Steady, Calm, and Brave

November 16, 2020
Mindfulness instructor Brown issues a sympathetic call to heal an increasingly troubled world in this comforting, useful guide. A student of Buddhism, Brown argues that all of humanity is linked: “Only everyone can save us—and we’re everyone.” Addressing the Covid-19 pandemic in the introduction, Brown considers how lifestyles have drastically changed, as many people have been forced to navigate stressful situations like missing family and friends, sleepless nights, boredom from daily monotony, and endless videoconferencing. In upbeat prose, Brown’s short compendium of thoughtful blessings, practices, and readings (“Wisdom is understanding that none of us live independently... taking care of yourself means knowing when to ask for help and learning to receive”) strikes a sensitive balance between self-help—through compassion and acceptance when confronting feelings of uncertainty—and helping others in need through education, donations, and community activism. She also entreats readers to reject the divisiveness of “us” versus “them” and to make a connection with someone who is from the “other” group. Timely and pertinent, Brown’s sensitive meditations will appeal to anyone who has lost a loved one, a job, or a sense of self during times of tragedy.