'And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom' Anais Nin

Elizabeth Lesser shows how it is possible to deal with fearful change or a painful loss and be reborn, like the Phoenix, to a more vibrant and enlightened self. In Broken Open she shares penetrating tales from her own life, the lives of those she has taught and counselled and the lives of friends and family, tales that explore the big challenges of death, illness and divorce, as well as the daily roller coaster rides of relationships, parenting and work.

Woven into these stories are quotations from great poets and philosophers. And following them is a toolbox of valuable aids, including meditation, psychological enquiry and spiritual practice. The result is a book that runs the gamut of the human experience, and in a style that is genuine, funny, often heartbreaking, but always inspiring, she shows us how we, too, can allow the pain of adversity to break us open instead of breaking us down, making us bitter or closing our hearts.

For anyone who has ever faced a crisis, Broken Open shows how to grow, change and retrieve a natural sense of joy and passion in life

About the Author
Elizabeth Lesser is the co-founder of the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York which offers conferences and workshops attended by 20,000 people a year, and she has been a director and teacher at that organization. Formerly a midwife, she attended Barnard College and San Francisco State University and now lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and three sons. She is the author of The Seeker's Guide and The New American Experience.

Reviews
Never again will a painful experience wipe me out. This book shows how you can transform any difficult transition into a time of great strength and awakening. * Jane Fonda *
Elizabeth Lesser bravely and beautifully explores one of the most compelling questions of life: how do we emerge from suffereing and challenge with real, encompassing wisdom and love -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness



Book Information
ISBN 9781844135615
Author Elizabeth Lesser
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Pimlico
Publisher Vintage Publishing
Weight(grams) 331g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 135mm * 24mm