What if we could understand our lives in deeper ways, maximizing meaning and fulfillment even during times of crisis? Every normal human lifespan contains passages that deserve attention, intention and ritual. This book shows us how we can do that with minimal disruption to our normal lives and without the need for teachers, ministers or gurus. This isn't a religious book. All beliefs and non-beliefs are welcome. Readers will leave with practical suggestions for living a more meaningful life each and every moment. Chapters end with a bullet-pointed list on "What You Need To Do Now." Interspersed throughout are reflections from a multicultural assembly of some of the most well-respected minds in human transformation: - Robert Bly - Michael Meade - Meredith Little - Starhawk - Orland Bishop - Robert Moore - Bill Plotkin - Clarissa Pinkola-Estes - Angeles Arrien - Aqeela Sherrills - Luis Rodriguez - David Blumenkrantz - Andy Mecca - Ed Tick - Sobonfu Somé "Filled like a banquet with rituals, stories, medicines, quotes and models, recipes for genuine growth and transformation... Rites to a Good Life is a call for us all to reflect on our own personal journey and its place in the culture and cosmos around us." - Jack Kornfield, bestselling American author and legendary Buddhist teacher "The soothing balm we need in a world on fire. This is the handbook we all need to revive the hero within us with practical and accessible daily rituals for personal growth that just may transform your life and enable you to change those of others." - Maryanne Howland, author of Warrior Rising: How Four Men Helped a Boy on His Journey to Manhood "Our world is always made easier by rites of passage, and it's made better by this book on the subject. This is a very fine book; thoughtful, well researched and well written." - Curtis Mitchell "A fine and important book. The framework provided, the quotes from a range of people and cultures, and the personal story woven in will keep people well involved." - Meredith Little, author of The Four Shields: The Initiatory Seasons of Human Nature "In Rites to a Good Life, Frederick Marx ministers to his readers by slowing them down enough to consider how to craft a life worth living in a hectic and traumatizing world. In so doing, he provides readers the tools to help bring transformation out of trauma, personal depth out of despair, and a life of intentionality out of a life of superficiality. Books like this can recreate reader's worlds." - Joel Edward Goza, author of America's Unholy Ghosts: the Racist Roots of Our Faith and Politics "Frederick lays out the mechanics of rites of passage in a clear and reasoned manner, allowing the reader to relate and make personal the benefits. More importantly, he demonstrates rites of passage are not a once in a lifetime event. Rites of passage represents a common human framework for change and growth repeated over the span of a lifetime. It seems the best strategy is to understand and become skillful. I enjoyed the read." - Craig "Snake" Bloomstrand, author of Wise Men Look "In my years of doing Rites of Passage work with boys and young men, I've never met anyone with more experience, insight or passion about those issues than Frederick Marx. All of those qualities come through on virtually every page of this book. Frederick never fails to show respect toward those whose approach to rites of passage may vary from his own.... In our culture that has lost the significance of mentoring for both girls and boys, it's the destructive impact we see every day from broken, wounded males that demands crucial attention. Frederick's life work, and this book, have the capacity to bring healing to those wounds." - Craig Glass, author of Passage to Manhood: Field Guide "Rites to a Good Life is the soothing balm we need in a world on fire. His is the handbook we all need to revive the hero within us with practical and accessible daily rituals for personal growth that just may transform your life and enable you to change those of others." - Maryanne Howland, author of Warrior Rising: How Four Men Helped a Boy on His Journey to Manhood "A powerful and visionary endeavor. Inspiring." - Roshi Joan Halifax, Founder of Upaya Zen Center, Author of Shamanic Voices: A Survey of Visionary Narratives and Shaman, the Wounded Healer