Looking for online resources for a friend

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

I've got a good friend (not a kalyanamitta, the more standard variety!) who may be interested in reading, or listening to some good Dhamma that might lift her spirits somewhat. She's not a Buddhist, but isn't averse to it.

She's a house-bound mother of two boys (8yo & 3yo), shy, not particularly confident, depressed, mildly anxious, inclined to smoke pot (though keen to be strong enough to give it up), yet is surprisingly intelligent and hidden beneath all that, has a very warm heart.

My first thoughts were something by Ven K Sri Dhammananda, but I wanted to open it up to any suggestions from Dhamma Wheel members who might have read something before which they think might be useful to such a person.

Thank you.

Metta,
Retro.

[zavk]

Hi Retro

Perhaps the talks/books of lay-oriented teachers might be more suitable? I'm thinking of the folks at IMS: http://www.dharma.org/ims/teachers.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Their teachings tend to be 'gentler' and more applicable to everyday life. Their talks are also available at Audio Dharma.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Ed,

Yes, it's something soft and warm I'm after. Something targeted at those with low self-esteem who would benefit from "awakening to the sacred" to steal a term off Lama Surya Das.

Metta,
Retro.

[pink_trike]

A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield comes to mind. He has such a gentle, easy way of bumping people into awareness.

http://www.amazon.com/Path-Heart-Throug ... 0553372114

...and he's great for beginners because he talks in terms of experience rather than abstracts..

[DNS]

Another good author might be Mark Epstein, M.D. I have read one of his books and it was pretty good and in plain English.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=s ... in&x=0&y=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[zavk]

Hey Retro

Years ago, I read a book by Tara Brach (another IMS teacher) entitled Radical Acceptance. She is, like Kornfield, a trained psychologist. From what I can remember, her book is written in the style of the self-help genre. She shares her experience as both a woman and a single mom, addressing issues related to self-esteem and the like. Her gentler, feminine voice might appeal to your friend. I'm sure she has selected writings online.

[tiltbillings]

A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield comes to mind. He has such a gentle, easy way of bumping people into awareness.

http://www.amazon.com/Path-Heart-Throug ... 0553372114

...and he's great for beginners because he talks in terms of experience rather than abstracts..

Absolutely. A great choice.

[Raga Mala]

Greetings Ed,

Yes, it's something soft and warm I'm after. Something targeted at those with low self-esteem who would benefit from "awakening to the sacred" to steal a term off Lama Surya Das.

Metta,
Retro.

"Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung" by Ajahn Brahm is pretty tender stuff, though some of it is comical, it's mostly pretty warm. It's brought me close to tears before. It's what springs to mind.

Any of his Dhamma talks online would also probably be beneficial, but this one in particular seems a propos to your friend's situation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H94Dz4Iq2d4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;