Drawing on down-to-earth examples from everyday life and stories from Buddhist teachers past and present, Hagen tackles these fundamental inquiries with his trademark lucid, straightforward prose. The newcomer to Buddhism will be inspired by this accessible and provocative introduction, and those more familiar with Buddhism will welcome this much needed hands-on guide to understanding what it truly means to be awake. By being challenged to question what we take for granted, we come to see the world as it truly is. Buddhism Is Not What You Think offers a profound and clear path to a life of joy and freedom.

•A unique focus on meditation not simply as a spiritual technique, but as a way of living

•A 360–degree treatment, from newcomers' most basic concerns to the difficulties that entangle the most experienced meditators

•A clear description of where most of us get stuck in meditation –– and how to get unstuck

•Essential (and often surprising) guidance on topics that other books rarely or never address

•An answer to why things commonly viewed as meditation aren't meditation at all

•Simple practices to help avoid needlessly complicating meditation