Living in Gratitude: A Journey That Will Change Your Life [Hardcover]

Angeles Arrien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2011

What would happen if you made gratitude your focal point for one full year? With Living in Gratitude, Angeles Arrien invites you to find out. Integrating the latest teachings from social science with stories, prayers, and practices from cultures and traditions spanning the globe, she presents a 12-month plan for making gratitude your foundation for daily living.

Opening with themes such as “Beginning Anew” and “The Power of Equanimity” and progressing to “Letting Be and Letting Go,” “The Mystic Heart,” and more, readers will steep themselves in “the parent of all virtues,” exploring:

• How to overcome habitual tendencies toward envy, comparison, and narcissism
• Blessings, learnings, mercies, and protections—the four portals to the grateful heart, and how to cultivate these key entryways in our work, relationships, health, finances, and personal growth
• Journaling and reflection exercises, perennial and indigenous wisdoms, and universal practices for every season and situation

“The practice of gratitude bestows many benefits,” writes Angeles Arrien. “Anger, arrogance, and jealousy melt in its embrace. Fear and defensiveness dissolve. Gratitude diminishes barriers to love and evokes happiness, keeping alive what has meaning for us.” Living in Gratitude is a dependable resource for making this cherished virtue your guiding light along life’s journey.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brimming with story, spirit, science, culture, and prayer, Angeles Arrien brings her luminous wisdom to create a masterpiece of soulful living."
-JEAN HOUSTON, PHD
Author of A Mythic Life --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Angeles Arrien is a teacher, author, and cultural anthropologist. She received her master's degree from the University of California – Berkeley, and her doctorate from the California Institute for Integral Studies. Dr. Arrien's teachings bridge the disciplines of anthropology, psychology, and comparative religion, while focusing on universal beliefs shared by humanity. She lectures and leads workshops internationally on cultural anthropology and transpersonal psychology at colleges, corporate settings, and personal growth facilities.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Sounds True; 1 edition (October 28, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160407082X
• ISBN-13: 978-1604070828
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,553 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Beautiful Gift to the World October 13, 2011

By Rebecca of Amazon HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"Gratitude is a feeling that spontaneously emerges from within. However, it is not simply an emotional response; it is also a choice we make." ~ pg. 3

A lot of people have the belief that if you are grateful for your life then you will be happy. "Living in Gratitude" is a book meant to be read over the course of a year. It is a twelve-month journey that includes wisdom from all around the world. Angeles Arrien believes we should make gratitude a daily practice because it improves our health and well-being. She explains how when we look for the good in others we automatically become more compassionate.

What I especially liked about this book is the section on practices at the end of each chapter. The questions asked also could be used as inspiration for writing in a gratitude journal.

Some of the topics covered in this book include forgiveness, generosity, humility, mercy, tolerance, joy, respect, peace, love and wisdom. Also throughout the book Angeles Arrien explains how different cultures express gratitude. She also explains "nature deficit disorder." Don't you feel more grateful when you get out in nature? I often feel gratitude when I look up at the night sky.

"Living in Gratitude" is a beautiful gift to the world. Reading this book made me instantly feel happy. I know that if I practice being grateful it will bring even more happiness into my life.

~The Rebecca Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Dry study on how to work at being Grateful March 21, 2012

By Dr. M. A. Dixon TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I so wanted to love this book and to increase in my own gratitude as I truly believe how grateful one feels directly correlates to health, happiness, and wealth. For me, this book was a dry mental study of which I felt that my awe of life and my gratefulness to I already had was being drained from me. I am sure this is the opposite effect that the author and publisher wanted and judging by other's reviews perhaps my experience was an isolated occurrence. I do believe the world would be a better place if everyone lived in gratitude without having to work hard at doing so.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Giving gratitude for such a beautiful book! December 22, 2011

By Shannon Presson

Format:Hardcover

Gratitude is a word that is being used a lot these days, but no one talks about the practice as wisely and eloquently as Angeles Arrien in her beautiful book, Living in Gratitude. I was so profoundly touched by the wisdom she shared that I gave it to all my friends and clients as Christmas presents!

Each month offers a specific learning, practice and blessing that I am sure will change my life as I move through the exercises and absorb the deep and wise teaching she shares. This book is a gem to be cherished and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to open their hearts and give gratitude to the world around them.

Shannon Presson
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