LETTING GO OF THE PERSON YOU USED TO BE:
Lessons on Change, Loss and
Spiritual Transformation
by Lama Surya Das
Surya
Das, the beloved American Lama, a spiritual leader whose inimitable light
and lively universal teaching style has awakened the spirituality of thousands,
now shares an enlightened approach to change and loss, dealing with difficult
emotions such as fear, grief, and anger, and the role of crisis in uncovering
our authentic selves.
For many people, recent years have been characterized by profound change, whether it relates to financial upheaval, political shifts, or even massive losses of life to disease and violence. Even on the personal level each person must confront the curves life throws his or her way. Buddhism has a great deal to say about change and impermanence and how to meaningfully deal with it. Change--whether on a large or small scale--provides our most important opportunity for learning about ourselves and the nature of reality. From this essential insight Lama Surya Das has crafted a fulfilling and important path to understanding and healing ourselves and finding peace.
Full of personal stories, anecdotes, practical exercises, guided meditations and reflections, and pithy original aphorisms, Letting Go of the Person You Used to Be addresses life's most universal difficulties in a way that is accessible to all. By using memorable concepts such as The Virtues of Adversity, The Pearl Principle ("No inner irritation, no pearl"), and Gaining through Loss, Surya reminds readers that hiding from change and loss is futile. Learning to consciously accept and embrace change leads to a better understanding of ourselves and our own innate divine light.
“During
these challenging times when fear and self-doubt become our constant companions
this beautiful book provides the guidance we all need to use change and
loss as a catalyst for our spiritual evolution.”
-–Cheryl Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of Take
Time for Your Life
“It is inevitably
painful to deal with transition, change, suffering, death, and other losses.
They are realities we would prefer to avoid, or minimize, but they are
essentially part of life. We must face them with courage, grace, clarity
and wisdom. Lama Surya Das teaches us how to do so in the spirit of enlightenment,
great practical wisdom, humility and effective compassion. Letting
Go of the Person You Used to Be is a further tribute to his masterful
talents as a spiritual teacher.”
--Wayne Teasdale, author of The Mystic Heart
Praise for the landmark "Awakening Trilogy" by Lama Surya Das:
Awakening the Buddha Within
“Lama
Surya Das communicates the wisdom of Buddhism to the people of his times
and environments. To me this is a great achievement and I feel deeply
grateful for it.”
-–Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames
“This
open-hearted offering of the Buddha’s teachings ranges from the
fundamentals to magic. It is a wonderful gift.”
--Sharon Salzberg, author of Faith: Trusting Our Own Deepest Experience
“Wise
and wonderful, gentle and profound.…This is surely one of the finest
spiritual manuals meant for a larger public and it succeeds brilliantly.”
--Ken Wilbur, author of A Brief History of Everything
Awakening to the Sacred
“Awakening
to the Sacred will bring great gifts into the lives of its readers.
It is user-friendly—filled with beautiful teachings, gracious stories,
dozens of practices, humorous takes and wise practical ways to invite
our hearts to awaken to the highest wisdom in every part of our lives.”
--Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart
“Lama
Surya Das offers a fresh and invigorating approach to the perennial quest
which gives natural spirituality its rightful place at the center of things.”
--Mitchell Kapor, founder of the Lotus Foundation
“Awakening
to the Sacred is a feast for the soul.”
--Mark Epstein, author of Going to Pieces without Falling Apart
Awakening the Buddhist Heart
“In
Awakening the Buddhist Heart, Lama Surya Das brings the depth
of wisdom and understanding to the realities of our everyday life. This
is a helpful guide for all those walking the path to awakening while living
in the world.”
--Joseph Goldstein, author of Insight Meditation
“When
we come to the end of our lives, what will matter most are the relationships
we’ve shared with loved ones. Awakening the Buddhist Heart
takes you on a spiritual journey that will return you to this important
priority.”
--Cheryl Richardson, author of Take Time for Your Life
"Lama
Surya Das makes the Buddha nature seem very real and accessible. I feel
lighter, I feel calmer, I feel more peaceful. This book is a blessing
on my bookshelf and a blessing on my heart."
--Marianne Williamson, author of A Return to Love
Latest Update: 7 November 2003