or would you like to start? Get some juicy ideas to spark your creative and enhance your life. Start Juicy Journaling.

What Would the Buddha Recycle?

What Would the Buddha Recycle?: The Zen of Green Living

Amazon Price: $6.50 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

If the Buddha were alive today, he'd be the living embodiment of green living. He'd be collecting cans on the freeway, riding his bike to work, and replacing all his light bulbs-one little satori at a time. In this book you can channel His Holiness, reduce your footprint, and experience little Aha! moments when you

* Eat mindfully and lose the meat
* Make a Zen garden that nourishes the earth
* Choose sustainable clothing
* Meditate while walking instead of driving
* Let go of attachment to things by giving away belongings

Living green is living Zen. Now you can take right action and walk a green talk, starting today-just think how proud the Buddha would be!

Dalai Lama on Kindness

Hoodie

Buddh-its Post It Notes Buddha Sticky Notes

What Fun!

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