A hauntingly surreal account of tragedy, determination and courage against insurmountable odds. As a young, fragile child fights for her life, her mother faces harsh challenges, discovering the true essence of the human spirit in surprising, mysterious moments. The painfully intertwined lives of many are revealed as truths about spirituality, intuition and humanity are placed in a glaring, pure light. An astonishing experience is exposed through listening to the whispers of "Sierra's song," revealing the true zen of crisis.

In this companion to her bestselling Kids are Worth It!, parenting educator Barbara Coloroso shows how parents can help children find a way through grief and sorrow during the difficult times of death, illness, divorce, and other upheavals. She offers concrete, compassionate ideas for supporting children as they navigate the emotional ups and downs that accompany loss, assisting them in developing their own constructive ways of responding to what life hands them. At the heart of her approach is what she calls the T.A.0. of Family -- Time, Affection, and Optimism -- coupled with her deep understanding of how people move through grief. Barbara Coloroso's clear answers to difficult questions are enriched by uplifting humor and insightful anecdotes from her own experiences as a Franciscan nun, mother of three, and her thirty years as a parenting educator. With this Guide in hand, parents can feel assured that they are responding with wisdom and love when children need them most.

Zen is practice and realization of the Buddha heart. Its tradition came from India associated with extreme detachment, fearlessness and meditation. Its practice is inquiry into the nature of self. Its realization is the transcendental aloneness of the Buddha's 'In heaven and earth I alone am the World-honoured one.' In expression it has shown freedom from fear of death, a certain carelessness as to what may happen, and inspiration in all the concerns of life, great and small.

How do you prepare for a test? Study the material, of course. But studying for the SAT is different—knowing facts is not enough. On the SAT, basic information is presented in tricky new combinations, and getting the right answers depends less on what you know than on how you think. Zen in the Art of the SAT, written for those in grades 9–12, can help you achieve your highest score on the new SAT. • Learn to let go of worries and fears, calm your mind, and bring your attention to the present moment. • Explore the main obstacles actual students have faced and how they overcame them. • Assess yourself: know what role anxiety plays in your test-taking and learn how to change reading habits that may be limiting your success. • Create a study plan that will work for you. • Find out how your parents can support you best. • Discover your mind’s hidden natural ability to solve problems. The techniques in Zen in the Art of the SAT were developed through years of work with students in New York City, one of the most competitive test-prep markets in America.

A bi-weekly journal of Christian opinion.

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