Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind »

ROGER WALSH, M.D., is professor of psychiatry, philosophy, and anthropology at the University of California at Irvine. His writings and research have received more than twenty national and international awards. His other books include Paths Beyond Ego: The Transpersonal Vision, Gifts from a Course in Miracles, and The Spirit of Shamanism.

"Essential Spirituality beautifully articulates the benefits of spiritual living in the material world."–Dan Millman, author, Everyday Enlightenment and The Way of the Peaceful Warrior"Deceptively simple. Its power is rooted not only in Dr. Walsh’s formidable intellectual capacity to deal effectively with a vast body of religious literature but in his own deep spiritual practices in a multitude of disciplines over many years. An important contribution."–Ram Dass, author, Be Here Now "An absolute masterpiece . . . Essential Spirituality is helpful to both the unseasoned and seasoned seeker. The writing is deep, simple, and clear yet at the same time poetic and musical. A must read."–GERALD G. JAMPOLSKY, M.D. author, Love Is Letting Go of Fear

"Energetic, engaged, and occasionally electrifying. . . . The field of spiritual books has been looking for its own Lewis Thomas or Carl Sagan, and I believe Roger Walsh may be that one."–KEN WILBeR, author, One Taste and A Brief History of Everything

Based on over twenty years of research and spiritual practice, this is a groundbreaking and life-changing book. In his decades of study, Dr. Roger Walsh has discovered that each of the great spiritual traditions has both a common goal and seven common practices to reach that goal: recognizing the sacred and divine that exist both within and around us. Filled with stories, exercises, meditations, myths, prayers, and practical advice, Essential Spirituality shows how you can integrate these seven principles into one truly rewarding way of life in which kindness, love, joy, peace, vision, wisdom, and generosity become an ever-growing part of everything you do.

Unveiling the Sacred.
Discovering the Seven Practices.
Using This Book.
Spiritual Practices: What Do They Do and How Do They Do It?
TRANSFORM YOUR MOTIVATION: REDUCE CRAVING AND FIND YOUR SOUL'S DESIRE.
The Secret of Happiness.
Exercises to Reduce Craving.
Find Your Soul's Desire: Redirect Motivation.
Exercises to Redirect Desires.
The Higher Reaches of Desire.
CULTIVATE EMOTIONAL WISDOM: HEAL YOUR HEART AND LEARN TO LOVE.
The Gift of Love.
The Challenge of Difficult Emotions.
Exercises to Reduce Fear and Anger.
Cultivate Love and Gratitude.
The Higher Reaches of Love.
LIVE ETHICALLY: FEEL GOOD BY DOING GOOD.
The Value of Virtue.
What Is an Ethical Life?
Exercises in Ethical Living.
The Higher Reaches of Ethical Living.
CONCENTRATE AND CALM YOUR MIND.
Your Meandering Mind.
Develop a Peaceful Mind.
The Higher Reaches of Concentration and Calm.
AWAKEN YOUR SPIRITUAL VISION: SEE CLEARLY AND RECOGNIZE THE SACRED IN ALL THINGS.
The Healing Power of Awareness.
Exercises in Awareness.
Seeing the Sacred in All Things.
Exercises in Sacred Seeing.
The Higher Reaches of Vision.
CULTIVATE SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE: DEVELOP WISDOM AND UNDERSTAND LIFE.
What Is Wisdom?
Awakening Wisdom.
Exercises in Wisdom.
The Higher Reaches of Wisdom.
EXPRESS SPIRIT IN ACTION: EMBRACE GENEROSITY AND THE JOY OF SERVICE.
The Spirit of Service.
Develop a Generous Heart.
Exercises in Generosity and Service.
The Higher Reaches of Generosity.
Enjoy Your Self: Awakened Heart, Awakened Mind.
Source Notes.
Further Reading.
Bibliography.
Index.