Stephen Snyder - Buddhas Heart: Meditation Practice for Developing Well-being, Love, and Empathy

A profound integration of clarity, heart, and grounded practice. Stephen is able to write with great precision and simplicity about far-reaching transformative processes. He is also deeply realized himself and can write from his own direct experience. Its a fantastic, amazing book!

Rick Hanson, PhD, psychologist and NYT bestselling author of Buddhas Brain

Written from deep personal wisdom, Buddhas Heart expertly addresses key obstacles that block many people from accessing and opening to their true nature. Through clear and careful elucidation and instruction, Stephen brings these universal and timeless teachings to life.

Jud Brewer, MD, PhD, Director of Research and Innovation, Mindfulness Center at Brown; Associate Professor in Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Brown University; and author of The Craving Mind

A profoundly original and intimate presentation of awakening through Buddhist heart practices. Stephens framing of classical Theravada teachings will inspire novice and experienced practitioners alike to explore heretofore unfathomed depths of their own tender hearts.

Karin Meyers, PhD, Academic Director, Mangalam Research Center for Buddhist Languages

A deep dive into the heart of who we truly are. Stephen offers us wise words and a host of nourishing Buddhist heart practices from the insight meditation tradition as doorways to awakening.

Loch Kelly, meditation teacher, psychotherapist, and author of The Way of Effortless Mindfulness

Buddhas Heart offers practices that orient us toward awakening the heart and give us glimpses of our true nature, our innate goodness. Stephen gives us a framework for seeing the way our psychological selves can react to Buddhist teachings. This book in itself is rich in generosity and love.

June Kramer, MD, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst

A thorough and inspiring step-by-step walk-through of just what the subtitle says: a meditation practice for developing well-being, love, and empathy. The experienced as well as the inexperienced meditator can reap a useful harvest from these pages.

David Chadwick, editor of Zen Is Right Here and author of Crooked Cucumber

Stephen draws on his extensive experience as a practitioner and teacher to offer the Buddhist heart meditations. Unlike much Western instruction, ethical preparation is at the fore, with the precepts and psychological interrogation used to gently prompt self-reflection and resolve obstacles. The result is a balanced and manageable guide to an extensive and profound practice.

Kate Crosby, PhD, Professor of Buddhist Studies, Kings College London, and author of Esoteric Theravada , UK

Reading this book, a concise and practical guide to the brahmavihras of the Theravada Buddhist traditions, is like opening a bag of vacuum-packed tea, the surprising fullness of its contents belied by its small size.

Charles Hallisey, MDiv, PhD, Harvard Divinity School

Buddhas Heart is written from a place of authentic knowing and direct experience, rather than as an academic study. Both beginning and advanced students of spirituality and meditation would benefit from reviewing this book, which presents many core concepts with simple yet clear articulation.

Heather C. Young, clinical psychologist and meditation teacher

Stephens rendering of these powerful heart meditations artfully blends the depth of traditional Buddhism with the insights of modern psychology. He offers a profound yet accessible perspective, rooted in a lifetime of dedicated personal practice and teaching.

Steve James, educator, founder of the Movement Koan Method, and host of The Guru Viking Podcast

A beautifully written book. The meditations offered strengthen the union between the body, the mind, the heart, and the spirit.

The Rev. Katherine R. OConnell, PhD, psychologist

The strength of Stephens approach is the identification of mental resistances to the wholesome heart qualities and the provision of how to overcome them by using manageable, useful exercises. It is so refreshing to read about the importance of the heart and heart area in meditation practices, which is informed by Stephens practice in a range of meditation traditions.

Pyi Phyo Kyaw, PhD, Dean of Academic Affairs, Shan State Buddhist University, Myanmar

This accessible but multilayered book invites us to return again and again to our own direct experienceto investigate our hearts, to taste and know the flavor of reality as it is, to trust the teachings and the profundity they hold for each of us, and to believe profound awakening is possible in a deeply deluded world.

Laura Hauer, Executive Director, Cloud Mountain Retreat Center

Reading Buddhas Heart felt like returning home to what is most true. Stephens clear, concise approach to these ancient practices addresses both their psychological and spiritual aspects.

Claire Charney, MSW, LICSW

Whereas most Buddhist teachers focus their teaching upon the belly and head centers, Stephen draws our attention to the heartthis most subtle and central center of Being. He gently, but surely, guides us through ancient practices for developing qualities essential for living a full and compassionate life in this world.

The Rev. Kevin G. Thew Forrester, PhD, St. Stephens Episcopal Parish

For the beginner, Buddhas Heart lays out a clear path of heart practice. For those with more experience, the beautiful and direct description of the final understandings and experiences of the path has the potential to clarify experiences as well as open new doors. It is unique and speaks with a grace, eloquence, and thoroughness seldom found.

Susie Harrington, meditation teacher, Desert Dharma

As a practicing monk at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery, I regularly turn to Stephens teachings to gain clear and comprehensive explanations of Buddhist practice and meditations. With practices of the brahmavihras (literally, the dwelling place of the gods) to a description of nibbna itself, this book is a gem for practitioners new and old.

navira, Matthew Buckley, Buddhist monk, Myanmar

A rare gem that masterfully guides the practitioner through a detailed and clear path to opening the heart while pointing out common and subtle resistances by the ego.

Andrea Serafino, mindfulness teacher and Jhna Retreat founder, Italy

Pure inspiration and hope! Buddhas Heart leaves you with a desire to engage deep inner exploration, and its a perfect guide to illuminate your inner light and joyous heart!

Thomas Jedensjo, senior meditation student, Sweden

Meaningful both as a guide to a set of invaluable practices and as a source of inspiration to those of us seeking to engage with Buddhist teachings as a part of everyday life, Buddhas Heart left me feeling motivated and empowered to engage with these practices on a deeper level, an effect I am sure it will have on many readers.

Jonathan Lilly, PhD, research scientist

This is a beautifully written guide that describes how the Buddhist path can bring authentic inner peace and unconditioned happiness. Studying the immeasurables, Stephen invites us to move from a poverty of grasping to the rich suchness of being.

Judy F. Kennedy, PhD, psychologist and business consultant

A lucid, step-by-step, practical manual of brahmavihra meditations for both beginner and seasoned practitioners, searching for Absolute truth.

Tomislav Mari, anthropologist, educator, and senior meditation student, UK

An invaluable, concise manual to experiencing the qualities and subtleties of the heart.

Andrea Magoni, senior meditation student, Italy