Laura Burges

The magic, mystery, and wisdom of Tibet comes alive in this stunningly illustrated collection of 14 folk tales with timeless life lessons for kids (ages 6+) From the magical mountains and valleys of Tibet, these Buddhist-themed folk tales for kids offer a captivating view into the lore and wisdom of Tibetan culture and tradition. Buddhism and its profound effect on Tibet's people and culture is reflected in these stories, each of which is imbued with life lessons for all ages. Threaded through these tales are the teachings of the Buddha and the special quality and relationship that Tibetans have with the mountains, trees, rocks, rivers, and sky. The collection features tales of renowned Tibetan Buddhist figures such as: Songsten Gampo, the king known as the reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion, and how even a small creature like a mouse can have a big impact on the worldYeshe Tsogyal, the Mother of Tibet whose teachings have guided generations on the path of love and insightGesar of Ling, the 12th-century super-human warrior king of Tibet, a shining inspiration for overcoming life's obstaclesGuru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, the great teacher who brought the teachings of Buddhism to TibetThe stunningly detailed and vibrant illustrations by Wen Hsu bring these stories magically to life--making them as vivid and evocative to us today as they have been for generations of Tibetans. Recounted with humor and cleverness, the stories feature animals and archers, spirits and deities, bodhisattvas and dakinis, lamas and rulers, heroes and heroines--and highlight the mystical power of the natural world.

An accessible, compassionate guide to Buddhist principles and practices that can help support recovery from addictions and addictive behaviors--written by an experienced lay teacher with long-term recovery. For anyone struggling with addiction, Buddhism offers powerful, grounding wisdom and tools to help support recovery. In The Zen Way of Recovery, Laura Burges shares her experience as a dedicated Zen practitioner who came to terms with her own addiction to alcohol and found support for her recovery. Through the lens of Buddhist teachings, Burges offers tools and practices which, together with the help of recovery programs, can offer a road to sobriety. Burges is an experienced and compassionate guide, and her message is resonant for people with any type of addictive behavior--and for people who aren't necessarily familiar with Buddhism. Her teachings are drawn from the Buddha's life and teachings (specifically the Eight Awarenesses of the Awakened Being and the Six Paramitas), and the wisdom of Japanese Buddhist priest Dogen Zenji, the founder of the Soto school of Zen, among others. Burges emphasizes the importance of being in an active recovery program, and the teachings and practices she offers in each chapter--including reflections, journaling prompts, meditations, instructions for setting up and altar and zazen--are both a perfect adjunct and powerful reinforcement. Examples of reflections and journaling prompts include: Do you still hear the critical, contemptuous, sarcastic voice of a parent or partner in your own head?Do you sometimes hear yourself mirroring this negative voice with others?What were the models of relationship that you grew up with?What are ways that you can cultivate more patience?Check in with yourself to see if tiredness, hunger, loneliness, or anger is affecting your thinking in the moment.

Eleven engaging Zen-inspired stories and fifty activities to help kids (ages 4-8) learn about patience, kindness, honesty, sharing and forgiveness. Dive into 11 engaging stories drawn from different cultures, each concluding with short reflections, questions, and fun, thought-provoking activities that teach children how to integrate the theme of the story into their lives. There are 53 activities, including: Writing haikuSitting zazenObserving, making, and appreciating foodGrowing plantsSpreading kindness and performing secret good deedsLearning and writing about family historyand more

A wise and colorful collection of ten Buddhist fables, this modern telling of ancient Indian stories, centering around animals and nature, teaches vibrant and timeless life lessons. (Ages 4-8) Long ago, the Buddha told his followers Jataka Tales, or "birth stories," about the many lifetimes he lived before he was born as Prince Siddhartha. In this beautiful retelling of ten such stories, the Buddha is introduced as the Queen of the Dogs, a loyal Parrot, a mischievous Monkey, a wise Lion, a brave Forest Owlet, and more. Each story conveys important morals that are short, sweet, and to the point, giving children a handful of useful lessons to apply to their lives, like "Always try to do the right thing, even when no one else is watching." These tales are brought to life with stunning and dreamlike illustrations by Sonali Zohra (illustrator of Ashoka the Fierce), exploring in vivid detail how one's actions affect others; the importance of kindness; the strength of friendship; the value of thoughtful decisions; and the importance of letting go and learning to forgive. With a beautiful paper-over-board package to tie it all together, this book will serve as a timeless and treasured offering for both children and adults.