Now in paperback—this acclaimed book from Norman Rosenthal, the New York Times–bestselling author and research psychiatrist, shows how life’s disappointments and difficulties provide us with the lessons we need to become happier and more resilient human beings. Winner of the 2014 Nautilus Award represents “Better Books for a Better World”—the Silver Award in the category of Heroic Journeys. Adversity is an irreducible fact of life. Although we can and should learn from all experiences, both positive and negative, bestselling author Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, believes that adversity is by far the best teacher most of us will ever encounter. Whether the adversity one experiences is the result of poor decision-making, a desire to test one’s mettle, or plain bad luck, Rosenthal believes life’s most important lessons—from the value of family to the importance of occasionally cutting corners—can be best learned from it. Running counter to society’s current prevailing message that “excellence” must always be aspired to, and failure or mistakes of any sort are to be avoided at all costs, Rosenthal shows that engaging with our own failures and defeats is one of the only ways we are able to live authentic and meaningful lives, and that each different type of adversity carries its own challenges and has the potential to yield its own form of wisdom. Using stories from his own life—including his childhood in apartheid-era South Africa, his years after suffering a violent attack from a stranger, and his career as a psychiatrist—as well as case studies and discussions with well-known figures like Viktor Frankl and David Lynch, Rosenthal shows that true innovation, emotional resilience, wisdom, and dignity can only come from confronting and understanding the adversity we have experienced. Even when life is hardest, there are meanings to be found, riches to be harvested, and gifts that can last a lifetime. Rosenthal illustrates his message through a series of compact, memorable chapters, each one drawn from episodes in the lives of his patients, colleagues, or himself, and concluded with a take-away maxim on the lesson learned.

While preparing to deploy with the U.S. Army Marcus suffered a severe spinal injurythat left him paralyzed. After dying on the operating table twice, the surgeons saved his life, but told himhe'd never walk again. Having no other option, Marcus started doing some brutally honest soul searching, looking for the lesson to be learned from his injury. Once he started seeing his Adversity as a gift instead of a curse, something miraculous began to happen..."The Gift of Adversity" tells the inspiring story and lessons learned from overcoming pain and paralysis to find purpose. Based on Marcus Aurelius Anderson's life and TEDx talk, "The Gift of Adversity" gives functional and inspiring wisdom that can be applied in personal development, motivation, and achievement.

In The Gifts of Adversity, Dr. Carolee Tran vividly recounts her harrowing escape out of Vietnam with her family during the fall of Saigon and the obstacles they faced in pursuing the American dream, including the traumas of the Vietnam War, polio, forced relocation to the U.S., bullying, and experiences of racism. She also describes her history of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest for seven years, its impact on her life, and how she found the strength to extricate herself from the perpetrator's control. Dr. Tran reflects on how overcoming these adversities have given her some great gifts-what she refers to as "the gifts of adversity." This moving and inspiring book is a human story about trauma, hope, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to survive and thrive under the most difficult circumstances.

In this definitive book on the scientifically proven health and stress-relieving benefits of Transcendental Meditation, a renowned psychiatrist and researcher explores why TM works, what it can do, and how to use it for maximum effect.

Dan Caro has been proving the world wrong since he was in nappies. When he was two, he was engulfed in flames in an accident that left him with third degree burns so severe that doctors held out little hope he'd survive. Dan was in such excruciating pain that his devastated parents silently prayed for God to end their son's suffering and welcome him into heaven. And it seemed as if God was willing to oblige - Dan technically died on the operating table several times in the hours following the accident. Even though his heart stopped, Dan's spirit wasn't ready to give up . . . Despite the odds, he survived, but life would not be easy. The fire left him badly maimed and disfigured. His hands, most of his skin and nearly all of his face were burned away. He would endure years of painful surgeries and endless months of lonely isolation in burn units, only to suffer the agony of social rejection, shunned and called 'monster' by both children and adults in his Louisiana hometown. With the support of his loving family, Dan did not despair. He kept his heart open to the world and focused on the positive energy around him. Before his sixth birthday, he vowed that his life would not be defined by the way others saw him or the restrictions of his so-called physical handicaps. Dan set himself a series of life goals, starting with tying his shoelaces without fingers. Once he had achieved that, he decided he could do anything . . . so why not learn to play the drums? When Dan was told he'd never be able to do so, he promised himself that one day he'd become one of the most accomplished drummers in New Orleans. Since that day, Dan's music has inspired thousands. Many more have also been inspired by his personal philosophy of focusing on the positive, refusing to accept limits and living life with an open heart. Today, the young man who was once shunned by his neighbours is very much in demand as a public speaker who encourages others to not just overcome life's hardships, but to view adversity as a gift that can drive us toward reaching our full potential.

Juri Love is a true survivor. She grew up in a small town in Japan, where she faced child sexual abuse, domestic violence, bullying, and as a teen, homelessness. Despite the adversity, she has overcome many obstacles, including depression, suicidal thoughts, and PTSD. She came to America after winning a scholarship to attend the world-renowned Berklee College of Music. Upon graduation, Juri created a nonprofit to help juvenile offenders learn music. She is a recipient of the "Heroes Among Us" Award from the Boston Celtics, in addition to being a musician, journalist, model, actor, and single mother of two beautiful children, among many other roles. A Gift from Adversity shares Juri's passion, love, and wisdom through hardship in this personal account of her true life experiences. She hopes this book can create a positive force and empower others who have faced adversity.

"Most of us believe that we live in only three states of consciousness: wakefulness, sleep, and dreaming. But there is so much more. In [this book], ... Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., [posits that] the ... daily practice of transcendental meditation (TM) can permanently improve your state of mind during the routine hours of waking life--placing you into a super-mind state of consciousness where you consistently perform at peak aptitude"--