Awakening Dignity: A Guide to Living a Life of Deep Fulfillment

In this illuminating volume, Tibetan Buddhist teacher Phakchok Rinpoche (In the Footsteps of Bodhisattvas) and history professor Wu offer wisdom for cultivating a sense of dignity. Contending that dignity is an innate quality of “fundamental wholeness and completeness,” the authors explain how emotional fixation can cause individuals to lose touch with their dignity and how they can reconnect. They describe the “sticky mind” phenomenon in which one ruminates about an incident or feeling, blinding oneself to the “constantly changing” emotions that flow through the self and growing alienated from one’s dignity. To escape this mindset, the authors encourage readers to acknowledge negative emotions and replace them with more positive ones (e.g., humbleness for pride). Each chapter ends with a “dignity training” exercise, such as chanting a mantra to enhance focus or embracing loving-kindness by wishing others well while meditating. What the authors refer to as “dignity” is largely equivalent to the Buddhist concept of “basic goodness,” but the fresh framing offers new insight. Additionally, readers will appreciate the accessible prose and the authors’ compassionate tone. This enlightening outing delivers. (Dec.)