David Michie

What does it take to be happy? Weve all asked ourselves this question at some point, but few of us have found the path to lasting fulfillment.David Michie thought he had achieved his lifes goals - the high level job, the expensive city apartment, the luxury car, great holidays - but a small voice was telling him he wasnt really happy. A chance remark from a naturopath sent him to his local Buddhist centre. There, he began the most important journey of his life.In this simple, beautifully written book, David Michie opens the door to the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. With wry, self-deprecating humour, he shows us how he began to incorporate Buddhist practices into his daily life. He explains how he came to understand the difference between the temporary pleasures of ordinary life, and the profound sense of well-being and heart-felt serenity that comes from connecting with our inner nature.Every once in a while you come across an extraordinary book with the power to change your life. Buddhism for Busy People is one such book. Michie demystifies the ancient teachings of Buddha, and writes about them in an easy style. - Sunday Mail

Un gatet afamat arriba al santuari budista de la vall de Kangra, residència oficial del Dalai Lama a l’exili, i no triga gaire guanyar-se la seva simpatia i fins i tot a prendre possessió de la fines

"Whatever dreams he was having, Jason knew they had nothing to do with his physical body. His eyes were firmly shut and his consciousness withdrawn from his senses when all this was going on. Yet in his dreams he experienced sights, sounds and even visceral sensations much more intensely than when he was awake. From this he understood that you didnt need a physical body to see, or smell, or endure any kind of experience with an acuteness that was more real than reality. From an early age he deduced that heaven or hell need not be material places so much as states of mindand no less glorious or horrifying because of that. There were no limits to a mind untethered from form."What if you could re-live the enchantment of childhood bedtimebut with magic that is real? What if you felt the wonder you once sensed when you believed that anything is possible? Or were inspired to see the world through fresh eyes? In this compendium of delightful short stories, David Michie draws us into the extraordinary experiences of everyday people as they encounter those tell-tale cracks exposing reality as not quite what it seems. Four female book club members are unexpectedly propelled, by the same black and white photograph, to discover a shared purpose beyond their wildest imaginings. An earnest young seeker finds that drawing aside the veil to an immeasurably more wonderful reality, doesnt depend so much on the arcane books he reads as on a source much closer to home. A cat-doting woman, who wishes her beloved felines would talk to her, is shaken when she realises what they have been trying to communicate all along.

The bonds we share with our pets go beyond words and are often deeper than many of our human relationships. What is the nature of these close connections? And what if our influence on pets, both in life and especially through sickness and death, is far more powerful than we ever conceived?David Michie draws on ancient Buddhist wisdom, supported by contemporary science, to provide fascinating insights into animal consciousness. He proposes that the pets with whom we share our lives are not there by accident. Whether your animal companion has fur, feathers or fins, he offers a treasury of practical tools to enhance your relationship with them in everyday life, as well as during times of challenge.Written with humour and compassion, and including extraordinary true stories from around the world, Buddhism for Pet Lovers reveals how our animal companions may indeed be among our most precious partners. For in helping them, our own lives are incomparably enriched too.If you have ever deeply loved an animal, this is, without doubt, the book for you. Gail Pope, BrightHavenOur pets offer us one of our greatest opportunities to add compassion to the world. This book helps direct us to a path toward the blossoming of that opportunity. Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words, and What Animals Think and Feel

The Dalai Lama regarded their flushed, animated faces, his forehead wrinkling. "The materialist approach," he nodded. "Seeking to change what you believe to be entirely outside you. It has many problems. For example, why must you constantly postpone your happiness?" Indias Top Ten Social Influencers Under 30 were taken aback by this question. Staring at him, their eyes filled with consternation. Postponing happiness was something they most definitely wanted no part of. "For example, if our happiness depends on having the new diamante sunglasses," he chuckled. "Or the perfect boyfriend," he beamed from the girl dressed in crimson to the one in emerald green. "Or having ten million followers," he nodded at the woman in the yellow sari. "What do we do until then? If we are constantly yearning for material things that we dont have yet, then our happiness is always around the corner. Or at the top of the next mountain. Why do you not wish to be happy here and now? Without needing anything else. Happy as I am?" In a chance encounter with Indias Top Ten Social Influencers, the Dalai Lama is asked to how to use the law of attraction to manifest abundance. He points out that material wellbeing was never the goal of such practices as he begins to explain their true purpose. It is a purpose that His Holinesss Cat goes on to explore with her usual warm-hearted and wonky-legged aplomb. Is the world much more a projection of our mind than we suspect? Can a few, precious insights transform our reality? In a drama of intimate revelations as well as panoramic visions, of encounters with much-loved friends along with intriguing newcomers, the Dalai Lamas Cat comes to discover that The Claw of Attraction holds the key to a more sublime transcendence than she ever believed possible. Stretch out your own talons, dear reader, and you may too!

Wouldnt it be wonderful if newspapers did more to share stories and insights that were really meaningful? Things that might help people lead more purposeful lives.The Queen glanced over at him, uncertainly. Tricky business, persuading the media to lift their sights from terror and trivia. Every one of us has tried.Pushing myself up so that I was balancing on my rear end, I fixed Kate with a pleading expression. She was a soft touch when it came to scones.There was a pause while the family glanced in my direction. Before Kate said, Well, not every family member.Rescued from unscrupulous breeders who plan to destroy him because of his floppy ear, when the Queens littlest corgi arrives at Windsor Castle, he finds himself in a world of red carpets, gilded chambers and not a pile of dirty laundry to be seen. Charming his way into the affections of the royal household, Nelson offers a dogs-eye view of life with the Queen. He eavesdrops on her encounters with celebrities, philanthropists and advisers, catching rare insights into the secrets of a purposeful life. Through one of Her Majestys most mysterious advisers, he discovers how the ancient ways and powerful symbols continue to exert a transformative presence. He also becomes familiar with the Queens most surprising quality: her gentle but firm expectation that everyone she encounters is striving to be the best that they can be.The Queens Corgi bursts with zest, humour and adventure. Romping through the litany of Nelsons misdemeanours are a warm-heartedness and deep wisdom sure to delight anyone who has known the smiling face and warm tongue of a dog. It is not by chance that you hold this book in your hands.

When novice monk Tenzin Dorje is told by his lama that the Red Army is invading Tibet, his countrys darkest moment paradoxically gives him a sense of purpose like no other. He accepts a mission to carry two ancient, secret texts across the Himalayas to safety. Half a century later, in a paradox of similarly troubling circumstances, Matt Lester is called upon to convey his own particular wisdom as a scientist, when Matts nanotech project is mysteriously moved from London to a research incubator in Los Angeles. Tenzin and Matt embark on parallel adventures which have spine-chilling connections. Tenzins perilous journey through the Himalayas, amid increasing physical hardship and the ever-present horror of Red Army capture, is mirrored by Matts contemporary, but no less traumatic challenges, as his passionate relationship with his fiancee, Isabella, and his high flying career undergo escalating crises. It is at the moment when both Tenzin and Matt face catastrophe that their stories converge, spectacularly transforming our understanding of all that has gone before.

Mike Cullen has created the most effective PR agency in London and his top client is Starwear, the world's leading sportswear manufacturer. When its chairman commits suicide the business world is rocked and analyst Chris Treiger realizes that all is not right with either the company or the agency.

Essential reading for those seeking life-changing psychological tools and transcendent wisdom, Enlightenment to Go provides a lively and accessible introduction to the best of Shantideva. With warmth, humor, and stories of his own experiences, author David Michie shows how modern psychological science confirms Shantidevas insights, and he explores powerful antidotes to contemporary problems, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Whether you are a newcomer to Buddhism or a seasoned practitioner, Enlightenment to Go offers a glimpse of a radiantly different reality right here in your busy life.

Weybridge, England: When Matt Norton's body is discovered washed up on a riverbank, it is the shocking end to a short and tragic life. Matt suffered from a rare ageing disorder called progeria; still at primary school, he had the body of a seventy-five-year-old. His father Andrew can't believe it - especially when he learns that his son's death might not have been accidental . . .Washington, DC: Gene-therapy is as much about spin as it is about research, especially on a project as exciting as NP3. For Dr Lorna Reid has discovered nothing less than the elusive elixir vitae: a miracle anti-ageing drug that puts back by decades the expiry date genetically written into our DNA. But not everyone is as thrilled as the media are by Lorna's scientific breakthroughs. Unless she is extremely careful, the anti-ageing guru is about to find her own life-expectancy drastically reduced .

David Michie steht fur Spannung und Spiritualitat, er hat ein ganz besonderes Genre gepragt, den spirituellen Thriller. Bei "Das geheime Mantra" hat sich der Protagonist funf Jahre lang in einem abgelegenen Kloster darauf vorbereitet, eine uralte Schriftrolle mit einer prophetischen Weisheit zu offnen, die die Welt gerade ganz dringend brauchen wurde. Doch die Schriftrolle wird gestohlen. Wahrend sich Matt, auf die Suche nach den Dieben mit dieser so wichtigen Schriftrolle macht, taucht der Leser parallel dazu in die Arbeit einer Wissenschaftlerin ein. Alice Weisenstein steht kurz davor, weltverandernde Studien zu einer neuartigen und ganzheitlichen Heilungsweise zu veroffentlichen, als ihr Mitarbeiter plotzlich verschwindet und sie verfolgt wird. Die weisen Lamas, deren Fuhrung sich Matt anvertraut hat, bringen ihn zu Alice. Die erste Begegnung verlauft aber ganz anders als von Matt erhofft Spannung garantiert!

The Dalai Lamas Cat is back: irreverent, vainand as delightfully insightful as ever! "If youre wondering how being in the presence of an enlightened person may be communicated on the pages of book written by a flawed and complexif extremely beautifulcat, let me confess that my only job here is to offer you a mirror. A looking glass of a particular kind. One that reflects back not the contours of your nose or the arch of your brow, but which provides a much deeper reflection of who and what you are. Look closely, dear reader, theres no need to be afraid. For what you will discover, if you ever doubted it, is that your own true nature is quite different from whatever flecks and imperfections may temporarily obscure it. At heart you are a being whose pristine nature is nothing other than pure, great love and pure, great compassion.Mine too!"When the Dalai Lamas inner circle is set the task of providing His Holiness with a book he can give his visitors, an unexpected volunteer stretches out her paws. The book is to summarize the four key elements of Tibetan Buddhismand, importantly, to communicate how it feels to be in the profoundly reassuring presence of His Holiness. Who better to do this than his much-loved feline?Through encounters with celebrity visitors and her own intriguing adventures, the Dalai Lamas Cat explains all four key themes, not so much as ideas but as practices to be embodied. Along the way she even gets a new title: "Therapy Cat." If you have ever sought a summary of Tibetan Buddhist wisdom, albeit from an unusual and whiskery source, this may just be the book to get you purring!

As kittens we feel it often. All it takes is a wind-blown feather, an unexpected delicacy, or the alluring rush of water and instantly we are caught up in it: Wonderment. Enchantment. Being fully absorbed in the here and now.By the time we reach senior status, way beyond the point of being impressed by such trivia, we have become knowing and indifferent. But we have lost something, have we not? Which begs answers to some intriguing questions. Is it possible to recover the unaffected zest for life which once came to us so naturally? To become un-blase? Can you and I, dear reader, awaken the kitten within?The Dalai Lamas Cat is confronted by a most unpleasant truth: she is getting old.A routine visit to the vet confirms this. But is a future of decrepitude and senior cat biscuits inevitably a cause for despair? As it happens, she soon finds that a startling reminder of lifes transience is exactly whats needed to renew our gratitude for life. To lighten up, accept ourselves, and value what truly matters.With irrepressible mischief, the Dalai Lamas Cat explores the intriguing insight that reality is a projection of our mind. In so doing, she comes to discover that awakening the kitten within is not just possible it is our purpose! For when we do so with a particular wisdom, we catch a glimpse of our own sublime nature. With a benevolent energy that reaches from the pages, this is the Dalai Lamas Cat at her most tender, irreverent, joyful best.

"Les gens ne croient pas au karma parce quil nest pas instantané. Si la cause était immédiatement suivie de son effet, il ny aurait plus le moindre doute." Et si chaque acte de générosité était récompense par une aubaine inattendue ? Le vol ou la trahison punis par une calamite soudaine ? En quelques minutes, chacun ouvrirait les yeux sur limpact de son comportement. En quelques heures, la societe serait revolutionnee. Cest du moins ce quexplique Lama Tashi a ses etudiants. Dix jours plus tard, son hypothese est devenue realite, et le monde entier est regi par la loi du karma instantane. Alors que les plus astucieux capitalisent immediatement sur cette decouverte, le sage Lama Tashi devient une personnalite incontournable de la television. Tous, jusquau president des Etats-Unis, interrogent leurs actions et leurs pensees afin de repondre a une unique question : comment tirer le meilleur parti de notre incarnation ? Piquant, subversif et impertinent, ce roman raconte cette journee ou tout a change. Il stimule notre reflexion et eveille notre esprit et notre coeur a cette idee : donner aux autres, cest se donner a soi-meme.

When Rob Forbes returns to his childhood home of Zimbabwe after decades away, he doesnt plan to stay long. A big job back in London awaits. But he finds himself questioning his priorities amid the open-hearted exuberance of people who have so little compared to his wealthy colleagues; a powerful reconnection to the animals and wild places he loved as a child, and his growing friendship with Tibetan guru and neighbour, Rinpoche.What if it is possible to live with the same ineffable lightness as the intriguing lama? Why is the joy of ubuntu community felt in the most improbable places? And could an orphaned elephant calf change his life?Nature, wellbeing and transcendent wisdom are woven into this compelling personal drama from the author of the globally bestselling Dalai Lamas Cat series.Michie brings the Buddhas teachings to life through an engaging and enjoyable story showing the power that loving kindness and community have in creating the ideal conditions for awakening. Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real ChangeThis book, like the jewels Rinpoche speaks of, is to be treasured. a story that perfectly explains the infinite connections between humans, animals and nature so central to my own life here in Zimbabwe. Sarah Carter, Co-Founder, The Twala Trust Animal SanctuaryA powerful story around the rescue of Kadiki, a baby elephant. Wonderfully crafted around very real issues within Zimbabwe, the descriptions of people and places are impossible not to recognise. Magical!Roxy Danckwerts, Founder, Wild is Life/Zimbabwe Elephant NurseryA charming story of belonging and purpose, illuminated by the transformative practice of guru yoga.Kimberly Brown, author of Happy Relationships and Steady, Calm, and BraveFrom the first page to the last, readers will be immersed in this peaceful vista of stunning beauty, long-held customs Africa "is a state of being as much as a place."Publishers Weekly (Booklife Review)

"What makes you purr? Of all the questions in the world, this is the most important. . . . . Because no matter whether you are a playful kitten or sedentary senior, whether youre a scrawny alley Tom, or sleek-coated uptown girl, whatever your circumstances you just want to be happy. Not the kind of happy that comes and goes like a can of flaked tuna, but an enduring happiness. The deep down happiness that makes you purr from the heart."His Holinesss cat is backolder, a bit wiser, and as curious as ever. In this book, the Dalai Lama sets for his lovable feline companion the task of investigating The Art of Purring. Whether its the humorous insights gained from a visiting Ivy League Psychology Professor, the extraordinary research of a world-famous biologist, or the life-changing revelations of a mystical yogi, His Holinesss Cat encounters a wealth of wisdom about happiness. And what she discovers changes the way she sees herself forever. With a much lovedand growingcast of characters from the local community and His Holinesss residence, as well as encounters with intriguing strangers and celebrities from far and wide, The Dalai Lamas Cat and the Art of Purring will transport readers in another unforgettable story. Along the way they will come to understand how elements of contemporary science and Buddhism converge. And, once again, they will feel the warmth of compassion and nonattachment that radiate from the heart of the Dalai Lamas teachings about our quest for enduring happiness.

In this simple and accessible but beautifully written book, David Michie opens the door to the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, and shows us how he himself first began incorporating Buddhist practices into his daily life.What does it take to be happy? Weve all asked ourselves this question at some point, but few of us have found the path to lasting fulfillment. David Michie thought he had achieved his lifes goals--the high-level job, the expensive city apartment, the luxury car, the great vacations--but a small voice was telling him he wasnt really happy. A chance remark from a naturopath sent him to his local Buddhist center. There he began the most important journey of his life. In Buddhism for Busy People Michie explains how he came to understand the difference between the temporary pleasures of ordinary life and the profound sense of well-being and heartfelt serenity that comes from connecting with our inner nature.

Durante una gira del Dalai Lama, Rinpoche, su gatita, se queda sola unos días y acude al Himalaya Book Café donde conoce personas que le ayudan a no resentir la ausencia de su amo y aprender el profundo significado de su propio ronroneo. ¿Que es este sonido que enloquece a los llamados catlovers y que es casi la unica señal de alegria que muestran estos singulares felinos? En este viaje de introspeccion, Rinpoche descubrira que el arte de ronronear es un acto de generosidad vinculado a uno de los postulados mas importantes del budismo tibetano: la busqueda de la felicidad.

"In the months that followed I watched His Holiness working on a new book . . . I began to think that perhaps the time had come for me to turn my paws to a book of my own . . . one that tells my own tale . . . How I was rescued from a fate too grisly to contemplate, to become constant companion to a man who is not only one of the worlds greatest spiritual leaders and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, but who is also a dab hand with the can opener."Not so much fly-on-the-wall as cat-on-the-sill, this is the warmhearted tale of a small kitten rescued from the slums of New Delhi who finds herself in a beautiful sanctuary with sweeping views of the snow-capped Himalayas. In her exotic new home, the Dalai Lamas cat encounters Hollywood stars, Buddhist masters, Ivy-league professors, famous philanthropists, and a host of other people who come visiting His Holiness. Each encounter offers a fresh insight into finding happiness and meaning in the midst of a life of busy-ness and challenge. Drawing us into her world with her adorable but all-too-flawed personality, the Dalai Lamas cat discovers how instead of trying to change the world, changing the way we experience the world is the key to true contentment.Featuring a delightful cast of characters, timeless Buddhist wisdom, and His Holinesss compassion pervading every chapter, The Dalai Lamas Cat is simply enchanting.

"Why doesnt everyone believe in karma?" Lama Tashi repeated the question with a mischievous twinkle. "The answer is very simple." He gazed at where his students relaxed on their meditation cushions in the candle-lit room. "Its because karma isnt instant. If cause was followed immediately by effect, there would be no question, no doubt." A wave of recognition passed, palpably through the room. And along with it, a surge of possibilities."Imagine if karma went instant?" said Anton. "How crazy would that be?" What if we all woke one day to discover that every act of generosity was followed, soon after, by an unexpected windfall? If theft or betrayal led to rapid calamity? Within minutes, the effects of instant karma would be felt by each one of us. Within hours it wouldnt just be ordinary folks trying to figure out the new orderit would be everyone from the President down. Instant Karma is the story of that day. An extraordinary vision, by turns hilarious and poignant, early adopters are quick to capitalize on the new dynamics while karma change deniers vehemently dig in their heels. A food poisoning contagion arising from factory farming sees the world go vegetarian by lunchtime. A little-known Buddhist monk, Lama Tashi, suddenly becomes TVs go-to man, sought out for the wisdom he imparts with such oceanic benevolence. Amid the roller coaster of events, Instant Karma takes us to unexplored places. How much would human behavior change if we had to live with the immediate consequences of our actions? Is reality much more a product of our minds than of circumstances? And does focusing on the wellbeing of others truly hold the key to our greatest flourishing? Zesty, subversive, warm-hearted, Instant Karma is David Michie at his thought-provoking best.