This book was created in the summer of 2001, shortly before tragic acts of terrorism unleashed another wave of violence that the whole world is caught in. The meditations presented in it represent traditional Buddhist practices. They bring forth stories that have been passed down among people in various forms since time immemorial and are part of our human heritage, as they preserve the living wisdom of past generations. They are told to children, shared around the fire, described in sacred texts, and conveyed to us by respected teachers. They are almost never completely new, and they always concern the stories of the human heart. To the best of my abilities, I have tried to ensure that the references express what I have found as contemporary sources. In reality, they are gateways to knowledge and understanding that we all share together. May these timeless truths and universally applicable methods that I offer serve all suffering beings. May all beings find their way to inner peace. Jack Kornfield
