The plain fact is that for most of us in the West when we hear the word Buddhism we have no clear markers to hang onto. It summons up above all perhaps the stereotype of a vast nebulous mystical philosophy with no clear boundaries. What this book seeks to do is to set Buddhist teachings firmly in a modern context and to demonstrate not only their continued relevance for anyone seeking a strong and value-creating spiritual dimension in their lives, but the extent to which those teachings are aligned with the findings from modern sociological and psychological studies. In this way, hopefully, it might be of some value to those who may have a latent curiosity, but who might never otherwise pick up a book about Buddhism

Put simply this personal journey is about well-being in this life. About learning in a wholly practical way how to build that resilient sense of well-being for oneself and others, no matter what the circumstances you might find yourself in. You certainly don’t have to be especially knowledgeable, or dedicated or indeed religious in any way.

Buddhism teaches the extraordinary truth that well-being is not a matter of chance or accident, but essentially a matter of choice, and that we can all learn how to make that choice.