The Lotus Still Blooms is the ideal book for every reader who would like to understand Buddhist principles, but doesn’t know where to start. Eastern wisdom traditions are often baffling for Western minds – where to begin in uncovering the often complicated steps, precepts, concepts and ideas? Aimed at people who are curious about Buddhism and want a basic book that will help them to understand – and apply – Buddhist principles in their life, The Lotus Still Blooms is a practical book that goes through all of the major Buddhist principles, step-by-step, and then shows how to apply them to our busy, hectic lives. Filled with Joan Gattuso’s trademark delightful stories and warmth, as well as exercises to help readers begin using the principles right away, this is a book that will be a welcomed new introduction to this exciting spiritual tradition. Bestselling author Joan Gattuso brings deep, personal insight to all her writing. Her in-depth studies with His Holiness the Dalai Lama has given her the necessary background for her unique look at Tibetan Buddhism. She is the author of the bestselling A Course in Love and A Course in Life , both of which have been translated into several languages. Also a dynamic speaker, she is a Unity minister in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Her spiritual path has taken her around the world to study with renowned spiritual leaders. She lives in Ohio with her husband David Alexander. All great religions have methods for overcoming suffering. Buddhism is just one example. —His Holiness the Dalai Lama Introduction While on a book tour in Los Angeles, a totally unexpected and life- expanding event began to unfold. I had a free afternoon in which my childhood friend Ginna, then the chef at Deepak Chopra's healing center, was coming to fetch me for the day. She was temporarily on leave from the healing center, living in the Los Angeles area and working as the personal chef for an action-movie hero while he was getting in shape for his upcoming movie. Ginna offered me a choice: Would I prefer to go to his movie set, or would I like to see his home in Bel Air? I instantly chose his home, a spontaneous decision for which I remain grateful to this day. The Bel Air area is most luxurious, lined with manicured estates. We pulled through the gates of a grand home. Upon entering we were greeted in the kitchen by the young live- in girlfriend, who appeared to be a little upset. Ginna, multitalented artist, chef, earth- mother goddess personified, said she needed to talk with the young woman. Did I mind being alone for a while? Of course I told Ginna I did not. It was fascinating sitting in the kitchen observing the famous movie star's domestic life filled with two nannies, a cook, a helper and a chauffeur—all in the kitchen at the same time. I took in a very animated conversation in the midst of the unpacked groceries that were everywhere. Then the unexpected occurred. Through the kitchen doorway two Tibetan monks in robes and wearing mala beads entered the kitchen. I immediately stood and bowed to them. They bowed to me, while my brain raced to comprehend this increasingly bizarre kitchen scene. The monks took seats opposite me at the kitchen table. We introduced ourselves. They were guests in the actor's home while they were studying English at UCLA. The older of the two barely understood English, while the younger was fairly fluent. After only a few minutes the younger one innocently, "Do you want to come to my room?" I was for a fraction of a second taken aback, not having received such an offer in many a year, let alone from a young Tibetan monk in saffron robes. "Okay, I guess so," I responded haltingly. This is how I met Lama Chonam, my most precious Buddhist friend. We walked through the great rooms of the mansion and up the stairs to the second floor. When we reached his room, the young monk opened the door and we entered. It was more like a sanctuary than a bedroom. It consisted of a beautiful altar with many butter candles burning, artistic figures of the Buddha, and various Taras and bodhisattvas. He placed two chairs near the altar, and we sat at a right angle to each other. In the depths of my being I knew this was a significant occurrence. He opened his heart to me that afternoon, telling me of his arduous es cape from Tibet over the Himalayas and into Nepal. His tales were spellbinding. He was amazed that I had been studying with the Dalai Lama for several years and had married my Western spiritual education to my Tibetan practices. We sat together for two hours deeply engaged in conversation, like two lost friends who had finally found each other again after many years or lifetimes of being separated. When it was time to go, he walked me to the car and said, "We must have very good karma together." Then he did an extraordinary thing for a monk. He reached out and hugged me, and I hugged him in return. "I have met many Americans," he said, "but I never have met anyone that