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Pocket Peace: Effective Practices for Enlightened Living
An elegantly packaged "pocket-size" guide to weathering life's storms
"As founder and guilding teacher of the Community Meditation Center in New York, Allan Lokos has an arsenal of tools for coping with stressful situations."
—Rachel Lee Harris, New York Times
We live in a turbulent world in which we are often forced to respond on a dime to challenging or even life-altering situations. To react wisely in difficult moments one needs to be quick on one's feet, but also quick of mind. In Pocket Peace , interfaith minister and Buddhist practitioner Reverend Allan Lokos provides readers with concise yet incisive daily "pocket practices" that will enable them to act in accordance with their truest and best selves.
If you want to run a marathon, you must train slowly and purposefully for months. Likewise, if you want to be your best self and learn to confront whatever comes your way with kindness, compassion, and generosity, you need to . . . practice. This elegantly packaged little book is full of wisdom and teachings the reader can literally pull from their pocket each day. A small yet powerful spiritual companion that intertwines personal anecdotes and age-old wisdom with practical guidance, Pocket Peace sets readers on the path to inner peace and lasting happiness.
"As founder and guilding teacher of the Community Meditation Center in New York, Allan Lokos has an arsenal of tools for coping with stressful situations."
—Rachel Lee Harris, New York Times
We live in a turbulent world in which we are often forced to respond on a dime to challenging or even life-altering situations. To react wisely in difficult moments one needs to be quick on one's feet, but also quick of mind. In Pocket Peace , interfaith minister and Buddhist practitioner Reverend Allan Lokos provides readers with concise yet incisive daily "pocket practices" that will enable them to act in accordance with their truest and best selves.
If you want to run a marathon, you must train slowly and purposefully for months. Likewise, if you want to be your best self and learn to confront whatever comes your way with kindness, compassion, and generosity, you need to . . . practice. This elegantly packaged little book is full of wisdom and teachings the reader can literally pull from their pocket each day. A small yet powerful spiritual companion that intertwines personal anecdotes and age-old wisdom with practical guidance, Pocket Peace sets readers on the path to inner peace and lasting happiness.
226 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2010
38 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Allan Lokos
8 books50 followersAllan Lokos is the founder and guiding teacher of the Community Meditation Center.
He began his study and practice of meditation with Thich Nhat Hanh in the nineties and his teachers have included Joseph Goldstein, Larry Rosenberg, Andrew Olendzki, Stephen Batchelor, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, and Tsoknyi Rinpoche, among others. He has attended retreats at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and classes and workshops at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies.
Allan has also attended a number of weeklong teachings with His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. Since 2002 Allan has enjoyed a treasured relationship with Sharon Salzberg, studying the dhamma and deepening his meditation practice.
He is the author of Pocket Peace: Effective Practices for Enlightened Living (Tarcher/Penguin), and Patience: The Art of Peaceful Living (Tarcher/Penguin, 12/2011.) His writing has appeared in Tricycle Magazine (for whom he also led a month long online retreat), Back Stage newspaper, and the anthology, Audacious Creativity.
Among the many places he has taught are New York Insight Meditation Center, The New York Open Center, Insight Meditation Community of Washington, Columbia University Teacher's College, Columbia University Buddhist Association, The Rubin Museum, and Marymount College.
Earlier in this life Allan was a professional singer appearing in the original Broadway productions of Oliver! and Pickwick, as well as the Stratford Festival/Broadway production of The Pirates of Penzance.
Allan was selected as one of "50 Inspiring Religous Leaders You Should follow on Twitter."
He began his study and practice of meditation with Thich Nhat Hanh in the nineties and his teachers have included Joseph Goldstein, Larry Rosenberg, Andrew Olendzki, Stephen Batchelor, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, and Tsoknyi Rinpoche, among others. He has attended retreats at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and classes and workshops at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies.
Allan has also attended a number of weeklong teachings with His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. Since 2002 Allan has enjoyed a treasured relationship with Sharon Salzberg, studying the dhamma and deepening his meditation practice.
He is the author of Pocket Peace: Effective Practices for Enlightened Living (Tarcher/Penguin), and Patience: The Art of Peaceful Living (Tarcher/Penguin, 12/2011.) His writing has appeared in Tricycle Magazine (for whom he also led a month long online retreat), Back Stage newspaper, and the anthology, Audacious Creativity.
Among the many places he has taught are New York Insight Meditation Center, The New York Open Center, Insight Meditation Community of Washington, Columbia University Teacher's College, Columbia University Buddhist Association, The Rubin Museum, and Marymount College.
Earlier in this life Allan was a professional singer appearing in the original Broadway productions of Oliver! and Pickwick, as well as the Stratford Festival/Broadway production of The Pirates of Penzance.
Allan was selected as one of "50 Inspiring Religous Leaders You Should follow on Twitter."
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 2, 2012
I received a copy of Pocket Peace from the GoodReads FirstReads program! Thank you very much!!
I liked this book, and it came at a time when I was going through some issues that I wasn't sure how to handle. I am still not sure how I will end up handling the issues, but I do know that I have found that there are a number of little tips in this book, that effect they way I look at each day and to make it better from my side.
Pocket Peace is filled with a number of small things each of us can do each day to change how the world around us effects us and how we effect it. One of the simplest, smile at everyone you see. If you tried that just for one day, what do you think you would find happening? You would be in a better mood and so many people around you would be in better moods!
There are more complex and detailed ideas that help you to focus on you and to make peace with the world, mediations and such, but over all I think it is a handy little book that everyone should read at least once!
I liked this book, and it came at a time when I was going through some issues that I wasn't sure how to handle. I am still not sure how I will end up handling the issues, but I do know that I have found that there are a number of little tips in this book, that effect they way I look at each day and to make it better from my side.
Pocket Peace is filled with a number of small things each of us can do each day to change how the world around us effects us and how we effect it. One of the simplest, smile at everyone you see. If you tried that just for one day, what do you think you would find happening? You would be in a better mood and so many people around you would be in better moods!
There are more complex and detailed ideas that help you to focus on you and to make peace with the world, mediations and such, but over all I think it is a handy little book that everyone should read at least once!
November 6, 2011
If you're looking to live a more peaceful, loving existence, this little book is here to show you the way. It's written in a fairly straight-forward style with clear suggestions and easy to follow ideas.
It is mostly based on Eastern religions as far as I can tell(I don't know much about Eastern beliefs or study) and whether or not you'll enjoy this will likely depend on your own personal beliefs or how open-minded you choose to be.
Nice quick read, will give you lots to think about.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways.
It is mostly based on Eastern religions as far as I can tell(I don't know much about Eastern beliefs or study) and whether or not you'll enjoy this will likely depend on your own personal beliefs or how open-minded you choose to be.
Nice quick read, will give you lots to think about.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways.
September 29, 2018
A commentary on the ten Buddhist paramis, or "perfection practices" - generosity, morality, relinquishing, wisdom, joyous effort, patience, truthfulness, determination, lovingkindness, and equanimity. Each of the ten gets its own chapter, and each chapter begins with a brief exploration of the benefits available to the reader by cultivating that particular parami, features a generous serving of helpful illustrative anecdotes drawn from the author's own life experiences, and ends with a few suggested personal practices we can use to develop that virtue in our own life.
November 3, 2011
I just received Pocket Peace in the mail. Thanks Goodreads for choosing me as winner of this book. I am going to start reading right away....be back soon with a full review. :)
This is a charming book that I pick up from time-to-time. Reading a few pages helps me focus and begin to relax from the stresses of the day. I would recommend this book for just that purpose. I am happy to have been chosen a Goodreads winner otherwise might never have stumbled across this little book.
This is a charming book that I pick up from time-to-time. Reading a few pages helps me focus and begin to relax from the stresses of the day. I would recommend this book for just that purpose. I am happy to have been chosen a Goodreads winner otherwise might never have stumbled across this little book.
February 16, 2012
...not a bad little cheat sheet for mindful living...
April 28, 2025
The recommended practice of giving a dollar to anyone who asks and then engaging in conversation with them is not necessarily safe for everyone. I attempted this practice once, and in doing so, I unknowingly made myself a target for what turned out to be a dangerous person living in my neighborhood.
Lokos insists that his practices are safe and accessible for all, but he has no way of knowing this—he is a white, upper class, able-bodied man so, naturally, he writes from that point of view and only knows what is safe and accessible for him. He does not understand that his experiences of life are not universal and are very much informed by his privilege.
Lokos insists that his practices are safe and accessible for all, but he has no way of knowing this—he is a white, upper class, able-bodied man so, naturally, he writes from that point of view and only knows what is safe and accessible for him. He does not understand that his experiences of life are not universal and are very much informed by his privilege.
January 14, 2021
Wonderful Wisdom!
We have been using Allan’s book as a guide in our sangha for several months now. It has invoked much conversation and revelations for us. I personally use the practices every day.
I would recommend POCKET PEACE to anyone wanting to lessen there suffering and grow spiritually. Thank you Allen
We have been using Allan’s book as a guide in our sangha for several months now. It has invoked much conversation and revelations for us. I personally use the practices every day.
I would recommend POCKET PEACE to anyone wanting to lessen there suffering and grow spiritually. Thank you Allen
July 30, 2017
I bought this book in a little bookstore in Bangkok. A straight forward yet delightful book. Peace in a pocket indeed.
August 5, 2020
Allan Lokos, meditation teacher, compiles anecdotes, life experiences, and "pocket practices." His recoveries from both childhood trauma and later illness/injury are incredible, so there's certainly something to glean here. But, ultimately, I don't bite.
I'm wary of individual happiness philosophies that ignore power. "Seeing things as they are" assumes that every perspective can have an equal view, and that reality, despite present discomfort, is ultimately safe. I disagree that intention trumps outcome, that happiness trumps justification, and that colorblindness is ideal. I think there's value in any wisdom-cultivating practice, but I find this one limited. To be "enlightened," I have to consider power; I can only afford not to if I already hold it.
I'm wary of individual happiness philosophies that ignore power. "Seeing things as they are" assumes that every perspective can have an equal view, and that reality, despite present discomfort, is ultimately safe. I disagree that intention trumps outcome, that happiness trumps justification, and that colorblindness is ideal. I think there's value in any wisdom-cultivating practice, but I find this one limited. To be "enlightened," I have to consider power; I can only afford not to if I already hold it.
July 3, 2013
Since we all learn from different stories and in different ways, it is fortunate there are many different kinds of books introducing spiritual practices. This is another introductory spiritual practice book, and it seems to me particularly oriented toward middle class folks in the middle of life. Each chapter ends with some focal practices, the idea being that the more you embrace a particular practice, the easier it is when you need it to pull that practice from your pocket.
May 5, 2013
This book was a delightful little find - I didn't know anything about the author until I chose a quote from him for one of my Mail Art collage cards. After using it, I looked him up and found him to be very interesting. I like reading books with a Buddhist intention. This is one I'll keep handy and read often. It give me reminders, like "Patience. This too shall pass." and, it reminds me to find and keep my loving kindness practice.
January 20, 2013
Nice little words of wisdom.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews