Millions have found mindfulness to be a powerful practice for reducing stress, enhancing attention, and instilling tranquility. But it can offer so much more--it can transform you, make you more fully awake, alive, and aware of your connection to all beings. In Japanese, the character that best expresses mindfulness, ?, consists of two parts--the top part, ?, meaning "now," and the bottom part, ?, meaning "heart." Using stories from his own life as the son of an Irish father and a Japanese mother, a professor in Japan and America, a psychotherapist, a father, and a husband, Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu describes eight "heartfulness" principles that help us realize that the deepest expression of an enlightened mind is found in our relation to others.

"He shows us through stories and practices how to expand our contemplative lives from being self-focused to being inclusive, connected, compassionate, and responsible . . . Each story is a jewel, opening the heart. He connects heartfulness to social justice, leadership, and education and offers simple, direct instructions for seven heartful practices." --Mirabai Bush, author of Walking Each Other Home (with Ram Dass)

"Resonant with Stephen's kindness, heartfulness, and wisdom and filled with excellent exercises and practical guides, this lovely volume will be a friend and guide to all those intent on creating and sustaining thriving lives, workplaces, relationships, and communities." --Dan Barbezat, Professor of Economics, Amherst College