One Heart Universal Wisdom from the World's Scriptures

by Kuchler, Bonnie Louise; Boorstein, Sylvia; Harvey, Andrew

• ISBN13: 9781569244036
• ISBN10: 1569244030
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-08-24
• Publisher: Da Capo Press

Summary

The purpose of One Heart is to illuminate the common sacred ground at the heart of seven faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism. Its method is to identify 65 essential principles, among them: Feel what other people feel; Don't harm others; Lead with virtue and concern for others; Be honest; Practice what you preach; Be content; Don't let anger take over; Choose your companions wisely; Accept the existence of spiritual beings; Seek and you will find. Illustrating each principle are one, two, or three quotations (adding up to more than 600) from a wide variety of texts sacred to each of the seven faithsincluding the Old and New Testaments, the Talmud, the Mahabarata, the Tao Te Ching, the Bhagavad Gita, the Analects of Confucius, and many other sacred sources. In addition, each chapter also provides guidance on a spiritual theme or practiceprayer beads, a home altar, labyrinth walkingto enhance our understanding of these wise words and universal principles.

Author Biography

Bonnie Louise Kuchler is a writer and editor whose six previous books include Just Moms, Just Dads, and Just Sweethearts. She lives in Hawaii.

Sylvia Boorstein, co-founding teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, is the author of Pay Attention, For Goodness' Sake.

Andrew Harvey is the author of The Return of the Mother, The Way of Passion, and The Direct Path.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Editor's Note	xv
Acknowledgments	xvii
from a heart of compassion . . .
Introduction	1	(2)
Feel What Other People Feel	3	(2)
Love People	5	(3)
Be a Faithful Friend	8	(3)
Help the Helpless	11	(3)
Give	14	(3)
Do Good Deeds	17	(3)
Don't Harm Others	20	(3)
Spiritual Practice: Prayer Beads	23	(4)
from a heart of acceptance . . .
Introduction	27	(2)
Look at the Heart, Not the Face	29	(3)
Judge Yourself, not Others	32	(3)
Forgive, and Let Go of Resentments	35	(3)
Be Impartial	38	(3)
Overcome Hate With Love	41	(3)
Live in Harmony With Everyone	44	(2)
Be Tolerant of Others' Beliefs	46	(3)
Spiritual Practice: Lovingkindness Meditation	49	(3)
from a heart of humility . . .
Introduction	52	(2)
Be Humble and Modest, Not Proud	54	(4)
Admit When You're Wrong, and Repent	58	(3)
Find Harmony With Your Spouse	61	(3)
Honor Your Parents and Respect Your Elders	64	(3)
Love and Take Care of Your Family	67	(3)
Lead With Virtue and Concern for Others	70	(3)
Spiritual Practice: Home Altar	73	(3)
from a heart of integrity . . .
Introduction	76	(2)
Examine Your Motives	78	(3)
Purify Your Heart	81	(3)
Be Honest	84	(3)
Be Trustworthy	87	(3)
Don't Steal	90	(3)
Don't Commit Adultery	93	(3)
Practice What You Preach	96	(3)
Don't be a Hypocrite	99	(3)
Cultivate a Strong Work Ethic	102	(3)
Spiritual Practice: Sacred Reading	105	(2)
from a heart of faith . . .
Introduction	107	(2)
Believe Your Body is Temporary, Your Spirit Immortal	109	(3)
Live Without Fear of Death	112	(3)
Know that Truth is Eternal, Unchanging	115	(3)
Acknowledge an All-Knowing Presence	118	(3)
Seek and You Will Find	121	(3)
Recognize a Loving, Universal Parent	124	(3)
Communicate through Prayer or Worship	127	(3)
Accept the Existence of Spiritual Beings	130	(2)
Spiritual Practice: Worship Through Song, Dance, and Chant	132	(2)
from a heart of wisdom . . .
Introduction	134	(2)
Know that You are Accountable for Your Actions	136	(3)
Accept that You Reap What You Sow	139	(2)
Learn the Difference Between Right and Wrong	141	(3)
Avoid Wrongdoing and its Consequences	144	(3)
See Your Life as a Journey---Choose a Wise Path	147	(3)
See Your Heart as a Garden---Plant it Well	150	(3)
See Goodness as a Light---Turn it On	153	(3)
Choose Your Companions Wisely	156	(3)
Learn from a Wise Mentor	159	(3)
Think for Yourself	162	(3)
Spiritual Practice: Labyrinth Walking	165	(2)
from a heart of discipline . . .
Introduction	167	(2)
Acknowledge Your Inner Conflict	169	(3)
Control Your Thoughts	172	(3)
Meditate	175	(3)
Control Your Words	178	(3)
Be Aware of the Power of Your Tongue	181	(3)
Control Yourself	184	(3)
Guard Against Lust	187	(3)
Conquer Vices	190	(3)
Exercise Moderation	193	(3)
Persevere Through Adversity	196	(2)
Spiritual Practice: Fasting	198	(3)
from a heart of surrender . . .
Introduction	201	(2)
Accept Circumstances	203	(3)
Don't Let Anger Take Over	206	(3)
Give up Natural Reactions for Spiritual Benefits	209	(3)
Be Content	212	(3)
Give up Self-Gratification to Obtain True Happiness	215	(3)
Don't be Greedy	218	(3)
Give up Transient Riches to Gain Everlasting Treasure	221	(3)
Detach from the Temporal; Attach to the Eternal	224	(3)
Spiritual Practice: Breathing	227	(4)
Bibliography	231	(12)
Permissions	243