Foreword by Charlotte Joko Beck ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xiii

Part I: The Basics of Practice
1. Skating on Thin Ice 3
2. Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control 9
3. Swiss Cheese 15
4. Experiencing and the Witness 23
5. The Eighty-fourth Problem 33
6. Three Aspects of Sitting 39

Part II: Practicing with Emotional Distress
7. The Substitute Life 47
8. Practicing with Anger 55
9. Practicing with Fear 65
10. Practicing with Pain and Suffering 75
11. Practicing with Distress 87
12. Work and Practice 95

Part III: Awakening the Heart of Compassion
13. Hard and Soft 105
14. Letting Be 111
15. Loving-Kindness 117
16. Loving-Kindness Meditation 123
17. Awakening the Heart of Compassion 129

Epilogue: What Is Our Life About? 141