Embracing the Ordinary: A Path to Contentment

By admin

The magic of ordinary life can be found in the simplest and most mundane moments. It is often easy to overlook the beauty and wonder that surrounds us on a daily basis, but if we take the time to truly appreciate and embrace the ordinary, we can experience a sense of joy and fulfillment. In our fast-paced and hectic world, it is all too common to focus on the big events and milestones in life. We may wait for vacations, celebrations, or special occasions to experience happiness and excitement. However, by doing so, we miss out on the magic that exists in the ordinary moments. The magic of ordinary life can be found in the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning, the sound of birds chirping outside the window, or the feel of warm sunlight on our skin.


Sunshine and green leaves / Thich Nhat Hanh --
Everyday life as practice / Karlfried Graf von Dürckheim --
Earth and space / Chögyam Trungpa --
This very moment / Charlotte Joko Beck --
Not preferring samsara or nirvana / Pema Chödrön --
Seeing without the observer / J. Krishnamurti --
Are you here? / A.H. Almaas --
The way of seeing / Frederick Franck --
Writing fearlessly / Natalie Goldberg --
Meditation and poetics / Allen Ginsberg --
Just being at the piano / Mildred Chase --
Coming home to the body / Denise Taylor --
Zen archery / Eugen Herrigel --
The art of sword / Takuan Soho --Driving meditation / Kevin Berger and Todd Berger --
The work of craft / Carla Needleman --
Working for a living / Jean Martine --
The healing power of unconditional presence / John Welwood --
Touch and go / Karen Kissel Wegela --
The listening mind / Ram Dass and Paul Gorman --
On being unable to breathe / Stephen Butterfield --
Conscious eating / Marc David --
Being with anger / Stephen Levine --
Being peace / Thich Nhat Hanh --
Personal disarmament / Deena Metzger --
The greening of the self / Joanna Macy --
The path of service / Jack Kornfield --
Mindful social action / Ken Jones --
The power of peace / Chagdud Tulku --
Nowness and enlightened society / Chögyam Trungpa --
Intimate relationship as a practice and a path / John Welwood --
Contemplation and intimacy / Monica Furlong --
Family life and spiritual practice / Fran Tribe --
Working with dying people / Stephen Levine --
Facing death / Dainin Katagiri

Spiritual practice and meditation are often thought of as being the province of priests, monks, and nuns those few individuals who have returned from the preoccupations of day-to-day life. Spiritual practice and meditation are often thought of as being the province of priests, monks, and nuns those few individuals who have returned from the preoccupations of day-to-day life.

The magic of ordinzry life

The magic of ordinary life can be found in the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning, the sound of birds chirping outside the window, or the feel of warm sunlight on our skin. It can be found in the laughter of loved ones, the taste of a home-cooked meal, or the feeling of taking a deep breath after a long day. The magic of ordinary life is not about grand gestures or extravagant experiences.

Ordinary Magic: Everyday Life as Spiritual Path

Spiritual practice and meditation are often thought of as being the province of priests, monks, and nuns—those few individuals who have returned from the preoccupations of day-to-day life. This inspiring book reveals how the simple practice of mindfulness can be a magical and transformative part of anyone's daily life. Thirty-five wide-ranging essays written by well-known spiritual teachers, therapists, and creative artists show how learning to focus awareness can bring a new richness to ordinary activities; how mindfulness can heighten creative pursuits such as painting, journal writing, or playing music; how contemplative awareness enhances both physical and psychological well-being; and how meditation can contribute to better relationships with family, community, and the world at large.

Sunshine and green leaves / Thich Nhat Hanh --
Everyday life as practice / Karlfried Graf von Dürckheim --
Earth and space / Chögyam Trungpa --
This very moment / Charlotte Joko Beck --
Not preferring samsara or nirvana / Pema Chödrön --
Seeing without the observer / J. Krishnamurti --
Are you here? / A.H. Almaas --
The way of seeing / Frederick Franck --
Writing fearlessly / Natalie Goldberg --
Meditation and poetics / Allen Ginsberg --
Just being at the piano / Mildred Chase --
Coming home to the body / Denise Taylor --
Zen archery / Eugen Herrigel --
The art of sword / Takuan Soho --Driving meditation / Kevin Berger and Todd Berger --
The work of craft / Carla Needleman --
Working for a living / Jean Martine --
The healing power of unconditional presence / John Welwood --
Touch and go / Karen Kissel Wegela --
The listening mind / Ram Dass and Paul Gorman --
On being unable to breathe / Stephen Butterfield --
Conscious eating / Marc David --
Being with anger / Stephen Levine --
Being peace / Thich Nhat Hanh --
Personal disarmament / Deena Metzger --
The greening of the self / Joanna Macy --
The path of service / Jack Kornfield --
Mindful social action / Ken Jones --
The power of peace / Chagdud Tulku --
Nowness and enlightened society / Chögyam Trungpa --
Intimate relationship as a practice and a path / John Welwood --
Contemplation and intimacy / Monica Furlong --
Family life and spiritual practice / Fran Tribe --
Working with dying people / Stephen Levine --
Facing death / Dainin Katagiri

    Genres BuddhismSpiritualityNonfictionPhilosophyPsychology

368 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1992

Spiritual practice and meditation are often thought of as being the province of priests, monks, and nuns—those few individuals who have returned from the preoccupations of day-to-day life. This inspiring book reveals how the simple practice of mindfulness can be a magical and transformative part of anyone's daily life. Thirty-five wide-ranging essays written by well-known spiritual teachers, therapists, and creative artists show how learning to focus awareness can bring a new richness to ordinary activities; how mindfulness can heighten creative pursuits such as painting, journal writing, or playing music; how contemplative awareness enhances both physical and psychological well-being; and how meditation can contribute to better relationships with family, community, and the world at large.
The magic of ordinzry life

It is about finding joy in the everyday and embracing the present moment. It is about appreciating the small pleasures that bring us comfort and happiness. When we begin to notice and appreciate the beauty in the ordinary, we can cultivate a sense of gratitude and mindfulness. We become more present in our lives and more connected to the world around us. We start to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. The magic of ordinary life is not something that can be bought or achieved. It is a state of mind and a way of being. It requires us to slow down, pay attention, and be fully present in each moment. So, let us take a moment to pause and appreciate the magic of ordinary life. Let us cherish the simple pleasures and find joy in the everyday. For it is in these moments that we can truly experience the beauty and wonder of being alive..

Reviews for "The Power of Presence: Finding Magic in the Present Moment"

1. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The Magic of Ordinary Life" based on all the rave reviews I had heard. However, I found the book to be quite underwhelming. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, the plot felt disjointed and confusing at times. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "The Magic of Ordinary Life" was a complete waste of my time. The writing style was bland and uninspiring, making it a struggle to get through each page. Furthermore, the story lacked any real substance and failed to evoke any emotions in me. I found myself not caring about the characters or what happened to them. Save yourself the trouble and skip this disappointing book.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Magic of Ordinary Life," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot seemed to go nowhere. The author attempted to create a whimsical atmosphere, but it felt forced and contrived. The dialogue was stilted, making it difficult for me to engage with the characters. Overall, I was left feeling bored and uninterested in this book.

Finding Magic in the Routines of Daily Living

Living a Life of Magic and Wonder in the Ordinary