Four Mindful Books to Read This Winter: 2013

Leading From the Emerging Future
From Ego-System to Eco-System Economies By Otto Scharmer and Katrin Kaufer Berrett-Koehler
We are tiny droplets in a very big ocean. Yet each of our habits and viewpoints contributes something to the collective makeup of our societies—even the planet. Otto Scharmer is the bestselling author of Theory U, an awareness-based practice that advocates rst diving deep before coming back up with new solutions to challenges. Here, his popular theory is applied to our current economic, ecolog- ical, and social conundrums—with many thought-provoking results.

I Wonder

By Annaka Harris, illustrated by
John Rowe
Four Elephants Press
We adults have created a world in which information is quite literally at our nger- tips—evidence, perhaps, of how highly we value “knowing” stu . So how do children learn to be comfortable with not knowing, not having an answer? Something bigger is at stake here: the less our children enjoy hanging out in the space between the question and the answer (if there is one), the less they’re likely to exercise their own curiosity and creativity. Children’s books help us inject wonder into our kids’ lives.
I Wonder reinforces their ability to do it for themselves.

The Generosity Network

New Transformational Tools
for Successful Fund-Raising
By Jennifer McCrea and Je rey C. Walker, with Karl Weber Crown
If you’ve ever tried to e ect change, you’ve encountered the need to inspire others— and ask them for money. You’re not alone: America’s nonpro t sector comprises 1.8 million organizations. But asking for help has many pitfalls. McCrea, of Harvard’s Hauser Center for Nonpro t Organiza- tions, and Walker, a private equity capital expert and philanthropist, o er a guide that highlights the power of collaboration and will help you build a network that can bring about the change you want to see.

Eat Move Sleep

How Small Choices Lead to Big Changes

By Tom Rath Missionday
Tom Rath is not a doctor, a nutritionist, or an expert on exercise or sleep. But since the age of 16, when he was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, he has been a patient. In that time he’s been in search of “credible and practical ideas” to help him live a healthier life. Eat Move Sleep is
a ne distillation of what he has discov- ered works best. The good news? Small choices change everything. Take it from a guy who isn’t aiming to climb Everest. Rath just wants to get up and have the best day possible—and as many more as possible a er that.

Mindful Compassion

Using the Power of Mindfulness and Compassion to Transform Our Lives
By Paul Gilbert & Choden

The Aesthetic Brain

How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Enjoy Art
By Anjan Chatterjee

The Shape of Green

Aesthetics, Ecology and Design
By Lance Hosey

Social

Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect
By Matthew Lieberman

Imagine Me with the Three Owls
By Lisa Hemmings
and Allan O’Keefe
Illustrations by Lisa Hemmings

Self-Compassion Step by Step
The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself By Kristin Ne , PhD.