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© 2016 by John Bruna
All rights reserved. Published 2016.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
Publisher: Central Recovery Press
3321 N. Buffalo Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89129
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Bruna, John, author.
Title: The wisdom of a meaningful life: the essence of mindfulness / John Bruna.
Description: Las Vegas, NV: Central Recovery Press, 2016.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016008944 (print) | LCCN 2016016491 (ebook) | ISBN 9781942094197
Subjects: LCSH: Peace of mind. | Mindfulness (Psychology) | Meditation. | Conduct of life. | Happiness. | BISAC: SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Happiness. | BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Meditation. | RELIGION / Buddhism / Theravada. | BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Healing / General.
Classification: LCC BF637.P3 B78 2016 (print) | LCC BF637.P3 (ebook) | DDC 158.1--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016008944
Photo of John Bruna by Jeffrey S. Rose. Used with permission.
Every attempt has been made to contact copyright holders. If copyright holders have not been properly acknowledged please contact us. Central Recovery Press will be happy to rectify the omission in future printings of this book.
Publisher’s Note: This book contains general information about mindfulness, values identification, cultivating meaning and happiness, and related matters. The information is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Central Recovery Press makes no representations or warranties in relation to the information in this book. If you have specific questions about any medical matter discussed in this book, you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. This book is not an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
Our books represent the experiences and opinions of their authors only. Every effort has been made to ensure that events, institutions, and statistics presented in our books as facts are accurate and up-to-date. To protect their privacy, the names of some of the people, places, and institutions in this book have been changed.
Cover design and interior design and layout by Deb Tremper, Six Penny Graphics
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to you, the reader. It is my heartfelt aspiration that this book provides you with inspiration and tools to improve the quality of your life, empowering you to more skillfully live in alignment with your deepest values and develop your highest potentials. It is also my hope that as you do so, you share your happiness and wisdom with your family, friends, community, and all those you encounter.
It is with deep gratitude that I would like to acknowledge and thank all of the precious teachers, friends, family, and strangers who have helped me throughout my life. It is really the wisdom and inspiration I was fortunate enough to glean from them that made this book possible.
In particular, I would like to thank my dear friend, Sue Adolphson Rose; my amazing wife, Laura Bartels; and my insightful editor at Central Recovery Press, Dan Mager, for the time, energy, and talent they provided in helping to edit this book. Their insights and wisdom conspired to bring the wisdom of my teachers to life in a clear, engaging, and accessible way.
I would also like to thank my precious daughters, Jessica Rose and Virginia Monahan, for helping me become a better father, as well as all of my students at Jordan High School for inspiring me to become a better human being.
It is my humble aspiration that you find this book helpful and that it provides you with clear, practical wisdom and tools to cultivate genuine happiness by engaging in a life you find meaningful.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Chapter One The Search for Happiness
Chapter Two Genuine Happiness
Chapter Three The Unruly Mind
Chapter Four Attention
Chapter Five Values
Chapter Six Wisdom
Chapter Seven Cultivating the Four Immeasurable Attitudes
Chapter Eight Taking Action
Chapter Nine Living Mindfully
Chapter Ten The Wisdom of a Meaningful Life
A Matter of Practice Additional Support for Living Mindfully
Appendix Values List
“The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.” ERIC HOFFER
It is a universal truth that all beings seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. This is a primary and fundamental motivation for us all. Yet, more often than not, genuine happiness eludes us, while suffering—anxiety, stress, worry, depression, fear—pervades our lives.
All too often, the very quest for happiness becomes the source of our suffering. This dynamic plays out again and again in our daily lives. The things we think will bring us happiness: a good job, a loving relationship, good health, a nice house, a reliable car, quality recreation, a rewarding social life, become the cause of our stress, worries, and concerns.
How is this possible?
We live in a time of incredible abundance and luxury. We have the ability to moderate the temperature of our homes, summon the collective knowledge of the world on our phones, access entertainment at the touch of a button, and even adjust the firmness of our beds. Yet, despite all the creature comforts available to us, it seems we have more mental, emotional, and physical problems than ever.