Shelfology Book Pairing

Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now

by Thich Nhat Hanh

In troubled times, there is an urgency to understand ourselves and our world. We have so many questions, and they tug at us night and day, consciously and unconsciously. In this important volume Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh——one of the most revered spiritual leaders in the world today——reveals an art of living in mindfulness that helps us answer life’s deepest questions and experience the happiness and freedom we desire. Thich Nhat Hanh presents, for the first time, seven transformative meditations that open up new perspectives on our lives, our relationships and our interconnectedness with the world around us. Based on the last full talks before his sudden hospitalization, and drawing on intimate examples from his own life, Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how these seven meditations can free us to live a happy, peaceful and active life, and face ageing and dying with curiosity and joy and without fear. Containing the essence of the Buddha’s teachings and Thich Nhat Hanh’s poignant, timeless, and clarifying prose, The Art of Living provides a spiritual dimension to our lives. This is not an effort to escape life or to dwell in a place of bliss outside of this world. Instead, this path will allow us to discover where we come from and where we are going. And most of all, it will generate happiness, understanding, and love, so we can live deeply in each moment of our life, right where we are.

A Franz Kafka Tale of Transmutation.

by Franz Kafka

Gregor Samsa, a sales representative, awakens in his bed to end up changed into an enormous insect. He checks out his room, which seems typical, and chooses to return to fall back to sleep and disregard what has occurred. He endeavors to turn over while sleeping, just to find that he can't anymore because of his new body-he is stuck on his hard, arched convex back. He attempts to scratch a tingle on his stomach, yet when he contacts himself with one of his numerous new legs, which is sickening for him. His disgust reminds him of his job, his life, and the responsibilities he has on the shoulders of his parents and his sister. Gregor tries to get out of the bed but finds it difficult to do so because of his new metamorphosis. His new look scares everyone in the family and his life turns upside down with it. Losing his job, all he could do was to stay in the room, climb the walls and ceiling and watch his family being distressed about no income.