I had planned to review a new book this week, about different versions of Kuan-Yin around the world, but have decided to do that later in the week. Since part of the purpose of this site is to help people find Buddhist resources relevant to them, I decided to rerun a review I did last year of Jack Kornfield's latest book:

A Lamp in Darkness: Illuminating the Path Through Difficult Times

Jack Kornfield is both a respected Buddhist teacher and a clinical psychologist, and his writings really speak to everyone. In this book he offers many kinds of teachings and meditations for working through the most painful and difficult phases of our life. This one is a simple one for centering when feeling fearful and anxious:

Breathing in and out, I calm my body.
Breathing in and out, I calm my mind.
May I be balanced.
May I be at peace.
With each breath, gently breathing in and out, I calm my body.
Breathing in and out, I quiet my mind.
May I be balanced and at peace.

Simply breath in and out, bringing your awareness to your breath as you do so. Repeat this phrase at intervals as many times as you like.

Dear Lisa,

In my case,if an event ,or a series of events disturb me.like today again another shooting.
I Take Refuge ,repeating it 3 times,with half a smile on my face.

Most of the time,after the first Taking Refuge,I am back in the
Now.Present moment,Mindfulness.

I do beleive,that whatever system used,changing one's thoughts.
brings back the individual to Now.

With respect
loong
son of the Universe