Valerie Brown - Hope Leans Forward : Braving Your Way toward Simplicity, Awakening, and Peace

This extraordinary book is like a great river that delivers nutrients to all those on her shores. I have sat with the wisdom that Valerie Brown has shared in this remarkable volume and been uplifted and also grounded as she opens the heart of her reader through the courage and hope that she shares.

Roshi Joan Halifax, abbot, Upaya Zen Center

While reading Hope Leans Forward , I found myself taking deeper breaths and feeling more relaxed in my body. Valerie Brown is a skilled teacher and storyteller. She demonstrates through her experience and vulnerability, and through the wisdom of those with whom she has journeyed, how to cultivate (as Quakers say) the seed of God within during a deeply challenging time. To read this book is to feel more grounded and alive; to practice the wisdom within it is to open yourself to the possibilities of your own life.

Barry Crossno, general secretary, Friends General Conference

In this moment, when our interconnectedness and mutual vulnerability are more evident than ever, Valerie Browns Hope Leans Forward offers a path luminescent in its pragmatism, crystal in its invitation to shared responsibility, gentle in its guiding steps and full of grace for each of us. You will want to keep this book near and refer to it again and again.

Sarah Willie-LeBreton, provost and dean of the faculty, professor of sociology and Black studies, Swarthmore College

Each chapter of Hope Leans Forward by Valerie Brown is an exploration of one of seven factors of awakening of Buddhist teaching and practicemindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimityin dialogue with Quaker tradition. In particular, Brown writes as a Buddhist-Quaker grounded in her practice of Kundalini Yoga. The end result is an excellent example of how the practice of interreligious dialogue more often than not expands ones faith journey in unexpected and creative ways.

Paul Ingram, The Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies

This wonderful book invites you in with its mix of warmth and empathy skillfully blended with a sense of adventure, discovery, and fun. It is rich, yet meant to be carried lightly. Practical, but in the service of the journey toward unknowing. Filled with helpful practices and powerful insights, it will help anyone chart the course toward spiritual maturity.

Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares, executive director, Spiritual Directors International

Valerie Brown beautifully demonstrates that each of us truly has our own unique path to set and way of navigating the world. She shares her own courageous and emotional spiritual journey and the captivating and perspective-widening stories of those she met along the way. Hope Leans Forward is equal parts inspirational and practical offering an abundance of wisdom and guidance at the intersection of multiple religious and spiritual traditions.

Lynn Screen, managing director, Institute for Transformational Leadership, Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

In Hope Leans Forward Valerie Brown intimately weaves her own story and those of others to explore in a very deep way the seven factors of awakening in Buddhism and the inquiry and reflection of Quaker spirituality to provide a readers guidebook to explore lifes deepest questions, navigate lifes inevitable rocky waters and hurt places, and cultivate clarity on the way to their true self. This is a book to be read slowly, digested, and read again as it invites readers into deep reflection and uncovers the wisdom of the soul.

Bill Pullen, MSOD, MCC, academic director, Institute for Transformational Leadership, Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

My beloved sister in the Dharma, Valerie Brown offers all of us a beautiful stream of living inspiration and wisdom born of experience. Enjoy these precious and practical life stories. If you wish to be uplifted, this is a worthy read.

Dr. Larry Ward, The Lotus Institute and Buddhist Dharma teacher, Plum Village

Valerie Browns story of her journey helps me to see my own path in greater clarity. I am inspired by her courage, her boldness, her clarity. I will be using this book in my classroom and in my practice with clients. This is an inspired offering by a wonderful soul friend, and I am grateful.

Dr. Peggy Rowe-Ward, coauthor of Making Friends with Time and Loves Garden , The Lotus Institute and Buddhist Dharma teacher, Plum Village

If you are ready to lean into the discomfort that foreshadows transformation, then this book is for you. If you are not ready for that discomfort, this book is for you. If you dont know whether youre ready for the foreshadowing, this book is for you. If you think you leaned too far into transformation, this book is for you. If you think you need to lean backwards, this book is for you. If you are not sure about your bodys posture toward courage, this book is for you. In each case, Valerie Brown shows us how transformation, with just a slight pivot, is within our reach.

Pamela Ayo Yetunde, ThD, coeditor of Black and Buddhist: What Buddhism Can Teach Us about Race, Resilience, Transformation, and Freedom

Valerie Brown invites readers on a pilgrimage to the intersections of vulnerability, community, and courageto our own soul stories. Journeying with us across challenging terrain as companion and guide, she brings the voices of other travelers shes met on her path, as well as trustworthy practices that will support and encourage us along the wayones we can turn to whenever we need to come home to ourselves.

Kathryn A. McElveen, executive director, Center for Courage & Renewal

As manager of QuakerBooks of the Friends General Conference, I am regularly asked about books on settling in, focusing, centering, etc. Many Friends and seekers know why and they need to know how. Hope Leans Forward will be my answer. Valerie Brown invites the reader: Sail with me. Let this book guide you. She certainly delivers. Her meshing of Buddhist practices with the Quaker Way, in clear and concise words, is a gift that will guide many to mindfulness.

Audrey L. Greenhall, manager, QuakerBooks and QuakerPress, Friends General Conference

Reading what Valerie Brown has written is a pilgrimage in itselfin the company of a wise, compassionate guide. The beautiful weaving of story and practice, the dance between Buddhist and Quaker practices, the simplicity of it, the elegance of it, the stories of Valeries life, the stories of others who have been on this pathall these rich elements woven together in a tapestry create an experience of lifes pilgrimage. I read it very slowly, allowing it to nourish me. I didnt want it to end.

Judy Sorum Brown, poet, writer, and leadership development expert

I am beyond grateful for Valerie Browns book Hope Leans Forward . Read and take in her wisdom. Begin to create your path toward bravery. We will all be better for it.

Yvonne L. Moore, philanthropic advisor, catalyst, and change agent

Valerie Brown has written a heartful and generous book that weaves together her spiritual journey as a Catholic-Quaker-Buddhist Black woman of Cuban-Jamaican descent into a tapestry that leaves nothing behind, that honors every step of the journeyjoyful and challenging alike, and that centers the voices of ordinary, extraordinary people living lives of courage and compassion in communities across the country.

Elaine Retholtz, licensed acupuncturist and teacher, New York Insight Meditation Center

hope leans forward

Hope Leans Forward

Braving Your Way toward Simplicity, Awakening, and Peace