Böcker av Richard Winter

Why doesn't our politics 'do what it says on the tin'? What on earth happened to 'Truth', 'Responsibility', 'Honesty' and 'Trust'? The words and concepts have long been familiar. They are all 'on the tin', so to speak. But not much sign, anywhere, of putting them into practice! So what actually needs to change? Not just our values or our ideas but, surely, our behaviour, our habits. We don't just need a description of the changes we want to see, but an understanding of how we can BE those changes. And this is where meditation comes in. Meditation not just as thinking, but as actions that we practise until they become habits. To enable us not only to think differently about politics but to develop forms of awareness that enable us to respond more effectively - with greater self-knowledge, imagination and sensitivity. So this is a book for us to practise with, and the final section is a practical guide to meditation methods. The details of the meditation practices are derived largely from the philosophical and psychological teachings of Buddhism, but the book is intended for those of any faith (or none) or of any political persuasion. So enjoy: perhaps this book will make all the difference!

How shall I lead my life? What will bring me happiness (and can I possibly know this in advance)? Where do my ethical values, feelings and opinions come from? How do I know if I really understand something, or are my judgements always just opinions? Should I be optimistic or pessimistic about 'human nature' - including my own, of course? Finally, are there any 'objective' answers to all of this or is any answer always as good as any other?If such questions seem important to you personally, then this book is written for you. Its focus is precisely on methods for understanding better the nature of our experience, behaving more ethically and with greater emotional awareness.Don't Expect a Standing Ovation is a reworking in contemporary terms of an ancient Buddhist teaching on meditation, but it is intended for readers of any 'faith' (or none), i.e., for anyone who is open to meditation as a possibly helpful practical response to the sense of unease arising from the questions listed above. Buddhist teachings are, therefore, introduced not as a 'religion' but as a combination of psychological, ethical and philosophical ideas that are nevertheless in themselves not unfamiliar.The teaching consists of fifty-nine slogans or maxims, which taken together form a practical handbook of guidance in responding skilfully (and indeed, therefore, 'wisely') in our everyday interactions with others.

Based on lessons learned from the ASSET programme, a national project to develop a competence-based model of curriculum and assessment, this text presents a research based description of a possible future for higher education and for education of the profession.