Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for our ever-dwindling attention spans. Whether you are searching for purpose and meaning, trying to live more peacefully in the present, or seeking to heal your relationships with loved ones—or yourself—this small but mighty collection is a true handbook for happiness.

This collection is practical yet hopeful, can be read in any order, and is meant to be referred to again and again depending on where you are in life’s complicated journey. Each story, inspirational quote and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to. Helping us all to:

• Form healthy romantic relationships by communicating with intention over emotion
• Gain patience and understanding by finding the beauty in the in-between
• Get to the root of our suffering to overcome anger, insecurities, and fear
• Rewrite the stories to tell ourselves to find true success, fulfilment, and abundance

Whether it’s Mother Teresa’s acts of charity, Gandhi’s perseverance, or your aunt Betty’s calm demeanor, it doesn’t matter who inspires you, so long as you’re motivated to be better today than you were yesterday. Regardless or religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, ability, flexibility, or vulnerability, if you do good, you feel good, and if you do bad, you feel bad. You don’t need to be a Buddhist to find this book motivational. As the Dalai Lama says, “Don’t try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are.”

If you agree that Buddhism isn’t just about meditating, but also about rolling up your sleeves and relieving some of the suffering in the world, then you are ready to be a soldier of peace in the army of love; welcome to Buddhist Boot Camp!